Help building HTPC

[sreagan1173]

I'm wondering if you all can steer me in the right direction on building a HTPC. I've got a pretty good idea of the basics, but a few questions.

PC- Most of the PC's I am looking at have an HDMI output on them. So the tuner card goes in the PC, the HDMI then carries the video to the display. I've also seen DVI video cards...are these better? Or should I stick with HDMI?

What about the audio? I'm going to pipe the video and audio PC through a Yamaha 5.1 receiver, right now hooked up to my cable box via optical. How will I manage this? The pc has audio outputs, but nothing optical. Can I run the audio over the HDMI cable? I've heard this is possible, but not always. Or is there something else I need to buy?

Remote control- So this thing is in a cabinet with wood doors. What will I need to install to have 1. The PC have a remote keyboard/mouse and/or 2. Other remotes work through the door......some sort of IR repeater?

Thanks for helping me spend my money! Any info much appreciated.

[dspecgsx]

Originally Posted by sreagan1173

I'm wondering if you all can steer me in the right direction on building a HTPC. I've got a pretty good idea of the basics, but a few questions.

PC- Most of the PC's I am looking at have an HDMI output on them. So the tuner card goes in the PC, the HDMI then carries the video to the display. I've also seen DVI video cards...are these better? Or should I stick with HDMI?

HDMI or DVI are both good. Some motherboards or videocards support audio though the HDMI port.

Originally Posted by sreagan1173

What about the audio? I'm going to pipe the video and audio PC through a Yamaha 5.1 receiver, right now hooked up to my cable box via optical. How will I manage this? The pc has audio outputs, but nothing optical. Can I run the audio over the HDMI cable? I've heard this is possible, but not always. Or is there something else I need to buy?

HDMI - read above
DVI - get an audio card or motherboard that supports digital coax or optical

Originally Posted by sreagan1173

Remote control- So this thing is in a cabinet with wood doors. What will I need to install to have 1. The PC have a remote keyboard/mouse and/or 2. Other remotes work through the door......some sort of IR repeater?

Thanks for helping me spend my money! Any info much appreciated.

I use a RF remote and Keyboard (meaning line of sight is not required). If you use IR put the IR receiver outside the cabinet.