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[gofreak]

As some may recall, I started a thread a few days ago discussing the merits of DVD players that upscale their output to high definition resolutions. I looked into it a bit more, and then stumbled upon recommendations to go with a Home Theater PC (HTPC) instead. Is anyone here using a HTPC as their primary video source? My big concern is: how does this compare to more expensive DVD players in terms of picture quality? I may be willing to put €500 down on the new Panasonic S97 upscaling DVD player, and connect it using HDMI to a new projector..how would a HTPC compare to this?

Secondly, what kind of components do you need to have the best HTPC? My current PC is:

P4 2.4Ghz
512MB RAM
128Mb 9700 Pro (i think with DVI-out - how would this compare to HDMI?)

I hear the ATi cards give a really nice PQ and are very good for DVD playback, but how do they compare to dedicated players in the €300-500 range? I'm concerned by the noise of this machine too...I could save some money by just modifying this appropriately, but if I were to build one from scratch, what kind of minimum spec is needed for a HTPC (for software decoding of DVD etc?). Also, what's the best TV tuner card you can get now?

I'll be shelling out a fair amount on a good LCD projector, so I don't want my video sources to be a weak link..

Thanks GAF!

 

[Bregor]

Go here:

http://www.htpcnews.com/main.php

Especially the forums.

Edit: Building a good HTPC is more complicated than a normal PC on both the hardware and software side. Go to a HTPC side, read up a lot, and make sure you have everything planned before you start.

 

[Bregor]

Also, there are some companies that sell pre-built HTPC, but I cannot recall the URL of any of them.

 

[gofreak]

Cheers, that looks like just the type of site I need..

 

[gofreak]

Hmm, ok, done a little initial reading..I guess my BIG lingering question now is: how do HTPCs compare to dedicated home theater hardware in terms of PQ etc? What's the consensus? I know there are some AV gurus here..

 

[DaCocoBrova]

What even makes an HTPC an HTPC? I think I might already have one.

Shame what happened to myHTPC. It's now called Meedio, costs $$ and it sucks.

 

[Bregor]

Hmm, ok, done a little initial reading..I guess my BIG lingering question now is: how do HTPCs compare to dedicated home theater hardware in terms of PQ etc? What's the consensus? I know there are some AV gurus here..

From what I understand, a HTPC is superior to most off the shelf hardware if built and configured properly.

To be honest, I think that HTPCs are really just for two groups of people:

1. Those that enjoy building PCs and want to do something new and different.
2. Those that want to have a Home Theater system with exactly the features and interface they want, and cannot find it in off the shelf hardware.

For most other people, I think it isn't worth the bother.

I would like to build a HTPC myself when I have some free cash, but that's because I think it looks like a fun project, not because I think it's the best solution for my Home Theater needs.

 

[Zaptruder]

Windows Media XP edition... really needs to be more customizable in terms of the gui.

I'm not sure how it is now, but the main things it needs is the ability to create extra folders/shortcuts for different categories. Also, it should be able to password protect any file/directory... just in case you want to have a way to get to your porn via menu.

In this manner, you can create a games folder, and have emulators and whatnot under that category.

 

[gofreak]

What even makes an HTPC an HTPC? I think I might already have one.

I think I may already have one too I'm going to get a DVI cable and hook it up to my current PC first, look into the software side of things, and see how that works out. I think the only problem with my current setup, potentially, is the amount of noise it makes.

A 2.4Ghz, 512MB RAM, 9700Pro machine would do the job? In terms of video-out quality, you can't really do much better than an ATi 9000+, right....?

 

[DaCocoBrova]

I always thought Media Center Edition was just XP w/ a few added on components. Sucks that it's not very customizable.

 

[gofreak]

Hmmm...I now read that if you want upscaling to 720p/1080i using dscaler, you really need a 3.0Ghz+ CPU? Also, the Nvidia 6800 series apparently now give higher PQ for DVD playing (due to 32-bit per RGB component compared to 10bit on the 9700Pro and most DVD players). Hmmm.

 

[Marty Chinn]

You know, if you're not really sure about the whole thing, if you have a modded Xbox, you can try out some upscaled DVDs to see if it interests you.

 

[gofreak]

I don't have a modded xbox unfortunately...=/

I do know that I would like to do it. I'm just not sure if I can with my current setup, specifically the CPU. Does DScaler really need 3.0Ghz or more to scale up to 1080i? I guess the best thing for me to do is to try it out when I get my display..

Also, DScaler doesn't work with ATi cards? Or is that just ATi TV tuners/capture cards?

edit - just tried running DScaler..tells me "No suitable hardware" and then just shuts down. I guess they don't work with ATi cards fullstop. I was under the impression that you could use it to scale DVD footage being played with a software player? If not, how do you scale your picture up to 720p/1080i using a PC?

 

[DaCocoBrova]

Then skip the HTPC thing and go get a modded XBOX. You need to prioritize.

 

[gofreak]

Then skip the HTPC thing and go get a modded XBOX. You need to prioritize.

haha, I'm not modding my xbox. I want to play on Live

Am I getting this right? To scale up to HD resolutions with a PC, all you need to do is use a program like PowerStrip and resize your screen to match your display, since PC video cards are in of themselves great "scalers"? All of that CPU-hogging algorithmic complexity of Dscaler etc. is just related to de-interlacing, which wouldn't be needed for dvd-playback?

 

[DaCocoBrova]

haha, I'm not modding my xbox. I want to play on Live.

:lol You can... Who told you otherwise? You just flip a switch to disable the mod.

 

[gofreak]

:lol You can... Who told you otherwise? You just flip a switch to disable the mod.

I just heard they were going after people on Live and banning them for mods etc. I didn't know you could disable them.

Anyway, you're putting my thread off-course!! *wrests the wheel from DaCocoBrova*

If someone can answer my Q re. dvd movie scaling to 720p/1080i with a PC, I'd much appreciate it..

 

[mrklaw]

Just to paraphrase from earlier:

a HTPC is superior to most off the shelf hardware if built and configured properly.

I completely agree with Bregor on this. Its a very personal thing and not to be jumped into lightly.

You don't need a high spec PC to play DVDs very well. But you need a correctly specced one, and the graphics card can help a lot.

As for 1080i, don't dwell on it. With a HTPC, you want something that exactly matches your intended display resolution (likely 720p if a HD set). Don't waste cycles feeding out 1080i, only for the display to downscale back to 720p

Me? I'd buy a DVD player that matches your display. Ease of use cannot be overestimated. Getting a HTPC that is really easy to use (read: wife can use without reference manuals), means lots of work.

FWIW, I have a progressive scan DVD player feeding 480p into a projector (its a 480p projector, so its a good match). I also have a modded xbox for music and Tivo over LAN, but haven't looked into DVD playback, as I find the Xbox UI clunky compared to a normal quality player.

And a good progressive player isn't expensive. The new toshiba and pioneer players are getting rave reviews in the UK. They are progressive, play divx and xvid, and are around 150 Euros.

 

[sasimirobot]

I am very interested in the HTPC setups also [to play on my new HDTV Sony!!]. It seems that it is the only way to watch HD-capable WMV-DVDs in 720p/1080i (you need a internet connection to play them).

*DVD players can be made that can handle the WM9 format without being a HTPC ??
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?s=&threadid=336252&perpage=20&pagenumber=2


It is just very intimidating to try and put it all together myself since I dont know shit about computers!

 

[shuri]

Unless you want to watch a lot of high res stuff (you have to ask yourself -- do you really want to watch high res tv shows?), just go with a modded xbox.

Buy an used xbox (i would personally go for a new one), mod it (modchips arent that expensive), and install xbox media center. You can stream any format from your network to your hdtv, mp3s, internet streams, and so on.

This is what I use

 

[sasimirobot]

Well the thing is I am really interested in the new HD content DVDs (WM9) and such. I bought the TV for gaming but it seems like such a waste if I can only upscale DVDs to 720p and not use the full potential of a $1,000+ investment. (There is no reliable way to watch HDTV programing in Thailand at the moment)

Can I watch WM9 media on a modded Xbox?

 

[DaCocoBrova]

VOOM!

 

[mrklaw]

I think you can watch 720p WM9 on xbox, but there isn't enough power to do 1080p

 

[sasimirobot]

Turns out you can watch HD material on a modded Xbox but the cost is around 400$+US (needs an updated chip and memory)!
Looks like I am just gonna have to figure out how to use a HTPC.

 

[mrklaw]

whats your TV? Liklihood is even a HD is only 720p native, and although it'll accept 1080i, it'll downscale it to your TVs resolution.

So feeding it 1080i DVDs would be overkill - you just need to upsample to 720p

Most WMVHDs are not special movie events, so a pretty good normal PC will do fine, and then connect to your TV via whatever you've got (you can get VGA-component converters pretty cheap). No need to go fancy HTPC.

Or just wait for WMVHD compatible DVD players - shouldn't be long now

I think stock xboxes will play 720p, you only need to upgrade for 1080i/p WMV/HD