Building a Windows XP Media Center Edition(MCE) Home Theater
PC (HTPC)
Photos
of my MCE 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.
|
HTPC Software
|
| 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
|
| 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
|
| 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
|
| 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
|
| 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 PC® 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
|
| 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.
|
|
| 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. |
