# my HTPC / SAN build **URL:** \ **Category:** NYSpeed Off Topic\ **Created:** [November 26, 2011, 8:37am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/my-htpc-san-build/218673 "2011-11-26T08:37:42Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![theblue](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/theblue/32/5074_2.png) [@theblue](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/theblue)\ **Post date:** [November 26, 2011, 8:37am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/my-htpc-san-build/218673/1 "2011-11-26T08:37:42Z")
so I’ve been wanting to ditch my cable box, add a SAN, and have a general server for pretty much all needs except gaming. It’s going in my basement right below my TV (in the room above) and I’ll run an HDMI cable up to it it. I build based on this guide: [http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=1302559#PSU](http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=1302559#PSU) but I did customize a good bit and did a lot of other research my priorities - ability to hold lots of drives - torrent - act as a time machine for my mac laptop - replace cable box - DVR - music server This is what I just got: > 1 [Antec Three Hundred Black Steel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case](http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811129042)Item #: N82E16811129042 [Iron Egg Replacement-Only Return Policy](https://secure.newegg.com/Shopping/CheckoutStep3.aspx?CartID=859%2bEXLQMOFUE72DA9W&SONumbers=79799839#warranty54) $69.95$49.95 > 1 [ASRock Z68 PRO3 LGA 1155 Intel Z68 HDMI SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 ATX Intel Motherboard](http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813157251)Item #: N82E16813157251 [Standard Return Policy](https://secure.newegg.com/Shopping/CheckoutStep3.aspx?CartID=859%2bEXLQMOFUE72DA9W&SONumbers=79799839#warranty44) $114.99$99.99 > 1 [Ceton InfiniTV 4 Quad-tuner Card for Watching Digital Cable TV on the PC, PCI-Express x1 Interface](http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16815706001)Item #: N82E16815706001 [Iron Egg Standard Return Policy](https://secure.newegg.com/Shopping/CheckoutStep3.aspx?CartID=859%2bEXLQMOFUE72DA9W&SONumbers=79799839#warranty53) $298.99$219.99 > 1 [Antec EarthWatts Green EA-380D Green 380W Continuous power ATX12V v2.3 / EPS12V 80 PLUS BRONZE Certified Active PFC Power …](http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817371033)Item #: N82E16817371033 [Iron Egg Standard Return Policy](https://secure.newegg.com/Shopping/CheckoutStep3.aspx?CartID=859%2bEXLQMOFUE72DA9W&SONumbers=79799839#warranty53) $59.99$29.99 > 1 [Intel Core i3-2100 Sandy Bridge 3.1GHz LGA 1155 65W Dual-Core Desktop Processor Intel HD Graphics 2000 BX80623I32100](http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115078)Item #: N82E16819115078 [Iron Egg Replacement-Only Return Policy](https://secure.newegg.com/Shopping/CheckoutStep3.aspx?CartID=859%2bEXLQMOFUE72DA9W&SONumbers=79799839#warranty54) $124.99$109.99 > 1 [Patriot G series ‘Sector 5’ Edition 8GB (2 x 4GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Desktop Memory Model PGV38G1600ELK](http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820220484)Item #: N82E16820220484 [Memory Standard Return Policy](https://secure.newegg.com/Shopping/CheckoutStep3.aspx?CartID=859%2bEXLQMOFUE72DA9W&SONumbers=79799839#warranty41) $49.99$39.99 > 1 [Logitech Wireless Combo MK260 920-002950 Black USB RF Wireless Standard Keyboard and Mouse](http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16823126197)Item #: N82E16823126197 [Iron Egg Standard Return Policy](https://secure.newegg.com/Shopping/CheckoutStep3.aspx?CartID=859%2bEXLQMOFUE72DA9W&SONumbers=79799839#warranty53) $29.99$14.99 > Subtotal $564.89 Tax $0.00 UPS Guaranteed 3 Day $7.33 > Order Total $572.22 I’ll be running windows 7. I have a 2TB drive to throw in, but I want to grab another and run raid 1. Help me find a deal if you know of any 🙂 I still need - some sort of media remote - a cheap 32GB USB 3.0 thumb drive - I’m sure I’ll add here when I remember more ---
**Author:** ![ProgRocker](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/progrocker/32/5434_2.png) [@ProgRocker](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/ProgRocker)\ **Post date:** [November 26, 2011, 8:51am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/my-htpc-san-build/218673/2 "2011-11-26T08:51:02Z")
I have that same power supply, if you want to buy locally. Used it for maybe 10 min to test a machine otherwise it’s brand new \ oh you already bought this…damn ---
**Author:** ![Gl1](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/gl1/32/5471_2.png) [@Gl1](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/Gl1)\ **Post date:** [November 26, 2011, 8:54am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/my-htpc-san-build/218673/3 "2011-11-26T08:54:56Z")
hmm that’s a different cable card card than i have seen before. I wonder how it does four streams with one cable card. ---
**Author:** ![theblue](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/theblue/32/5074_2.png) [@theblue](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/theblue)\ **Post date:** [November 26, 2011, 9:18am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/my-htpc-san-build/218673/4 "2011-11-26T09:18:13Z")
not sure, but it gets amazing reviews… and it will pay for itself in 2-3 years ---
**Author:** ![theblue](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/theblue/32/5074_2.png) [@theblue](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/theblue)\ **Post date:** [November 26, 2011, 4:59pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/my-htpc-san-build/218673/5 "2011-11-26T16:59:18Z")
I just scored 2x 3TB external drives for $200 total at staples thanks to them matching best buy and taking one of their coupons on top (I’ll be using them as internal drives) > **[Amazon.com: Seagate FreeAgent GoFlex Desk 3 TB USB 3.0 External Hard Drive STAC3000102: Electronics](https://www.amazon.com/Seagate-FreeAgent-GoFlex-External-Drive/dp/B005IA844G/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1322356267&sr=8-1)** > > Protect, store and access files through the interface of your choice with the world's most versatile drive. The GoFlex Desk external drive delivers high-capacity storage and automatic, continuous back ... ---
**Author:** ![boardjnky4](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/96bed5/32.png) [@boardjnky4](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/boardjnky4)\ **Post date:** [November 26, 2011, 6:52pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/my-htpc-san-build/218673/6 "2011-11-26T18:52:54Z")
NAS not SAN …sorry. that’s a good deal on the drives ---
**Author:** ![theblue](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/theblue/32/5074_2.png) [@theblue](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/theblue)\ **Post date:** [November 27, 2011, 5:30am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/my-htpc-san-build/218673/7 "2011-11-27T05:30:08Z")
You’re right, I should know better ---
**Author:** ![LZ1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/7ab992/32.png) [@LZ1](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/LZ1)\ **Post date:** [November 27, 2011, 5:51am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/my-htpc-san-build/218673/8 "2011-11-27T05:51:58Z")
> [@theblue](#): > > I just scored 2x 3TB external drives for $200 total at staples thanks to them matching best buy and taking one of their coupons on top (I’ll be using them as internal drives) > [http://www.amazon.com/Seagate-FreeAgent-GoFlex-External-Drive/dp/B005IA844G/ref=sr\_1\_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1322356267&sr=8-1](http://www.amazon.com/Seagate-FreeAgent-GoFlex-External-Drive/dp/B005IA844G/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1322356267&sr=8-1) Thats funny I was going to do the same thing :lol: ---
**Author:** ![Shockwave179](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/shockwave179/32/7496_2.png) [@Shockwave179](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/Shockwave179)\ **Post date:** [November 27, 2011, 9:09am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/my-htpc-san-build/218673/9 "2011-11-27T09:09:56Z")
I think I might be building something similar soon. ---
**Author:** ![evane](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/6bbea6/32.png) [@evane](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/evane)\ **Post date:** [November 27, 2011, 12:02pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/my-htpc-san-build/218673/10 "2011-11-27T12:02:49Z")
> [@Gl@re](#): > > hmm that’s a different cable card card than i have seen before. I wonder how it does four streams with one cable card. Mstream cable cards can decode many streams at once can’t remember the limit. Silicon Dust has the HDHomerun Prime network based tuner box that can have 6 tuners. ---------- Post added at 02:37 PM ---------- Previous post was at 02:29 PM ---------- > [@evane"](#): > > Mstream cable cards can decode many streams at once can’t remember the limit. Silicon Dust has the HDHomerun Prime network based tuner box that can have 6 tuners. Additionally I should add that Ceton and Silicon Dust are the only ones out there that produce cable card ready tuners. All other tuners you see are ATSC (Over the Air) and Clear QAM only tuners. One other note on Time Warner you need a Mstream card plus a SDV tuning adapter (Windows 7 officially supports this), on VZ just the Mstream card is required. ---------- Post added at 03:02 PM ---------- Previous post was at 02:37 PM ---------- > I still need > > - some sort of media remote Get this [HP MCE Receiver](http://www.ebay.com/itm/New-HP-Wireless-MCE-USB-Infrared-Receiver-VISTA-WIN-7-/250609794722?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item3a5981fea2) Then get a Logitech Harmony Remote, if want cheap then [Harmony 300i](http://www.logitech.com/en-us/remotes/universal-remotes/devices/6812) otherwise spend the money on the [Harmony One](http://www.logitech.com/en-us/remotes/universal-remotes/devices/7193) ---
**Author:** ![theblue](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/theblue/32/5074_2.png) [@theblue](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/theblue)\ **Post date:** [November 27, 2011, 12:21pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/my-htpc-san-build/218673/11 "2011-11-27T12:21:53Z")
I think I’m going to try a few iphone apps for control of media center. I’ve got a wireless keyboard + mouse for anything more serious. good call on the SDV, looks like I’ll need to do this: ![http://i49.tinypic.com/ejubfl.jpg](http://i49.tinypic.com/ejubfl.jpg) [http://experts.windows.com/frms/windows\_entertainment\_and\_connected\_home/f/115/p/83959/418788.aspx](http://experts.windows.com/frms/windows_entertainment_and_connected_home/f/115/p/83959/418788.aspx) ---
**Author:** ![LZ1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/7ab992/32.png) [@LZ1](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/LZ1)\ **Post date:** [November 27, 2011, 12:48pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/my-htpc-san-build/218673/12 "2011-11-27T12:48:21Z")
> [@evane](#): > > One other note on Time Warner you need a Mstream card plus a SDV tuning adapter (Windows 7 officially supports this), on VZ just the Mstream card is required. I just join the mutlicast streams off the tbone/msan with vlc :-p ---
**Author:** ![theblue](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/theblue/32/5074_2.png) [@theblue](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/theblue)\ **Post date:** [November 27, 2011, 1:22pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/my-htpc-san-build/218673/13 "2011-11-27T13:22:27Z")
^ wait, what are you doing? ---
**Author:** ![evane](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/6bbea6/32.png) [@evane](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/evane)\ **Post date:** [November 27, 2011, 5:04pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/my-htpc-san-build/218673/14 "2011-11-27T17:04:42Z")
> [@theblue](#): > > ^ > wait, what are you doing? Being a nerd 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![theblue](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/theblue/32/5074_2.png) [@theblue](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/theblue)\ **Post date:** [July 18, 2012, 12:05pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/my-htpc-san-build/218673/15 "2012-07-18T12:05:49Z")
long term update, all is great, I would never go back to cable box. word of warning: you must put an amp on the line because with 4 tuners in this thing it will drop the signal strength so reading the line level coming into your house is not good enough. ---
**Author:** ![MaximaSE98](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/maximase98/32/7600_2.png) [@MaximaSE98](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/MaximaSE98)\ **Post date:** [July 18, 2012, 12:51pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/my-htpc-san-build/218673/16 "2012-07-18T12:51:49Z")
just curious if anyone has tried running XBMC and all the streaming video add ons… i want to ditch cable…run HD Antenna and XBMC for all my movie and tv needs…it does have many add ons available for lots of networks and hulu plus and torrents edit…further reading of his blog my have answer my ??? but feel free to school me anyway ---
**Author:** ![LZ1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/7ab992/32.png) [@LZ1](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/LZ1)\ **Post date:** [July 18, 2012, 12:59pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/my-htpc-san-build/218673/17 "2012-07-18T12:59:12Z")
I ran XMBC on a Apple TV for a while no issues. ---
**Author:** ![theblue](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/theblue/32/5074_2.png) [@theblue](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/theblue)\ **Post date:** [July 18, 2012, 2:28pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/my-htpc-san-build/218673/18 "2012-07-18T14:28:10Z")
I forgot to add that I got an original xbox 360 for $20 and put that on my other TV in my bedroom… I use that to also watch live TV (from my HTPC) and also anything that I’ve DVRd. It’s awesome because I can start watching downstairs and pause then go upstairs and pick up where I left off. The interface is exactly the same, it even took the custom theme I have and shows it on the xbox. so running a cheap HTPC then extending using xbox360s is the best way to roll IMHO. ---
**Author:** ![jabbu](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/jabbu/32/7446_2.png) [@jabbu](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/jabbu)\ **Post date:** [July 18, 2012, 2:51pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/my-htpc-san-build/218673/19 "2012-07-18T14:51:09Z")
> [@theblue](#): > > long term update, all is great, I would never go back to cable box. > > word of warning: you must put an amp on the line because with 4 tuners in this thing it will drop the signal strength so reading the line level coming into your house is not good enough. Hmm, so you have a quad tuner, that takes one coax in and doesn’t self amplify the signal ? Is there like a 4 way splitter built into it? So your losing 7db on all QAMs? The pole should be spitting out 20 at the tap, lets say 13 at your house, one 7 leg split were at 7, run to the box lose a few db at most, still should be at or near 0, built in 4way would lose 7 a leg, -7, qam should be working fine until -13ish depending on the noise floor. ---
**Author:** ![evane](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/6bbea6/32.png) [@evane](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/evane)\ **Post date:** [July 18, 2012, 7:36pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/my-htpc-san-build/218673/20 "2012-07-18T19:36:22Z")
> [@theblue](#): > > I forgot to add that I got an original xbox 360 for $20 and put that on my other TV in my bedroom… I use that to also watch live TV (from my HTPC) and also anything that I’ve DVRd. It’s awesome because I can start watching downstairs and pause then go upstairs and pick up where I left off. The interface is exactly the same, it even took the custom theme I have and shows it on the xbox. > > so running a cheap HTPC then extending using xbox360s is the best way to roll IMHO. I would only concur from the point of using straight windows media center. Since XBMC4Xbox is not quite up to snuff with the XBMC project anymore. ---------- Post added at 10:36 PM ---------- Previous post was at 10:18 PM ---------- > [@MaximaSE98](#): > > just curious if anyone has tried running XBMC and all the streaming video add ons… > > i want to ditch cable…run HD Antenna and XBMC for all my movie and tv needs…it does have many add ons available for lots of networks and hulu plus and torrents > > edit…further reading of his blog my have answer my ??? but feel free to school me anyway Just a note XBMC Eden (11.0) cannot function as a DVR, the next version will have the unified interface where it can also function as a DVR. Secondly most of the plugins work well enough, the Hulu addon works well enough as well. Though I prefer just using then Hulu Desktop App with media center integration. For netflix if you are running windows, the Media Center netflix addon is superior to the XBMCFlicks plugin in every way. With all that said, the best method for TV and Movie consumption is using newsgroups. One of these services. [Usenetserver.com for 10 dollars a month](https://usenetserver.com/partners/?a_aid=sickbeard&a_bid=a76dfb83) [Newshosting.com for 9.99 a month](http://www.newshosting.com/partners/?a_aid=sickbeard&a_bid=15833ca4) Get SABNzbD [http://sabnzbd.org/](http://sabnzbd.org/) Get Sickbeard (this will allow you to add your TV shows and it will automatically download them using Sab) [http://sickbeard.com](http://sickbeard.com) Get CouchPotato (this will let you add movies and automatically download them [http://couchpota.to/](http://couchpota.to/) [Next page](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/my-htpc-san-build/218673.md?page=2)