Seeking info on a HTPC build - Blu-ray Forum

Johnny Vinyl · 01-25-2011, 12:40 PM

I am seriously thinking about adding a Blu-ray drive, appropriate software, audio card, video card, another (slightly larger) monitor and active speakers (2CH only) for my Desktop PC system. I spend the vast majority of my time on the PC and (as such) I want to make it more functional.

I currently have a Dell Inspiron 545 Quadcore Desktop with 8GB of RAM, Windows 7 Home Edition and I've had it for about a year or so. For a monitor I use an Acer F-20 Ferrari 20" monitor, which is NOT HDCP compliant. I also have a Creative Labs Soundblaster X-Fi Xtreme Music soundcard.

My goal is to have a dual monitor setup - one for Internet/general PC use - the other for Media. I know that any new monitor will have to be HTCP complaint and am looking at something in the 24-26" range.

I would like to get your opinion and recommendations on the following:

1. Video Card and RAM recommended
2. Media Software
3. HDCP Monitor
4. Anything else I've omitted? Or could benefit from?

As always, your opinions, thoughts and recommendation are much appreciated. Thank you!

onyxbfly · 01-25-2011, 04:34 PM

I'm sure others will chime in but here is a starting point, without knowing your budget I would suggest any of the ATI 5 series and up. If you want gaming id suggest a 5770 or higher. You can get all of your sound etc but you would need to do that via hdmi as the dvi or vga will not transmit sound. I have the same card that you have and you can use it to output sound in a variety of ways. If you want you can loose screen realestate by going with a monitor that is hd, and you can use the hdmi. If you want reg computer lcd monitor you can go with any of the Dell or HP 30" monitors. The ATI 5 series cards can push the 30" lcd with dual link dvi cable. They are fully hdcp compliant. For software I have used both PowerDVD and Arcsoft total media theater. I prefer Arcsoft. It will play back your blurays with lil to no effort. But keep in mind you will have to set your new hdcp compliant monitor as the primary as it will not output on the secondary via mirrored or clone desktop modes. HTH enjoy.

lucv13 · 01-26-2011, 03:40 AM

Hey John, why not keep the plasma and use it with your PC? Run a system similar to mine - move the pc to the living room closer to the plasma as HDMI cables have less range than DVI cables. If you look at my set up in the gallery you'll see that my HTPC is in the front near the tv and I have a monitor way in the back - the tv is connected via DVI/HDMI adapter and the monitor via DVI using a 35 foot cable the sound through the Marantz via SPDIF. Leaving the Ferrari in the kitchen you will then need a RF or Bluetooth keyboard and mouse - just my opinion but stay away from Logitech with their bloated software and get an MS set

Looking at your monitor it does have DVI therefore I'm pretty sure it is HDCP compliant. You've got plenty of Ram. For a video card if you're not gaming I suggest this HD 5550 it's dirt cheap and comes with a lifetime warranty (provided you register the card on their site)

Can't comment on BD drive or software as I only use my HTPC for encoding, DVDs, music and rips, blu-rays are played through the changer...

stevo4264 · 01-26-2011, 05:57 AM

I also have a dual monitor set-up, I use 22 and 27 inch monitors, I have noticed thru usage that I use almost exclusively use the larger monitor for video, the smaller one gets used for web use, email etc, The only thing I would suggest is, I really wouldn't go smaller than a 27 inch for your main monitor, Ideally I would have put two 27 inch monitors in as I have found the 22 inch is a bit small.

01-25-2011, 12:40 PM	#1
Johnny Vinyl Moderator Top ranked HT gallery Top contributor Member since:Jul 2007 Location:At the crossroad of Analogue Dr & 2CH Ave Home Theater Gallery:19 Blu-ray collection:205 DVD collection:7 Blu-ray reviews:3 Trading Score:8	Seeking info on a HTPC build I am seriously thinking about adding a Blu-ray drive, appropriate software, audio card, video card, another (slightly larger) monitor and active speakers (2CH only) for my Desktop PC system. I spend the vast majority of my time on the PC and (as such) I want to make it more functional. I currently have a Dell Inspiron 545 Quadcore Desktop with 8GB of RAM, Windows 7 Home Edition and I've had it for about a year or so. For a monitor I use an Acer F-20 Ferrari 20" monitor, which is NOT HDCP compliant. I also have a Creative Labs Soundblaster X-Fi Xtreme Music soundcard. My goal is to have a dual monitor setup - one for Internet/general PC use - the other for Media. I know that any new monitor will have to be HTCP complaint and am looking at something in the 24-26" range. I would like to get your opinion and recommendations on the following: 1. Video Card and RAM recommended 2. Media Software 3. HDCP Monitor 4. Anything else I've omitted? Or could benefit from? As always, your opinions, thoughts and recommendation are much appreciated. Thank you! Last edited by Johnny Vinyl; 01-25-2011 at 01:35 PM.

01-25-2011, 04:34 PM	#2
onyxbfly Blu-ray Guru Member since:Feb 2009 Blu-ray collection:780 DVD collection:29 Trading Score:47	I'm sure others will chime in but here is a starting point, without knowing your budget I would suggest any of the ATI 5 series and up. If you want gaming id suggest a 5770 or higher. You can get all of your sound etc but you would need to do that via hdmi as the dvi or vga will not transmit sound. I have the same card that you have and you can use it to output sound in a variety of ways. If you want you can loose screen realestate by going with a monitor that is hd, and you can use the hdmi. If you want reg computer lcd monitor you can go with any of the Dell or HP 30" monitors. The ATI 5 series cards can push the 30" lcd with dual link dvi cable. They are fully hdcp compliant. For software I have used both PowerDVD and Arcsoft total media theater. I prefer Arcsoft. It will play back your blurays with lil to no effort. But keep in mind you will have to set your new hdcp compliant monitor as the primary as it will not output on the secondary via mirrored or clone desktop modes. HTH enjoy.

01-26-2011, 03:40 AM	#3
lucv13 Blu-ray Guru Top contributor Member since:Jun 2008 Location:Gatineau QC Canada DVD collection:70 Blu-ray reviews:3 Trading Score:12	Hey John, why not keep the plasma and use it with your PC? Run a system similar to mine - move the pc to the living room closer to the plasma as HDMI cables have less range than DVI cables. If you look at my set up in the gallery you'll see that my HTPC is in the front near the tv and I have a monitor way in the back - the tv is connected via DVI/HDMI adapter and the monitor via DVI using a 35 foot cable the sound through the Marantz via SPDIF. Leaving the Ferrari in the kitchen you will then need a RF or Bluetooth keyboard and mouse - just my opinion but stay away from Logitech with their bloated software and get an MS set Looking at your monitor it does have DVI therefore I'm pretty sure it is HDCP compliant. You've got plenty of Ram. For a video card if you're not gaming I suggest this HD 5550 it's dirt cheap and comes with a lifetime warranty (provided you register the card on their site) Can't comment on BD drive or software as I only use my HTPC for encoding, DVDs, music and rips, blu-rays are played through the changer...

01-26-2011, 05:57 AM	#4
stevo4264 Blu-ray Guru Top contributor Member since:Apr 2010 Location:Out There 4K collection:229 Blu-ray collection:899 Trading Score:7	I also have a dual monitor set-up, I use 22 and 27 inch monitors, I have noticed thru usage that I use almost exclusively use the larger monitor for video, the smaller one gets used for web use, email etc, The only thing I would suggest is, I really wouldn't go smaller than a 27 inch for your main monitor, Ideally I would have put two 27 inch monitors in as I have found the 22 inch is a bit small.

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