swoon wrote: If the

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July 27, 2011 at 8:28 pm #5025
SpacemanSpiff2000

    [quote=swoon]

    • If the Colossus is only a temporary item in your HTPC, you could still get the ML03 it seems and use an extension cable since the chassis has a full-size slot. Just double check the dimensions.
    • You could save a few bucks and get the i3-2100 instead of 2100T. You shouldn’t have many concerns with cooling and it should still be very efficient with power in real-world use.
    • Chosen memory will be just fine
    • Looks like the Lite-on drive will come with OEM PDVD software. I’m sure it will not support 3D BD playback. You could go with PDVD 11 (review) and CyberLink will probably sell it to you at some reduced upgrade price. You could also go with ArcSoft TMT5 (review) or Corel WinDVD even. My personal preference is TMT5. Each vendor gives a trial copy so you can give them a try yourself before spending the cash.
    • I think something like this remote might suit you much better. The one you linked doesn’t seem like the typical ehome remote

    While you could probably get away with the single hard drive, I do not recommend it. You will be much better off with a second hard drive to house the operating system separate from the recording drive, especially since your current drive is a Green drive. If you could swing the extra money for an SSD to store the OS, that would be ideal (though it is totally not required and is a luxury item).

    In a PC, everything is scaled to the output resolution.

    You don’t have to run the box 24/7. It can go to standby when not in use and will wake automatically when it is time to record.

    [/quote]

    Still can’t kill the full quotes.

    Well, I could not pull off an order by noon ET today, so my target is now tonight.

    [quote=swoon]

    • If the Colossus is only a temporary item in your HTPC, you could still get the ML03 it seems and use an extension cable since the chassis has a full-size slot. Just double check the dimensions.

     

    [/quote]

    I may still go with the bigger case for roominess/airflow, but it’s good to know this slimmer case might still work. However, with the 03, I thought it ALL had to be low profile, plus I don’t get how this extension would figure in. I read this case has a “utility” slot that implies non-low-profile, but I can’t see that from the case pics. Also, I haven’t been able to find specific card dimensions from Hauppauge. What am I missing?

    [quote=swoon]

     

    • You could save a few bucks and get the i3-2100 instead of 2100T. You shouldn’t have many concerns with cooling and it should still be very efficient with power in real-world use.

    [/quote]

    This was the key question that stopped me today. Is there knowledge out there regarding:

    • what is the real energy cost savings between these two?
    • what can a 2100 do in an HTPC that a 2100T would not be able to do?

    Also, was just thinking, what if may I, occasionally, want to play CIV5 on the big screen. This wasn’t an original intention, but would this CPU/GPU do it?

    [quote=swoon]

    • Chosen memory will be just fine
    • Looks like the Lite-on drive will come with OEM PDVD software. I’m sure it will not support 3D BD playback. You could go with PDVD 11 (review) and CyberLink will probably sell it to you at some reduced upgrade price. You could also go with ArcSoft TMT5 (review) or Corel WinDVD even. My personal preference is TMT5. Each vendor gives a trial copy so you can give them a try yourself before spending the cash.

     

    [/quote]

    Thanks! I’ll have to look into these then … or perhaps another drive with a better software offer?
    [quote=swoon]

     

    • I think something like this remote might suit you much better. The one you linked doesn’t seem like the typical ehome remote

     

    [/quote]

     

    Oops, this is the link from TMT5 so I don’t know what you mean. I’m also puzzled b/c my spec looked like an authentic MC remote to me.

    [quote=swoon]

    While you could probably get away with the single hard drive, I do not recommend it. You will be much better off with a second hard drive to house the operating system separate from the recording drive, especially since your current drive is a Green drive. If you could swing the extra money for an SSD to store the OS, that would be ideal (though it is totally not required and is a luxury item).

     

    [/quote]

    Why esp. b/c it’s Green? That matters b/c my other available drive is the exact same kind … so I can do 2 of the same WD green drive right now. Will think about the SSD expense also … but how can it be ideal and unnecessary? What would I have to put up with without one?

    [quote=swoon]

     

    In a PC, everything is scaled to the output resolution.

    You don’t have to run the box 24/7. It can go to standby when not in use and will wake automatically when it is time to record.

    [/quote]

    I thought I’d heard/read that. Thanks for the confirmation!

    And I think “case fans” was the only other question. Never had to do aftermarket ones (or really even manage the fans I run now).

    I can fudge everything else (go with the big case, hold off on a remote, use 2 green drives) but if someone only has time to answer only one topic, I need the CPU questions answered the most (and the soonest). Thanks!

    :^{D