HTPC Build Worklog.

[nlancaster]

Just posting this for anyone that may be intersted. I started this over @ hardforum.com and just want to let people over here know about issues I am coming up against and what it turns out like. Like to the Full thread here.

(Posted 10-23-08 @ Hardforum.com)

My previous case mods here, and here.

So now that the G50B-Redder Lian-li case mod is done and up and running time to build that HTPC I have had the parts for 6mths.

The parts list:

MSI Fuzzy GM965 mini-itx MB
Intel Core Duo 1.66ghz Mobile Processor
2GB Supertalent DDR800
LG Bluray/HD-DVD drive
Seagate 80gb Sata HDD 5400RPM
Leadtek 8500GT 256MB w/HDMI
Soundgraph IMON VFD
Pico 120w PSU - Still waiting on this part.
Windows XP Pro
SageTV V6.4

The sacrificial victim:

Gutted Compaq 3300 Series SCSI External Tape drive enclosure. You can pic these up on ebay for about 10 bucks.

The Plan:



All black with new faceplate. I am not looking forward to cutting that back IO Plate. I am currently looking into getting it waterjet cut.

(Posted 10-24-08 @ Hardforum.com)

My Hometheater Server.

Coolermaster CM590

2 x Hauppauge PVR500 Dual analog tuner PCI cards (4 tuners total)
1 x Hauppauge HVR1800 Digital Tuner
2 x IcyDock MB455SPF 5-in-3 Hotswap Bays
2 x 750GB Westernd Digital RE2 - Downloaded media Drives.
2 x 300GB Seagate - TV Recording drives
1 x 500GB Seagate - TV Recording drive
1 x 500GB Seagate - Backup data drive
1 x Lite-On DVD-RW
Athlon X2 4400+ 65w edition - downclocked 10% to 2ghz @ 24c right now.
Asus M2NE Motherboard
Promise 4-port Sata Raid controller
Zalman 9700 CPU fan at lowest fan speed.
2GB Corsair DDR2 800 Ram
600W Coolermaster power supply modded with low noise fan

And that is the way the server is right now. Over gigabit it serves to 2 SageTV Client Computers and one SageTV HD Media Extender. I am building this HTPC to solve a few issues with playback compatiblity on the extender and get bluray support to my HDTV. In the near future the server will be upgraded to use 2 of these and 2 STBs from Verizon or Comcast haven't decided yet. The HD-PVR will get me full access to the lineup from both services.

(Posted 10-25-08 @ Hardforum.com)

Yes the extenders work very well and make no noise. But they have a limited compatiblity for codecs.

SageTV I think has the best Client/Server architecture around. and it is also fully customizable.


On another note these peices will be waterjet cut for me out of aluminum and I will then just have to assemble the case.

(Posted 10-29-08 @ Hardforum.com)

Spent this evening breadboarding all the parts outside of any case and getting all the software working.


Here is everything layed out. I was trying the Patriot SSD but it just isnt that much faster. most of the boot time is waiting for the motherboard to go thru POST.


Motherboard with temporary fan cooling. CPU temp is at 75F.


120w Pico PSU on the end of the power cable for the Imon VFG. That cable provides 5v standby power to the Imon to run the VFD when the computer is off, and also let the Imon turn the computer on and off. I will probably solder the power leads directly to the Pico PSU for power to the Imon and elminate that power cable.


Anyone know how to take the white lettering off without destroying the plastic bezels? Here is the Imon and LG HD-DVD/Bluray/DVD drive.

SageTV does not natively support HD disk formats. I have had to customize SageTV to launch WinDVD 9+Bluray so that I can play them. Used neilm’s Dynamic Customizable Menus to do this. But that customization works seamlessly. You click on "Play DVD" in SageTV and it opens and starts playing WinDVD. Works perfectly so far.

Now I am just going to spend a few days testing the system like this and have it all ready to install when I get the case done.

[jlmdxtv]

I removed all lettering/badging off of my home theater system (pc / amp / DVD drive / etc.) with a can a flat black spray paint. I painted all of these parts after removing them from the electronics first.

Now all I see below my TV is black equipment with 1 solid LED per unit to let me know when each device is powered.

john