Sonata case commissioned as HTPC :)

pHaestus · 04-12-2003, 11:50 PM

Ok as you may know I am home alone because the wife and son went to visit the family. That gave me a much awaited chance to get my home theater PC actually set up and running. I am using the Sonata because it is extremely quiet and doesnt look bad either

Today I went out and bought a 64mb oem Radeon 7000. It is made by Sapphire, and has excellent tv out (even came with S Video cable. Next on the agenda was a wireless card so I could access all the goodies on my file server. I started off with a USB wireless NIC (802.11b), but it kept "pausing" every so often when playing mp3s or divx off my server. I messed around with settings for an hour or so and then took it back. Replaced it with a PCI 802.11b card and all is well. NIC and WAP are linksys.

I control the box using my notebook as a remote control (logging onto the HTPC with Radmin). I am going to eventually get a little wireless keyboard with trackball or touchpad whenever I find an inexpensive one. I am using my Logitech z560 speakers for sound and it is a night and day difference from the Sony tv speakers. I plan on getting a proper sound system in the fall when money is less tight. For now, this only cost me $200CAD or so for cables and vid card and NIC and I had the rest of the system. Here's a pic:

System specs: XP@1750/nforce1 mobo with integrated sound, 30gb hdd, 32xcd-rom, radeon 7000 (64mb), Logitech z560s

TV: 32" Sony WEGA
cheapo dvd player with component out

jaydee · 04-12-2003, 11:53 PM

Looks good!

xerka · 04-13-2003, 12:07 AM

If you want a cheap relatively decent wireless keyboard and mouse here is what i bought for my carputer http://directron.com/wireless.html . The mouse is okay it moves a little slow but other than that it works pretty well. Directron also has a few more wireless keyboards http://directron.com/wireless1.html

pHaestus · 04-13-2003, 12:43 AM

thanks!

THis one: http://directron.com/ack573.html

was exactly what I was looking for

KnightElite · 04-13-2003, 11:43 AM

Looks pretty cool

.

ItsSoLARGE · 04-13-2003, 12:08 PM

Looks go ph.. I remember I found some software that was meant for HTPC controlling that would give you like nice interface screens and stuff.. making it easy to control.. If I can find it ill tell you what it is.

Looks like I found it. http://www.myhtpc.net/

pHaestus · 04-13-2003, 01:08 PM

Itsso that is so leet!

Installed pretty easily, but now I gotta dig up images for all the movies and cds I have :/

bigben2k · 04-13-2003, 06:04 PM

Wow! That's really pro lookig, pHaestus! It makes me want to slap one together!

pHaestus · 04-13-2003, 07:26 PM

It took a long time, but I tracked down all the cd covers for my cds ripped in mp3 format and for all the movies I have in divx. Check out these screens (I captured from radmin to get better image quality):

Local weather at the press of a button

I still have to set it up for emulators, and it apparently has a "user" feature that might be handy to for people with several people wanting to use the HTPC but no central file server...

bigben2k · 04-13-2003, 08:16 PM

Does one need a full keyboard for this? It would be nice if it could work with a small wireless keypad.

pHaestus · 04-13-2003, 08:19 PM

the menus will work fine with a mouse only, or you could use whatever. Under the hood, it's still Windows XP Pro; just a slick front end that is built with XML. Many people rig the system up to be completely controlled by a remote actually (using Girder or such)

psychofunk · 04-13-2003, 11:11 PM

It sucks, send the whole thing to me

. j/k it's pimp!

Pockytofu · 04-14-2003, 10:22 AM

OMG! That is soo cool!
This makes me want to make a set up like that right now!

Do you guys have any recommendations for a video in/out computer adapter or graphics card?

I really don't wanna buy a 9700 all in wonder pro and i am kinda waiting for the next generation nvidia card because i have a ti200, so i was thinking of a convertor kinda of thing.

Any help would be greatly appreciated!!!

pHaestus · 04-14-2003, 10:33 AM

I have not been impressed at all with nvidia tv out. I have only used it up to GF3 though. I picked up an ~ $40US ATI radeon 7000 oem with tv out and it works perfectly. If you really need both video in and video out then I can't really speak from experience. Maybe a PCI tv tuner card + the radeon 7000 would get you where you want to go? Otherwise there are relatively low end all in wonders (7500 I think) that aren't too expensive.

My advice would be to just set up a separate box for HTPC duties. This way you can keep your beefy system for gaming and upgrade the video in it as needed without having to buy an all in wonder type card every time.

ItsSoLARGE · 04-14-2003, 10:49 AM

Also, ph.. the program does support using a remote control.. so u could go that way too

Pockytofu · 04-14-2003, 11:27 AM

Hmmmm, a seperate comp would probably be the best solution.
Maybe I should just build a really quiet, cheapo system, probably cost about $150-$300, depending what case i get.
What would you suggest as the minimum specs for a HTPC system?

Thx Again!!!

*edit*

Nevermind, hehe.
I figure I'll just get a radeon 9700 all in wonder, cause i've been meaning to upgrade my graphics card anyways and as a bonus, it has video out and a remote and possibly a Audigy 2 for the audio upgrade.

RickCain · 04-14-2003, 11:33 AM

Very nice setup in deed! A few questions for you though..

1. How are you getting the video from the 7000 to the TV?
2. Are you using a tv tuner card? If so, which one
3. Are you using powerstripe for the custom resolution?

I'm about to drop the dime on one of these and would like your feedback. I have a Nforce 1 board, 1800+, 7500 and a VGA -> RGB converter to connect to my Mitsubishi 55" wide screen.

bigben2k · 04-14-2003, 11:50 AM

I'm looking at a uATX mobo, with a 1 GHz Duron. It can be done very cheaply, and small.

How would one incorporate a remote?

joemac · 04-14-2003, 07:44 PM

I have a system setup to do the same thing only it is not as fancy (mine is cheap):

Celeron 500 MHZ

256 RAM (pc100)
10/100-network card (built in)
Built in Video/Audio
10g HD
WINXP
No Slots for expansion (I Did say cheap)

TV 52 inch RCA

The trouble I have is that when I watch a movie the voice and picture do not sync.
This seems to occur when I watch a movie off my home network (Using a Switch). That accounts for about 100% of the movies I see (I store none in the small local HD). I tried playing with the setting in media player 9 but no luck. BTW How did you make that menu??

KnightElite · 04-15-2003, 12:58 AM

www.myhtpc.net is where the menu is from.

As to hooking up a remote, you can buy a remote, or you can get an adapter that connects to a COM port that allows any universal remote to control your computer. Or, certain video cards, such as the 8500 AIW come with a really sweet remote

.

dacooltech · 04-15-2003, 01:58 AM

FYI ATI Remote Wonder is basically an OEM X-10 remote.

for the remote check out www.x-10.com

They got something called Lola Direct Connect for $49.99
USB receiver, Remote, 20ft A/V cable + software

Pockytofu · 04-15-2003, 10:19 AM

Hey, that lola thing looks pretty interesting.
I just wonder about video and audio quality, if it'll be any good.
Otherwise thats not too bad of a price.
hmmmmmmm...

ymboc · 04-16-2003, 12:03 AM

For those x10 remotes... Don't let any X10 software even touch your computer (its all crap)... instead check out the following: http://max10.sourceforge.net/

Basically you can map any button on the remote (in any of its 4-5 modes) to any clickable item in windows. In addition you can start program, change volume etc etc... So even programs that dont have explicit remote support (eg: winamp) can be controlled from the remote... heck you could even map word's spellcheck to a button if you were so inclined

I've been using the max10 software (with my mouseremote) for 3 years now... Pretty Good stuff... I believe their latest version(s) add support for new types of remotes as well...

Cheers

dacooltech · 04-18-2003, 02:53 AM

Quote:

For those x10 remotes... Don't let any X10 software even touch your computer (its all crap)... instead check out the following: http://max10.sourceforge.net/

thx for the link YMBOC

ItsSoLARGE · 04-18-2003, 09:55 PM

hey ph just wondering why you're using radmin and not like tight vnc.. just personal preference or something I'm missing?

04-12-2003, 11:50 PM	#1
pHaestus Big Player Making Big Money Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: irc.lostgeek.com #procooling.com Posts: 4,782	Sonata case commissioned as HTPC :) Ok as you may know I am home alone because the wife and son went to visit the family. That gave me a much awaited chance to get my home theater PC actually set up and running. I am using the Sonata because it is extremely quiet and doesnt look bad either Today I went out and bought a 64mb oem Radeon 7000. It is made by Sapphire, and has excellent tv out (even came with S Video cable. Next on the agenda was a wireless card so I could access all the goodies on my file server. I started off with a USB wireless NIC (802.11b), but it kept "pausing" every so often when playing mp3s or divx off my server. I messed around with settings for an hour or so and then took it back. Replaced it with a PCI 802.11b card and all is well. NIC and WAP are linksys. I control the box using my notebook as a remote control (logging onto the HTPC with Radmin). I am going to eventually get a little wireless keyboard with trackball or touchpad whenever I find an inexpensive one. I am using my Logitech z560 speakers for sound and it is a night and day difference from the Sony tv speakers. I plan on getting a proper sound system in the fall when money is less tight. For now, this only cost me $200CAD or so for cables and vid card and NIC and I had the rest of the system. Here's a pic: System specs: XP@1750/nforce1 mobo with integrated sound, 30gb hdd, 32xcd-rom, radeon 7000 (64mb), Logitech z560s TV: 32" Sony WEGA cheapo dvd player with component out

04-12-2003, 11:53 PM	#2
jaydee Put up or Shut Up Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Spokane WA Posts: 6,506	Re: Sonata case commissioned as HTPC :) Looks good!

04-13-2003, 12:07 AM	#3
xerka Cooling Savant Join Date: Mar 2001 Location: Denver, CO Posts: 107	Keyboards If you want a cheap relatively decent wireless keyboard and mouse here is what i bought for my carputer http://directron.com/wireless.html . The mouse is okay it moves a little slow but other than that it works pretty well. Directron also has a few more wireless keyboards http://directron.com/wireless1.html

04-13-2003, 11:43 AM	#5
KnightElite Cooling Savant Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Saskatoon, Saskatchewan Posts: 294	Looks pretty cool . __________________ Can anyone else here say that they have a watercooled monster that's 45" tall?

04-13-2003, 12:08 PM	#6
ItsSoLARGE Cooling Savant Join Date: Feb 2001 Location: So Cal Posts: 125	Looks go ph.. I remember I found some software that was meant for HTPC controlling that would give you like nice interface screens and stuff.. making it easy to control.. If I can find it ill tell you what it is. Looks like I found it. http://www.myhtpc.net/ __________________ Plumber's Goop: The Watercooler's Duct Tape

04-13-2003, 12:43 AM	#4
pHaestus Big Player Making Big Money Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: irc.lostgeek.com #procooling.com Posts: 4,782	thanks! THis one: http://directron.com/ack573.html was exactly what I was looking for

04-13-2003, 01:08 PM	#7
pHaestus Big Player Making Big Money Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: irc.lostgeek.com #procooling.com Posts: 4,782	Itsso that is so leet! Installed pretty easily, but now I gotta dig up images for all the movies and cds I have :/

04-13-2003, 06:04 PM	#8
bigben2k Responsible for 2% of all the posts here. Join Date: May 2002 Location: Texas, U.S.A. Posts: 8,302	Wow! That's really pro lookig, pHaestus! It makes me want to slap one together! __________________ WBTA (Water Block Testing Alliance) Nordic Hardware WC 101

04-13-2003, 07:26 PM	#9
pHaestus Big Player Making Big Money Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: irc.lostgeek.com #procooling.com Posts: 4,782	It took a long time, but I tracked down all the cd covers for my cds ripped in mp3 format and for all the movies I have in divx. Check out these screens (I captured from radmin to get better image quality): Local weather at the press of a button I still have to set it up for emulators, and it apparently has a "user" feature that might be handy to for people with several people wanting to use the HTPC but no central file server...

04-13-2003, 08:16 PM	#10
bigben2k Responsible for 2% of all the posts here. Join Date: May 2002 Location: Texas, U.S.A. Posts: 8,302	Does one need a full keyboard for this? It would be nice if it could work with a small wireless keypad. __________________ WBTA (Water Block Testing Alliance) Nordic Hardware WC 101

04-13-2003, 08:19 PM	#11
pHaestus Big Player Making Big Money Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: irc.lostgeek.com #procooling.com Posts: 4,782	the menus will work fine with a mouse only, or you could use whatever. Under the hood, it's still Windows XP Pro; just a slick front end that is built with XML. Many people rig the system up to be completely controlled by a remote actually (using Girder or such)

04-13-2003, 11:11 PM	#12
psychofunk Cooling Savant Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Los Angeles Posts: 365	It sucks, send the whole thing to me . j/k it's pimp!

04-14-2003, 10:22 AM	#13
Pockytofu Cooling Neophyte Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Minnesota Posts: 10	OMG! That is soo cool! This makes me want to make a set up like that right now! Do you guys have any recommendations for a video in/out computer adapter or graphics card? I really don't wanna buy a 9700 all in wonder pro and i am kinda waiting for the next generation nvidia card because i have a ti200, so i was thinking of a convertor kinda of thing. Any help would be greatly appreciated!!!

04-14-2003, 10:33 AM	#14
pHaestus Big Player Making Big Money Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: irc.lostgeek.com #procooling.com Posts: 4,782	I have not been impressed at all with nvidia tv out. I have only used it up to GF3 though. I picked up an ~ $40US ATI radeon 7000 oem with tv out and it works perfectly. If you really need both video in and video out then I can't really speak from experience. Maybe a PCI tv tuner card + the radeon 7000 would get you where you want to go? Otherwise there are relatively low end all in wonders (7500 I think) that aren't too expensive. My advice would be to just set up a separate box for HTPC duties. This way you can keep your beefy system for gaming and upgrade the video in it as needed without having to buy an all in wonder type card every time.

04-14-2003, 10:49 AM	#15
ItsSoLARGE Cooling Savant Join Date: Feb 2001 Location: So Cal Posts: 125	Also, ph.. the program does support using a remote control.. so u could go that way too __________________ Plumber's Goop: The Watercooler's Duct Tape

04-14-2003, 11:27 AM	#16
Pockytofu Cooling Neophyte Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Minnesota Posts: 10	Hmmmm, a seperate comp would probably be the best solution. Maybe I should just build a really quiet, cheapo system, probably cost about $150-$300, depending what case i get. What would you suggest as the minimum specs for a HTPC system? Thx Again!!! edit Nevermind, hehe. I figure I'll just get a radeon 9700 all in wonder, cause i've been meaning to upgrade my graphics card anyways and as a bonus, it has video out and a remote and possibly a Audigy 2 for the audio upgrade. Last edited by Pockytofu; 04-14-2003 at 12:53 PM.

04-14-2003, 11:33 AM	#17
RickCain Cooling Savant Join Date: Feb 2002 Posts: 110	Very nice setup in deed! A few questions for you though.. 1. How are you getting the video from the 7000 to the TV? 2. Are you using a tv tuner card? If so, which one 3. Are you using powerstripe for the custom resolution? I'm about to drop the dime on one of these and would like your feedback. I have a Nforce 1 board, 1800+, 7500 and a VGA -> RGB converter to connect to my Mitsubishi 55" wide screen.

04-14-2003, 11:50 AM	#18
bigben2k Responsible for 2% of all the posts here. Join Date: May 2002 Location: Texas, U.S.A. Posts: 8,302	I'm looking at a uATX mobo, with a 1 GHz Duron. It can be done very cheaply, and small. How would one incorporate a remote? __________________ WBTA (Water Block Testing Alliance) Nordic Hardware WC 101

04-14-2003, 07:44 PM	#19
joemac Cooling Savant Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Dallas Posts: 339	I have a system setup to do the same thing only it is not as fancy (mine is cheap): Celeron 500 MHZ 256 RAM (pc100) 10/100-network card (built in) Built in Video/Audio 10g HD WINXP No Slots for expansion (I Did say cheap) TV 52 inch RCA The trouble I have is that when I watch a movie the voice and picture do not sync. This seems to occur when I watch a movie off my home network (Using a Switch). That accounts for about 100% of the movies I see (I store none in the small local HD). I tried playing with the setting in media player 9 but no luck. BTW How did you make that menu?? Last edited by joemac; 04-14-2003 at 09:44 PM.

04-15-2003, 12:58 AM	#20
KnightElite Cooling Savant Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Saskatoon, Saskatchewan Posts: 294	www.myhtpc.net is where the menu is from. As to hooking up a remote, you can buy a remote, or you can get an adapter that connects to a COM port that allows any universal remote to control your computer. Or, certain video cards, such as the 8500 AIW come with a really sweet remote . __________________ Can anyone else here say that they have a watercooled monster that's 45" tall?

04-15-2003, 01:58 AM	#21
dacooltech Pro/Vendor Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: NYC Posts: 267	FYI ATI Remote Wonder is basically an OEM X-10 remote. for the remote check out www.x-10.com They got something called Lola Direct Connect for $49.99 USB receiver, Remote, 20ft A/V cable + software __________________ www.cooltechnica.com

04-15-2003, 10:19 AM	#22
Pockytofu Cooling Neophyte Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Minnesota Posts: 10	Hey, that lola thing looks pretty interesting. I just wonder about video and audio quality, if it'll be any good. Otherwise thats not too bad of a price. hmmmmmmm...

04-16-2003, 12:03 AM	#23
ymboc Cooling Neophyte Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Ottawa Posts: 81	Incorporating A remote... For those x10 remotes... Don't let any X10 software even touch your computer (its all crap)... instead check out the following: http://max10.sourceforge.net/ Basically you can map any button on the remote (in any of its 4-5 modes) to any clickable item in windows. In addition you can start program, change volume etc etc... So even programs that dont have explicit remote support (eg: winamp) can be controlled from the remote... heck you could even map word's spellcheck to a button if you were so inclined I've been using the max10 software (with my mouseremote) for 3 years now... Pretty Good stuff... I believe their latest version(s) add support for new types of remotes as well... Cheers

04-18-2003, 09:55 PM	#25
ItsSoLARGE Cooling Savant Join Date: Feb 2001 Location: So Cal Posts: 125	hey ph just wondering why you're using radmin and not like tight vnc.. just personal preference or something I'm missing? __________________ Plumber's Goop: The Watercooler's Duct Tape

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