What to consider when upgrading

As with all things computer related, eventually what you've got at home just isn't enough to cut it anymore. Just going out and getting a new one is possible, but when you're trying to make the most of your money, it's important to take your time and weigh options to make the best decision for you. In this article, I'll outline what I don't like about our current set up, and what I'd like to change about it.

Our "Hulu PC" (as we affectionately call it at home), is very old. I'm not sure, but I want to say it the bulk of its components were purchased around 2004. While it certainly does the trick, it doesn't do it quite as well as we would like it to.

Step 1: Identify and prioritize your biggest complaints.

Try to stay focused on the limitations of your solution right now, and not getting too carried away with "nice to haves", that part comes later. Remember that "nice to haves" are typically features that you're currently doing without right now, whereas these complaints are actively in your face and may very well be limiting your enjoyment.

The first complaint that jumps to mind is that while it can display at my TV's native 1080p resolution, it can't really display anything of merit at those resolutions--Hulu and DVD playback stutters.

Yes, I understand that neither of those run at 1080p, but I much prefer the sharpness of 1080p can give you on a TV that supports it--especially in regards to user interface. While we don't currently have the desire to fork over the extra to watch BluRay movies, I want the option to be there when we eventually go that route.

Additionally, for one reason or another the computer simply refuses to install Windows 7. Install begins, but hangs quickly. I'm absolutely in love with Windows Media Center 7, so this is a painful one for me.

Finally, the current motherboard cannot support hard drives that utilize Perpendicular Magnetic Recording, which these days is pretty much all of them, and certainly all of the larger (~500gb and bigger) ones. My wife has a very sizable music collection that she has invested a great amount of care and time to keep organized. Currently this is only stored on a single external hard drive. If that drive was to be lost, my wife would be devastated. We already own two 750gb hard drives that we purchased for backup purposes, but since our computer is so old, we've never been able to use them.

If I was to put these in order of biggest problem, it would look something like this:

1. Inability to use PMR Hard Drives
2. Inability to run Windows 7
3. Inability to display 1080p effectively

2. Start dreaming.

Now its time to think about what you wish you had the ability to do. This is not a list of every feature bullet point your next solution will have right off, but merely helps you plan a road map of what you want to be able to do now, and what you can eventually add later. The more planning you do here, the cheaper your solution will be in the long run, as it will reduce redundant purchases (if you have to have upgrade the motherboard to accommodate a certain single feature, for example). Don't go too far off the deep end, because things like wanting active climate control, or automatic light control are projects on their own. Planning for them is fine, but in my situation, I expect those will wind up being separate systems.

Record Live TV - I almost listed this in the 'complaint' category, because due to Hulu's delay to list some content we tend to have endings of big shows or results of shows like The Biggest Loser spoiled before we have a chance to watch them. In actuality though we've learned how to avoid most of these.

Capture HD Video from Other Sources - I'm a huge gamer, and I've always wanted to be able to capture video from my Xbox 360 (as an example) to possibly make guides, or simply to show off something that happened.

More Aesthetic appearance - When I first built this PC, I valued low noise over everything else, and used looks as a close second. While it currently doesn't look "bad", it would be nice if it blended in a little more, and took up a little less space.

More Energy Efficient - This computer is on all the time. While I don't feel like it's particularly inefficient, I know it wouldn't take much to make it 'greener'.

HDMI Output - Currently, it outputs via a bulky VGA cable with a standard 1/4" 'headphones'" style audio cable. It gets the job done but it's bulky, unsightly, and personally I believe its weight is putting unnecessary strain on both the TV and the computer. I also recently had to move the computer, and dealing with the screws to remove the connection was frustrating.

BluRay Support - Pretty self-explanatory. All that's really needed here is a BluRay drive, and enough power to drive the display.

Reasonable Video Encoding Performance - Digital copies are far more versatile than physical ones, and it'd be nice to have the ability for the machine to encode the video in a reasonable amount of time, or without interfering with the experience.

Like the list of complaints, prioritize these. Here's my list:

1. Record Live TV
2. Video Encoding
3. Energy Efficiency
4. HDMI Output
5. Asthetics
6. BluRay
7. Capture HD Video

3. Research and shop

Dig into how to do each of these. Software is easy to change, but changing hardware can get expensive fast. sites like AVS Forum and HTPC Forum are real heroes here, as you can get a lot of information from a lot of different people.

Newegg is where I tend to buy most of my hardware, if not for their low prices, then for the ability to drill down lists of hardware based on features. It's very easy to weed out motherboards that don't have onboard video, or HDMI outputs, for example. They also have a very active client base that reviews products very frequently, and it's pretty easy to tell at a glance if a product tends to be a winner or a dud just by looking at its egg rating.

Remember to keep the future in mind here. A motherboard picked out with all the right features, based on an older technology like DDR2 Memory isn't going to last you as long as a motherboard with all the right features, but instead has DDR3 memory. Keep the future in mind, and try to maximize your 'upgrade potential'. It will save you some serious money in the long run. Addtionally, it would be a shame if something as simple as a lack of PCI slots prevented an upgrade, so try to keep your options open without going overboard.

For those of you interested, here's the list of hardware I decided on buying, and a little bit about why.

1. Cooler Master CPU Cooler
As the primary source of heat, the processor also tends to be the primary source of noise. Going with an efficient, aftermarket heat sink can do wonders for keeping your equipment at a safe temperature while not interfering with your experience.
2. ASRock M3A785GMH
This motherboard really hit the sweet spot for me. Reasonably powerful onboard video with HDMI output means one less card to purchase, which allows me to consider a smaller form factor (helps with my 'aesthetic' desire). DDR3 based system a long with the AM3 processor means I could probably live off this board for quite a while, considering how little heavy lifting the computer actually has to do. If we get more serious about encoding, we go all the way up to a 6 core processor.
3. AMD Athlon II X2 240
2.8GHz is more than enough for what we're currently doing, and the dual core should help us out quite a bit with our light video encoding. It's low price point and power consumption are a two-fold wallet boon. The low power consumption also indicates that it will likely run cooler.
4. A Data 2GB DDR3 1600 Memory
I have to admit I'm a little uncomfortable with this purchase. I've used ADATA products in the past, and have found them to be of sub par quality. However ASRock recommends them (among many others) for the motherboard, the price is good, and the positive reviews tempted me to try them again. Additional sticks would allow for dual (and even triple) channel, but at the moment I don't think those would give us a significant kick in performance. We can always benefit from that later.

I'm pretty sure my existing power supply will fit the bill for this new computer as well. When the cost comes down a bit, I'll upgrade to one of those 80Plus certified power supplies. Additionally I will be re-using our existing DVD drive.

Looking at the above, I will now be able to:

1. Use PMR Hard Drives to back up our data
2. Run Windows 7 (and most importantly, WMC 7!)
3. Display 1080p effectively
4. Encode Video reasonably
5. Slightly improve our energy efficiency
6. Use HDMI Output

It's not everything I wanted, but it also minimizes the investment necessary to record live tv, improve the visual aesthetics, capture HD video from external sources, or enjoy BluRay videos. Best of all, I can add each of those in any order I want, depending on how my priorities may change.

Logitech Harmony remotes for Windows control (Part 3: Activities!)

Now comes the productive part: creating activities. In this example, we'll be setting up an activity to launch and control Hulu Desktop on your PC, using the Harmony remote.

In order to continue, be sure you have your devices added to the Logitech Harmony Remote Software. Primarily, you'll need your TV and the "Media Center PC" that we added in Part 2.

Note: The following directions were written for Logitech Harmony Remote Software 7.7

1. On the 'Activities' tab of the Harmony software, click the 'Add Activity' button.
2. Choose to manually add the activity.
3. Type of activity is 'Utility'
4. Chose Chose 'Generic Activity (Create a custom Activity)
5. Chose Next
6. Add your TV, as well as the 'Media Center PC'. If you're using some type of sound processor or receiver, you'll want to add it as well (I will not be using one for this example). Chose Save.
7. Chose the proper input for your TV (Input RGB on my Vizio)
8. Chose 'I don't need to set the input on my Microsoft Media Center PC)
9. Verify that in the report your TV is on, set to the proper input, and that no unnecessary devices are powered on. Hit Done.

Now you'll find yourself back at the Harmony Activities page. In the 'Generic Activity' box, click Customize Buttons. Now you'll have to go through and specify what each button on the Harmony is going to do for this activity. Each button must have the device, as well as the command programmed. Keep in mind that you only need to program the buttons you want to use, but that any button you leave unmapped will have no function. My button map looks like the following:

Click to enlarge.

We're almost done. Click the 'Additional Buttons' tab. This is where you can program the screen buttons to perform particular functions. Remember the Ctrl+Alt+A functions that we taught the Harmony earlier? Here is where we'll use those.

Label one Start Hulu, specify the Device to be Media Center PC, and the Command to be Ctrl+Alt+A

Note: Whatever you list as the 'Label' is what text will be displayed on the remote's screen. It's recommended that you keep this screen fairly simple to keep you from having to cycle between screens frequently.


Click DONE. Now you're almost ready to program the remote. In the Generic Activity box, click Settings. Choose Rename Generic Activity, and give it something more appropriate, like 'Watch Hulu'. Hit Done, then you find yourself back at the Remote Software's main screen. Make sure your Harmony is connected via USB, and click 'Update Remote'. Go ahead and minimize the Remote Software while it programs your Harmony.

Now you'll want to download and install Hulu Desktop if you haven't already. Once it's installed, make a shortcut to the application. The install process likely put a shortcut on your desktop, so we'll use that one.

Right click the icon and choose Properties. Click in the 'Shortcut key' field, and press the A key on your keyboard. Windows will automatically append Ctrl+Alt+ in front of it. Click OK.

Click to enlarge.

Now that you're remote is likely programmed, make sure your USB IR Receiver is plugged in, and give it a whirl. Launching your activity should now power on your TV, and set it to the proper input. From there you can launch Hulu by pressing the 'Start Hulu' screen button.

It's possible to combine the 'Start Hulu' function with the rest of everything else when you start the Activity, but as I use my HTPC for more than just Hulu, I like to have them separated.

Any problems, questions, or suggestions, use the comments!

Logitech Harmony remotes for Windows control (Part 2: Command Teaching)

So, by now you've got your Logitech Harmony remote, as well as the remote you'll be using to teach the Harmony how to control your PC.

(See Part 1 if you're lost)

2) Add a new Device in the Harmony Remote Software. Give it the following information:

Device: Computer > Media Center PC

Manufacturer: Microsoft

Model: A90-00007

This is the model number of a generic Microsoft Media Center Edition remote control. For our purposes, it doesn't matter what you put in here, but loading in the profile of a Media Center remote control requires the least amount of clean-up later, and makes it simple to keep the mapping of the functions between the DealExtreme (DE) remote and the Harmony logical.

If you purchased an actual Windows Media Center remote, you'll want to put in your remote's actual model number. If you're having trouble with that, call Logitech for support. You will probably also not need to follow the rest of this guide.

3) Chose 'Learn IR' under the Media Center PC

Plug the Harmony in to the computer running the Harmony software via USB. You can program ANY button on the DE remote to ANY command listed here. You can even create additional commands if you want to use one that's not listed here (we will do that, too).

You don't have to do them all, in fact for my purposes, I only mapped the following commands:

PowerToggle
VolumeUp
VolumeDown
DirectionRight (6 on the DE Remote)
DirectionLeft (4 on the DE Remote)
DirectionUp (2 on the DE Remote)
DirectionDown (8 on the DE Remote)
Back (Backspace on the DE Remote)
Enter (5 on the DE Remote)
FastForward
Mute
Pause
Play
Rewind
Stop

Now for the custom commands, I made 5 of them (Why? Because these Ctl+Alt key commands are great for launching applications!) :

Name: Ctrl+Alt+A
Map to: Blue-green 'A/Music' button on DE Remote

Name: Ctrl+Alt+B
Map to: Orange 'B/Movie' button on DE Remote

Name: Ctrl+Alt+C
Map to: Blue 'C/Photo' button on DE Remote

Name: Ctrl+Alt+D
Map to: Yellow 'D/TV' button on DE Remote

Name: Left Click
Map to: 'L' button on DE Remote

Note: The reason for these names is because these are the key combinations that those buttons on the DE remote are permanently mapped to.

If you're feeling adventurous, you can try to capture the mouse movements from the DE Remote. However, the DE Remote's mouse controlling feature is the worst part about the remote, as it's very difficult to capture absolute directions from it. Even still, using a digital remote to control a mouse is frustrating and slow--even when it works perfectly.

Keep in mind that the command's name is what the Harmony software will use to reference that command, it has no bearing on what the command actually does. For the sake of simplicity, you'll want to map them as directly as you can (DE Power button to the PowerToggle command, DE 0 button to 0 command, etc).

Also, it's a good idea to not have the USB IR receiver plugged in during this process. You don't want the DE remote accidentally telling your computer to shut down while you're teaching the Logitech its commands.

Now that the commands have been taught to the Harmony, we'll have to move on to configuring the Harmony's "Activities", which we'll continue in Part 3.

Logitech Harmony remotes for Windows control (Part 1: Introduction)

Anyone who has used a Logitech Harmony remote knows that while the programming interface is simple, it's no small task to get the remote configured 'just right'. You can fully expect to be in the application a lot for the first few weeks, always mapping a button, or tweaking an 'activity'. Making the remote control a PC is quite a bit more of a headache than I expected, but the end results are quite satisfying.

What you need to make this happen is a bit confusing, as the Logitech Harmony series of remotes are not 'Universal Remotes' so much as they are 'Remote Aggregators'. Chances are unless you've used a Harmony, you're wondering what a 'Remote Aggregator' is. Honestly, I just made it up, but it fits.

With a normal universal remote, you provide some Manufacturer's codes and in a few minutes you're able to power on your DVD player, cable box, and TV within a few seconds of each other.

Harmony remotes work a little differently. It's an "activity" based remote, which means you set up "Activities" (duh) involving multiple pieces of equipment using Logitech's programming interface. Usually you can just tell it the make and model of the device you wish the remote to replicate, and away it goes.

Unfortunately, even though Logitech is a company that is almost entirely based around PC peripherals, you cannot just punch in "Windows Computer" and watch it blow your mind. You have to make it replicate an existing Windows remote. Doing this is not time efficient, but is not too painful.

1) Acquire a PC remote control (yes, you must actually buy a remote to make your Harmony remote work). This is why the $9 DealExtreme remote stands out as such a good deal; you need both a USB IR Receiver, and a Remote to copy commands from. The remote is junk from a quality standpoint, but has a number of nice features, requires zero configuration to work on most computers, and being you only need to use it for maybe an hour, has a nice pricetag. You should be able to use the following guide for ANY remote to teach the Harmony, but an official MCE remote would take the least amount of work (I think, anyway).

2) Wait for the remote to be delivered. Once it shows up, continue on to part 2!

I can eliminate my cable bill? Where do I sign up?!

Most non-geeks' ears only perk up when I finally get to the 'cost' of our setup. In a world with 'triple-play packages', most people find themselves paying well over $100 a month to their cable/phone company. While our current setup doesn't have any phone capabilities, nor quite competes with TIVO's level of functionality, it covers the basics. Still, it's not for everyone.

What's the easiest way to see if it's for you? Simple. Take it for a test drive.

Assuming you've got an HDTV and a computer (a laptop would work well), taking a system like this for a test spin is simple.

First, get the right video cable. Check your TV's manual (or just take a look at the back, if you know what you're looking for) and see what types of inputs it accepts. Most LCDs these days have either VGA or DVI, and almost all of them have HDMI. Adapters are available if your TV has VGA, but your computer has DVI. A local computer store should be able to sell you one inexpensively. HDMI to VGA (or DVI) conversion is also possible, but it gets a little tricky. Don't get fooled into buying some pricey fancy HDMI cable. Cheap cables work just as well as expensive. I promise you.

Most LCD monitors allow you to remove the cable from the back of them, so you can typically just use the cable between your desktop and its monitor. If you're using a laptop, first make sure it has a VGA output (or HDMI output if it's new enough), then find a local computer store (avoid BestBuy/Target type stores if possible, they charge too much for these) and buy the cable you need. If you're using VGA you'll also need a 3.5mm stereo audio cable. HDMI will carry both your audio and video signal. Make sure the cables are male on both ends and 6 feet should be plenty for each of these cables, assuming you've got room around your TV for your computer.

Once you've got the cables connected to your monitor, make sure your inputs and resolutions are set properly, and you should be seeing your computer's desktop on your TV screen. You'll need to make sure your PC has a network connection, either wired or wireless. This may be ugly, but it's just for a short period.

Once you're online, congratulations, you're done!

From here, simply launch/view whatever media you wish. Using a keyboard and mouse may not be terribly convenient, but remember that you're just testing the waters here to see if the media selection available will mesh with your desires before you begin to sink money in fancy remote controls and/or wireless mice.

Below are the websites that we frequent when watching content:

http://www.hulu.com

http://www.adultswim.com

http://www.quicksilverscreen.com

http://www.netflix.com

Want to take it up a notch? Disconnect your cable or satellite box from the TV. Now you're actually simulating what it would be like if you didn't have cable (except the bill still shows up). Not having the ability to just 'switch over to watch the game' will really force you to feel out the setup's limitations.

If you're like us, you will also very quickly find one of the biggest bonuses of this type of setup: no more zombie-like "I'm just going to watch whatever is on." style of watching TV. Now you're watching a show because you want to watch THIS show, not just because you're bored and can't think of anything else to do. In the beginning, being forced to get up and try to find another show I wanted to watch was usually enough motivation to do something else entirely.

I encourage you to stick with this "test setup" for at least two weeks, to give you a chance to get over the honeymoon period, and to really begin to cope with what the system both offers and lacks. If you wind up hating it you can disconnect it all and put the computer back in the den. If you love it, you can then start thinking about what kinds of functionality you want to add, as well as begin working on a more permanent (and easier on the eyes) setup.