HTPC vs Asus CM1745

[nwf477]

Maybe this is the wrong forum to ask since getting any response is almost futile. Its also possible that I am asking this the wrong way so let me try one more time. I have the above mentioned Asus desk top. I use it to play all my movies and music that I have downloaded thru the years. I have it hooked to my Home Theater system. The system consists of 9 channels of stereo with 8 subs. Not looking for the absolute best but I was wondering if anything can done that would improve the video and the sound quality from the desktop. Before anyone asks not at all into gaming so that can be taken out of the equation. I wanted to eventually get this download from http/jriver.com/ Maybe I am asking for too much but I really would like to improve the audio and video if possible or is it really just a waste of time?

 

[USAFRet]

They have a free trial.
Try it.

Or Plex, or Kodi

 

[USAFRet]

But....
9 channels + 8 subs?

Are you sure all these subs aren't walking all over each other? How large is this room?

 

[nwf477]

They have a free trial.
Try it.

Or Plex, or Kodi

I spent way too much on my system. Current power going by the amplifier ratings is over 28KW. My room is just shy of 1800 cu.ft. I have 2 18" subs stacked in the back corners of my room a pair of 12" subs behind sofa and loveseat. As of now I am almost in the single digits as far as frequency goes. I have taken some room sweeps using REW and the subs go down to 10hz before they start dropping off. My lay out is almost exactly as what you would find on any diagram for a 9.2 stereo system. I am aware of the free trial but as of right now my main concern is the computer do I need to upgrade what I have or start from scratch?? There are some sites that have some HTPC builds that are under 700.I was hoping that if I used my Asus I could save some money and just replace certain items . Like the motherboard, CPU, Sound Card etc??

 

[USAFRet]

Changing the motherboard and CPU would have zero impact.
Adding a soundcard, maybe.

But primarily, the 'sound quality' derives from your amp and speakers. And speaker positioning.

 

[USAFRet]

(Moved this to Home Audio)

 

[jsmithepa]

Why would an HTPC has any impact on your AV quality?

The job of the HTPC is to provide you an easy to use interface, tie to all your media, and the only thing it does to your AV is to ship them out for external processing.

If you are not happy with your current video, blame your TV/projector.

If you are not happy with your audio, is your outboard audio gear/speakers/placement/room acoustic. If you are using the HTPC for dolby decoding then perhaps that's the problem.

 

[nwf477]

I am more into stereo then computers so pardon my ignorance. As far as sound goes my system sounds fine no complaints. Video is fine as well. Maybe I have been told incorrectly but with a better pc I could improve the speed, the sound and the video coming out of the computer. I belong to a web site called AVS and several members have mentioned their HTPC's I have also seen by looking up HTPC on the internet different builds for home theater. If what you are saying that is makes zero difference then that is fine and if it only makes a marginal difference there is still no point. Really just wondering what makes HTPC special then and it seems that it is gaining interest or is every one just wasting money?

 

[nwf477]

Changing the motherboard and CPU would have zero impact.
Adding a soundcard, maybe.

But primarily, the 'sound quality' derives from your amp and speakers. And speaker positioning.

I was also reading this:
http/www.tomshardware.com/reviews/windows-7-htpc,2159-11.html
it would seem there there would be lots of reasons for upgrading according to this?

 

[USAFRet]

Basically, an "HTPC" is simply as PC in the house, dedicated to serving audio and video to your devices.
It is only the visual interface...the GUI, and the bits to interface with the drives holding your stuff.

The CPU/motherboard matters not, except if you want to output 4k video. Then you'd need a good GPU.
Mine runs on a 5 year old Pentium G840 + 4GB RAM.
Outputting to a Denon 5.2 and a 60" Sony TV.

A $2,000 PC would sound pretty much exactly the same as my $300 PC.
At most, a good ($$) sound card might help. The CPU and motherboard, not a bit.

"Speed"? Maybe.
This all depends on what is 'slow'. A movie or audio track does not 'play' any faster, hopefully.
Accessing it or searching, maybe.

 

[nwf477]

Basically, an "HTPC" is simply as PC in the house, dedicated to serving audio and video to your devices.
It is only the visual interface...the GUI, and the bits to interface with the drives holding your stuff.

The CPU/motherboard matters not, except if you want to output 4k video. Then you'd need a good GPU.
Mine runs on a 5 year old Pentium G840 + 4GB RAM.
Outputting to a Denon 5.2 and a 60" Sony TV.

A $2,000 PC would sound pretty much exactly the same as my $300 PC.
At most, a good ($$) sound card might help. The CPU and motherboard, not a bit.

"Speed"? Maybe.
This all depends on what is 'slow'. A movie or audio track does not 'play' any faster, hopefully.
Accessing it or searching, maybe.

Thank you that makes sense. A sound card might help but its iffy? I have HDMI out of the PC to my Yamaha AVR since this is all digital the difference in sound would be even less? So unless I am into gaming no real advantages. If I ever upgraded my computer going with a newer model would improve day to day computer features but as far as music and video like you wrote even a 2000.00 wonder would do no better than what I currently have.

 

[USAFRet]

Right.
To 'improve' the audio/video, the actual PC is the absolute last thing to consider.
Speakers, amp, placement, overall room acoustics, wiring, quality of the actual files (vid and aud), device calibration...all come long before any PC issues.

For the video, maybe a better GPU. If and only if the current one does not output enough resolution for your display.
For the audio, maybe a sound card.

 

[nwf477]

Right.
To 'improve' the audio/video, the actual PC is the absolute last thing to consider.
Speakers, amp, placement, overall room acoustics, wiring, quality of the actual files (vid and aud), device calibration...all come long before any PC issues.

For the video, maybe a better GPU. If and only if the current one does not output enough resolution for your display.
For the audio, maybe a sound card.

I have taken my stereo as far as I am going to take it. I know there are better ones out there but this is the best system I have ever had. I know some recordings are better than others, I just felt the weakest link in my system is the computer which prompted me to ask these questions.Now Ii have two questions if I upgraded the sound card how would it help if I am using HDMI currently?? Not sure of how I would get the most benefit from the card to the AVR? If I went with a better GPU this will effect the video?

 

[USAFRet]

A sound card, if and only if there is something lacking with the current HDMI connection. Which there probably is not.

Remember...all the audio electronics aren't supposed to sound like anything. THey are supposed to add as little as possible, or take away as little as possible, from the original source.


Video? Only if you wish to maybe output to a good 4k capable display. My current GPU is a generation older than yours, and outputs 1080p just fine.

 

[nwf477]

A sound card, if and only if there is something lacking with the current HDMI connection. Which there probably is not.

Remember...all the audio electronics aren't supposed to sound like anything. THey are supposed to add as little as possible, or take away as little as possible, from the original source.


Video? Only if you wish to maybe output to a good 4k capable display. My current GPU is a generation older than yours, and outputs 1080p just fine.

Okay you convinced me!! I was reading in Consumer Reports $K is only really worth it if you have a 60" screen or better, I have a 47" Plasma. As far as the audio goes a flac recording sounds really good but some sound pretty bad. I guess I was hoping that with a better sound card it would improve the quality of some of the lesser recordings. I also agree speaker placement is key. It really holds true with sub placemnet. The majority of the time the worst place to put the sub is where you think it will look the best. The only way to know for sure is to run room sweeps and seeing exactly which area gives the best response. As far as stereo speakers sure you can put them anywhere but yet again that does not always work a good guide is looking up Dolby set-ups 5.1.7.1 etc. The only reason I know it has taken many mistakes to get to where my system is today. Thanks for the info. not worried about it anymore less money to spend.

 

[USAFRet]

My Denon came with a calibration device.
Put it on a tripod, near the listening area, at ear height.
Let it run.

Major difference over the factory settings.

 

[nwf477]

My Denon came with a calibration device.
Put it on a tripod, near the listening area, at ear height.
Let it run.

Major difference over the factory settings.

So did my Yamaha but I wanted to fine tune it. So in addition I also used my SPL meter to double check set the gains on the amps for the subs used my minidsp to adjust for a fairly flat response also just to make sure the settings on YPAO were correct measured each speaker to the MLP . I pretty much went overboard.

 

[jsmithepa]

I am more into stereo then computers so pardon my ignorance.

All you have to know is, the difference between digital and analog.

Your computer should be sending out all digital signals to your AV Receiver, that's the purists thinking, do not do analog processing in the noisy PC. Digital, for practical purposes is not affected by RF interference, analog does.

When you use a soundcard, you are doing D to A conversion in the noisy PC, you know this because you are hooking up the individual jacks on the back of the PC, Fronts, Rears, Center, Sub. The purist way is, you don't need a sound card, the sound should come from your Mobo's HDMI or Toslink, both digital connections, and let your outboard AV Receiver do the D to A as well as dolby processing.

If you do the purists' way then your PC has no impact, because is shipping out the AV information unmodified, as it's read form the disc or file. Faster PC you said? Audio processing takes no horsepower whatsoever, Video processing, today's built-in GPU can handle 1080 no sweat, 4K OK you research I have no experience with 4K. Jumping into 4K may require you to upgrade that AV Receiver.

Yes I think some people just feel like having a heavy wallet and can't wait to lighten them.

 

[nwf477]

I am more into stereo then computers so pardon my ignorance.

All you have to know is, the difference between digital and analog.

Your computer should be sending out all digital signals to your AV Receiver, that's the purists thinking, do not do analog processing in the noisy PC. Digital, for practical purposes is not affected by RF interference, analog does.

When you use a soundcard, you are doing D to A conversion in the noisy PC, you know this because you are hooking up the individual jacks on the back of the PC, Fronts, Rears, Center, Sub. The purist way is, you don't need a sound card, the sound should come from your Mobo's HDMI or Toslink, both digital connections, and let your outboard AV Receiver do the D to A as well as dolby processing.

If you do the purists' way then your PC has no impact, because is shipping out the AV information unmodified, as it's read form the disc or file. Faster PC you said? Audio processing takes no horsepower whatsoever, Video processing, today's built-in GPU can handle 1080 no sweat, 4K OK you research I have no experience with 4K. Jumping into 4K may require you to upgrade that AV Receiver.

Yes I think some people just feel like having a heavy wallet and can't wait to lighten them.

I look at 4K and think yes that is neat but what is the point. I am totally happy with my plasma. I use to to have a LCD but the picture on the plasma much better. I also think Dolby Atmos is great as well but I am not going to sell my Yamaha RX-A2010 and spend 1000.00 just to have Atmos. There are numerous out there that will always want the latest and greatest.

 

[jsmithepa]

I am totally happy with my plasma.

Since they don't make plasma anymore, AFIK, I say you are not making any changes in the near future.

not going to sell my Yamaha RX-A2010

4K switching (HDMI 2.0) requires a new receiver$$.