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As mentioned above, most companies have decided only one of the new high-definition video formats. Samsung and LG are the only manufacturers to offer optical drives supporting both Blu-ray and HD DVD, with LG being the one with the widest range of optical drives for both types of discs.
The following table details our configuration in two variations:
| Component | Manufacturer / Model | Standard Version | Light Version |
|---|---|---|---|
| Case | Silverstone GD01S-MXR (incl. remote control) 180 | 180 | |
| Power Supply | Silverstone Nightjar ST30NF (passive cooling, no fan) | 130 | 130 |
| Processor | AMD Athlon X2 BE-2350 (2100 MHz) | 80 55 | 80 |
| CPU Cooler | Zalman CNPS9500 LED | 45 | 45 |
| Hard Drive | Western Digital Caviar SE16 WD5000AAKS (500 GB) | 95 | 95 |
| Motherboard | MSI K9AG Neo2-Digital | 60 | 60 |
| Graphics Card | Sapphire Radeon HD 2400 XT with HDMI adapter (passive cooling, no fan) | 70 | 70 |
| Optical Drive for Blu-ray and HD DVD | LG GGC-H20L | 300 | 300 |
| Memory | 2x MDT 1024MB DDR2-800 CL5 M924-800-16 | 50 | 50 |
| TV-Tuner Card 1 | KNC One TV-Station DVB-S2 | 150 | 150 |
| TV-Tuner Card 2 | KNC One TV-Station DVB-S2 | 150 | 150 |
| Common Interface (CI) | KNC One CineView-Module | 50 | |
| Conditional Access Module (CAM) | Alphacrypt (Classic) | 100 / ₤80 | |
| Adapter | 5.25 to 3.5 front-panel Adapter | 6 | |
| Total | 1.466 | 1.160 |
The Standard Version costs roughly 1.466 and allows you to receive and decrypt Pay TV stations if youre a subscriber and own an appropriate smartcard. Additionally, you can watch one programme on one tuner card while recording a different show no a different transponder using the other.
The Light Version for around 1.160 still lets you receive HDTV stations, but only unencrypted ones. Also, while you can still watch one show and record another with this configuration, both need to be on the same transponder. If not, youll have to decide between either watching or recording.
- Previous page We Want HD - Resistance is Futile
- Next page Case - Silverstone GD01S-MXR
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- Reviving Old Hardware
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- How to Build Your Own Solar Powered PC, Part 2
- Green Computing Options
1. While you concentrated on the IR functionality of the case, you didn't mention the noise the supplied fans create. Given you've gone to all that trouble (and expense) of finding a fanless power supply why do you not consider case fan noise. Is it because the case is supplied with low noise fans? Have you measured the noise? What is the noise?
2. If you are so concerned about noise why not suggest that video data is stored on a server somewhere else and the OS be put on Compact Flash.
30 to eliminate "data" noise completely for the life of you system seems positively cheap. Hard drive quietening solutions are not as effective or as cheap.
3. Is it me or does the case look like it would take up half your lounge(unless your lounge is the size of London)? Not exactly small it is? I can't think of anyone's living room that it wouldn't look intrusive in.
2.Agreed, i'm definatly going to go the compact flash option, and have a networked media server somewhere where it won't be as obtrusive.
3.Agreed again, what is it with these so called HTpc boxes that are big enough to hold a swimming pool? we have mATX mainboards, and half height cards, why not use them?
my inital idea is to get an HP DC7700 small form factor machine, still on the big side for a media centre machine, but a third the size of that offering. still fit a normal size 5.25" optical drive, and 3.5" hard disk. still got pciE x1, pciE x16, and 2x normal pci slots for half height cards. got a pciE NV8500 with HDMI, 4Gb ram (don't want paging on a compact flash drive)...
anyway, my only question is, how are you able to get dual satallite tuners to work with one CAM smart card module?
I did a similar thread over at avforums.co.uk a long while a go...
http://www.avforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=348233
My media machine had to be low profile, and comes with a true low profile HDMI VGA card. (Sapphire 1600 HDMI etc)
The case has a has a IR port (and display) built in, and comes from standby with a normal MCE remote.
It is currently only running HD-DVDs, but i do intend to change to a multi HD drive.
I didn't bother with tuner cards as we don't get HD broadcasts via terrestial TV. (YET!)
It is near silent when running, and didn't cost the earth!
Bye Bye...
I did a similar thread over at avforums.co.uk a long while a go...
http://www.avforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=348233
My media machine had to be low profile, and comes with a true low profile HDMI VGA card. (Sapphire 1600 HDMI etc)
The case has a has a IR port (and display) built in, and comes from standby with a normal MCE remote.
It is currently only running HD-DVDs, but i do intend to change to a multi HD drive.
I didn't bother with tuner cards as we don't get HD broadcasts via terrestial TV. (YET!)
It is near silent when running, and didn't cost the earth!
Bye Bye...
as use on Asus P5E V(M)HDMI!
Although I have been using a HTPC with Windows MCE(XP and Vista) for the last 2 and half years, im afraid early next year I will be dropping it. I have come to realise that to run, and keep up to date my Media Center is a constant and expensive hassle, with worries about heat, silence, power consumption, speed, drivers, cpu consumption, codecs, configuration etc.
I will admit that a well spec'd HTPC is very flexible, should be less hassle and can look good too, but it is still not perfect for something the Mrs can use! Even though she does see its uses and has been sold on the idea I cringe evertime i have to tell her to restart the TV! They are still not perfect as a living room entertainment device for the average user.
Early next year Sony releases the PlayTV twin tuner for the PS3. This is where my money is going next. It can do Photos, Music, Videos, uPnp network streaming, internet browsing, HD and Blu-Ray and now a full twin tuner PVR but is also quiet, user friendly and hassle free. Thats without even mentioning the gaming, all for £300!
Yes, i understand the HTPC is more flexible and upgradeable but I hope you all see my point?