HTPC build 1.0 - last entry and stage

Hey folks

Another longer pause without being in touch, but i made progress, nonetheless the HTPC is alive and kicking, but due to lack of time, did not had time to write the action log. 

Moreover, as usual, more and more problems arose, which currently prevent the completion of the project, but since the lineup is strong and even looks as definitive regarding parts and accessories, i decided to close this builder - exchanger - jigsaw period under "HTPC build 1.0" group name, and gather the following under a new generic – HTPC build 2.0 - describing the how to's, solutions, components, etc. 

But before we get to that, the last entry should be supplemented and improved, because it does not reflect the current state. Here it is:
 

First of all I dropped the CF - SATA converter idea, as the 4 gig card would not hold a Windows 7 install. If you read my blog you know, that XP was originally in sight, but for several reasons i decided to call a 64-bit 7 the winner. Despite the fact , that it does have a light version, which is less than 4GB !!!!! after install (search on Google and torrents), together with the mandatory programs and drivers would have exceeded this limit, not to mention the fact that Win 7 has no "embedded" version, resulting in an early death of the CF card. So what about now? Simple: a used 64 GB, SATA 3, OCZ Vertex 3 SSD off eBay. This will hold anything and the quick start would cause no problems. OS checked.

Secondly, the CIR has returned. I do not remember where I was navigating when I came across a german development that can wake the machine from the S5 state - meaning Shut Down – just by an infrared signal. It was important to emphasize that is german, because there was no english version of the website, and did not came up in the search results when I was seeking for such a solution. Not to mention, that the owner did not even used any words and phrases related to the modder HTPC world. Lucky me that came across, and I will write about it later. Here is the link:

http://www.atric.de/IR-Einschalter/index.php
Seek for: Produkte - IR-Einschalter Rev.5 (it has english manual)

Edit: i was searching on Youtube for my mobo reviews and tuning, when i saw a video where a guy installed this IR receiver. here's the video:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_hOzx7zmRfk

It is important to mention, that i got a bit of a price reduction, which provided the above advertisement place :)

That is, and will be in touch with the parts breakdown and descriptions.

Compact Flash to SATA - a small change and update

As my new mobo does not have IDE connection, i cannot use my old CF to IDE adapter. Of course, SATA is much faster, so the change is welcomed. So went to eBay (again) and purchased a CF to SATA adapter. This is how it looks like:

It was a real bargain for 2 pounds, but the price varies. Check for yourself: eBay CF to SATA adapter

PS: dropped the CIR receiver as i found another COM port based solution. Stay close for details!

HTPC build - back to life with E350M1 motherboard

Hey folks

After many reading, thinking, forum posts for advices and eBay sneaks, i finally got my hands on a new motherboard: ASRock E350M1:
E350M1 Specs

Why did i choose this one? Well to be honest it was an awesome built-in feature that made my decision: a CIR header.  Here's a note about it:

"It has been said before, but bears repeating because of how useful the included Consumer Infrared (CIR) header is, putting it on the short list of favorite motherboard features alongside user configurable power LED behavior when in standby. Because the feature is not enabled by default in BIOS, it will need to be enabled after installing a CIR. Then after the Nuvoton (Winbond) drivers are installed it acts as a fully functional Microsoft eHome RC6 IR receiver. This not only frees up a USB port and allows for a cleaner install because the receiver can be mounted inside the chassis, but also includes a feature not supported by the standard USB receivers - wake from off (S5) and hibernate (S4) in addition to standby (S3)."

The best feature is bolded :D

The parts that will make the HTPC ver 3.0 project are:

1) Samsung DVD-709 case
2) a small 450W PSU with both SATA and PATA power connectors and ATX pin headers
3) ASRock E350M1 motherboard

1. AMD Dual-Core 1.6ghz Processor E350/E350
2. Supports DDR3 1066, 2 DIMM slots, Max. capacity up to 16GB
3. Integrated AMD Radeon HD 6310 graphics, DX11 class iGPU, Pixel Shader 5.0
4. 1 x PCI Express 2.0 x16 slot (@ x4)
5. Multi VGA Output options: D-Sub, DVI-D and HDMI
6. 4 x SATA3 connectors
7. 7.1 CH HD Audio with Content Protection (Realtek ALC892 Audio Codec), Premium Blu-ray audio support

4) 4GB DDR3 1333mhz memory
5) TTSCorp TSL633 laptop DVD RW drive with slimline sata to normal sata adaptor cable
6) Sure Electronics 2x16 chars LCD panel
7) multi format card reader with USB 2.0 support
8) 500GB Samsung HDD
9) 4GB Compact flash card with SATA adaptor to serve as main HDD (SSD like speed for fast boot)
10) an old 5 button mouse circuit board (each button directly wired to the DVD player case buttons for prev, play,/pause, stop, next, eject functions)
11) XBMC based OpenElec as OS
12) CIR IR with remote
13) Bluetooth dongle, smal size USB WIFI adaptor

And almost all in, exept number 12 (highlighted in red above), the CIR receiver. Unfortunately my mobo did not came bundled with one, and to buy it separately would cost me way too much (25$ + 18$ postage from USA), so i wanna make one as a DIY part. Unfortunately no diagram and lack of info on internet, so this must wait a bit.

Next step is to install the OS, configure it, enable EWF and clone it to the CF card.

Stay close!

Shortage of time and mobo

Hi again

This project is on hold per moment - as you can see, last post was few months ago - as i am in a shortage of a mobo and cpu. I need an embedded system with passive CPU cooling, since the case is very thin, and heat is a huge problem.

Old mobo and cpu is sold, and until i can get hands on a new one, this project is on hold.

Any idea for a nice cheap - free - mobo and cpu combo is welcomed.

*free: yes, i accept gifts just to finish this project :)

HTPC Build - Stage 5 - New parts

I ordered and received some new parts for my HTPC today. They are:


1) A small 2 row LCD screen from Sure Electronics. Don't get fooled by the fact that this is a chinese company, because the display arrived in one of the most coolest boxes i ever seen: black, with silver text, everything properly packed. At first i taught it is an iPhone :)
Here is the thingy :) (sorry but no pic with the box - throw it away)

The LCD Screen plugged in with a MicroUSB cable and LCD Smartie running

The LCD Screen with size measures on sides

There is a software called LCD Smartie you can download from their website what will help you edit the infos displayed here. It has lots of pre-built stages like number of mail, cpu temperature, HDD free space or Winamp status.

2) I ordered a Card Reader - the same i saw at one of my friends. Why this big? Because only the box is big (like a floppy drive). The electonics inside are like 2cm in width only, and would perfectly fit in my casing :) Here are the pics:

It reads 6 types, plus has an USB connector so i can plug in a small drive anytime :)

3) A Bluetooth dongle. I think this is pretty straightforward but i do one comment: will have this inside the box, connected to an internal USB connector. Not visible, but my HTPC will have Bluetooth connection. Awesome!

Bluetooth dongle for internal use

4) I want the HTPC to be a fast booter in the end, so aquired a 40-pin dual compact flash to ide adapter. I had an 8GB CF card from an old digital camera, where the OS will fit nicely.

Compact flash to IDE adapter.
Your CF will be visible as a HDD by the PC and will be fast as hell!

How to achieve this as it is known that CF does not support too many write cycles? Simple: install and configure your system with a normal hard drive, than clone the drive to the CF, and use a program that restricts Windows to write temp files. Actually you freeze Windows. Learn more on this by reading small car PC builds - they all run on CF cards :)


Final words: at the end these all cost around 1 or  2 bucks each if ordered from Hong Kong, so a real bargain for a real piece of multimedia!

HTPC Build – Stage 4 – Pre assembly

I did a test assembly of the HTPC, and here is the result (i will leave the pictures to do the talk here).

No power-on yet, but all looks ok for a start.

HTPC pre-assembled

HTPC Build – Stage 3 – The Piéce de résistance

I called this little piece of metal “Piéce de résistance”, because it saved my project – really. Supports both the HDD and the DVD drive!

I had a small holder for the HDD, but i did not know how to secure it to the case, because it overlapped the mainboard, and without a “leg” the chance existed to drop on it in the middle of a nice movie, and ruining the whole thing.

The other part was the DVD drive: the external part of the case was ready for it, but i needed something to secure it to inside the case also. First i was thinking to fit it on the top cover of the case, but that would have made the HTPC “take apart” proces to be a nightmare.

I had an old PC case lying around, and somehow i had the ideea to cut it in parts, and take out one top support rim, what in lenght was exactly the same as my HTPC (wide). And slowly, instead of just inserting it horizontally, i modified it, and created the “thing” what you can see in the pics. It holds the HDD, very strongly, and both the optical drive. It is mounted to the HTPC with a screw (both of them had a whole exactly where i needed it – 3rd and 4th image, the right side), so it is very stable.

The piéce de résistance  – a custom made HTPC part

The next part of the building is the assembly and first poweron – so be close!!