HTPC Questions

[TombKeeper]

I'm in the process of building an HTPC for my parents, but have some questions before doing so:

1) If you're going to be running thru a HDMi receiver, do you still need a sound card? Or do you just pass thru optical/coax on MB?

2) Is Vista the OS to use for new HTPC systems...or stay with XP Pro?
(BeyondTV 4.x)

My proposed build (not finalized yet):

Gigabyte EP35-DS4
Intel E8400
Corsair 620HX
Corsair 2Gb 6400C4 (or 4Gb 6400C5 if using Vista)
Pioneer 215 DVD-RW (doesn't have 1080p TV, so Bluray is a waste....?)
Noctua NH-C12P heatsink
x3 Seagate 7200.11 750Gb HDs (1 = OS + music/pics; rest = recordings/DVDs)
eVGA 9600GT (wants some gaming capability for grandchildren)
Kaspersky AV
Silverstone Grandia GD01B-MXR case
Beyond TV 4.x + Beyond Media
DiNovo Edge kb + MX Air mouse OR Gyration Pro (100' range) kb/mouse

This might be overkill....but it's got to be good for several years at least. I'm still debating whether or not just to get him a quad core or not...And whether or not to go with AMD/ATI....

Any suggestions/opinions?

[LandShark]

I'm in the process of building an HTPC for my parents, but have some questions before doing so:

1) If you're going to be running thru a HDMi receiver, do you still need a sound card? Or do you just pass thru optical/coax on MB?

2) Is Vista the OS to use for new HTPC systems...or stay with XP Pro?
(BeyondTV 4.x)



1) IF you are using ATI 2xxx/3xxx series card, it support audio pass thru via HDMI! no separate sound card is needed.

2) well, if you are going with Windows Media Center, then I think Vista will warrant the upgrade since I've heard the VMC is a looong mile ahead from XP MC. however, if you are not going with WMC, then, I would just sticks w/ the good old XP Pro. btw, BTV runs fine with both Vista & XP Pro tho.

[TombKeeper]

So using the mb passthru won't work? ..what if mb has DTS Connect or whatever it's called?

If BeyondTV runs good on Vista...what's the point on staying/using XP Pro? (need to buy the OS in either case...might as well get vista then)

Any really good reason to go with nVidia cards vs 3850/3870 cards? ...maybe waiting for 48xx would be best though... ?

[LandShark]

So using the mb passthru won't work? ..what if mb has DTS Connect or whatever it's called?
you can use mobo's digital out (SPDIF/Coax) to connect to your AVR too. but I thought you were trying to use a single HDMI cable for everything instead??

If BeyondTV runs good on Vista...what's the point on staying/using XP Pro? (need to buy the OS in either case...might as well get vista then)
I haven't hear any problem between BTV & Vista. but I think Snapstream recommended to disable aero glass (I think there is such a setting inside BTV) tho. the point on using XP is quite a lot of people doesn't like Vista for varies reason thus most would like to stay with XP.

Any really good reason to go with nVidia cards vs 3850/3870 cards? ...maybe waiting for 48xx would be best though... ?
if just for HTPC purpose, 38xx cards is too hot, too powerful for it. just a good 36xx card will do you good. however, I've heard the upcoming 48xx card "might be" able to do 7.1 channel LPCM and/or DD-HD/DTS-HD MA over HDMI tho!! which is exactly what I've been waiting for a card or chipset to do that. if that is important for you, then it might worth the wait. but if you don't need nor care 'bout it, then there isn't much of a point to wait for it.

as for nvidia, there's newest 8200 (AMD) chipset is a pretty good one and I think it does support 7.1 LPCM over HDMI too!!