~ 500 dollar budget [Archive] - XBMC Community Forum

feerlessleadr

2009-02-25, 00:49

Hey guys, long time lurker, only post sparingly.

I have decided to use about $500 of my tax refund to finally build an htpc for my living room and drop my old xbox to the basement.

After reading for a while I have come up with a list of parts for my HTPC and I just wanted to run them by you guys to make sure I didn't miss anything.

CPU - Intel E8400 (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115037)

MOBO - GIGABYTE GA-E7AUM-DS2H (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128363)

RAM - Crucial 2GB (2 x 1GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820148163)

CASE - Antec Black Aluminum / Steel Fusion Remote Black Micro ATX Media Center (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811129054)

My main concern is noise, I don't want to have the rig making a ton of noise. Depending on how loud the fans are I might get some aftermarket fans for the case and/or for the CPU.

My other concern is with my Harmony One remote. How well will my remote interact with this case? Anyone have any experience?

My last concern is about audio over HDMI. I searched through the forums and found some references to audio over HDMI in windows, but not a definitive yes or no that it would work. Will audio over HDMI work with my board?

Thanks for the help. Also any other recommendations such as OS (xp, nlite XP, vista, vlite vista, etc) would be appreciated.

Thanks

xanadu1979

2009-02-25, 01:09

Not sure I would use a somewhere around a third of the cost just on the case. I know having a true htpc case is important to some people though. I would personally just buy a cheap case and an MCE receiver separately. I would rather have an MCE remote than one of those iMON things. And do you need a volume control? If you use a receiver I'm guessing you don't. Do you plan on using the LCD screen? I'm not sure XBMC even interfaces with that.

I would go with something like this:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811144231

That's the only beef I have with it. I use HDMI audio in Windows and it works fine. As for the OS. I can't think of why you would use Vista over XP. I use Vista because it came with my computer. But I'd probably use XP if I had the choice. Just make sure if you buy a MCE receiver, that it works with whatever OS you decide to use.

feerlessleadr

2009-02-25, 01:32

I was thinking the same thing about the case. Really the only reason I chose it was because I had seen quite a few people say they had it and like it.

I won't be using either the LCD or the volume knob.

I looked at that case, but shyed away from it because people were saying that the PS would arrive DOA.

Any other suggestions for cases, preferably with a PSU included?

stoli

2009-02-25, 02:02

I have the same case and have to agree that it is a bit overkill; I have no use for the LCD or the volume. I'll grant it looks cool in the rack; but if I did it all over again I'd get a different model. Having said that, the factory ps and fans cool fine for me on their lowest speed settings and the noise level is quite low...

My 2 cents.

-stoli-

JohnWPB

2009-02-25, 02:10

There are lots of pretty nice cases out there, and for far less than the one above:

One for $50 (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811121027&nm_mc=OTC-Froogle&cm_mmc=OTC-Froogle-_-Cases+%28+HTPC/Media+Center+Cases%29-_-Compucase-_-11121027)

$55.00 (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811108058&nm_mc=OTC-Froogle&cm_mmc=OTC-Froogle-_-Cases+%28+HTPC/Media+Center+Cases%29-_-In+Win-_-11108058)

$65.00 (http://www.axiontech.com/prdt.php?item=85955)

$70.00 (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811144231&nm_mc=OTC-Froogle&cm_mmc=OTC-Froogle-_-Cases+%28+HTPC/Media+Center+Cases%29-_-APEVIA-_-11144231) (Nice black case with a 500w PSU and also comes in different colors: Red (http://www.google.com/product_url?q=http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx%3FItem%3DN82E16811144234%26nm_mc%3DOT C-Froogle%26cm_mmc%3DOTC-Froogle-_-Cases%2B%28%2BHTPC/Media%2BCenter%2BCases%29-_-APEVIA-_-11144234&fr=AFBe7-qgOqf0hyfH837hFSVF53-5GhJhzBBpekU6Oxg3mhSXm6vW8qep_zQMfwGonY02yRrc_y2Zo 9gl8_6YARg6KKDQenBiosLNFR2UoBJCwttJvsC1qHZNMJM1Gga qVBod6Vwh6V44H98HDNqdkQie1JQaWjco0C_S9EJR3NOlQ_Gdu abJhbO3wPLQBXHALvtZPmxAB2I_TtA9WciuuuLJ-ul8vleQDyjBVXnL_jnDn52YuoP3RITjDQ65eZ7CW-lXe8kJt2b7AAAAAAAAAAA&gl=us&hl=en&sa=title), Green (http://www.google.com/product_url?q=http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx%3FItem%3DN82E16811144233%26nm_mc%3DOT C-Froogle%26cm_mmc%3DOTC-Froogle-_-Cases%2B%28%2BHTPC/Media%2BCenter%2BCases%29-_-APEVIA-_-11144233&fr=APlDJeFKPfxQqJmHwKlSXyRuyTgQpliRxbeJJQ2yPai9QRC S9PGR_gNJcUgzK89d8LDwC9GpnqMgIyb3RvBQWmpzMxxoDFFw2 wsFqM6Qto8ubo2Gmezu-jY2Nzzx_iC-JeTeV_IhAAM-v7GQVe6AeDPnkXXDZbrgxLKadCatqEa1KCPdlKGWf7ZH4bNUHu 1wqwsAwt-42chde-d9W6oSbVib7AuBskdUM7CFro9re-66VDkCezOBuTH-R6bQ8WVWMDUIZMuKOcVnAAAAAAAAAAA&gl=us&hl=en&sa=title), Blue (http://www.google.com/product_url?q=http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx%3FItem%3DN82E16811144232%26nm_mc%3DOT C-Froogle%26cm_mmc%3DOTC-Froogle-_-Cases%2B%28%2BHTPC/Media%2BCenter%2BCases%29-_-APEVIA-_-11144232&fr=AOET37gVztkjOb8qkxgR3aCJLDom_rxeTIR9r9UB_3jYM9Q qwKkj-XJsQ_Yqj_YcnKRbKwmdbkNIFr9MHlsT1Dj9ORawPBNq9Ve2kEa LVQ_3zgiDZD24TFzSRf0k55rA9WjcArICItuqxPngpzeKnQQsl W-HavGrr91OSLewwrUBYzX6o8YicSiSjxIaIo3wKkcSlr42ZUiVf P9DXC7QdxYnRGM5ePk3ykPEakxY_7PpkkkBNMNqRMbnQhb9kf3 eAulXe8kJt2b7AAAAAAAAAAA&gl=us&hl=en&sa=title)

Lastly, for $98 (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811128022&nm_mc=OTC-Froogle&cm_mmc=OTC-Froogle-_-Cases+%28+HTPC/Media+Center+Cases%29-_-Ark+Technology+Inc.-_-11128022), but with NO PS. Has nice look, and memory card readers on the front.

I have not looked at any of the specs, such as MB size, height for cards ect....

feerlessleadr

2009-02-25, 18:21

just wanted to update based on the responses here.

I decided to scrap the Antec case and go for the Apevia Case (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811144231&nm_mc=OTC-Froogle&cm_mmc=OTC-Froogle-_-Cases+(+HTPC/Media+Center+Cases)-_-APEVIA-_-11144231)

I also am going to pick up this (http://cgi.ebay.com/Microsoft-Remote-Control-USB-IR-RECEIVER-for-MCE-VISTA_W0QQitemZ160314297946QQcmdZViewItemQQptZLH_D efaultDomain_0?hash=item160314297946&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14&_trkparms=72%3A1205|66%3A2|65%3A12|39%3A1|240%3A13 18|301%3A1|293%3A1|294%3A50) MCE Receiver, which (according to the description) works with both XP and Vista.

I also decided that I am going to get a PCI SATAII (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16816104006) card to put in my Dad's old computer to turn into a NAS of sorts.

Thanks for the help.

Bobsf40

2009-02-25, 21:56

I just put together a HTPC, and I used the following components:

Board: Intel DG45FC (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813121353&Tpk=intel%20dg45fc)

CPU: Intel E5200 (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819116072)

RAM: 2GB Kingston value ram.

I just installed Vista 32bit, and ran the newest version of XBMC and tested with a 1080p mkv. It ran perfectly, with no dropped frames. If you are building a HTPC, the CPU selected seems like a whole lot of over kill. Since most modern graphics chips will do the HD decoding in hardware, there really is minimal strain on the CPU.

Unfortunately I cannot help you with case selection, as I just built my own :D

xanadu1979

2009-02-25, 22:07

Since most modern graphics chips will do the HD decoding in hardware, there really is minimal strain on the CPU.

XBMC for Windows doesn't do HD decoding in hardware.

There's some work being done to get it working in Linux. But I doubt we'll see it on Windows in the near future.

feerlessleadr

2009-02-25, 22:14

Yea, after reading through alot of the threads, I really wanted a CPU that I know can handle everything that I throw at and beyond.

My main concern right now is the case, so hopefully it doesn't come with a DOA PSU.

Any other suggestions for a case are always welcome.

Thanks!!

fekker

2009-02-26, 00:15

kizer

2009-02-26, 00:54

Man this thread rocks. I was wanting to build a HTPC and well it looks like I don't have to spend bank to build one.

Of course in Fekkers all you have to do is throw in a pair of drives. One being the DVD and the other the Hard.

cascius

2009-02-26, 01:42

Hi guys, I actually have a slightly different opinion than you guys on the case:

I would actually recommend going with Antec, but maybe the cheaper version (the one without the LCD and volume knob). I have the gray fusion case and think it's terrific for the following reasons:
- 2 large 120mm fans are extremely quiet. The case you picked has smaller fans, which have to run faster to get the same airflow and therefore create more noise.
- because you have 2 big fans, you can swap the CPU fan with a Ninja Mini heat sink (fan less). This makes a very very quiet HTPC. I have one of those in my bedroom and can sleep witout hearing it. BTW, my CPU runs at only 35 degrees while decoding 1080p mkvs.
- the air flow in this case is optimized to cool the hard drives nicely, so they will last longer.
- the hard drives are mounted on silicon, which once again makes them very silent.

Bottom line: I'm extremely happy with that case. I do agree that it's expensive, but when you take into account the cost of a case + remote control + very good cooling + quietness, i think it's worth the extra bit of money.

Final thought: look into this case: Antec NSK2400 (http://www.google.com/products?q=Antec+NSK2400&oe=utf-8&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&client=firefox-a&um=1&ie=UTF-8&ei=rNalSZanGMiVngeny7SnBQ&sa=X&oi=product_result_group&resnum=1&ct=title) (~$100)
http://us.st12.yimg.com/us.st.yimg.com/I/bytecom_2038_1350846
It has the same important things i mentioned but doesn't have useless things like the LCD or the Volume Knob. If i was to build a second HTPC, i would use this case in a heartbeat.

Hope this is useful,

- Cas

mr.b

2009-02-26, 02:25

i just ordered this:

http://secure.newegg.com/WishList/PublicWishDetail.aspx?WishListNumber=11166526

with the exception that I ended up buying a different 80mm fan. My total with shipping was ~ $260. I'm going to run from a usb flash drive that I already have so I didn't need a HD.

I know this post resides under the windows forum, but since this board has the nvidia 8200 chipset, it'll handle anything I through at it with VDPAU under linux.

phiqtion

2009-02-26, 08:40

you should have a look at my build (pics included) and i didn't exceed $530

http://xbmc.org/forum/showthread.php?t=44464

feerlessleadr

2009-02-26, 18:35

CPU - Intel E8400
MOBO - GIGABYTE GA-E7AUM-DS2H
RAM - Crucial 2GB (2 x 1GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800
CASE - Antec Black Aluminum / Steel Fusion Remote Black Micro ATX Media Center

I would go with 4gb of ram in the system, get a nice seasonic power supply, and i a slightly different case.. I would stay far and away from cheapo power supplys, in the end, when they blow up and take out your system, it's not worth the few dollars in savings. Seasonic is the company that makes a ton of high end power supply's (like Corsair's and FSP)

SeaSonic SS-350ES 350W ATX12V V2.2 80 PLUS Certified Active PFC Power Supply
Item #: N82E16817151038 (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817151038)$46.99

CORSAIR 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model TWIN2X4096-6400C5 - Retail
Item #: N82E16820145184 (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820145184)- $54.99
(also has a $30.00 Mail-in Rebate )

GIGABYTE GA-E7AUM-DS2H LGA 775 NVIDIA GeForce 9400 HDMI Micro ATX Intel Motherboard - Retail
Item #: N82E16813128363 (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128363)- $119.99

Intel Core 2 Duo E8400 Wolfdale 3.0GHz LGA 775 65W Dual-Core Processor Model BX80570E8400 - Retail
Item #: N82E16819115037 (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115037)- $164.99

nMEDIAPC Black Aluminum panel & Steel HTPC 1000B Micro ATX Media Center / HTPC Case - Retail
Item #: N82E16811204030 (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811204030)- $99.99

Subtotal: $486.90

Is there any reason to go with 4gigs of RAM over 2 gigs? I thought I read that anything over 2gigs is more overkill (although yes i do know that my CPU is a bit overkill).

Will XBMC really benefit from 4gigs over 2 running on a stipped down version of XP?

Hi guys, I actually have a slightly different opinion than you guys on the case:

I would actually recommend going with Antec, but maybe the cheaper version (the one without the LCD and volume knob). I have the gray fusion case and think it's terrific for the following reasons:
- 2 large 120mm fans are extremely quiet. The case you picked has smaller fans, which have to run faster to get the same airflow and therefore create more noise.
- because you have 2 big fans, you can swap the CPU fan with a Ninja Mini heat sink (fan less). This makes a very very quiet HTPC. I have one of those in my bedroom and can sleep witout hearing it. BTW, my CPU runs at only 35 degrees while decoding 1080p mkvs.
- the air flow in this case is optimized to cool the hard drives nicely, so they will last longer.
- the hard drives are mounted on silicon, which once again makes them very silent.

Bottom line: I'm extremely happy with that case. I do agree that it's expensive, but when you take into account the cost of a case + remote control + very good cooling + quietness, i think it's worth the extra bit of money.

Final thought: look into this case: Antec NSK2400 (~$100)

It has the same important things i mentioned but doesn't have useless things like the LCD or the Volume Knob. If i was to build a second HTPC, i would use this case in a heartbeat.

Hope this is useful,

- Cas

I really like that antec case, I just wish it came in Black instead of Silver...BTW, newegg has the NSK2480 (not the 2400, which I guess isn't really being manufactured anymore) for 80 bucks.

CrashX

2009-03-01, 00:05

http://xbmc.org/forum/showthread.php?t=43405 .. Low power setup ...

ashlar

2009-03-01, 13:07

Final thought: look into this case: Antec NSK2400 (http://www.google.com/products?q=Antec+NSK2400&oe=utf-8&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&client=firefox-a&um=1&ie=UTF-8&ei=rNalSZanGMiVngeny7SnBQ&sa=X&oi=product_result_group&resnum=1&ct=title) (~$100)Just be careful of the space you have available. This case is wider than the standard consumer electronics stuff. Not by much, but enough to not fit into my custom cabinet.

mattb

2009-03-02, 17:48

Here's what I recently built for a bit under $500:

http://secure.newegg.com/WishList/PublicWishDetail.aspx?WishListNumber=12018948

So far it decodes anything I've thrown at it without a hitch (including high-bitrate 1080p H.264). Only thing is I wouldn't recommend the wireless keyboard I got... The range is atrocious and I'll be replacing it with something else.

Swwethip1

2009-03-02, 20:13

good info in this thread..

I was also looking at the Antec case with the knob and VC, only because you can place the IR receiver inside the case.. i think it gives a more cleaner look to the system !!!

Anyone have a case (besides) antec with the IR inside?

StevenSeagull

2009-03-02, 20:46

Ive just fiddled with my htpc lately and found out that a POS celeron dual core e1400 clocked from 2Ghz to 2.51 can infact play all Planet earth 1080p mkv videos without a frame drop. The highest usage spike seen was 93% which is close to the limit but i think it's safe enough since those spikes are rare and the planet earth series are quite demanding. So, i still force that you don't need a hig end cpu for a snappy htpc xbmc experience.
For reference, an amd 3800+ am2 (originally 2.4Ghz) overclocked to 3Ghz was a few percent short (computing power wise) to be able to decode those before mentioned videos.

It seems that more cache on nowadays processors doesent benefit htpc much if at all. That poor man's cpu of a celeron didt it splendidly as a stock E5200 would (2.5Ghz).

Not to mention that you can have a very cheap but still reasonably powerfull htpc for much less money.

mattb

2009-03-02, 20:49

It seems that more cache on nowadays processors doesent benefit htpc much if at all. That poor man's cpu of a celeron didt it splendidly as a stock E5200 would (2.5Ghz).

I have an E5200 clocked at the stock 2.5 GHz, and on the 1080p H.264 planet earth encodes, it maxes out around 80% CPU usage in the overhead bird flock flying scene. Extra cache is certainly a benefit.

StevenSeagull

2009-03-02, 23:36

mattb

2009-03-03, 05:28

It is but its almost not required to perform good. I have an E8400 clocked at 4Ghz and its really an overkill even at stock. Didn't bother to downclock it to 2.5 or lower just for the sheer fun. I expect similar results compared to an e5200 regardless of higher cache size.

Depends on how you define "good performance". Bit rates are increasing all the time. Extra cache isn't a waste, you just need to decide whether the cost-benefit is there for your purpose.

StevenSeagull

2009-03-03, 21:59

Depends on how you define "good performance". Bit rates are increasing all the time. Extra cache isn't a waste, you just need to decide whether the cost-benefit is there for your purpose.

That's not my point. I just wanted to point out that extra cache have less of an impact compared to higher clock speed.

A 12Mb (exagerated) cache core 2 duo running at 2Ghz would do significantly worse than a 1mb cache 2.5Ghz random intel chip (c2d). I have an E6600 on my wife pc default clocked 2.4GHz 4Mb cache and behaves similarily an E5200 would which performs similarily to any other 2.5Ghz intel 2 core chip made in the past few years as far XBMC is the benchmark.

An interesting article (the mp3 encoding, shows there is hardy any improvement with 8x greater cache size):
http://forums.techpowerup.com/showthread.php?t=73342

Never been a fan of celeron processors but, if higher clocked (those e1400 do 3GHz effortlessly) can do all what is required today in XBMC.

Btw, I tried a full br rip of IRONMAN 1080p (26Gigs) and was less demanding than my reference planet earth 1080p mkv.

I can't posssibly immagine what would require more processing power in the nearest future. With time you can upgrade to an e8400 which in a few years would be a few beers deal. :D

Summing it up an e8400 which many would reccomend as safe minimum is very pricey as it runs equally good as similar cpus running near 3Ghz in XBMC. But uses a few percent less cpu power which is good but not required or nobody will ever notice or have any benefit from it.

In a few days ill try to do a ram speed research and post the result. Ill try to find out how beneficial faster ram (by clock speed and latency) would be and how much of an impact dual channel has.

Also using SPDIF dolby and dts passthrough (instead of analog) output reduces the cpu resources usage noticeably on crappy onboard audio systems.

Kelon

2009-03-04, 01:38

I finally decided I was tired of my Xbox being unable to stream HD content, bit the bullet and put together a HTPC build. I was originally planning to spend around $500, but wound up going over (mainly because I added a diNovo Mini keyboard).

Intel E5200 Wolfdale 2.5GHz (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819116072) $72.99
Gigabyte GA-G31M-ES2L (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128357) $52.99
Seasonic SS-400ES 400W PSU (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817151039) $53.99
Lian Li PC-C32B (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811112147) $169.99
HIS Radeon HD 4670 (fanless) (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814161266) $122.99
OCZ Platinum 4GB PC1066 (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820227298) $37.00 (after rebate)
Anyware GP-IR02BK Remote (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16880121002) $26.99
Scythe Mini Ninja CPU Cooler (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835185046) $39.99
Logitech diNovo Mini (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16823126039) $90 (had an Amazon gift card that I put to good use)

I considered going with an AMD 5050e build, but I thought a Wolfdale core chip would give me more bang for my buck, while still using relatively little power. I didn't see any point in going beyond the 5200 - they overclock well if necessary and the 8400 was too much more. 4GBs of RAM mainly because it's so cheap, why NOT get 4GBs of RAM? I wanted a fanless video card, and a CPU cooler that at least gave me the option of going fanless, so those two things and the diNovo Mini are basically what broke the budget. I didn't want a full-size keyboard, since this will only be used as a HTPC.

I'll probably add a Blu-ray drive in a month or so, once I get everything else up and running, and possibly pick up a Harmony One.

ashlar

2009-03-04, 10:49

I can't posssibly immagine what would require more processing power in the nearest future.Nothing apart from 3D content, that would/will probably need 1080p120 content. That would be a *significant* increase in bitrate (less than one might thing, given that the relevant h.264 profiles are able to optimize between left and right frame, as the differences are minimal).

But it's debatable how many will actually be able to enjoy that kind of content. Heck, there's still lots of people watching stuff in SD, lots of people watching stuff at 720p.

Maybe sports? 1080i30? I doubt we will see in the near future broadcasters switching to 1080p30 or 1080p60, I doubt the bandwidth is there to begin with.Also using SPDIF dolby and dts passthrough (instead of analog) output reduces the cpu resources usage noticeably on crappy onboard audio systems.That is true and while I'm a strong advocate of perceptual transparency and forgetting about the rest... one might say that SPDIF does not have the capacity to convey the full sound quality of DTS HD or DD HD. Can XBMC bitstream the HD codecs via HDMI? I don't think it can, which leads us back to decoding in software and outputting LPCM 5.1 or 7.1 .

StevenSeagull

2009-03-04, 18:39

That is true and while I'm a strong advocate of perceptual transparency and forgetting about the rest... one might say that SPDIF does not have the capacity to convey the full sound quality of DTS HD or DD HD. Can XBMC bitstream the HD codecs via HDMI? I don't think it can, which leads us back to decoding in software and outputting LPCM 5.1 or 7.1 .

Is there really an audible, noticeable difference with HD DTS and HD DD versus their older counterparts? Well i like plain DTS alot better than generic DD5.1.

feerlessleadr

2009-03-20, 19:26

I have another question and didn't want to start a new thread.

Would anyone really recommend an SSD over a regular HHD?

Newegg is having a deal for an OCZ 30gig SSD for 80 something bucks after discount and MIR.

Is the hassle of having to tweak Windows to get the SSD at max performance worth getting it, rather than me just using my spare 200gig Sata drive?

Thanks.

xanadu1979

2009-03-20, 20:01

For a HTPC, I think the silence would be the only real advantage.

xexe

2009-03-20, 21:25

SIlence is good but you should also see marked improvements in library mode and any other view with thumbnails. SSD do very well with lots of tiny files.

natethomas

2009-03-20, 22:33

Is there really an audible, noticeable difference with HD DTS and HD DD versus their older counterparts? Well i like plain DTS alot better than generic DD5.1.

From the wiki:

"In the consumer (home theater) market, AC-3 and DTS are close in terms of audio performance. When the DTS audio track is encoded at its highest legal bitrate (1,536 kbit/s), technical experts rank DTS as perceptually transparent for most audio program material (i.e., indistinguishable to the uncoded source in a double blind test.)"

I believe this means that the only way you'd be able to tell the difference between high bitrate, spdif DTS and those HD streams is through the miracle of placebo.

feerlessleadr

2009-03-25, 22:44

I am back again...this time with a question about the MCE receiver

I am looking at this (http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/searchtools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=1644435&SRCCODE=GOOGLEBASE&cm_mmc_o=TBBTkwCjCVyBpAgf%20mwzygtCjCVRqCjCVRq) one, but noticed at the bottom it says that I need XP Media Center Edition.

Will I still be able to use this with a stripped down version of XP SP3 and EventGhost, or even Vista if I decide to go that route?

ashlar

2009-03-26, 01:33