Using primary PC as HTPC

[traycerb]

I posted this in some other forums, but should have come here first, as the thoughts in this thread closely mirror my own intentions...

Anyway, just upgraded to a new PC (a sparkly e6600 core 2 duo) and was planning on using the old one (an aged p3-933) as a HTPC after buying a tuner.

However, my new video card, a Radeon x1950xt, as you all prob.know, a solid midrange gaming card, has dual DVI outputs (s-video too), and can run 2 screens. Is it possible to use this to my advantage to make it a HTPC?

For example, I envision the cpu in one room hooked to monitor, with cabling for audio/video going to living room. Presumably, I would just switch on the tv when ready and do my multimedia viewing w/ a remote or wireless mouse..

My concerns are a few:
a. software-wise, how will having the "second screen" interfere w/ my regular PC chores.
b. what software will allow me to do both easily (MCE i presume?)
c. signal degradation (TV and CPU ~10=12 feet away, but someone in the above thread uses a 50ft DVI cable)
d. no tv tuner (but I currently don't get channels anyway; I use my TV mostly for dvds, gaming)
e. sound. I would only want my pc sound going through my 6.1 system in another room when viewing movies, etc. How to make that happen?

obvious advantage is the much increased horse power (haven't even started OC'ing yet!). btw, until i upgrade my tv too, i'm stuck w/ s-video.

anyway, just some initial thoughts. sounds hard. anyone tried this? should i just go w/ my original plan?

--
ub

 

[clague]

What kind of TV are you connecting it to? What do you actually plan on using the HTPC for? If it's just standard def TV recording, the 933 will probably work. If you want to play xvids or any HD formats, you'll need the faster computer. I'm not sure how well media center would run on a 933 either, probably very slow, would most likely want to use myth tv instead.

 

[Trepidati0n]

traycerb egged me on with a PM in response to basically using your primary PC also as your HTPC.

1. Mouse: WinXP handles lots of mice just quite nicely. Just plug them in and windows should work just fine with them. I use a wired mouse and wireless mouse to no ill effect. The same goes for keybaords.

2. Video: The video cable is where people can "botch". The thing about DVI or HDMI is that it either works or it doesn't. You can't really "degrade" digital. That is why the back of the monster cable DVI-D cables make me laugh my ass off when they show color differences. If you want to gamble...get a cheapo. However, I prefer to spend my money wisely. Currently bluejeanscable.com is my main source of cables when I don't feel like making them myself.

3. Sound: Optical cables can be a bit "tricky" because of attenuation. However if your system has a coaxial output and your receiver has a coaxial input, any good "video cable" will do you just fine. You only needa few MHz of bandwidth anyways. I believe most good DVD software allows audio phase advance or video phase lag (same thing) if the run is a bit long or you need an optical extender which can cause phase lag.

4. Remote: Doesn't really matter unless you are using IR over RF. Even then, an IR repeater isn't the most expensive thing in the world. All the remote does is translate commands from a button press into a key press. However, software options like girder can allow certain keypresses to be "focused" on certain programs. But for a remote, honestly...if you are using an HTPC all you "really" need is pause I can handle right clicking for the menu and slecting which option I need. Therefore, for 99% of your viewing needs...all you need is a mouse. In my case..it is left click for pause.

5. Software: I don't really remember how I set mine up with dual video..but it works. I use zoomplayer. It does the job quite nicely...it makes me happy. I believe most modern cards these days can support multiple resolutions between seperate monitors. Also, my wife has ZERO problem using zoom player. What she really likes is the fact that my HT hardware now works like her PC...ZOMG, she doesn't really have to learn something new. No new remote to try and figure out what is what. No miles of buttons.

Just remember that when you use your PC for HT use as well that you can typically only use it in one spot or the other. That is its primary limitation...

 

[jrzimm612]

Easy,...well that is because I've been trying to do if for about 9 months now and have finally got it to work good.


(((((VIDEO)))))
Assuming you have an HDTV,

You can do it many ways:
1.Set up each screen separatly so that the computer knows what res and what refresh you want on each one(ex: 1280x1024computer and 1280x720hdtv. Then (If the ATI control pannel supports it) create a "hot key" to switch between your computer monitor and the TV.

Example: Ctrl+Shift+S

When you want to watch a dvd on your TV, press this combination (or whatever combination you created) and the computers desktop will now switch to your TV.

2. Manually go to monitor properties and switch the TV to the "primary display" every time you wish to use TV. (very annoying, but functional and reliable)

3. "Extend" your desktop to the TV, in the windows monitor properties. Using this, your TV will allways have an (extended) portion visible on what ever input you are using, so long as the computer is on. You may click and drag windows over to the TV and expand them, like Windows Media Player etc. Or if you use Windows MCE/Windows Vista Media Center, it will open by defalt on your TV everytime.
This works very well for me and is what I am currenlty using in Vista. However, when Media Center (MC) is open on the TV, you will not be able to navigate the desktop on you computerscreen until MC is closed.

Example: Lets say I am watching TV or a DVD on the TV and then I want to check my email. If I pause my show or movie and go into the room where my computer screen is, I will see the desktop and start bar just as you would expect. But I will not be able to get the mouse on to this display until MC "lets go" of it by closing it. In which case if I want to go back to my movie I will have to launch MC again and then find the spot where I left off if MC didn't remember it for me.

What cable do you use?!
Use the best you can afford! However...
If your TV is a CRT rear projection, a DVI cable will give you no noticeable increase in picture quality. (It will however reduce overscan.-What is overscan? see bellow) Actually even if your TV is a 70 inch Hitachi Plasma the difference is not that huge. Also consider that a DVI cable is much harder to navigate through tight turns and holes due to its thickness and broad head. Component will due just fine over huge distances and is easy to run though tight spaces. Also, If you decide to go DVI/HDMI any brand of cable will work EXACTLY the same over moderate distances. So don't buy the Monster super THX certified kevlar wrapped cable for $250 when the generic cable will give you the EXACT same picture. Just make sure it isn't so crappy that the ends will break if you move them/ reattach them a few times. Interference on a digital signal is VERY obvious, such as: no signal, signal half the time, or a signal with garbled blocks in it. Again,...a better brand DIGITAL cable will NOT give you a sharper, brighter, more vivid, or more accurate picture.

What is Overscan?
Overscan is when the picture you see on the screen is actually missing pieces around its boarder. For example a TV with alot of overscan will cut off parts of the "Network" symbols (ABC, NBC, FOX) in the bottom corner of the screen when whatching TV. This is done because it would make you much more angry if a side of your screen was blank because the TV wasn't aligned perfectly. So they (the TV) strech the image a bit to make sure there are not blank edges. This is only a problem if it makes you mad that you can't see the "whole" picture, or if you want to use your TV as a computer monitor and you can't see the start menu because the TV cuts it off.

Does my TV have overscan?
Well, yes..it may. All analog TV's (CRT direct view, and CRT projection) and all other digital rear-projection TVs (LCD, DLP, LCoS, SXRD) will have some overscan no matter what signal cable is used. All TV's (projection, LCD flat panel, Plasma etc) will have overscan if an analog cable is used. Only LCD and Plasma Flat panels used with Digital connections (DVI, HDMI, built in HD tunner) will be free of overscan.

((((AUDIO))))

You will need a sound card with both Digital (toslink(optical) or coaxial) and analog outputs. Most motherboards have this, and some soundcards. BEWARE! The Digital connection on all but the most expensive Creative Labs cards is propriatary and can only be used with digital Creative Speaker systems. In other words, you need a digital connection to your hometheater reciever, and a analog connection to your computer speakers. Both will run at the same time. Meanwhile Dolby Digital and DTS 5.1,6.1, and 7.1 will be automatically passed through to your home theater to decode. This will happen wether your card supports DTS and DD or not, because it is your reciever that decodes it. Just set up your computer speakers normally with the analog connection.

OK thats it. Sorry its so long

 

[jebo_4jc]

First of all, the OP said he can only use S-Video. So a long, high quality S-Video cable is needed for the TV.

Second, I'd like to know what type of speakers do you use on your PC? That may determine the best way to run your audio to your TV/receiver.

 

[clague]

For the audio, a solution I have seen is a motherboard that has an optical out and standard mini plugs. This motherboard passed a signal to both at the same time. So we ran optical to his reciever and used the mini-plugs for his computer speakers. If your motherboard has digital and analog outs, it's worth seeing if they work at the same time.

 

[traycerb]

this forum is amazing...anyway I have a gigabyte 965ds3 (great board btw) which includes an optical and coaxial sound output (as well as a few analog mini plugs). jebo_4jc: my computer speakers are an anonymous powered 2.1 set, whereas my HT speakers are a decent 6.1 set. What clague suggested is probably what i'll do: coax/optical to receiver, and the 2.1 speakers to analog miniplugs.

i'm stuck with s-video for now, but based on what everyone is saying, i'll have no problems using DVI when the time comes to upgrade.

Trepidati0n pointed out the key problem: can't use them both at once. Not really a problem with me so sounds like this can work

well now i have a spare p3. hmmm maybe it has enough juice for a low-end mame cab...

 

[Yreka]

The Digital connection on all but the most expensive Creative Labs cards is propriatary and can only be used with digital Creative Speaker systems.

Damn, I didnt know that.

Good ol Creative trying to be "Sony Lite"