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How to Build The Perfect Home Theater PC
Ian Bell writes: "We have just updated our HTPC guide to include some new parts for building the perfect home theater PC. We scoured the net and talked with various manufacturers to find these hard to find parts and components. This includes a new component width black anodized aluminum case complete with reciever sytle legs, a fold down front door and front USB/FireWire ports. Add to this an ATi AIW Radeon 8500 DV, DVD-RW/CDR-RW drive and Dolby Digital sound and you have the perfect HTPC. Check out our guide for complete system specs pictures and links to where you can find these hard to find parts. This system replaces your DVD player complete with HDTV and progressive scan support, Tivo or Replay TV and TV guide." Update: 05/26 23:44 GMT by T : Helstein writes with another All-In-Wonder based approach, his 1U Multimedia Station.
Good headphones mean you won't even hear the fans, and a much cheaper then an equivalent speaker baes system. Of course that does kind of limit the viewership, but heh this isn't exactly a party system is it?
If you really don't like the noise try a Via C3 proc. Fine for this simple work, runs in standard HW and doesn't need a fan.
I'd do something interesting, but my server can't handle a slashdotting.
Noise is an easy problem to solve - http://www.quietpc.com. Always done a great job for me.
I know ATI has the most comprehensive video-handling VGA cards, but I'd strongly recommend you dump it in favor of a GeForce-based card with video in/out. ATI's drivers have always been funky and I've never been satisfied with them.
This advice is for a Windows-based system; I don't have any experience with *nix drivers for the ATI cards.
The Radeon 8500 is seriously broken for playing DVDs on a very high quality display. The gamma correction is screwed up, preventing proper display of many scenes. Furthermore, the AIW is a somewhat inferior capture card.
If you really want to know what cooks, check out the Granddaddy of A/V Forums and look in their Home Theater Computers Forum. There are two threads in particular of interest:
HTPC FAQ
Best in Class HTPC Component Listing
FWIW, ATI has given a prerelease driver to one of the AVS Forum's most prominent members for testing and he claims the gamma correction problem is fixed in that driver. Who knows when the drivier will be released and if it will be even remotely stable...many of their most recent drivers are pure, unadulterated fecal matter.
ATI's linux support used to suck massively though lately I think they have been better. Besides, I still recommend that people get seperate tv tuner cards as they can live a good bit longer then one computer, and video cards are, for the gamer at least, about the most commonly upgraded piece of equipment. Also you can leverage the fact that WinXP killed a lot of TV tuner cards that work fine, but don't have WinXP drivers, in many cases these will work just as well if not better under linux.
I'd do something interesting, but my server can't handle a slashdotting.
They mention HDTV in the article, but only in the context of HDTV output of a lo-res source. The DVD's are 480p at best. So, you can scale them up to 720p or 1080i, but it's not full HD.
Slap an HDTV PCI card in there, and get true 1080i (1920x1080) HDTV. They also HD PVR functions, and some even do DVD decoding & scaling in hardware.
Check out the MyHD Card, the HiPix, or the AccessDTV cards for options.
Unfortunately, none of these (that I know of) support Linux. The MyHD is the newest, and the HiPix has an open source effort to enhance their Windows software.
If you live in an area that has digital TV broadcasts (most major cities do), HDTV is the way to go.. there is a LOT of HD Programming available.
Depends on several factors. The most important ones are the pipe bandwidth, the amout of data to transfer, the amount of ram available on the server, the amount of ram needed per process, and the server time needed to complete a dynamic page creation.
There are two ways to slashdot a site. Either it has too little bandwidth to handle the rush of visitors, in which case it slows down to the point where most attempts fail before a connection can be made. Or the server, due to a large quantity of dynamic processes takes too long to run the individual processes and runs out of available physical ram and starts thrashing, which just slows it down more, until the point that the box is useless. Of course, both issues can contribute to the problem.
There are several ways to avoid these problems. More bandwidth always helps, but reducing the amount of data per page to send is cheaper and easier. Stipping down the images and gzipping the html source helps immensely. Use static pages wherever possible, especially for the homepage. Limit the total number of connections so that a fully loaded server won't exceed your ram limits. Better to deny access to some and let others through, rather than destroy it for everyone. Keep your dynamic processes fast. Mod them into the server if possible. The less time they run, the less time they allocate ram.
All that being said, if you're going to submit your site to slashdot, you better be ready for the slashdot effect. None of this is new to anyone who visits here on a regular basis. WE all know what happens, so should they. They could have loadtested their server beforehand.
-Restil
Play with my webcams and lights here
Some fairly heavy gauge wire for the speakers will be just fine. I would go with at least 12 and 10 if I could get it in your case becuase you have a fairly long run to do.
Speaker wise just use what you have for now. If you like how they sound then I'd say stick with them. If not visit some stores and see how much you have to pay to be able to hear the difference and go from there. I bet that unless you have a golden ear you won't hear too much of a difference without spending way more money.
I've been wondering this myself.
The problem is, with digital projectors, they are noisy (big fan to cool the lightbulbs in em) and the bulbs tend to be expensive when they burn out.
Of course, you would also need a big flat, matte white painted wall to project onto, etc.
There are major Home theatre heads who do have such setups, but usually the project is in a projection room, with a double layer of optical class to project through.
Also, don't forget, that with a projector behind you, you would have to change your entire cabling setup (because everything was in front, plugged into your TV, remember?) so everything is behind you. After someone has dropped a few hundred (thousand at times) on cables, getting the speakers setup JUST right, its a pain to move everything around. A Plasma TV is something you can put in place of your TV, get an image just like from your projector, but without the hassle of having to setup a projector.
(and then there is an entire other issue of which tvs can provide true "blacks" etc.)
Another consideration is that some of these projectors do not work well in lit rooms or sunlight. Secondly, there is a cost in new bulbs and stuff. I'm not sure exactly, but I've heard that bulbs don't last that long and are quite expensive.
_______________________________
"I'm not Conceited...I'm just a realist..."
Cables...eh. There are two aspects of cables that far outweigh any other factors. #1) Go heavy. I don't mean you need to be able to arc weld with them, but you need some beefy cables for the mains. Someone mentioned 12ga - that's fine. #2) take the time to ensure *good, tight, clean* connections at the terminals. This is so often overlooked it's not even funny. I happen to like banana plugs; they're convenient, and can (with a good crimper) make a nice gas-tight connection between the wire and the connector. Buy a few different plugs tho - manufacturer variations will lead to some types fitting snugger than others.
:). Win98 (*sigh*..sorry, but Linux drivers and playback just isn't quite there yet. If it's any consolation, DiVXs are provided a FreeBSD RAID-5 SAMBA server), GF2, Toshiba 1212 DVD drive, and a Winforce sound card. This sound card was a gem of a find. $25, SPDIF In/Out in both fiber and coax flavors (I didn't want on-card AC3 decoding; that's what the Denon is for). Display device is an LCD projector, max res of 1280x1024, 100" diagonal low gain screen. Oh, and nice comfy couches are key for the movie party guests. =D
As for speakers - that's a huge can of worms that probably shouldn't be gone into here. FWIW, I found that for my layout, amplification, ears, and budget, kit from NHT was my favorite (SuperTwo mains, superzero center, side, and rear channel, Super2 sub, powered by a Denon 3801 and a 120W monoblock for the sub).
Oh, and yes, there's an HTPC there as well
For those looking for a cheap home theater PC upgrade, the Creative Audigy sound card provides Dolby Digital 5.1 sound and an integrated IEEE 1394 Firewire port. I was surprised how easy it was to capture video from my Sony Camcorder through the 1394 port and burn it to a Video CD. PriceWatch has several companies listing it for under $60.
http://www.kubuntu.org/
In our studio we use Klotz for signal cable on the desks, with connectors from Neutrik
One thing that I was interested in after reading the description was the case they are using... Since the article is /.'ed, I did a little searching around and found more information on the case itself:
I believe they are referring to the Cooler Master ATC-600 Series. That site doesn't mention anything about it being available in black though.
There is a review and pictures of it at http://www.hexus.net/review.php?review=281
Now imagine if Gateway or Philips or Apple or Toshiba just pre-built an HTPC system, with workarounds for the most annoying compromises that enthusiasts now have to make. These compromises include: Inappropriate cases, noisy fans, terrible RF interferance from badly shielded D/A converters stuck inside the case... and worst of all, terrible, incoherent controls.
It seems dead obvious to me that since there are RF remote controls and also RF optical mice, there should be an RF remote control/mouse. You know, laser on the bottom, buttons on the top, plus two big "click" buttons at the front and a mouse wheel. Doesn't it just seem like an obvious step? So why isn't it out yet?
Next, there needs to be a universal media player which plays by default in "full screen" mode and has the same controls for TV play, PVR playback and the playback of other video media (either on the hard drive or elsewhere on the LAN). Every feature of the media player would be controlled by the remote. For example, the "Pause" button would pause whatever was playing, be it a DVD, live TV or a video file. Next, there would need to be a flexible file browser which is actually usable at the very low resolutions available on a TV. Its default setting would be to show only playable media files (and it would be able to scan the entire network, not just the living room HD).
There. That's it. Everything else is already available. Granted, to design the remote might cost a bit, but all the technology in it is already very mature. It's basically a mouse/remote frankenstein--not terribly fanciful. Making an appropriate case would not be hard. Finding a manufacturer for the right graphics card would not be hard. Shielding the audio D/A converter to meet audiophile standards would not be hard (at worst, you'd have a break-out box). Writing a pretty interface for a file browser would not be terribly labor intensive, especially if you basically just skinned Konqueror. God damn. I wish I owned a hardware company. I'd make them rich!
Somebody, please hurry and do this before the CPTCBATOA or whatever bill passes, rendering this sort of thing illegal.
As someone (geek) who is fascinated with a/v hifi, I think I should chime in since I've had a good home theater for awhile now. best bang for the buck. Actually I just got some new speakers, yay! Anhoo, the gear:
NEC LT150 DLP projector - this baby is sweet. Cost me $2300, does 1024x768 progressive of course, vga input. Currently doing 110" diagonal on a 16:9 screen.
Da-lite no-gain screen: hanging from the ceiling, 110" diag. 16:9 ratio. Simple. effective. $250.
15' fat shielded vga cable: $26
HTPC: 512mb RAM, pioneer 104s slot load 10x DVD, PIII-500mhz, powerDVD 3 or 4, win98, vortex2 soundcard, moded GeForce2 AGP card. This baby is cheap (maybe $500 today?) Can pass DD5.1, DTS, etc through the optical out on the soundcard. Screw hardware DVD decoding, it looks like crap. powerDVD3 looks beautiful. I removed/shorted the 9 RF capacitors and inductors on the geforce2 that limit the video bandwidth, this reduced any pixel shimering and crawlies (look at your video card near the vga connector). Result: quality.
Felted the room black: $60. Ok, this is a batchelor pad, so no one cared that I did this. Good for audio acustics, and reduces stray lighting from the screen or anything else in the room.
Notice the PC is used ONLY to output the video in VGA form and audio in digital form (AC3, DTS). no other processing or expensive soundcard is necessary on the PC.
Technics DD/DTS/PCM Decoder: 3 digital inputs to switch between PC, CD player, and any other input (PS2, digital cable, etc). Great job, better than any soundcard's DAC. Used: $170, retail $350
Carver AV 505 5-channel amp: built ford tough in the US of A, does 80 watts pure minimum into 5 channels, 130 watts max (or so the specs said). For tweater and midrange only, this goes a long way. Used: $350, retailed $1000
Paradigm Atoms: great speakers for the price. $190/pair. Were the fronts, now the rears.
paradigm CC-170 - center channel, $200 (I think).
B&W 601 S3: awesome speakers, these are the new fronts. They don't match the center, but oh well, they sound amazing. $450/pair.
Velodyne CHT120 - 150 RMS, 400 watts max power in a 12" sub. $550 retail.
speaker stands: 5x$50 each, double spiked. Assorted cables, etc.
Anyhoo, this got me a sweet assed-setup, and it's pretty good quality. The only way to get better video qulity is go with a 3-chip DLP.
like another poster said, avsforum.com is the place to go. Sound on the projector is minimized when ceiling mounted (esp. when the room is covered in black felt).
Details, thoughts:
This will get you the best audio/video (IMHO) for the price. The PC was built from scraps practically, so the main cost was GOOD speakers, amp and projector. Spend the most money going from the output and fewest dollars in the input. IE, best speakers, good amp, decent DAC, any digital soundcard, $20 DVD.
When using interconnect cables carying analog, buy good quality, when using digital cables, use anything that conducts electrons.
There is a difference between quality and volume.
Don't get a home-theater-in-a-box. They're cheap for a reason.
Buy components that you can swap out for better stuff w/o compromising the rest of the setup. Think modualr programing.
Get the AVIA or similar calibration disc to setup A/V levels. There's nothing worse than a good setup that's out of whack.
Buy your amps, dacs, and other hardware used, but buy new speakers. you never know how hard they've been driven.
That's all I can think of. Looks great. Sounds great.
Most folk'll never lose a toe, and then again some folk'll...
From the hax0rz at German c't magazine:
:-)
The c't S.V.P - the Sound and Video Platform [Article in German, use the Fish]. Plays music CDs, MP3 and other compressed formats, VCD, DivX:-), DVD (5.1 sound), is a digital VCR, CD burner/copier, surf terminal and E-Mail client (built-in LCD), remote-controllable and practically noiseless. This is the *AAs nightmare, cool
The only drawback I can see is the price - it's basically a full-featured PC with a TFT display, which is still quite expensive.
The S.V.P is windows-only for now, but c't is working on a Linux version. It would be cool if this could be made into a community project with translated documentation; it deserves to get better recognition worldwide.
"There are already a million monkeys on a million typewriters, and Usenet is NOTHING like Shakespeare." - Blair Houghton
Actually, digital projectors are getting quieter these days. While the old 20lb LCD light cannons that most people have seen routinely have fan noise ratings of 40-45dB, several (though certainly not all) recent offerings for home and business use. Panasonic makes several LCD models that achieve 30dB noise ratings, while Optoma and some over manufacturers have DLP models in the low 30dB range.
As for flat white wall, they work but a screen is really preferred. Da-Lite makes several pull-down wall screens with surfaces optimized for different environments (Hi gain retro-reflectives, low gain reflectives, gray screens to improve contrast, etc). Cost starts around $150 from online vendors for a 100" diagonal screen.
Video cables do cost money, but if you use a home theater receiver with high quality video switching you can get away with a single S-Video run to the projector if it has a high quality internal scalar (ie Faroudja DCDi chip).
The issue of 'true blacks' is still something of a problem. But some products using TI's newer 12 degree chips are achieving contrast ratios of 1800:1 (vs. the average number of 400:1 for your typical LCD these days). 1800:1 is getting quite close to what is needed for these digital projectors need to seriously challenge CRT basedprojection units for image quality.
For more info, check out www.avsforum.com and www.projectorcentral.com.