HTPC Ideas...

[beppodmime]

Well, its about time I got myself a HTPC, as I was looking into TIVO's the other day, and figured, why not just build something myself, and make it a bit more functional than a standard TIVO? I need a DVD player, and something to play CD's with anyways... SOO...

I need help figuring out what kind of case I'm going to throw this thing in. I've poked around, but really have no idea who carries the sort of thing I need. I'm thinking a desktop case (not a tower), that is black. Something around the same size and style as an audio reciever, or other home theatre component would be spiffy. So, any ideas on who makes something like this, or maybe a link to a case mod that sounds like this?

And I'm thinkin the ATI 9600 AIW would probably do well to serve as my video capture card, but what about the 9700 or 9800 AIW's? I'd like to capture the video, and have it look close to TV quality on fullscreen mode. Would the 9600 be ok for this? I know next to nothing about the capabilities of the AIW's...

Thanks for any info or advice...

[gbpec7]

http://www.heatsinkstore.com/mipiblslpcca.html


Here is a better looking case I think. I buy most of my stuff from them, they're not too far from me.
Thier ratings

[woodbutcher]

This case is what i've been looking at. Unfortunatly it carries a hefty price tag, $200.00 at Newegg.

WB

[gbpec7]

This case is what i've been looking at.

Very nice indeed

[beppodmime]

Thanks for the linkage, guys.

I'm liking all the cases I've seen so far. The Ahanix case is indeed sweet, but at that price, I'd half expect to find amotherboard in the darned thing! But, it does have provisions for a regular ATX PSU and mobo, so I guess that counts for something.

Another thought: How much RAM should a HTPC contain? I won't be doing any real serious gaming on this machine, just video capture, and possibly some editing. Should I go with 1GB, or would 512MB suffice?

[gbpec7]

Here is another one.
http://www.chenbro.com.tw/product/pr...1&s=106&pid=16
http://www.chenbro.com.tw/product/pr...1&s=105&pid=46


As far as ram goes, I wouldn't use less then 512mb.

[gbpec7]

One more

[woodbutcher]

The case I posted the link to, the D.Vine series 4, accepts full size ATX boards and power supplies. That is a BIG advantage IMO as using a full size Vid and sound card is a must for me.
The D.vine series 4 and 5 cases are big, almost to big for a HT system with smaller components. The series 5 also has the available remote and with its display looks like it belongs in a HT setup.
One of the crucial issues, at least in IMO, is that the HTPC case blends into the rest of the system.
The D.vine 5 case is the only case i've found that looks like a HT component.
Now, if they would drop the price........

WB

[crazyray]

The case I posted the link to, the D.Vine series 4, accepts full size ATX boards and power supplies. That is a BIG advantage IMO as using a full size Vid and sound card is a must for me.

Listen to the woodbutcher! There are some attractive cases out there designed for HTPC that require the use of low profile cards. These can be hard to find, especially when it comes to sound cards. Some of the low profile cases also suffer from poor ventilation.

Don't forget to make provisions for remote control if you want this project to fly.