This is the first post here, so I will try to be accurate with my
question:
I would like to build my first home brew computer for the following
purpose:
- to store and play my large music CD library through my home sound
system
- to store and play my growing video (.AVI) through my (yet to be
purchased) Wide screen TV
I am currently thinking of using:
- A micro ATX case
- A micro ATX motherboard - w/ SATA (1 to 2 TB with RAID), max 2GB
DDR2, AMD or Intel processor, 1Gbit Ethernet
- TV Wonder or Video card with two HDMI (?)
- Wireless Keyboard/mouse
- CD Player to move CD collection to SATA
- Windows OS
I am looking for input here on the feasibility of this project AND
suggestions for what parts to use to (or not use) to build this.
Would any one like to help a first time builder?
THANKS
Greg
There are various ways to slice the project. For example, here they have
a sexy looking media player box for the viewing room, and the ugly RAID
array is stored elsewhere.
http://www.buildmediacenter.com/Projects/projects.html
In practical terms, for your first project, you should use a big old computer
case, use a full sized motherboard with plenty of slots. Buy as many video
cards, tuners, disks, powerful processor, and software. With this "overbuilt"
system, see what features you use and what ones you don't use. Observe your
habits for a while.
On your second build, you can concentrate on just the needed bits and pieces.
For example, if you find yourself gaming all the time, on the system, then
it really isn't an HTPC, and it is a gaming machine. As such, it needs a powerful
3D graphics card, a good processor etc. It better not be a small box, unless
you want it to overheat.
If you are a "tuner junkie", and like to record four TV programs at the same
time, a microATX motherboard may be too small for the job. Once you put in a
good sound card, two tuner cards, and whatever else is needed, the slot count
may be too much for microATX.
You could be a really clever guy, and have it all figured out, and build
a beautiful "furniture grade" solution. But most people end up whining
and griping about the things the box cannot do. In which case, it may be
easier to cobble together an overengineered first solution, and when you
see what parts you like, build a slim and trim second attempt.
On the storage front, the next storage limit is at 2**32 sectors. If
you are building an array, 2 terabytes is the limit. The 32 bit limit comes
from Windows carrying a sector number in a 32 bit unsigned integer. Or
something like that. So be careful when building arrays around 2TB. One guy
was whining the other day, about getting advice on USENET, and he discovered
to his shock, that the array was too big and didn't work right.
There are undoubtedly ways to fix that, involving adding another layer
to the storage subsystem. Maybe someone else knows more about the details
of working around the limit. In the examples given here, they make a
number of sub 2TB arrays, and then do something "virtual".
http://www.attotech.com/diamond/pdf/WorkingWiththe2TB Limit.pdf
In terms of playback, there is the brute force approach. That involves
a "dumb" video solution (just a frame buffer) and a powerful processor
to decompress and render content. An alternate method, is to look for
video card technology, where playback is accelerated in the video card.
The current state of the art, does provide some acceleration, but not
all file formats are supported.
Another break point, is whether the system is for HD or not. If you are
expecting to play back high resolution content, then not only do you
want the HDMI connector, but you want an HDCP capable TV and a video
card or GPU with HDCP support on its end. HDCP supports the DRM that
prevents high resolution playback on unprotected hardware paths. Both
ends of the cable that run from HTPC to TV, have to support HDCP, because
with HDCP, the DVI signals on the DVI cable are encrypted.
If sticking with more ordinary resolutions, then there is less to
worry about. I can play 640x480 on my tiny color set all day long
if I want, and nobody cares.
For an example of a motherboard, this one is tempting, but it uses
an ATI chipset. Other companies that make a 690G based board, put
the HDMI connector right on the back of the motherboard. This board
uses a separate adapter card that plugs into the x16 slot, and has
the HDMI on the faceplate. I'd want three PCI slots on a thing like
this, as the PCI Express x1 is not likely to get used. So this would
be an example of a product that is "close" but not good enough. You'd
want to use a good processor with this, for "brute force" playback
of HD content.
ASUS M2A-VM HDMI
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131174
M2A-VM HDMI (HDCP mentioned in specs)
http://www.asus.com.tw/products4.aspx?modelmenu=2&model=1585&l1=3&l2=101&l3=496&l4=0
Paul
