OK, here’s where I am at this point. Tell me what you think, and as I’m always looking to improve the rig, feel free to make suggestions towards that goal.

Motherboard: A780GM-A Elitegroup Black series.

Processor: AMD Athlon 64×2 Model 5200+

Memory: 2G DDR2 (expandable to 8G)

HDD: 500G(partitioned, C: 40G D: 426G)

Embedded Graphics: ATI Hybrid Graphics HD 3200 series

Audio: 7.1 HD Audio Codec

Slots: (1) PCIe x16 for graphics interface,(2) PCIe x1 slots, (3) 32 bit PCI v2.3 slots, (1) IDE for up to 2 devices,(1) FDD,(5)SATA connectors-7 pin. NOTE:one PCI slot is taken for wireless LAN.

integrated I/O: 2 ps2,1 VGA, 1 HDMI, 1 eSATA, 6 USB, 1 LAN, Audio-mic,line,8ch line-out.

System is in a 4u rackmount Industrial server case, lotsa fans and HDD slots.

OS is XP Pro, service pack 3.

presently I’m using WinMediaPlayer to play music and such.

My goal is a good solid HTPC that I can use for TV,Music,DVR,DVD and Photos,etc.

1) Do I need another video card? I’m not much of a gamer, it’d be more for video quality for the DVR,DVD and HDTV.

2) Good media center software that can handle all of the above with the ability to rip DVD to HDD for playback and DVR duties?

3) Good HDTV tuner card?

4) Any other suggestions?

Thanks,

Marc

Looking for a new receiver? So was I until I finally purchased one last month. I’ve been saving for a long time so I can afford a mid-high level receiver. There are a large amount of features to look for in a receiver as they are an important piece of a home theater network. Here is list of the features that were important to me:

• 7.1 surround sound output with a minimum of 100W/channel. I’m going to have a 7.1 speaker setup so this is a must.
• Minimum of 3 HDMI inputs. One for a cable box, PS3, and a HTPC. I would like an extra one for my HD DVD player too but I could live without it.
• HDMI 1.3a capable so the receiver can accept 7.1 signals.
• Dolby TruHD and DTS HD MA decoding support. No point in having a 7.1 surround sound speaker system if I can’t decode a true 7.1 source.
• Network controllable. I need this so I can run my AutoHTN program.
• An independent second zone with audio and video output. This is so I can finish watching a DVD or a DVRed show in my bedroom or office.
• A third zone output used for my porch speakers.
• 1080p HDMI upconversion output so I only need a single HDMI input on my TV.
• Multi-channel pre-out used for an amplifier (one day).
• Dynamic volume control. I can’t stand how loud commercials get and this feature keeps everything at the same volume.
• A built-in Audyssey speaker calibration program.

The network controllable feature limited my choices to Denon. I asked around, but no other manufacturer had the options to send commands through a home network. I decided on the Denon 3808 and have been more than happy with it. The ‘09 models were coming out so I was able to find the 3808 for a discounted price, and it was able to do everything I listed above.

I’ll post back with a detailed review of the 3808 soon. In the mean time, here are some pics of the all the cables going to the receiver.

Yamaha RX-V663BL Receiver
Price Comparison	95W x 7.2 channels Video Connections: HDMI 1.3 (x2), Component (x3), Composite (x5) Audio Connections: Coaxial (x2), Optical (x3), Analog Audio (x7) Supports Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HD Decoding HDMI video upconversion Sirius and XM ready Multi-channel input

Onkyo TX-SR506 Receiver
Price Comparison	75W x 7.1 channels Video Connections: HDMI (x3), Component (x2), Composite (x5) Audio Connections: Coaxial (x2), Optical (x2), Analog Audio (x6) HDMI 1080p passthrough Powered Zone 2 and Zone 2 Line-Out for Playback in Another Room

Sony STR-DG920 Receiver
Price Comparison	110W x 7.1 channels Video Connections: HDMI 1.3 (x4), Component (x3), Composite (x5) Audio Connections: Coaxial (x2), Optical (x4), Analog Audio (x7) x.v.Color. Deep Color and 1080/24p signal capability 1080p video upconversion Multi-channel input XM radio ready

Denon AVR-3808CI Receiver

Price Comparison

130W x 7.1 channels Video Connections: HDMI 1.3a (x4), Component (x3), Composite (x5) Audio Connections: Coaxial (x3), Optical (x4), Analog Audio (x7) Supports Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HD Decoding 1080p HDMI video upconversion 3-zone system Network controllable Ethernet port to stream internet or networked music 24-bit/192-kHz D/A (digital-to-analog) Converters Sirius and XM ready Multi-channel input and pre-out

Onkyo TX-SR606 Receiver
Price Comparison	90W x 7.1 channels Video Connections: HDMI (x4), Component (x2), Composite (x5) Audio Connections: Coaxial (x2), Optical (x2), Analog Audio (x7) Supports Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HD Decoding HDMI video upconversion Sirius ready Multi-channel input

Sony STR-DG820 Receiver
Price Comparison	110W x 7.1 channels Video Connections: HDMI 1.3 (x4), Component (x3), Composite (x5) Audio Connections: Coaxial (x2), Optical (x4), Analog Audio (x7) x.v.Color. Deep Color and 1080/24p signal capability 1080p video upconversion Multi-channel input XM radio ready

Yamaha RX-V863BL Receiver
Price Comparison	105W x 7.2 channels Video Connections: HDMI 1.3 (x3), Component (x3), Composite (x5) Audio Connections: Coaxial (x3), Optical (x4), Analog Audio (x7) Supports Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HD Decoding 1080p HDMI video upconversion Sirius and XM ready Multi-channel input On Screen Display (OSD)

Denon AVR-2809CI Receiver
Price Comparison	115W x 7.1 channels Video Connections: HDMI 1.3 (x4), Component (x3), Composite (x6) Audio Connections: Coaxial (x3), Optical (x3), Analog Audio (x8) Supports Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HD Decoding HDMI video upconversion Sirius and XM ready Multi-channel input and pre-out

Find more Receivers
What To Look For In a Receiver

Telecommunication Distribution LLC

We Recommend to all our readers who have or want to have Home Theater,don’t forget to make wire diagram off all components in your Home Theater System. It will help you to prevent those horrible day’s when you have to move-out or  home remodeling. It will save you aggravation , time and money.

If you do not know how to make Wire Diagram please feel free to visit http://www.Telecommunication-Distribution.com