Notes on my long running project to build a HTPC to replace my aging PVR has had many issues. The HDMI output is from the GPU on an Intel i3-3220 CPU in a Gigabyte GA-Z68M-D2H motherboard which is then connected to a Pioneer SC-LX57 AVR and then onto a Panasonic TH50PZ700A 50″ plasma screen. No sound…

The following image shows the inputs available on the rear of the Pioneer SC-LX57: There are eight HDMI inputs (IN1, BD, IN2, IN3, IN4, IN6, IN7 and IN8) on the back panel with an additional HDMI input on the front (IN5/MHL). There are two component inputs, two coaxial digital inputs, two optical digital inputs and…

What better way to wake in the morning than to a bit of streaming radio? No longer limited to the few FM or AM radio stations in your area and the option to the play your own music or stream from online music sources. There were were two devices that I had in mind when…

The trusty Beyonwiz DP-P1 had served me well for a few years but the 250G hard drive was starting to feel a bit small. Research suggested that it was important that any new hard drive didn’t consume much more power than the original drive. If a SATA drive was to be used some a SATA…