How to build your own HTPC?

    If you are having an old system do not just throw it away. Instead build a home theatre Personal Computer out of it. Read on to know the various things with which you will be able to build your own HTPC.

    The two most widely used devices in our households are TV’s and Computers. In image processing it is more convenient to tweak the output image using a computer than using a television. Television concentrates more on image and sound clarity but lacks the flexibility of a user defined equalizer or a user defined video renderer. The only two user controls that we all use in a TV are Switch on and Switch off. But what if you connect your computer to the TV? You will be able to customize the various video and audio settings as per your preferences. The PC on the other hand has the disadvantage that you need a larger pocket in order to get a PC screen of a bigger size. If you build your own HTPC you have the advantage of recording live TV programmes, pausing the program wherever you want it to, resuming the programme from the paused period, hearing audio, listening to the radio and of course, not to forget the 5.1 digital surround sound effect that you can add to this giant monster. This is garlanded with another advantage of the TV screen doubling up as your computer monitor, whenever you want it to!

The Hardware:

1. Cabinet: The cabinet must be well ventilated and should have very little fans. If the number of fans is more make sure that they are not noisy. It is always a better option to get rid of the noisy fans. Make sure that the cabin is a good looking one. A little bit of designing with radium shall play the trick for you if the cabinet is uglier to look at. Just make sure that the ventilation is not hindered due to the radium coat. If you want to buy one, the best option is to go for iBall Engine-x. it should be available for a price of around 1,500 Rupees. Buying a micro Power Supply from VIP would also be a good idea.

2. Processors: Any Dual-core processor shall do. The intel E6550 which comes for Rs 7,800 will be a good buy if you wish to upgrade the existing processor. Remember one thing very well, we want a configuration which will play HD movies with utmost clarity. Hence we need at least a C2D processor which can handle the task quite comfortably without getting overheated. We have removed the fans. Hence overclocking an older processor would be a bad idea.

3. Motherboard: Any motherboard which has passive cooling solution like heat dispersing pipes is preferable. HDMI slots will be needed only if you will be using the onboard graphics card. The MSI K9AGM2-690v is a good motherboard available at a price of Rs.3,100.

4. Graphics card: Once again we do not need a heavy duty performer. Let it be a simpler one like the Galaxy GF 8400GS (Rs 2,900).

5. TV-Tuner+Video Capture Card: This part does the work of encoding the signals into a suitable format and storing them for future viewing. For this the best option available is the Leadtek Winfast DTV1800H which will be available at Rs3,990.

6. RAM: Two 512 MB sticks are best. 1GB stick is also better but two 512 MB RAM sticks work much more faster. If you are using Vista 2GB memory is a must and should requirement.

7. Hard Drive: Minimum 320GB as you will be storing a huge amount of video files in it. Should not be noisy. There is absolutely no need to go for speed greater than 5,400.

8. Keyboard and Mouse: Purchasing a wireless keyboard and mouse is a bare necessity for a HTPC. You do not want to go near the PC every time you need to use the keyboard or the mouse in order to change a setting.

9. TV: Almost all the technical magazines advise Samsung Bordeaux LA32R81B (Rs 52,000).

10. Speakers: You may cut your cost in any of the above hardwares but not on this one. Go for nothing less than the Artis S6600R/FM (Rs 8,500).

    And now you are ready with your own HTPC. Do not spend money unnecessarily to get all the recommended hardwares. Instead cut your cost by buying only that which is missing in your system. It is your satisfaction which is of prime importance. For more assistance go for a Google Search. This is more of a Hobbyists activity. The possible combinations are quite huge. The above recommendations are best and supported by almost all the leading technical magazines. So get whatever is required and get going with your own HTPC. Have a nice day.