Would like opinions -- HTPC project

  • Thread starter Thread starter Mark Adams
  • Start date Start date
M

Mark Adams

My Shuttle-based home theater PC has developed an ugly "scratching"
audio problem. Since the case is sff, I don't have a slot for a new
sound card, so it looks like it's time for a new system. I have some
idea what I want in terms of drives, sound and video, though I'd like
suggestions on those as well.

I'm starting to look at components generally, and space is kind of an
issue, so I'm going to go with a home-theater style case. Does anybody
have any opinions about these two:

1.) not that cool, but fits an ATX motherboard:

http://www.ewiz.com/detail.php?p=CA-2000BNS&c=pw


2.) cool, but I'm not sure about the bells and whistles and it only fits
a micro ATX:

http://www.unityelectronics.com/product-product_id/2421


I don't want to spend a whole lot of money and these two cases fall
within budget. What do you think?

--
Mark E. Adams, 2004 -- drop the "dot" to email me.
http://adamslan.shyper.com -*- Mandriva User# 263042

CONSIDER: ===========---------,,,,,,,,,............. . . . . .
Subtlety is the art of saying what you think and getting out of the way
before it is understood.
 
Mark Adams said:
My Shuttle-based home theater PC has developed an ugly "scratching"
audio problem. Since the case is sff, I don't have a slot for a new
sound card, so it looks like it's time for a new system. I have some
idea what I want in terms of drives, sound and video, though I'd like
suggestions on those as well.

I'm starting to look at components generally, and space is kind of an
issue, so I'm going to go with a home-theater style case. Does
anybody have any opinions about these two:

1.) not that cool, but fits an ATX motherboard:

http://www.ewiz.com/detail.php?p=CA-2000BNS&c=pw


2.) cool, but I'm not sure about the bells and whistles and it only
fits a micro ATX:

http://www.unityelectronics.com/product-product_id/2421


I don't want to spend a whole lot of money and these two cases fall
within budget. What do you think?
Click to expand...

I didnt bother with a special case for mine, just used a decent quiet
cpu fan, very quiet power supply and quiet Samsung hard drives.
 
My Shuttle-based home theater PC has developed an ugly "scratching"
audio problem. Since the case is sff, I don't have a slot for a new
sound card, so it looks like it's time for a new system. I have some
idea what I want in terms of drives, sound and video, though I'd like
suggestions on those as well.

I'm starting to look at components generally, and space is kind of an
issue, so I'm going to go with a home-theater style case. Does anybody
have any opinions about these two:

1.) not that cool, but fits an ATX motherboard:

http://www.ewiz.com/detail.php?p=CA-2000BNS&c=pw


2.) cool, but I'm not sure about the bells and whistles and it only fits
a micro ATX:

http://www.unityelectronics.com/product-product_id/2421


I don't want to spend a whole lot of money and these two cases fall
within budget. What do you think?
Click to expand...

Any possibility of picking up a USB sound solution, and disabling
the onboard sound ? Then you get to keep the Shuttle box.

This is just a functional example. I don't know if this one is
any good - but it does connect via USB. There might even be
Firewire versions of devices like this.

http://www.creative.com/products/product.asp?category=1&subcategory=205&product=9103

Paul
 
Actually, that might just be doable. Firewire would be better as the
USB ports in the rear are both occupied, but if this unit does what it
says it does and includes the SPDIF out as advertised, it does fit the
bill. I can always pickup a powered USB hub.

I looked around for something like this just before I wrote the existing
system off. I just never stumbled onto this.

Thanks Paul.

Any possibility of picking up a USB sound solution, and disabling
the onboard sound ? Then you get to keep the Shuttle box.

This is just a functional example. I don't know if this one is
any good - but it does connect via USB. There might even be
Firewire versions of devices like this.

http://www.creative.com/products/product.asp?category=1&subcategory=205&product=9103

Paul
Click to expand...


--
Mark E. Adams, 2004 -- drop the "dot" to email me.
http://adamslan.shyper.com -*- Mandriva User# 263042

CONSIDER: ===========---------,,,,,,,,,............. . . . . .
Nothing will ever be attempted if all possible objections must be first
overcome.
-- Dr. Johnson
 
My Shuttle-based home theater PC has developed an ugly "scratching"
audio problem. Since the case is sff, I don't have a slot for a new
sound card, so it looks like it's time for a new system. I have some
idea what I want in terms of drives, sound and video, though I'd like
suggestions on those as well.
Click to expand...
I don't want to spend a whole lot of money and these two cases fall
within budget. What do you think?
Click to expand...
Seeing as the problem developed, I'd look at fixing the cause. Also,
you don't nowadays need a PCI slot for a sound card. Creative Extigys
are a very good EXTERNAL soundcard.


--
Conor
Sig under construction. Please check back when Duke Nukem Forever ships
and/or Windows Vista is released.

Cashback on online purchases:
http://www.TopCashBack.co.uk/Conor/ref/index.htm
 
Actually, that might just be doable. Firewire would be better as the
USB ports in the rear are both occupied, but if this unit does what it
says it does and includes the SPDIF out as advertised, it does fit the
bill. I can always pickup a powered USB hub.

I looked around for something like this just before I wrote the existing
system off. I just never stumbled onto this.
Click to expand...
THis is what you want...

http://www.creative.com/products/product.asp?category=244&subcategory=
249&product=585

--
Conor
Sig under construction. Please check back when Duke Nukem Forever ships
and/or Windows Vista is released.

Cashback on online purchases:
http://www.TopCashBack.co.uk/Conor/ref/index.htm
 
Conor said:
Seeing as the problem developed, I'd look at fixing the cause. Also,
you don't nowadays need a PCI slot for a sound card. Creative Extigys
are a very good EXTERNAL soundcard.
Click to expand...

I did. I played with cables, connections, drivers; I posted queries at
support websites, I tried to reconfigure all my media players and
codecs, I did try.

If you've got a suggestion, by all means, lay it on me.

--
Mark E. Adams, 2004 -- drop the "dot" to email me.
http://adamslan.shyper.com -*- Mandriva User# 263042

CONSIDER: ===========---------,,,,,,,,,............. . . . . .
Fortune's real live weird band names #285:

The Funkin' Donuts
 
Conor said:
THis is what you want...

http://www.creative.com/products/product.asp?category=244&subcategory=
249&product=585
Click to expand...

That looks good, but for now I'm going with this one:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16829102174

This is my first HTPC and I could really use another one. Before this
fall I'll probably be gathering parts for it and I may upgrade this
soundcard to the Extigy. It does look good.

Thanks Conor

--
Mark E. Adams, 2004 -- drop the "dot" to email me.
http://adamslan.shyper.com -*- Mandriva User# 263042

CONSIDER: ===========---------,,,,,,,,,............. . . . . .
Fine day to work off excess energy. Steal something heavy.
 
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