Scott recently converted the server into a HTPC (Home
Theater PC), the HTPC can be seen in the bottom left-hand
corner of the picture on the left of our living room.
An HTPC is a PC
that integrates the TV and home stereo for an overall media
entertainment station. The HTPC is in a cabinet next
to our TV and stereo, user interface is through the TV and a
wireless keyboard with joystick mouse (picture on right
shows wireless keyboard/mouse on top of cabinet. We
use the HTPC to:
1. play video (AVI and MPEG) files to the TV, using
Windows Media Player v.10
2. play music (MP3 and WMA) files to the stereo, using
Windows Media Player v.10
3. record TV programs and movies (MPEG2 format), using
TV card
4. download and view digital pictures (JPG) from our
digital camera
5. upload music files (MP3) to the IPod and MP3 portable player
6. download video and music files from the internet
(once we get ADSL)
7. FTP server to upload files to the internet (once we
get ADSL)
8. surf the internet and check email from the couch,
using Internet Explorer
9. backup documents from desktop PC
|
HTPC specs: |
desktop
specs: |
| SOYO
Motherboard (KT600-8237) |
MSI motherboard (MS-6590) |
| AMD
XP2800+ processor (2.08GHz @ 333FSB) |
AMD XP2600+ processor (1.92GHz
@ 333FSB) |
| 128MB NVIDIA GeForce
FX5200 graphics card |
64MB NVIDIA
GeForce2 MX/MX400 graphics card |
| onboard NIC VIA Rhine
10/100 fast ethernet |
Realtek NIC
10/100 fast ethernet (RTL8139) |
| 1048MB PC2700 DDR SDRAM
cl 2.5 |
768MB PC2700 DDR SDRAM cl 2.5 |
| onboard sound card
VinylAC'97 |
onboard sound card
C-Media Wave device |
| Phillips CD-ROM drive |
NU 8X DVD-R/RW
drive (DDW-082) |
| Pinnacle PCTV Stereo TV
card |
ATAPI 16X
DVD-ROM drive |
| Maxtor 200GB ATA133
hard drive |
Benq
15' flatscreen display |
| Maxtor 20GB ATA133 hard
drive |
Maxtor 120
GB ATA133 hard drive |
| Western Digital 80GB SATA
hard drive(800BB) |
Motorola SM56
Speakerphone Modem |
| Western Digital 80GB SATA
hard drive(800JD) |
1.44" floppy
drive |
| 400W Power Supply -
Semi-silent |
300W Power
Supply - stock |
| Stealth case fans (2) |
Stealth
case fans (2) |
| running Microsoft Windows XP
Professional w/ SP2 |
running
Microsoft Windows XP Professional w/ SP2 |
|
|
 |
With the HTPC,
fan noise was a big concern...to tackle that issue there are
two super quiet adjustable case fans, fancy CPU fan, a low
noise power supply, and Spire sound padding inside the case.
The low flow fans and thick padding drastically limits air
flow as chassis temperature averages 100F, and processor
temperature averages 120F. The fan noise is still
noticeable when it is quiet, but that is manageable.
Some HTPC links:
www.mini-itx.com
http://www.mythtv.org/
http://www.trustedreviews.com/article.aspx?art=874
