Build your own Home Theater PC Computer DIY

February 4, 2012 | In: Home Theater

The Real HT Info Podcast assembles a computer that has all the cooling and noise considerations to make an admirable HTPC. If you’ve ever wanted to build your own computer, this is a good place to start. Antec P180 Case Antec NEO 430 Power Supply Intel Core2Duo E4300 w/ Stock Heatsink Abit AB9 Pro Motherboard Crucial Balistix 2GB 6400 DDR2 8 MSI Silent 8500GT Video Card Sony/NEC DVD Burner SATA 5 Seagate 500GB SATA Hard Drive 0 Westinghouse 22″ LCD Monitor Microsoft Wireless Mouse and Keyboard Monoprice Cables ————— 5 Total
Video Rating: 4 / 5

Tags: Build, Computer, home, theater

25 Responses to Build your own Home Theater PC Computer DIY

IdaGno

February 4th, 2012 at 2:50 am

@realhtinfo as has Abit – RIP

realhtinfo

February 4th, 2012 at 3:06 am

@210482fmj Which make/model is this? I’d like to download the manual and take a look.

As long as the resolution and refresh rate are HDTV standard, there should be any difference in the signal between a PC or cablebox/blu-ray/roku/etc.

GRGO0152

February 4th, 2012 at 3:50 am

@realhtinfo Does that mean that I have to buy a new windows cd? I already have a laptop with windows 7 on it, but it never came with a cd.

210482fmj

February 4th, 2012 at 4:03 am

@realhtinfo it says in the manual not to connect a pc via hdmi on some tvs. THe new sony tvs have standard hdmi ports and a special pc hdmi port which is specially made for pc input. Most lcd tvs only support lower resolution via rgb i have heard.

realhtinfo

February 4th, 2012 at 4:32 am

@eallion Yep, and today I’d probably get a Fusion-based barebones for HTPC use. If you’re saying I should make an updated build video, you’re right. Send me some $ for parts or put me int ouch with a manufacturer willing to donate hardware, and I’ll be happy to do an updated vid.

realhtinfo

February 4th, 2012 at 4:51 am

@eallion That’s funny; there’s plenty of comments to the contrary from a while back (people saying I needed more power, space, etc). I guess it all depends on what you’re trying to do with it.

realhtinfo

February 4th, 2012 at 5:16 am

@GRGO0152 Step 1: insert Windows install CD. Step 2, follow on screen instructions. You’ll need to have drivers ready for you hardware (motherboard, vid card, etc.). These drivers should be available from your manufacturers website.

realhtinfo

February 4th, 2012 at 5:21 am

@210482fmj Unless your TV is incompatible, there’s no reason why you can feed a 1080i signal via HDMI or VGA. I don’t know of any TV that would that is incompatible, but if you know of one, post the model and I’ll take a look at it.

210482fmj

February 4th, 2012 at 5:58 am

can you run a pc through an lcd tv at a constant 1920×1080 resolution. I have heard some lcd tvs only support pc playback at lower resolutions. IF so this is not good as movies from the pc will be in low resolution. SOMe lcd tvs say not to connect a pc to teh tv’s hdmi port and only use the rgb pc input port. IS this correct. Can you run a pc through a lcd tv at 1920×1080 desktop resolution via hdmi.

GRGO0152

February 4th, 2012 at 6:17 am

How do I install an operating system on a custom build pc? please help.

eallion

February 4th, 2012 at 6:36 am

also today you could make a gaming pc for less than half that cost

eallion

February 4th, 2012 at 7:14 am

This is so overkill for an htpc even back in the day

emshains

February 4th, 2012 at 7:22 am

@realhtinfo That’s the idea. YOU don’t need an upgrade path, just an SSD, since most of your media is streamable from your networked drives.

realhtinfo

February 4th, 2012 at 8:11 am

@JohnWasHereYea I didn’t know that…oh wait. I get it; that’s a new one.

JohnWasHereYea

February 4th, 2012 at 9:00 am

Who knew ben stiller had a little brother?

realhtinfo

February 4th, 2012 at 9:26 am

@taejamhaha What are the maximum dimensions for an HTPC? How much do those cases cost compared to larger cases? What do small cases do to your upgrade path when you want to add more hard drives or tuner cards.

Don’t get me wrong, if I were doing it all over today, I’d put an 60GB SSD and a 2GB WD Green in a smaller fusion based case, but that’s because I’d take my existing case and turn it into a networked server. If you’re not putting your HTPC on display, you’ll appreciate the extra space.

taejamhaha

February 4th, 2012 at 9:30 am

way too large for an HTPC

realhtinfo

February 4th, 2012 at 10:01 am

@210482fmj Don’t worry about damaging your set with HDMI. It will work fine as long as you choose a standard resolution. I would go with an LCD TV because you’ll get a larger screen and better contrast ratios for less money.

realhtinfo

February 4th, 2012 at 10:43 am

@luchojos13 Check the date. When I built this HTPC, the few HDMI cards that were available cost a fortune and didn’t bitstream DD+/DTS-MA. If you’re building today for the first time, you don’t know how lucky you are.

I haven’t subscribed to cable since 2001. I remember the first time S-Video came to graphics cards. I threw away my VGA->composite converter and welcomed the new era. Of course, there was still overscan on my CRT. So, hook your HDMI to you LCD and count your blessings.

210482fmj

February 4th, 2012 at 11:30 am

for a home theatre pc should i got for a lcd hd tv or lcd large hd monitor? I have seen some lcd tv manuals say hdmi must not be used for pc input and most lcd tvs don’t have dvi input ports and only the standard blue vga pc port. What will the quality difference between the vga and dvi connection. which will give the best picture quality for movies? a lcd tv running hd bluray drive player or pc hd monitor running hd movies through a pc. im concerned about not using pc via hdmi