First of all, thanks to those that helped me out in my previous thread. Here is my old post, though I think it is unnecessary to look at now, as the wants have changed: http://www.hardforum.com/showthread.php?t=1439134
Long story short, I would like to go with a single device for all media HTPC needs. All formats, and HTPC tasks.
I would like to be able to playback BR, DVD, live TV, record live TV (2 channels min, but still be able to watch saved content while recording, 2x dual capture tuners is not out of the question though unsure if needed off the bat), hulu, downloaded content in various formats stored on a NAS, rip media (preferably while watching any of the above mediums) to store on the NAS.
As for the OS I would like Win7. Not sure if I should purchase x86 or x64.
HDMI with 7.1 is a must. I know a lot of people recommend motherboards with onboard gfx that accomplish this. I just cannot see onboard being able to lets say record to TV shows to the HDD while watching downloaded content saved on a NAS. I understand that is more of an old school mentality and new tech may be able to do that, I just want to double check with people that have stayed more up to date.
I would like to make it remote controlled, but plan on getting a Logitech remote for my TV/ Receiver so hopefully itll work with this as well. Is this as simple as just getting a USB IR receiver and connecting it to the motherboard, then just configuring the remote? Is a mouse and keyboard still needed from time to time? Any way to make WMC automatically start during boot-up?
While I do not have an absolute and fixed budget, Id like to keep it under (or close to) $800. The smaller, the better; I understand that means low power and this is where the confusion for me starts. I dont know what CPU, or chipset to go with that will still allow ripping and play back to be done without dropping frames while keeping low power, low heat.
I dont care about the AMD Vs Intel or nVidia Vs ATI, though I tend to like Intel CPUs and ATI GPUs. Yes, I see the oddity. Probably some sort of dual core at a min?
I do plan to buy before the weekend so I can have the parts here next week. I will build with Win7 RC x64 for testing, but will move to Win7 retail when it hits stores in Sept. Again, still undecided on 32 or 64 Guess Ill test with 64 to find out if it will work. But I see you guys recommend only 2gb of RAM for HTPCs so that would mostly defeat the purpose of 64 bit OS. On the other hand, I dont mind one bit getting 4gb if it is deemed necessary or something I should get to help rip and record or record more than one thing at a time.
This will be connected to an Onkyo 607 which is already purchased, not yet arrived.
Hopefully this long post gave you enough of an idea. Just basically a 'media playback/ encoding/ decoding that can do many things at once' device thats quieter than the 360 sitting next to it... which shouldnt be too difficult
Long story short, I would like to go with a single device for all media HTPC needs. All formats, and HTPC tasks.
I would like to be able to playback BR, DVD, live TV, record live TV (2 channels min, but still be able to watch saved content while recording, 2x dual capture tuners is not out of the question though unsure if needed off the bat), hulu, downloaded content in various formats stored on a NAS, rip media (preferably while watching any of the above mediums) to store on the NAS.
As for the OS I would like Win7. Not sure if I should purchase x86 or x64.
HDMI with 7.1 is a must. I know a lot of people recommend motherboards with onboard gfx that accomplish this. I just cannot see onboard being able to lets say record to TV shows to the HDD while watching downloaded content saved on a NAS. I understand that is more of an old school mentality and new tech may be able to do that, I just want to double check with people that have stayed more up to date.
I would like to make it remote controlled, but plan on getting a Logitech remote for my TV/ Receiver so hopefully itll work with this as well. Is this as simple as just getting a USB IR receiver and connecting it to the motherboard, then just configuring the remote? Is a mouse and keyboard still needed from time to time? Any way to make WMC automatically start during boot-up?
While I do not have an absolute and fixed budget, Id like to keep it under (or close to) $800. The smaller, the better; I understand that means low power and this is where the confusion for me starts. I dont know what CPU, or chipset to go with that will still allow ripping and play back to be done without dropping frames while keeping low power, low heat.
I dont care about the AMD Vs Intel or nVidia Vs ATI, though I tend to like Intel CPUs and ATI GPUs. Yes, I see the oddity. Probably some sort of dual core at a min?
I do plan to buy before the weekend so I can have the parts here next week. I will build with Win7 RC x64 for testing, but will move to Win7 retail when it hits stores in Sept. Again, still undecided on 32 or 64 Guess Ill test with 64 to find out if it will work. But I see you guys recommend only 2gb of RAM for HTPCs so that would mostly defeat the purpose of 64 bit OS. On the other hand, I dont mind one bit getting 4gb if it is deemed necessary or something I should get to help rip and record or record more than one thing at a time.
This will be connected to an Onkyo 607 which is already purchased, not yet arrived.
Hopefully this long post gave you enough of an idea. Just basically a 'media playback/ encoding/ decoding that can do many things at once' device thats quieter than the 360 sitting next to it... which shouldnt be too difficult