budget HTPC w/ 1080p?

[jvdirt]

Hey folks - I'm could use some help with a Mobo, video/tuner card for my Silverstone ATX build since I've been out of the game for about a year. Basically my requirements are:

1. Blu Ray and video card to output 1080p (what software/hardware can up dvd to 1080?)
2. Tuner card to capture live tv while watching other channels (2 cards?)
3. Under $500 total. Not concerned with top of the line machine or gaming with it. Will probably use Windows 7.

Any help would be great!

 

[ratbuddy]

785 chipset mobo, Athlon II X2 CPU, 2x2GB DDR2, and you're all set. That chipset has good enough built in graphics to run 1080p no problem. Someone else will have to chime in on the tuner card, though.

edit: $120 CPU/mobo combo, http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.273663

Add $40 $60 worth of DDR2, maybe http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820145184 (hmm, DDR2 prices went up when I wasn't looking. Sorry.)

$68 gets you a Bluray drive, and it includes software that supports 2.0 channel audio. I think it's like $90 for the full surround version http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827106326

I use 2.0 channel audio, so I went with that model. If you use surround, go for http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827106292 instead at $100 which includes non-crippled software.

This little fella is a perfect PSU, gives you room to grow and dead silent. Also only $30 after rebate. http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139008

Total uhh $310 after rebate, before OS. Could always throw in a 4770 for the leftover $100 or so you'll have after buying Windows 7, to add decent gaming power.

edit 2: Vista Home Premium 64 bit with a W7 upgrade coupon, $110 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16832116677

Silverstone HTPC case, $90 after rebate, http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811163117

I'm assuming he already has the case since it was mentioned, so will instead suggest this WD Green 1TB drive for $85, http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136317

 

[Trap05]

What do you have already besides a case? If nothing you're going to be hard pressed to stay under your $500 budget. That's a good combo I use something similar 7750+780g

 

[ratbuddy]

What do you have already besides a case? If nothing you're going to be hard pressed to stay under your $500 budget. That's a good combo I use something similar 7750+780g

Heh, we could get him out the door under $500 even if he needs a case and OS. I'll edit my other post. Well, almost $500, didn't know Windows was $110 nowadays.

 

[Trap05]

You're at $525 before rebate without the tuner card that will cost about $115 or so

 

[ratbuddy]

You're at $525 before rebate without the tuner card that will cost about $115 or so

Oh yeah, forgot the card

Hope he already has a case or OS, cause that build is about as basic as it gets.

 

[jvdirt]

I have some parts and pieces already i could use to keep the $ down (HD, OS, etc). The Mobo and tuner cards for my requirements are mostly where i need the help.

 

[ps2cho]

My BE-2300 runs 1080p perfectly fine. You don't need a whole lot of processing power if your GPU supports offloading. EG: 780/790 series or a cheap graphics card. You can get the HD 4550/4570 for like $40 and it will be perfectly good enough.

 

[ratbuddy]

I have some parts and pieces already i could use to keep the $ down (HD, OS, etc). The Mobo and tuner cards for my requirements are mostly where i need the help.

If you already have HD and OS, you're golden. Do you have the case yet?

 

[Randyman...]

My BE-2300 runs 1080p perfectly fine. You don't need a whole lot of processing power if your GPU supports offloading. EG: 780/790 series or a cheap graphics card. You can get the HD 4550/4570 for like $40 and it will be perfectly good enough.

If your HTPC setup will run HDMI A/V, I'd go with the HD4650 for $50. It has built-in HDMI Audio - no internal SPDIF jumpers or any of that stuff. One card for Audio and Video.

For Tuner Cards, I tried the AVer Media something or another, and it wouldn't tune in a single channel on either tuner. It was either fauulty, or just extremely un-sensetive (likely the latter). I swapped to a Happauge 2250 (actually 2 of them ) and it is cranking along like a champ - most channels indicate maximum signal strength. It should be noted this card is a dual-tuner PCIe x1, and does not use Cablecard if that is what you are looking for (it will do Clear-QAM IIRC). OEM "White Box" is about $110, or "Retail" w/remote is closer to $120.

I'm loving my HTPC more and more

 

[jvdirt]

thanks! What about a keyboard /remote that can easily sleep and wake the HTPC?

I was considering using the APEVIA Black 500 ATX Media Center Case that has a $20 rebate and include PS with that Mobo combo. Anyone have experience with that case/setup?