building an htpc with my current setup. please help!

[cesski]

unsa man pud na soundcard?

[VonTech]

unsa man pud na soundcard?

extra component ni siya for better audio quality...most motherboards today have built in audio jacks, some of them even have capabilities for a 5.1 or 7.1 speaker system. but of course, sound quality is much better if you have a good soundcard, to add things up also need to pair it up with good speakers....

[cesski]

i know what a soundcard is. what i was asking for is the brand and model.

i think the only available good ones in cebu is creative right? do i really need a 5.1 or 7.1 system? i mean it'll make it more power and space consuming.

[limes]

i know what a soundcard is. what i was asking for is the brand and model.

i think the only available good ones in cebu is creative right? do i really need a 5.1 or 7.1 system? i mean it'll make it more power and space consuming.

yes you can go for creative what do you mean by space consuming? sa imo speakers? pls post sa imo speakers or imong plano na upgrade para di ka ma bitin nya ma max out sad nimo. take note dili tanan tao ganahan sa effects na gi add like crisp and clear na gi hatag sa creative kay ang uban professionals audio for example kay natural ang tirada dili enhanced. pero me id like to have this soundcard if libre pani na feature sa ako pc pero dili man. although para nko dili worth-it iyang quality na ihatag basing sa iyang prices some of the latest creative products naabot na almost 30k and thats just it. pero naa jud na sila mga features na ngilngig for the user. if you plan to upgrade a soundcard kailangan jud upgrade ang speakers if dili sila highend or midend ba kay whats the use of the audio upgrade if ang output kay same lang sa generic.

[cesski]

yes space consuming tungod sa speakers. my speakers are creative 2.1 A300. after christmas i'm probably getting a bose companion.

any other suggestions aside from the soundcard, VFD, and extra HD?

[limes]

@cesski same ta ug speakers ako gi bilin sa boarding sa ako friend. nice ang bose companion asa ato daghan man ug bose companion. or if you want sis change all your computer fans or case fans with those that have resistors in them so you can controll the noice level and rpm. that would help you in silencing your rig for a very silent experience pero first consider ang imong aircon ug imong fan ba kay basin saba so dili kaau ni usefull na upgrade if thats the case.

[vipvip68]

yes space consuming tungod sa speakers. my speakers are creative 2.1 A300. after christmas i'm probably getting a bose companion.

any other suggestions aside from the soundcard, VFD, and extra HD?

I suggest you just stick with your current setup. What's your viewing distance from your HTPC? cos Bose companion is ideal for near field listening... its ok for a small room pero it won't be able to fill a med-large room. Perhaps the Logitech Z2300 (2.1) or Z5500 (5.1) would be a better fit for htpc use.

IF you're not that particular sa sound or not an audiophile, I think its not worth spending for a soundcard. Unless you're using studio monitors or really high end speakers, you probably won't be able to tell the difference between sound from your current system and one from a dedicated soundcard. Better to spend ur money elsewhere on something that will have a bigger effect on your htpc experience.

If I were in your position I would spend for a good classy HTPC case, home theater speakers and input device (wireless mouse/kb or something like a Logitech Dinovo Mini or a media center remote as cheap as something from Cdrking or as expensive as a logitech harmony remote). Also, nothing says HTPC more than a big screen TV. That hand-me-down will really improve your overall experience.

Given that you already have a big enough TV, these 3 items (Case, Speaker, Input Device) will far outlast your current system and will still be functional if and when you decide to update your components in the future.

[cesski]

i have a queen size bed. and the pc's right at the end of my bed. viewing distance is probably 2 meters the farthest.

i have already allocated funds for the wireless keyboard and mouse. also for the VFD.

i am quite confused whether to get a new case. i'm doubting whether or not it'll all fit in an HTPC case. since i'm also thinking of upgrading to a Quad cpu.

[vipvip68]

i have a queen size bed. and the pc's right at the end of my bed. viewing distance is probably 2 meters the farthest.

i have already allocated funds for the wireless keyboard and mouse. also for the VFD.

i am quite confused whether to get a new case. i'm doubting whether or not it'll all fit in an HTPC case. since i'm also thinking of upgrading to a Quad cpu.

At that distance, a 22" would be adequate . If you get a 32" lcd tv hand me down.. that would be ideal.

The case is just for aesthetics anyway, if you plan on showing the case, then buy an htpc case that makes your pc look more like an appliance.

If you dont want to spend or would just like to see the tv and nothing else, then you could find a way to hide the Pc under a desk or tuck it in a hidden but well ventilated area.

I'm also setting up a htpc in my room... Its currently running on a 22" lcd /running windows 7's windows media center software ....still waiting for the big tv to arrive.

[cesski]

same here.. my 32" and other pc parts are arriving after the xmas break. i'm really excited.

the price for an htpc case is real expensive. i'm thinking of getting an aluminum case instead at that price.