How To Build An HTPC

As part of CyberShack TV's 2008 season, I was tasked with the job of designing and building a Home Theatre PC that we were giving away as a prize. So rather than show you how to build one, I've made a little video showing you what you currently need as well as having some of the design principles I used when I was building it.

Category:

Entertainment

Tags:

• technology
• htpc
• home
• theatre
• bluray
• computer
• entertainment
• cybershack

[NinjaTTT]

I attend to use it as a desktop PC (games..) and I'm playing with virtualization...

I really like LinuxMCE cuz it provides support for thin clients/network boot. On each thin client I can attach TV and boot it from main server and use it as one complete system in whole house (Home Automation systems - KNX/EIB...)

[CyberShackAU]

That sounds fine. I guess the problem with Linux is that it does lack a lot of high-profile game compatibility unless you go with something like WINE and to be honest, I'm not sure what the result would be (as I don't use it myself).

You won't see me ever give points to Vista but it does make a decent HTPC operating system when used well. I'd go a 64-bit version personally, though.

What about a 4850 with good cooling? There's one made by Hightech which looks decent. I'm considering one myself.

[NinjaTTT]

I ho u didn't install M$ products on it...

What do u think about my HW

Q9450

nVidia 790i ultra

Corsair 2x2GB kit DDR3

nVidia 9800GTX

2xSeagate Baracuda 500GB

left to buy Some SkyStar 2 card and some analog tuner.

oh...and btw, SW is Ubuntu /LinuxMCE

(still testing MythTV, Elisa Boxee...SW:)

[CyberShackAU]

That sounds mostly okay. I personally don't go for the Seagate drives. I'd take Samsung or Western Digital over them any day (I've had more Seagates die early than any other brand) and I think you need to rethink your video card unless you're planning on sticking your HTPC in the mostly vented room on the planet. Seriously, the 9800GTX is a pretty heavy card for an HTPC and will be great for games provided your case has plenty of airvents and the systems won't die accordingly.

[CyberShackAU]

It wasn't really about choosing the most expensive hardware. I can build one of these on a budget, but the target of this was for a prize and a bloody good prize at that.

[epiphone493]

one thing I don't like on this board is with the colour on that motherboard. Too many colour, it made the board looks like it's very cheap. If u ask me what kind of colour that I like the most, go and check this motherboard. ASUS RAMPAGE III BLACK EDITION. I think that is the most luxurious looking motherboard and the most coolest motherboard ever.

[dzhitler]

and how about money

where can i get money

[mrteabagkk]

@o0Deano2k80o

awh close enough

[Feyhart]

so was the graphics card that he put in as well. mind you this is from the middle of 2008, maybe it wasn't as popular yet.

[639426]

Belkin for me was a bad experience my Ethernet would drop everytime I was on wi fi. I bought a lynksis G and it works amazingly no joke I watch through it I mean sure G is slow compared too N but I mean it works wonders for me no joke. I watch HD movies and play video games on it while family is using skype and it works great no lag.

[xXwhygodwhyXx]

too expensive for me I just need a simple device to play my downloaded movies like the apple tv but cheaper.

[drums4mat]

lol. @ 3:36 to 3:41 you sound like homer in the simpsons =)

[ravenousjerboa]

the mobo is missing hdmi

[beatbreaker82]

Hey this is great, but will you show the rest beyond getting the hardware together? What platform did you end up using? Seeing a demo of ti working would have been great too