HTPC setup

[Eru]

Until now I've been using my PC souly for gaming. Now I'm thinking of also making it an HTPC. My mom's got plans to turn the room my computer's in into our families entertainment room. When she mentioned this I immediately wanted to use my PC as an HTPC as well.

The reason I'm posting here is for suggestions on how to make the setup better beyond just adding 7.1 surround for movies and xbox games. Is there anything else I could/should add?

 

[Grizzly]

Could you post what you have currently?

 

[Eru]

Other than my PC and plans for what we're gonna be getting, nothing. We're in the planning stage of things. We've decided on probably a 50" tv or so mounted on the wall and I'm still deciding on a 7.1 speaker system. I was gonna go with creative but I was dissappointed to see no 7.1 systems on their site.

For my PC I've got 2 EVGA GTX 570's on an asus x58 sabertooth with a i7 950 clocked at 4GHz.

 

[Grizzly]

OK, my personal list of things to get for an HTPC would be:

An HD Freeview tuner

A BluRay reader, or writer if you prefer

An Asus sound card, I've heard good things of the D2x but there are a few to choose from

A wireless keyboard and mouse, I personally use the Microsoft Arc kit

And I'm not sure what else I would get, just make sure you have an HDMI cable to use with your PC as very few TVs come with DVI ports.

 

[Eru]

uhm, question then, what is an HD freeview tuner..... XD

Never heard of one before.

 

[Grizzly]

uhm, question then, what is an HD freeview tuner..... XD

Never heard of one before.

Take it you don't live in England then?

Basically will allow you to pick up HD TV signals with your computer so you can watch + record TV through your PC.

Not sure if it will apply where you live however. What options do you have for getting TV where you live?

 

[Eru]

We have Netflix lol

5 bucks a month to stream any tv show or movie from their database. We already have an account with them and it's great so I'll be streaming it through my computer.

 

[Grizzly]

We have Netflix lol

5 bucks a month to stream any tv show or movie from their database. We already have an account with them and it's great so I'll be streaming it through my computer.

Ah OK. I know about Netflix we just got it in England this month, finally!

You can forget the HD freeview tuner then, with Netflix you'd only need the tuner for live sports and you may as well just use the TV.