Compact HTPC Part 1 – Introduction
This series of posts is going to cover my purchase and configuration of a new Home Theatre PC (HTPC).
To set the scene, I already have an HTPC that I built about 3 years ago using the following key components:-
- MSI P35 Neo Motherboard
- Intel Core 2 Duo E6550 Processor
- Gigabyte GForce 8500GT graphics card
- Silverstone LC20M HTPC Case
- LG Blu-Ray Drive
- WinTV PVT150 TV Tuner
- Microsoft MCE Keyboard, for those times when I really do have to type on the HTPC
- Logitech Harmony 555 Universal Remote Control, for controling the HTPC, SkyHD and TV
This is connected to my TV, a Hitachi 42PD7200, using an RGB cable and a 3.5mm stereo jack lead (previously, it was connected to a Logitech Z-5500 5.1 surround sound system, which I have since parted with).
I also have a Synology CS407 Network Attached Storage (NAS) box with 4x 500GB drives, and I use this to hold all of my data and media, as well as to download video from the internet for me (using both BitTorrent and USENET)
There’s nothing inherently wrong with this set-up – it’s quiet, fast, and functions great. However, I no longer use the WinTV card as I find SkyHD to be just fine for recording programs, so on the HTPC I tend to only watch video downloaded from the Internet. So, for an HTPC this is a bit overkill. On top of that, I needed a new PC for the kids and this one could easily fit the bill.
So, with recent technological developments I decided it was time for a new HTPC to release this one for use elsewhere (and as something for me to play with too!).
This series of posts will cover the purchase and installation of this system in the hope that it will help others who are looking to do the same.
Part 2 will cover my thoughts on selecting the right hardware device to make-up the HTPC…
Filed under: HTPC
