The Official HTPC Thread

[newarkhiphop]

so i should build him a htpc then?

Or get him this

http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B00CH643A8/ref=mp_s_a_1_3?qid=1390179060&sr=8-3&pi=SY200_QL40

Have you ever used XBMC before? You do know you have to add your own media to it?

There are some plug-ins you can install to stream stuff but it's main functionality is organizing media you already have

 

[wutang512]

Or get him this

http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B00CH643A8/ref=mp_s_a_1_3?qid=1390179060&sr=8-3&pi=SY200_QL40

Have you ever used XBMC before? You do know you have to add your own media to it?

There are some plug-ins you can install to stream stuff but it's main functionality is organizing media you already have

Yeah I have xbmc on my laptop and my nexus 7

 

[kash10003]

Thanks for the input. I wanted to get the i5 because I would be running sickbeard and couch potato constantly in the background and having them move media to my external hard drive. I am hoping to eventually build a ten TB NAS later this month and am just using the 2 tb hard drive I have now. I may do a little gaming on it as well but I don't really want to buy a separate video card do you think I will need one? Any one in here built a NAS how much did It run you

If you do minor gaming, you might need a cheap drive (wait for a deal than to buy one to start). probably in the $90-$200 range at most.

I have a NAS (built 1.5+ years ago or so)
I used synology ds213j (2bay, it was $170). solid as fukk, great for everything and automation (i think you should be able to automate newsgroups and torrents) and hasnt failed on me
I have 2x2TB seagate 7200rpm drives cracked open from externals ($100 each, this was right after the flood and HD prices were still decently high).so about $370.

you might want to consider bigger harddrives (obviously, its cheaper now, less necessary to upgrade as media size and bandwidth increase) and maybe more bays.

an underrated place is amazon warehouse. they usually sell open box returns (same return policy as amazon, almost everything i got was new).
http://www.amazon.com/b/ref=sv__img?ie=UTF8&me=A2L77EE7U53NWQ&node=1267877011

 

[newarkhiphop]

If you do minor gaming, you might need a cheap drive (wait for a deal than to buy one to start). probably in the $90-$200 range at most.

I have a NAS (built 1.5+ years ago or so)
I used synology ds213j (2bay, it was $170). solid as fukk, great for everything and automation (i think you should be able to automate newsgroups and torrents) and hasnt failed on me
I have 2x2TB seagate 7200rpm drives cracked open from externals ($100 each, this was right after the flood and HD prices were still decently high).so about $370.

you might want to consider bigger harddrives (obviously, its cheaper now, less necessary to upgrade as media size and bandwidth increase) and maybe more bays.

an underrated place is amazon warehouse. they usually sell open box returns (same return policy as amazon, almost everything i got was new).
http://www.amazon.com/b/ref=sv__img?ie=UTF8&me=A2L77EE7U53NWQ&node=1267877011

How you like that synology? What do you use it for?

Been flip flopping between buying one or building a htpc

 

[KritNC]

About to buy these parts for my first HTPC build just want to make sure they are all compatible

Spoiler

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: AMD A10-5800K 3.8GHz Quad-Core Processor ($109.99 @ Amazon)
Motherboard: MSI FM2-A75MA-E35 Micro ATX FM2 Motherboard ($59.98 @ Amazon)
Memory: Kingston HyperX Blu 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1333 Memory ($69.99 @ Amazon)
Storage: Samsung 840 EVO 120GB 2.5" Solid State Disk ($88.99 @ Amazon)
Power Supply: SeaSonic G 550W 80+ Gold Certified Semi-Modular ATX Power Supply ($85.99 @ Amazon)
Total: $414.94
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2014-01-20 21:42 EST-0500)

With this case

 

[abominable1]

this any good for an HTPC?

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Combo...ables-_-na-_-na&ItemList=Combo.1543362&cm_sp=

its only $8 after rebate saw it on slick deals
I am using an old desktop PC that i upgraded from, for mine , but figured if this was a good deal, I can help the coli fam out a little


MSI H81M-P33 LGA 1150 Intel H81 Micro ATX Motherboard & Total Defense Premium Internet Security (5 User) Bundle $8 After $65 Rebate + Free shipping

 

[dc007]

I am thinking about building an HTPC with XBMC soon...going to see how well I can get by with just plex/roku,ps3 first. I currently have a gaming PC that I also store tv shows/movies on and stream with plex to my roku. Will be cutting cable in a few weeks.

Why are you guys using SSDs with your HTPCs? I'd assume your installing the OS and XBMC on it....why is it necessary? Why not just a regular HD for that?

I keep seeing different processors listed btw an i5/i3 and even some AMD processors.....Can somebody tell me exactly what the processor needs to be able to handle for a strictly HTPC/XBMC.

Will need to buy a new modem to replace the one comcast gave me (had to use theirs because I had their phone service)....Can somebody suggest one?

Anybody here record tv shows using XBMC?

Finally....can somebody give me an invite to http://hd-mkv.me/

 

[Czerka]

I am thinking about building an HTPC with XBMC soon...going to see how well I can get by with just plex/roku,ps3 first. I currently have a gaming PC that I also store tv shows/movies on and stream with plex to my roku. Will be cutting cable in a few weeks.

Why are you guys using SSDs with your HTPCs? I'd assume your installing the OS and XBMC on it....why is it necessary? Why not just a regular HD for that?

I keep seeing different processors listed btw an i5/i3 and even some AMD processors.....Can somebody tell me exactly what the processor needs to be able to handle for a strictly HTPC/XBMC.

Will need to buy a new modem to replace the one comcast gave me (had to use theirs because I had their phone service)....Can somebody suggest one?

Anybody here record tv shows using XBMC?

Finally....can somebody give me an invite to http://hd-mkv.me/

You have any invites to trade?

 

[newarkhiphop]

@dc007

Operating systems and programs load much faster on SSDs

Depending on what you want to do for most htpc setups i3 is fine

Why do you need to replace your modem? Do you mean your wireless router?

You usually need a TV tuner card to record shows, your better having your htpc running something called sick beard or couch potato (Google them)

 

[dc007]

You have any invites to trade?

No....I'm still using Pbay breh

Just trying to eat on a higher quality....I'm new to this

 

[dc007]

@dc007

Operating systems and programs load much faster on SSDs

Depending on what you want to do for most htpc setups i3 is fine

Why do you need to replace your modem? Do you mean your wireless router?

You usually need a TV tuner card to record shows, your better having your htpc running something called sick beard or couch potato (Google them)

I know SSDs load the OS and programs faster....I have one in my gaming PC. I'm asking is it necessary for an HTPC...wouldn't you be leaving it on most of the time?

I have a wireless router already....I have that connected to my Modem (supplied by comcast) downstairs so I can have wifi in my house.

I have another Modem upstairs connected to my gaming PC because I need the steady connection for online games. Right now I only use my wifi for the Roku inside my room and sometimes when I use my laptop to surf the web.

 

[2gunsup]

No....I'm still using Pbay breh

Just trying to eat on a higher quality....I'm new to this

PM me your email address for that invite. For strictly HTPC use you can even get buy with Celerons. An SSD isn't necessary but if all your media resides on a server I don't see why not go with one. In some cases SSD's / 2.5" HDD's are all you can fit in some of these SFF cases.

Anyone else that needs an hd-mkv invite just hit me up, I have plenty of them to give out.

 

[Czerka]

PM me your email address for that invite. For strictly HTPC use you can even get buy with Celerons. An SSD isn't necessary but if all your media resides on a server I don't see why not go with one. In some cases SSD's / 2.5" HDD's are all you can fit in some of these SFF cases.

Anyone else that needs an hd-mkv invite just hit me up, I have plenty of them to give out.

You have a BTN invite?

 

[CTech83]

PM me your email address for that invite. For strictly HTPC use you can even get buy with Celerons. An SSD isn't necessary but if all your media resides on a server I don't see why not go with one. In some cases SSD's / 2.5" HDD's are all you can fit in some of these SFF cases.

Anyone else that needs an hd-mkv invite just hit me up, I have plenty of them to give out.

I'd like an invite if you don't mind breh.

 

[2gunsup]

You have a BTN invite?

Nah, I use to be on a dozen trackers but have gotten my accounts locked from most due to inactivity. My go to combo nowadays is RevoTT and HD-MKV which 99% of the time fulfill my needs. I use What.CD every now and then for music.