True Media Center
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Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 92
old hand
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OP
old hand
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 92 |
I have a question for the propeller heads out there. I would like a true media center attached to my home theater. Meaning i want a networked computer dedicated to my HT. I need HD out and dolby digital out. I have a spare case with motherboard, processor and power supply but am wondering what types of video cards and or sound cards you have used in your own set up. This will be stored inside the entertainment center out of sight and i will be accessing using a input on my receiver and wireless mouse and keyboard. The idea is to have Itunes, full browser capabilities on my 58". Since i feel i can have this up and going with minimal costs (under 500) i am not interested in sharing my main PC and streaming the info over. Any help or guidance is appreciated.
ps. anyone have recommendations on a Flac player.
M22's VP100 QS4's SVS PB12-NSD Denon 2310CI Panasonic P58S2 Panasonic P50S2
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Re: True Media Center
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Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 10,420
shareholder in the making
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shareholder in the making
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 10,420 |
Your Denon will play FLAC files just need a DLNA server or WMP has a plug in to allow it to use FLAC files. I know the newer video cards from ATI are very good with HD(video and audio over HDMI) out, never used any of them just seen a few in use.
Jason M80 v2 VP160 v3 QS8 v2 PB13 Ultra Denon 3808 Samsung 85" Q70
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Re: True Media Center
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Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 3,466
connoisseur
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connoisseur
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 3,466 |
All current HDMI video cards will do a fine job. Just make sure it says multi-channel audio, and you'll be set. No need for a sound card at all.
Pioneer PDP-5020FD, Marantz SR6011 Axiom M5HP, VP160HP, QS8 Sony PS4, surround backs -Chris
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Re: True Media Center
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Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 92
old hand
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OP
old hand
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 92 |
Chris,
thats great news on the sound card, I was wondering why i hadnt seen too many lately.
Jason, Do you know where I can get the WMP plug in? I searched and wasnt able to locate a download site. I am starting to accumulate FLAC files and migrating away from MP3's as storage is so cheap now days.
M22's VP100 QS4's SVS PB12-NSD Denon 2310CI Panasonic P58S2 Panasonic P50S2
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Re: True Media Center
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Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 3,466
connoisseur
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connoisseur
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 3,466 |
Just to be a tiny bit more clear. You don't see many soundcards, because the analog outputs are built into most motherboards these days. If someone is hooking speakers straight to the computer they still need those analog outs. But since you'll be going into a receiver via HDMI, the audio will be carried along with the picture on that one cable.
Pioneer PDP-5020FD, Marantz SR6011 Axiom M5HP, VP160HP, QS8 Sony PS4, surround backs -Chris
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Re: True Media Center
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Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 8,488 Likes: 1
axiomite
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axiomite
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 8,488 Likes: 1 |
My problem on this topic has been that digital audio inputs are not typically available to secondary zones on your receiver. YMMV.
bibere usque ad hilaritatem
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Re: True Media Center
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Joined: May 2003
Posts: 18,044
shareholder in the making
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shareholder in the making
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 18,044 |
Man, I really want that to be an option on my next receiver. It would make cabling that much easier.
I am the Doctor, and THIS... is my SPOON!
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Re: True Media Center
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Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 8,488 Likes: 1
axiomite
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axiomite
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 8,488 Likes: 1 |
Seriously. God help me, I'm actually considering an external DAC to solve the problem.
bibere usque ad hilaritatem
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Re: True Media Center
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Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 122
veteran
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veteran
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 122 |
You want the AMD 6450 video card. It's the ultimate HTPC video card right now. $50 bucks or so. Make sure your old PC has a PCI-e slot for the graphics card. If it uses the older AGP slot, then you will need a newer computer. http://www.anandtech.com/show/4263/amds-radeon-hd-6450-uvd3-meets-htpcYou will also want to ask detailed HTPC questions on HT sites such as MissingRemote. http://www.missingremote.com/
Last edited by autoboy; 04/27/11 08:35 PM.
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Re: True Media Center
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Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 10,420
shareholder in the making
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shareholder in the making
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 10,420 |
Try this site for Flac wmp info
Jason M80 v2 VP160 v3 QS8 v2 PB13 Ultra Denon 3808 Samsung 85" Q70
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