Building a Windows XP Media Center Edition(MCE) Home Theater PC (HTPC)
Windows XP Media Center Hardware
- Origen AE X11 HTPC case
- Intel Pentium D Processor 830 3.0GHz, 800MHz FSB, Socket 775, 2x1MB Cache, Dual Core
- Asus P5WD2 Premium 955X
- Zalman CNPS7700-CU CPU Cooler
- Asus Extreme AX800XL/2DTV Radeon X800XL PCI Express 256MB DDR Video Card w/TV-Out, Dual-DVI & VIVO
- Hauppauge WinTV-PVR-500 MCE
- Hitachi Deskstar 7K500 500GB Serial ATA II 7200RPM Hard Drive w/16MB Buffer
- Seagate Barracuda 7200.8 ST3300831AS 300GB Serial ATA 7200RPM Hard Drive w/8MB Buffer
- Seasonic SS-500HT
- Total cost aprrox: $2,500.00 USD
Looking back at the whole experience of building a Media Center PC...
- Now I know why Windows XP Media Center Edition OS is OEM only ... "don't try this at home". I admit I am a software developer(15+ yrs) and not a hardware guy but I still think this is not for anyone who has never built a PC from scratch. Mostly because you need to deal with cutting edge stuff that is not thoroughly tested. When you buy a pre-built system(Dell, IBM), you pay for the testing. The testing and fixing of my system took me about 20 days. If we only had TIVO in Australia...:-(
- You need the Windows XP SP2 CD distribution. Not just a bunch of i386 files on a disk from another XP machine. I have no idea how to get that CD. I had to do a shaky install and then do the SP2 update after the system boots. I'm sure that added to my grief factor.
- I was wrong to think that I didn't need a video capture device because my Asus AX800XL video graphics card had a video in.
- The stock Intel CPU fan is way too loud. That thing spins at 4K+ RPM. I have my Zalman spinning at 1500 RPM and still keeps the Intel Dual Core 830 CPU 5-10 Celsius cooler. But my CPU was still running at around 75C - 80C. I lowered the vcore voltage to the CPU down to 1.25V from 1.4. Lowering the vCore lowered the CPU temp to about 55C - 60C. A vcore of setting of 1.25V is the minimum spec for an Intel Dual Core 830
- The Zalman CNPS7700-CU CPU Cooler got great marks at every review site but I didn't think it was that quite.
- I over spec-ed my build.
- Like many people, I had a problem with the video shuttering and choppy play back on my MCE. I did a lot of research and some people claimed that solving the heat problem or updating/changing the DVD decoder fixed their shutter and choppy video problem but for me updating the sound driver fixed my shutter and choppy video problem.
- The Asus AX800XL video graphics card is the loudest thing in my HTPC. Asus came out with a fanless version...too late...argh...
- The Seasonic SS-500HT power supply is very quite.
- I lost my Hitachi Deskstar 7K500 500GB for no reason. I returned the Hitachi and bought a Seagate because my Seagate never failed. Unfortunately, my Seagate started failing. After about 10 days of formating and using every check disk utility I can find, I find out that I had a faulty PSU SATA lead. Days later my disk drives started to fail again. I replaced my serial ATA cables and have not had a problem since (+10 months).
- The mouse on the Microsoft MCE keyboard is not very good and you need a receiver. So the ended up buying the hand remote and now I have two more remotes to add to the collection of remotes!
- Don't go for the case that looks good. Get a case with the best air flow. You don't need to look at it when you are watching TV and you certainly don't want to hear it.
- I think the back of the Origen X11 is made of tin foil.
- Got rid of the wife and now I can have a totally geeked out HTPC computer case that does not have to look good in the living room. Replaced my Origen X11 with a Thermaltake Armor VA8000SWA. The aluminium Thermaltake Armor VA8000SWA is 10Kg lighter than the black VA8000BWS. This case has great air flow but has a huge foot print.
- I wanted to air duct my heat sink CPU cooler so I switched from the Zalman CNPS7700-CU CPU Cooler to a Thermalright HR-01. This new setup lowered my CPU temperatures by 5 - 10 celsius.
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HTPC Software
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| Media Portal MediaPortal turns your PC in a very advanced Multi-Media Center / HTPC. It allows you to listen to your favorite music and radio, watch your video's and DVD's, view, schedule and record live TV and much more. You get Media Portal for free/nothing/nada/nopes and best of all it is opensource. This means anyone can help developing Media Portal or tweak it for their own needs! |
| DVD Shrink DVD Shrink is software to backup DVD discs. You can use this software in conjunction with DVD burning software of your choice, to make a backup copy of any DVD video disc. DVD Shrink will also burn your backup DVD, if you have installed the latest version of Nero. You can download a demo version of Nero here. If you already possess alternative burning software and prefer to stick with it, then you can still use DVD Shrink. The output from DVD Shrink can be saved as files on your hard drive, which you can then burn with software of your choice. |
| Microsoft Windows XP Media Center Windows XP Media Center Edition offers the best Windows experience in any room in your home, whether you?re looking for a family computer or to enhance your home theater. Enjoy integrated home entertainment experiences including photos, music, TV, and more. Connect with devices around the home and on the go that extend your entertainment. |
| Snap Stream Media Let your PC entertain you. |
| Gordian KnotThe Ultimate DVD backup frontend Gordian Knot started out as a simple bitrate calculator for DivX encoding but has evolved to become an integrated package or tool for the entire process of DivX encoding. Gordian Knot was originally written by TheWEF but has since been made into an Open Source project. |
| dCut Media Center Edition dCut is a program written for Microsoft Windows XP Media Center Edition (MCE). dCut was written to make it easier to compress and cut the DVR-MS files which are created by MCE. |
| Build Your Own (BYO) Personal Video Recorder(PVR) Welcome to Build Your Own PVR! This is a community driven discussion for building your own PVR / DVR / HTPC (think Tivo without a recurring $ub$cription). Anything from mini-itx, case modding, which video card, to which software package is most advanced is fair game. |
| Meedio Meedio is the leading developer of customizable software for digital home entertainment and control, with more than 18,000 registered users and 200 innovative application plugins. |
HTPC Case
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| Zalman At Zalman Tech, we strive to make that goal a closer reality through extensive research and development of our products. We were the world first in reducing computer's noise down to lower than 20dB, thus creating a more user friendly computing environment. Now you can use a computer without distracting noise and also form high fidelity audio system or home theatre without ambient noise with one. |
| Origen AE Origen Ae is a manufacturer of stylish HTPC computer cases and is based in Seoul, South Korea. At Uneed we have a passion for customers and partners, we are willing to support customers by offering quality products, innovative change and consistent integrity. |
| Silverstone Tek SilverStone Technology is a proven leader in the field of aluminum enclosure design and manufacturing. Our expertise in creating functional works of art from ordinary electronics and computer components is widely recognized. Numerous designs and ideas for improving computer enclosures were first created by our talented team of engineers, who are regarded by many as leaders in their respective fields. |
| Antec - The Power For You Welcome to Antec.com, global home of the leading brand of high performance computer components for the PC upgrade and do-it-yourself (DIY) markets. |
| Aristec Arisetec Systems Inc. was founded in 2004 with great pleasure of providing the Home Theater PC (HTPC) Cases which has been required in PC market since the past several years. Arisetec Systems Inc. is a manufacturer and exporter of the sleek and stylish computer cases, especially high quality Aluminum HTPC Cases with the look and feel of Hi-Hi equipments. |
| Ahanix Ahanix manufactures high-end gaming PC cases, home theater PC cases, and high-end HTPC peripherals. Since the date of its establishment, Ahanix has quickly earned its reputation as the best manufacturer of Home Theater PC(HTPC)cases. Ahanix HTPC cases are known among HTPC enthusiasts as the truly consumer-oriented product. Ahanix has worked hard to build a great reputation in the computer industry and will improve each day to maintain it. |
| Lian Li Lian Li manufactures computer hardware, including bracket( for case and interfaces), Mobile rack(for H.D.D.), mounting kit(for FDD and HDD), aluminum PC cases, IPC, external cases, server cases and more. We also provide OEM and ODM services, you are assured of designs that will meet your exact specifications, innovative ideas in manufacturing that will give your products an essential market edge. |
HTPC Cooling Systems - Thermal Solutions
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| ThermalRight Inc. Thermalright specializes in the design and manufacture of a wide array of cooling systems and modules for the information communication technology (ICT) industries. Our CPU cooler line of products is designed with a diverse group of end users in mind; as such, our products are suitable in a variety of distribution channels. Thermalright employees the top-notch designers and uses advance testing equipment and process that meet the stringent testing specifications of Intel and AMD. |
| Koolance Koolance is the recognized leader in consumer-level PC liquid cooling systems. Providing the most professional products available, we cater to those who desire advanced solutions at impressive prices. |
| Thermaltake Cool all Your Life |
| Cooler Master Cooler Master was founded with the mission of providing the industry?s best thermal solutions. Since its establishment a decade ago, the company has remained faithful to this mission, emerging as a world leader in products and services for companies dealing with devices where heat issues must be resolved. |
| Arctic Silver Arctic Silver, Inc. is the premier manufacturer of high-performance thermally conductive compounds and adhesives for modern computers and other high-power electronics. |
PSU Power Supply Unit
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| Enermax The main products we carry are switching power supplies, PC cases, industrial PC cases, pedestal and tower server cases, CPU coolers, second fans, mobile racks and other peripherals. |
| Seasonic The primary role of Seasonic USA is to develop retail channels and to grow Seasonic as a premier retail brand in the US and Canada. Both marketing and technical support are provided by Seasonic USA. |
| CoolMax Technology Inc. is a rapidly growing company that was founded in the year 1992. Our initial task of providing cooling solutions for electrical and industrial applications using AC and DC voltage fans is our solid foundation. Our commitment to excellence in both products and service had earned for us the reputation as a leading thermal solutions provider in the industry. We strive to work hard, hand in hand with our clients, from the biggest to the smallest. They rely on our company's ability to provide quick and professional responses to inquiries and production demands. Our factories are located in China and are ISO9000 and 14001 certified, all our products are UL, TUV, CEL, CE approved. Coolmax is dedicated to providing the best cooling solutions engineered for a high-tech world while maintaining long-term customer relationships. |
HTPC Websites
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| Sharky Extreme Reporting on the latest hardware and software technology for the PC enthusiast. |
| Silent PC Review Silent PC Review is dedicated to reviews, news and information about quiet, low noise, noise-free and/or silent computers and components. |
| The silent PC The Silent PCÆ web site investigates the acoustic aspect of information technology (IT) ergonomics, and a new growing market for acoustic comfort. |
| HTPC News Online resource for the HTPC enthusiast |
| BeHardwareBorn in November 2004, BeHardware.com is an English-text version of HardWare.fr, which is the oldest and the more visited French website devoted to computer hardware. HardWare.fr came to the world in May 1997, and quickly became the first computer hardware website for the French-speaking audience. Since the first day, our guideline has been to provide you with the most up-to-date and independent information to guide you through the different computer hardware and equipments choices, with a special attention to the core-components of your computer. |
| HTPC Forums Our goal is to provide a friendly and helpful atmosphere for anybody interested in HTPCs. |
| End PC Noise Silent PCs and the best quiet PC components including quiet computer cooling, quiet power supplies, quiet hard drives, and quiet CPU fans, at low, competitive prices. |
| Build Silent PC We are going to help you build a Silent Computer, step by step, with the latest products and methods available today! |
| Australian XP Media Center Community Welcome to Australia's No.1 XP Media Center Community. Our membership is growing rapidly with many MCE enthusiasts joining every day to ask questions and provide answers. |
| Hardware Secrets Hardware Secrets is the newest venture from Gabriel Torres, the most prominent Brazilian PC hardware expert. Gabriel has written 18 books about computers and is the number one best-selling author in South America, with over 100,000 copies sold. He is also chief editor of the largest media about computers in South America, Clube do Hardware (http://www.clubedohardware.com.br), which has over 2.2 million monthly readers and over 13.5 million monthly pageviews. Gabriel is also a columnist of the computer section of the O DIA newspaper (the largest newspaper in Rio de Janeiro), where he writes two weekly columns, "Letters" and "Prof. Gabriel's tips". |
HTPC Online Stores
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| PC Alchemy The HTPC Store: Bringing home theater and personal computers together. We offer best of breed HTPC cases, PVR cards, components, and software at the best possible price. |
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| Quiet PC High Quality Quiet Computer Hardware Zalman - Acousti Products - QTechnology - Scythe - Silentmaxx Antec - Cobalt3 - Papst - Nexus - Molex - Quiet PC - and more! |
| Silicon Acoustics Tired of PC noise disturbing your concentration? Trying to put together a home theater PC? Would you like to be able to leave your computer turned on all the time without all the racket? You have found the Internet's best selection of components for building ultra low noise computers. |
