MoBo for HTPC

[Avanti]

Want to make a very basic HTPC with 7.1 (not 5.1) over HDMI to be hooked to a Yamaha 7.1 receiver outputting the video to 52" 1080P LCD TV via HDMI.

Choice is either to get a Mobo with HDMI or get a video card with HDMI and 7.1 output. Assuming the system will be running for hours in hot Texas, I would prefer a low wattage system (under 300 if possible).

I have another PC (and Mac) for video editing with TB's of HDD's. So this has to be just an HTPC and nothing else. Have spent hrs searching for a Mobo, but no one specifically mentions 7.1 over HDMI! Need to know a specific board which will work. ATX / Micro ATX is not an issue.

1st choice will to be to have a all-in-one Mobo (simple, and less wattage).

Thanks.

BTW - 1st posting on Anandtech

 

[lopri]

Welcome to AnandTech Forums. 7.1 via HDMI off of a PC is still considered 'niche', and that is probably why you don't see many discussions about it. I'd suggest the following reading for you:

http://anandtech.com/weblog/showpost.aspx?i=629

Towards the end of the article, you'll find that current all-in-one solution is GeForce 9300/9400. G45 is, in theory, capable of 7.1 LPCM over HDMI, but you may run into unexpected surprises depending on titles - especially on the video side. GeForce 9300/9400 is also capable of providing unpleasant surprise, but it is much more consistent than G45. However, GF9300/9400 also comes with typical NForce characteristics - heat, tricky disk controller, high CPU usage of USB/network.

AMD's 785G was hyped to be the perfect solution for HTPC, and as you can read from the article it AMD dropped the balls. While 785G's video capability is the best among the three, the audio functionality is the worst.

Of course if you are planning to opt for a discreet video card or a sound card, none of these matters. You can buy a sound card that's capable of decoding 7.1 and send it over HDMI (you may need to connect your video card to the sound card), or you can buy a HD 5000 series video card that does not only LPCM but also bitstreaming. You can also purchase a GT210/220 series card or a HD 4000 series card, which will provide 7.1 LPCM over HDMI. In this scenario, the selection of motherboard becomes a non-issue.

http://www.anandtech.com/video/showdoc.aspx?i=3643&p=10

 

[o1die]

You don't specify amd or Intel; for amd, newegg has an asrock A780Ghx atx board for $69.99 with free shipping. For Intel, they have a foxconn G41-m-s micro atx for around $62. Both have hdmi ports. The amd setup will get you a cheaper cpu; I use a dual core amd for mine. If you need a cpu and live near Frys electronics, wait for a good combo special and sell the board on craigslist and use the $$ for a better one.

 

[Avanti]

Thanks for the replies. I couldn't figure out if the Asrock motherboard has a 7.1-enabled HDMI.

This MSI R4670 video card
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...-440-_-Product
seems like a good bet based on MSI site. Has a 7.1 audio with a UVD2 video decoder. There is another one MSI R4550 that seems similar, but has no cooling fan.

The 5000 cards are a bit on the expensive side and they demand a huge PS.

Sometimes I wonder - why can't I just get a $150 blu-ray player and use the (ordinary) computer for mp3's, home videos, and Jpeg's. Makes perfect sense.

But I want an HTPC!

 

[heyheybooboo]

There really hasn't been a big rush to 7.1 ---- what 7.1 titles that are out there probably will not be on your Top 10 Gotta Have List and are mostly remixed 5.1.

The overwhelming majority of 7.1s actually out there are DTS-MA with a handful of TrueHDs ---- so that pulls you back in the direction of a discreet HD 5XXXs (and has anyone verified that the lower-cost 'Junipers' will do DTS-MA and/or TrueHD?).

I think for the most part studios avoid uncompressed 7.1 PCM because of the disk space requirements and opt instead to carry a full 5.1 PCM signal.

Regardless of AMD/Intel chipsets you are looking at a maximum of 80w or so during BR playback ---- even with something like a discreet HD4350 (Asus has a nice LP one of those that comes with a LP bracket IIRC).

At idle you will be 50w or less ---- most systems today will 'sleep' at 5-6w.



--

 

[Derek Hanson]

For what it's worth I don't think you're going to notice the two extra channels that 7.1 surround provides.. Going to 5.1 you're only loosing two additional rear channels that in most mixes were just created as an afterthought (or via some computer-based matrix) by panning the rear surrounds in a little bit..

I know a bit of what I'm talking about because I work in audio for a living and have done final mixes for short films on a sound stage set up for surround.

Arrogance is not intended when I say I'm highly skeptical of any perceived enhancements in surround effects with 7.1 versus 5.1

I always just thought of it as a marketing gimmick.. just another number on a box.. Chances are the re-recording mixer who actually worked on the film you're trying to view in a 7.1 environment actually mixed it on a 5.1 stage..

just my 2 cents. If you can settle for 5.1 it may open up more hardware possibilities as well.

 

[Avanti]

There seems to be a general agreement on 5.1. I don't know much about it, but given that my Yamaha setup is 7.1, I figured that is the way to go.

Anyhow, assuming I am going 5.1. Any suggestions on the hardware (MB and video card)? As I mentioned earlier, I want to keep this system very light - just 1 internal HDD, for example (the others will be eSata / USB.)

 

[Stevem627]

I agree that 7.1 sound is overrated, but I have a true 7.1 system with good speakers and I CAN tell the difference on the VERY FEW titles that are truely 7.1. I also think 7.1 adds better depth of surround in 5.1. All of this is based on having a room set up well , and having speakers placed properly and calibrated for 7.1. In reality few of us can set up a room for this very well so it doesn't work well. A mish-mash of non matching speakers is the biggest problem usually.

I forgot my recommendation -- a 785G motherboard is very good for this application...but you need to use the optical output.

 

[Fox5]

You could get a Diva Live motherboard, and hook the speakers directly up to the PC, if you're doing everything through the pc.