ok since the old celeron didnt work well i have to build another pc to use with the hdtv. how should this go?
it has so far
ati all in wonder radeon 8500
and ati component adapter
dvd and cd rw drives
120gb hd
any mother board with onboard optical out
im serious here so i need a functional thing.
ideas? its to be used with a hitachi 53inch HDTV
custom arcrylic box? build it into one of the cabinet drawers?

Get a microATX motherboard and a microATX case. Try the InWin V500 on for size--this will keep the size of the completed unit small and compact.

If you want digital audio out or component video out (you most likely will with an HDTV), consider the Sigma Designs Hollywood Plus hardware DVD decoder. The newer, more expensive version called the XCard also decodes DivX 4.0 and greater in hardware as well.

Get a SB Live! or SB Audigy (platinum versions) for sound in & out. That also gives S/PDIF & optical connectors.

If you decide on a Pentium 4 platform, my recommendation is to get one that supports RDRAM if you're going to be doing any kind of video processing at all. Currently Gigabyte (GA-8ITML) and Intel (D850EMD2) make mATX motherboards based on the 850(E) chipset. It's more expensive, but it's also the best performing.

Consider burying a USB hub in the front of the case and investing in a wireless keyboard & mouse.

NIce recommendations Wixx!

If you really want to blow some dough, you could put it in one of these HiFi grade Component cases...



Link Here


CoolerMaster and Lian-Li also make a Desktop case that is component grade that would alos look nice in your system rack.

If your going for low cost, any desktop, or tower would probably do. However check thisPlace Out for they have specific HTPC cases and stuff.

Here is another link to that last site that shows another uber case.

The abit AT7 and IT7 have have onboard 6 channel sound with optical out.

ooo thanks i will look in to thos mobos! now lets see if the ati card will work when i build it.
my home theather was kind of thrown together with midrange compnents.
Hitatchi ultra vision digital 16:9 53 inch
sony str de 845 reciver (hey costco got a shipment in and it was 3 models below es line and only $300 good deal to me)
sony vcr
philips dvd player with optical and component outs used
macrovision remover
sony playstation 2 with component and optical outs used
technics record player (hey dad whats this LP you speak of?)
akai pro casset deck (casset tape? dolby noise reduction? huh?)
i recently removed the tape deck cuz it got in the way. this isnt some rack mount now no need for some studio stuff from the 80's.
acoustic research two way 8" woofer 1" silk tweeter
polk center (i dont want to go down stairs just to check model numbers but the polk has blue woofers)
cheap in celing rears
cheap klh sub
its not much but it works unlike a certain viper's seperate amplifiers with his fancy thx certified reciver.

they have that case at our affiliate ExoticPc.com as well

it is a tight case but one of my dad's co workers is getting a milling machine and has a mini aluminum smelter. too bad i cant find a good cheap cad software suite that will just do a simple blue print.

i saw the coolermaster desktop case, its got a blue plexi window in front to acess the drives, its so sweet! i think it´s also got blue leds, you may as well get it, i think it would look pretty good on a home theather setup, and yes get a wireless mouse and keyboard, if i had some money i may as well get one of the coolermaster cases for my own ghetto home theather (2 sets of computer speakers connected to the audio out of my tv, damn i want a real one )

Soyo KT333 Dragon Ultra Platinum Edition is what I have, works like a freaking charm and it is the Royles Royce of Motherboards. Go to SoYo.COM and check out the reviews of it. It has won tons of awards. Maybe that will help you somehow?

This is a HDTV, one thing you might want to consider would be to get a decent DVD Player that Runs progressive scan. The Sony 715 would be a fantastic option. Or if you wanted multidisc capability the Sony 655 is also a good optionI work at Best Buy in the Home Theatre Dept last I remeber it was 179.99 (I think). Another thing you would need with that would be to run your DVD Player using not only optical to the STR 845 (which is a good model by the way) but to run a HDTV MOnster Video (2 or 3) Component Video cable to the Hitachi. If you dont' run a progressive scan DVD player with atleast a component cable you won't get jack. If I can help you with any questions you may have let me know ok? I do this $#*^ all the time.

Quote: Originally posted by carbongraphite too bad i cant find a good cheap cad software suite that will just do a simple blue print.

Check hereFree CAD