Suggestions for a SFF/HTPC system

BeerCheeze

Hi Everyone... I am looking to build a SFF/HTPC system for our bedroom. We want to be able to watch movies on it, use it as our Stereo system, Internet, and some Video conferencing stuff (cause in my new position it include travel). Before I go out and purchase everything I would like to run things by you guys and get some comments, feedback, suggestions, etc... Also note the system will only be connected to a TV no monitor (might use one for set up is about it).

Purposed System:
MSI Mega 180 SFF Barebones
Dual DDR 400 (2x256 - I already have this ram sitting around right now)
AMD XP2500+ (Trying to see if I can use a Mobile)
Seagate 200GB HDD (Bought it already... CompUSA had a good sale)
Lite-On 16X DVD Dual Drive, Model SOHW-1633S
MS Wireless KB & Mouse (Already bought)
Logitech Z640 5.1 Speakers
Logitech QuickCam
Windows XP Media Center 2004

I'm considering add the ATi 9600 AIW as well.

Any and all constructive comments are welcome. Thanks guys/gals!

**Doctor Feelgood** · Posted: Tue, 14 Sep 2004 14:14:40 Post Subject:

Nice...

Only slightly off topic, I saw this deal today...

http://www.woot.com/

For those who don't know woot, they have one item per day (or until it sells out)... todays is a sweet looking (although not the latest tech.) SFF barebone...

If you get that ATI AIW9600, see if you can buy one get one free for me! Grin

BeerCheeze · Posted: Tue, 14 Sep 2004 14:38:02 Post Subject:

Dang... that deal is gone. O'well.

Hellfire · Rated XXX Joined: 05 Aug 2003 Posts: 3473

I have the Logitech wireless keyboard / mouse for my HTPC and it doesn't work the greatest any further than 3 feet from the receiver.

I have both the IOGear Phaser, and ATI Remote Wonder that works great. Both have issues after they've been used for a while though Sad

Maybe I'm just hard on them! LOL They both work from about 15 - 20 feet away though Grin

Using a wired keyboard that remains tucked away in my cabinet until i need it then with a keyboard extender cable, it reaches my couch.

Your system will be more than powerful enough btw...

In my system I've got an AMD 1800, 1 Gig Ram (had it laying around too), 200gig hd, GeForce 5200, and on board sound going through my stereo, video goes directly to my HDTV

**Doctor Feelgood** · Posted: Tue, 14 Sep 2004 15:53:19 Post Subject:

I have had some no name brand IR keyboard with joystick pointer/mouse thing for about 4 years... only on second set of batteries and still works great..

BeerCheeze · Posted: Tue, 14 Sep 2004 16:00:52 Post Subject:

Yea cool. I haven't tried the Keybaord/mouse yet. I bought it direct from MS (I get an employee discount becasue my company is owned by MS). So for less than $20 I got the Wireless Desktop 3.0 Grin

But we'll see how it works, shouldn't need more than about 10' I think.

T-shirt · Posted: Tue, 14 Sep 2004 18:45:19 Post Subject:

What sort of TV are you hooking in to?
I'd recommend a high end LCD/DLP or plasma designed with an RGB/S-video/DVI input. Nothing worse than squinting at the screen/trying desperatly to see some memo/object being waved around at the other end.
Also remember a conference from the bedroom carries certain risks (wear pants, don't try porking the ol'lady during meeting breaks, and be sure that you don't out-feed last night's " privite" tape Laughing

)

Spire · Posted: Tue, 14 Sep 2004 23:17:59 Post Subject:

I REALLY don't want to know why you need a webcam in the bedroom...

Nookie420 · Posted: Tue, 14 Sep 2004 23:48:53 Post Subject:

BWAHAHAHAHAHAAH.........i could put a webcam in the bedroom to good use, and probably be quite profitable.................

that msi case is sweet.

Spire · Posted: Tue, 14 Sep 2004 23:51:25 Post Subject:

..yea for americas tinyest home video's!!!!

Worth at least 25k!!!