Hard Drive WD Caviar SE16 WD5000AAKS
Today, practically every hard drive sold fulfils the requirements for an HTPC. In the end, the one deciding factor is likely to be capacity. To reduce the operating noise, you should choose a drive spinning at a more moderate 5400 rpm over a faster, but louder 7200 rpm drive that will be much more prone to clicking. Seek times may be important for databases and games, but play no role for videos. We picked out the Western Digital Caviar SE16 WD5000AAKS (500 GB), which sells for around 95. You wont go wrong either if you choose another model with more capacity.
Memory
For once, a component that is really an easy choice. Theres little to observe when picking out the memory. Again, latency is not a prime concern for a video PC. We chose two 1 Gigabyte sticks of DDR2-800 memory made by MDT, costing around 50 for the pair. Any other reputable brand will do just as well, of course.
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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?