Ugg building first HTPC soon...

[stang8118]

Ok well in about 2 months I plan on building my first HTPC. It will be hooked up to my 42-46" HDTV (probably plasma at this point, but maybe LCD... dunno yet). My HTPC will not be used for anything other than storing videos/songs, and playing them. It will not be used for gaming, nor internet really (will be hooked up to the internet, but only for updates, and if i need to d/l something). I wouldn't mind using it as a file server too since I plan on getting x2 1tb hard drives.

What OS choices do I have? I already have a retail copy of Vista Ultimate 32bit, can I use that? Or do I need a server OS?

What are the ideal components I should use for it? Is a skt 754 a64, 1gb ram, ATI AIW card sufficient enough? Should I go C2D?

I wanted to keep it as cheap as possible, so if I can't have the best of all worlds (like having it as a file server, htpc, etc) the most important thing is I want it to be for just playing/storing movies and have it hooked up to the TV.

EDIT: What video card would you recommend if I want to have the TV tuner built in, and use it as a DVR too? Do you need any special software to get it up and going, or is everything built into vista?

EDIT #2: Also do I need to get a surround sound system for my TV, or my PC? Which would offer better quality?

[sshiley]

I've got the same question... Any advice out there?

[Wicked Klown]

Any form of Vista with media center will work, 32bit works better. If you want the tuner built on to the video card you only real option is to use an All in Wonder. Also media center can record from a tuner so no need for other software. As for the sound that depends, will you be using an AVR. I would say step of to a C2D, cause once you start using FFDShow it will start pushing your CPU.