Huge processor confusion. PLEASE HELP :(

[smouty]

I look for reduced stock on dabs.com when I need a new one.
You can usually get a discount of 50%+ if you don't mind open box stuff but never had a problem myself.

[sharky_ob]

A bit more expensive but I've always used Shuttles. They are tiny, quiet and so reliable.

My HTPC Shuttle

Sorry to hijack but just wondered if you can get dolby digital through your optical lead? Are you using the optical out which you can get for the internal sound, or are you using a soundcard?

[smouty]

Yeah, can get DD and DTS through optical but not the HD audio formats. If you want HD audio you can use a recent GPU with HDMI such as ATI HD4xxx.

The downside of the Shuttles size in the lack of expansion slots but mine has a PCI-e 16x and a PCI which hold an ATI HD3450 and a hauppauge HVR-4000.

[FelixofMars]

I am now of the opinion that unless severely cheaper its now worth continuing with AMD, yes they are more bang for buck (or pound) in theory but they seem to overheat easily and its almost worth spending more on a stable rig.

[sharky_ob]

Yeah, can get DD and DTS through optical but not the HD audio formats. If you want HD audio you can use a recent GPU with HDMI such as ATI HD4xxx.

The downside of the Shuttles size in the lack of expansion slots but mine has a PCI-e 16x and a PCI which hold an ATI HD3450 and a hauppauge HVR-4000.

Ok, thanks for the reply. So how would I go about setting this up? I don't seem to be able to get Dolby Digital through the optical - is this a setting in the Realtek software?

[smouty]

I've only used Vista and now Win7 on this Shuttle. I use the Windows media centre for all playback apart from BR/HD-DVD for which I use PDVD7 and haven't had to do anything apart from select SPDIF as default output device.
The other software I have installed is FFDshow tryout and Haali splitter which you may need.

In the audio device properties in Vista/Win7 you can specify which formats are supported such as DD 48k/96k, DTS etc and play a test sound to check it works.

[sharky_ob]

I've only used Vista and now Win7 on this Shuttle. I use the Windows media centre for all playback apart from BR/HD-DVD for which I use PDVD7 and haven't had to do anything apart from select SPDIF as default output device.
The other software I have installed is FFDshow tryout and Haali splitter which you may need.

In the audio device properties in Vista/Win7 you can specify which formats are supported such as DD 48k/96k, DTS etc and play a test sound to check it works.

Cheers, I'll have a play tonight. I'm using XP though, so maybe that's the problem?

[Persocom]

Uft. I hate shuttles. Ugly, filled with proprietary unupgradable motherboards... blech :P

I just have different tastes to how most people seem to like their pcs :P seeing "gamer" rigs where everything lights up and stuff makes me sick.

[sharky_ob]

Uft. I hate shuttles. Ugly, filled with proprietary unupgradable motherboards... blech :P

I just have different tastes to how most people seem to like their pcs :P seeing "gamer" rigs where everything lights up and stuff makes me sick.

Thank you for your constructive input

[PH]

I don't want to start a new thread so...

I'm going to build a HTPC and was just wondering what sort of CPU I should go for. Must be powerful enough for 1080p playback (both Blu-Ray and x264) but I also don't want to go overboard and pay for processing power I don't need.

I'm thinking of going with the Intel E5200 and pairing it with a fanless ATI 4670. Would this do the job?

[Matt]

Go to the Cyberlink site and see the min spec for their BR software. I think you need an E6xxx plus if memory serves.

[Ian(not Ian)]

Uft. I hate shuttles. Ugly, filled with proprietary unupgradable motherboards... blech :P

I just have different tastes to how most people seem to like their pcs :P seeing "gamer" rigs where everything lights up and stuff makes me sick.

Nothing wrong with Shuttles, proprietary, unupgradable (is that a word?) motherboards they may have, but they're pretty much bulletproof from BIOS to OS. Shuttles do not light up and make you sick. But can be gaming rigs.

What's not to like with Shuttles? :P :P

[Persocom]

they're fat :P

muahahaha.

[smouty]

Phat maybe

[PH]

Go to the Cyberlink site and see the min spec for their BR software. I think you need an E6xxx plus if memory serves.

Thanks. Checked it out. The E5200 would be ok but they do recommend going with an E6xxx.