Possible New HTPC Build Ideas

[layoric]

Hey all, I've been having issues with my HTPC.

Issues:
Poor picture quality
Dark is to dark
Occasional high-pitch POPS when playing ANY video file
Occasional video lagging (video skipping during most DVD playback, skips then catches up.
Slow to update on menu selections/loading of files.
Sound is not very loud at all, which is strange considering it's routed through the stereo.

In practice, I've been compressing videos using Xvid to save space. 1/2 hr and 1 hr shows are compressed to 350 megs using auto gordian knot. The video darkness problems are the same whether compressed further or not. Compression takes place on the same PC, but up until a few weeks ago I used another networked PC to perform the compression over the network, using the HTPC as both the work directory and final save location.

Current HTPC Hardware:
Dell GX240 w/512MB, P4 1.7Ghz
Dual HDs, with the video files residing on an internal IDE 5400rpm 120Gb, and the OS (Win XP Pro) on a separate 20Gb drive.
Hauppauge PVR 150 PCI
Nvidia 6200 w/DVI, composite, SVIDEO, VGA out (currently using the composite out).
Built in Audio.
Built in NIC (10/100).
DVDROM.
Voice Modem (used also as a PC answering machine using Callstation). Hardly get any calls though, so thought it should be OK to share the system this way. It is kind of annoying sometimes when I'm watching something and the thing shouts out the caller info.
SDTV which is a crappy Samsung 27" who's screen is dying with an ever increasing green halo in the upper right corner of the screen, that comes and goes.
Sound output from the PC to an old stereo system, going from 1/8" to composite, to a composite extender (double female composite), then connecting to the video input of the stereo, which then connects to the TV. Also split audio from PC to separate desktop speakers to allow the answering system to announce with stereo turned off.
Analog cable signal (had satellite and don't like it, so sticking with this part).
Occasionally connect an external DVDRW to archive recordings.

So, what would be suggested for the new system? My current thought is to get an LCD 32" TV which has connections to allow direct to PC via HDMI or VGA. I was thinking of a shuttle PC to power the new system. Not sure if a MiniPC would be powerful enough. Is 512MB ram really enough, or is 1Gb the best solution? The new OS will definitely be WinXP Pro again.
Is the Hauppauge 150 PCI and my current video card OK to bring to the new rebuild? When I read up on both components prior to purchase they did seem fine for what I was trying to do.
I like being able to shrink the recordings and not worry about the HD size, but if I'm not around to perform the shrinking, it may be an issue with space on the HD... I'd like to have nice sound output, but with all those wires connecting speakers and wires converting one connection to another type really was a mess back there (behind the PC/TV/Stereo). Basically it'd be nice to develop a nice compact system that could be directly connected to each component.
I know the LCD TV will cost about $600 for the size I'm looking for. That existing TV is definitely going to be replaced. Aside from that, what components should be replaced in the new HTPC?

Thanks for any insight!

Kirk

[blade]

In your other thread complaining about your brightness problem you never mentioned you were using a defective TV. My suggestion is buy a new TV and see what you think about your current system when it's connected to a decent display. At least then if you still wanted to build a new system you'd have a better starting point for your planning.

Also I'd bypass the stereo to find out if the audio pops are actually coming from the HTPC or somewhere else in the chain.

[layoric]

Originally Posted by blade

In your other thread complaining about your brightness problem you never mentioned you were using a defective TV. My suggestion is buy a new TV and see what you think about your current system when it's connected to a decent display. At least then if you still wanted to build a new system you'd have a better starting point for your planning.

Also I'd bypass the stereo to find out if the audio pops are actually coming from the HTPC or somewhere else in the chain.

In all other aspects the TV is fine. Would staying with a VGA signal (not outputting to RCA/SVIDEO) provide a better display? Are others outputting to TV's and happy with the display?

Though I didn't mention, funds are NOT unlimited. With the Hauppauge 350 having a hardware decoder for mpeg2, is the video generally of better quality?

Kirk

[blade]

Originally Posted by layoric

In all other aspects the TV is fine. Would staying with a VGA signal (not outputting to RCA/SVIDEO) provide a better display? Are others outputting to TV's and happy with the display?

Many people are outputting to TVs. Mine is connected to a 57" HDTV (Rear Projection CRT) via DVI. Before using DVI I used component, which looked just as good to me.

Though I didn't mention, funds are NOT unlimited. With the Hauppauge 350 having a hardware decoder for mpeg2, is the video generally of better quality?

I know the feeling.

There is no way anyone should recommend you go with a 350. The PQ is good, but it is very buggy. A better solution would be to go with the Hauppauge MVP for playback on a SDTV.


For use with a SDTV the best quality is going to come from a MVP. If you pick up a HDTV and use a better connection then your current video card will be just fine.

[GTwannabe]

I'm not surprised you're having performance problems... those 1st generation P4's are pathetic due to the low clock speed and tiny L2 cache.

I would strongly recommend 1GB of RAM or more. Sage can be a real memory pig sometimes.