User:Alx9r

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My First System

In May 2008, I began building a LinuxMCE test system. I wanted to see if I could replicate at least part of what I saw in the Video. The test system system will hopefully become my main working home theatre system.

AV gear-wise, I started with a completely clean slate here as I had nothing: No TV, no speakers, no receiver, no remotes -- a blank canvas. Nice, this is gonna be fun.

My criteria for the design of this system is as follows:

  1. Wherever possible use known-compatible and mainstream components.
  2. Wherever possible follow recommendations from forums, reviews, Video and wiki.
  3. Use components in the price/performance sweet spot.
  4. Aesthetics should be living-room friendly.
  5. Keep it simple, but still test the broad capabilities of LinuxMCE.

Hybrid Box

Bill of Materials

Component Model each Notes
Motherboard ASUS M2NPV-VM $94.01 used in Video
breakout ASUS SPDIF-OUT/OPT $9.02 SPDIF breakout board
breakout ASUS 9PIN Serial Port Header $6.60 two of these to breakout COM ports
CPU AMD Athlon 64 X2 4600+ EE Dual Core Processor AM2 Windsor 2.4GHZ 512KBX2 65W 90NM $80.92 Video used 4400+, 4600+ is cheaper and maybe faster
heatsink Scythe Mini Ninja Heatpipe Fanless Heatsink AM2 $38.98 should be good enough to cool w/o CPU fan
RAM Kingston PC2-5300 512MB DDR2-667 CL5 240PIN DIMM $16.70 2 sticks
second ethernet adapter ENCORE ENL832-TX-RENT $8.68 based on Realtek_8139
TV Tuner Hauppauge WinTV-PVR-150 MCE $79.78 comes with Windows MCE Remote
HDD Hitachi Deskstar P7K500 500GB $87.20
optical drive Pioneer DVR-212D Black $32.19
case Silverstone Lascala LC17B $129.99 HTPC form factor, big enough to accomodate conversion to core
power supply OCZ StealthXStream OCZ500SXS 500W $61.99 cheap, works, apparently quiet

TV

A 40" wall-mounted LCD seemed like the right thing for my condominium's living room. The Video showed a Sharp Aquos LC-26D6U in the bedroom. Sharp seems to have good RS-232 control support -- as long as the control port is actually there.

I settled on the Sharp Aquos LC42D64U because it met the following criteria:

  • Has RS-232 control.
  • Very close to the TV used in the Video.
  • Countless positive reviews, only a few reported issues.
  • 1080p
  • Got it for a good price in my neighborhood.

Speakers

Orbiter

Glue