using a notebook as a Dedicated HTPC.

So I want to setup a HTPC (home theatre PC) and have gone through the motions of building a blu-ray/hdmi capable desktop, but thought I wouldn't mind the portablilty of a notebook, as well as the fact it's going to work straight out of the box.. and include warranty if something goes wrong.

Are there any recommended software downloads or purchases that would be essential for this setup as well as what TV tuner I should use? any hidden issues I may come across or tweaks, also do any of you have a similar setup and can yay or nay a laptop for this purpose.

Id be looking at something like a vaio FW or Z/

cheers.

 

I don't recommend using a laptop for an HTPC. You lack upgrade ability and expansion. A typical HTPC would have at least 1TB of storage. With a tower/desktop, there is ample drive bay space available; a laptop is severely limited for space - you'd have to purchase an external drive bay (accomodate at least 4 drives). There are HTPC cases/power supplies that are designed to be "green" (low cost), extremely quiet, and to run very cool with nearly no powered cooling systems.

Several other detractors are the need to have the lid open for cooling and access to the keyboard, the lack of built-in IR (or RF) for external keyboards/mice, and the obvious "computer" attached to the TV. A good HTPC blends into your equipment rack and looks like a pice of A/V equipment - a laptop doesn't fit, and also needs to be at the top of the A/V rack (since the laptop needs to open for keyboard/screen access).

IMHO, you should buy a desktop and/or build an HTPC yourself. Take a look at the various HTPC dedicated websites; you'll be glad you did.

 

Also, laptops aren't meant to be left on 24/7. I can't tell you the last time I turned off my HTPC just to do it.

Consider hi-def tv tuners as well - they won't even come close to touching the desktop versions, where you could have twin hi-def hardware decoded tv tuners on one card.

The warranty might be nice, but you could buy a pre-built tower HTPC for less and still get the warranty.

Mobility might be nice, but you sacrifice most of what makes an HTPC so nice by gaining mobility.

 

yeah that's all making sense, I wasn't aware you couldn't keep a lid shut on a laptop for extended periods because of heat, nor have it running 24/7. Ive been using my laptop as our main media centre at the moment and it's been a dream, but not ideal as I still need to use it for other things too so have been carting it round the house.

I'll re open my search for the best hardware compnents so I can get a reasonably beefy HTPC made. Can anybody recommend a good Case? I think quiet fans and good heat dissapation are going to be key.

 

Cases are a matter of taste. There are many choices; just choose one that matches your A/V equipment.

You'll definitely want a quiet system. I installed a SilverStone NT06 fanless CPU cooler for my P4 system. It keeps my CPU very cool, and the entire system is whisper quiet. I bought a fanless video card as well (the Gigabyte GV-N76G256D-RH 7600GS), along with the quietest Western Digital drives I could find. My entire HTPC barely makes any noise.

To sum up: buy a fanless CPU cooler, a fanless video card, and quiet, large hard drives.