HTPC

[onebxr]

Ok here is my new project! I am going to build a htpc for the living room. I have some of the stuff that I am going to use already. This is going to be a skt 939 system because I already have a 939 proc.
Can anyone recommend a good micro atx 939 board that is pretty cheap?
Here is what I have so far.
3500+
1 gb geil ram
Audigy SB card
Samsung DVD burner
250 gb hdd
6800 gs pcie

Parts I think I am gonna need, tell me if I left anything off.
micro atx mobo
enclosure
way to hook this up to my TV
windows: not sure if I want to go Vista yet

Any tips or recommendations?
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[PrOLifIC_onE]

"way to hook this up to my tv" : I would recommend a Hauppauge Capture card (I use a 250MCE). A 350 is even better but the 500 is not except that it is a dual tuner, but it is basically two 150s on the one card so the quality isnt as good.

You will need the audio/video cables if you don't have them. Svideo, or HDMI, or DVI depending on your inputs. I use Svideo even though I have a DVI-to-HDMI cable.

As far as audio goes I just use the onboard Audio and split it to the TV and surround sound. The quality is good to me. If I were not using a surround sound unit I would purchase a good Audigy SB card.

How about a wireless card? Are you going to be running this on a wireless network?

What case are you using?

[onebxr]

I haven't picked out a case yet, and I havent started thinking about wireless yet. I am still in the planning stages.
I have more cables than I can use right now, I need to look at my video card and see what I need to get to make the hook up between my tv and the htpc.
I am just learning about this stuff, I thank you for your help.
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[PrOLifIC_onE]

Hey, no problem. depending on your case, you won't necessarily need a mATX mobo. In fact, if you have room, I would go with a standard ATX. But that will be decided more by what case you buy and how much room you have where you are putting the HTPC.

Another thing I forgot... A PC remote, I would recommend a RF remote instead of a IR, RF works through walls so you can control the HTPC from a distance without having to be in direct line of sight. It works great for music and if you want to pause the TV show you are watching.

Another thing, if you have a high definition TV and signal, then a lot more planning will have to go into it. If you have basic cable, you can just hook a coax up to the capture and use a program to change your channels like normal. But HD signals will require an even newer capture card. Your HD service provided requires the box for each TV, like a cable box or satellite dish unit. In order to fully run everything you will need an IR transmitter for the PC and program that can run the IR transmitter. What it does is sends the signal to the HD box whenever the HTPC wants to change channels, this is mostly needed if you are going to record shows on different channels and wont be around to change the channels on the HD box, you will need the program and transmitter to change it for you, while you are away...

I know it gets quite a bit more complicated that way, but if you just dive in and get it set up, it wont be that bad... the worst part is the setup. After that you sit back and enjoy!

[onebxr]

I use a harmony remote for everything. I have already done some research and win media center is already able to DL onto the remote.

I am not gonna use this as a DVR I ma just gonna use it as a video/ music playback and some light net surfing.

This is gonna be fun!
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