Bitstream over HDMI for HTPC

[Bryce_H]

Good morning all
So I am looking to upgrade my HTPC to be able to get an audio bitstream through HDMI to my receiver. My current video is passed through a DVI to HDMI cable and the audio is passed through optical. The HTPC runs/performs the following:
- Windows 7 Professional
- Windows Media Center
- Live TV over antenna – uncompressed 1080P
- DVR (up to 2 simultaneous uncompressed 1080P recordings while also streaming from net or my server)
- Stream from my server (WHS11) in the basement
- Stream from Netflix
- Stream from Amazon Prime

Current hardware to be reused:
- SSD
- 8GB of RAM
- Powersupply
- Case
- Tuner card
I anticipate reusing most of my current hardware so am really only concerned about the motherboard and CPU. I have a mid-tower case so motherboard size in not a concern. A couple questions:
1) Should I use integrated graphics or reuse my two 9800GTX cards in SLI?
2) If I go integrated graphics, based on the tasks above, should I go AMD or Intel?
a. Recommendations for each?
3) If I reuse the two 9800GTX in SLI, I will likely go intel – how powerful a CPU do I need
4) I have not been able to get any definitive answers on how to ensure a motherboard will pass a bitstream over HDMI. Will every motherboard with an HDMI port pass a bitstream?
5) Any particular suggestions of motherboards (again I have a mid-tower case) for:
a. Intel 1150 (for Intel integrated graphics)
b. AMD FM2/FM2+ (for AMD integrated graphics)
c. Intel without integrated graphics

Budget is under $250
Any information is greatly appreciated. Thank you.

 

[BoredSysAdmin]

a) for HD bitstream to happen all you need is video card with hdmi out and supporting HD bitstreaming on hdmi
b) 9800GTX unfortunately doesn't and you do need new video card (or integrated)
c) I think at nowdays any modern cpu with integrated video SHOULD be able to do bitstream, but YMMV - I'm not expert. With Intel you might have issue with windows drivers supporting this.
d) as for dedicated video card I'd recommend GTX 960 due to support for hardware decode AND encode the newest compression HEVC H.265 (about twice more efficient over regular AVC/h.264)
e) specific mobo - I like Asrock - get the cheapest one, as long it supports features required by you.

 

[Bryce_H]

So as a follow-up to your d)...are you suggesting to not get a new cpu/ipu and motherboard and just upgrade my video card?

 

[BoredSysAdmin]

Basically yes, htpc doesn't need much resources. I have Atom/ion box plays 1080p with hd audio bitstreaming without any issues

 

[Bryce_H]

ok, my current hardware is:

EVGA 132-CK-NF79
2.67 Ghz Intel Core2 Quad
Samsung SSD 840 Evo
2 sticks of OCZ3N1800SR4GK(I thought it was 8)
DVD drive SH-S203B
Two Geforce 9800GTX in SLI
Hauppauge WinTV-HVR-2250
Coolermaster RS-850-EMBA Powersupply

 

[BoredSysAdmin]

if my cpu can handle htpc duty - http://www.cpubenchmark.net/cpu.php?cpu=Intel+Atom+D2700+@+2.13GHz
I can't see why yours cpu can't:
http://www.cpubenchmark.net/cpu.php?cpu=Intel+Core2+Quad+Q9400+@+2.66GHz

It's not about hardware (well, except the video card - it's need to have proper features) but the secret sauce is in software

 

[Bryce_H]

I run Windows Media Center because it it intuitive for the family. works well enough. When I first set it up I tried to get XBMC to work and another one (can't remember the name) and while more powerful were too tweaky for the family. I travel so thing generally need to "just work"

 

[BoredSysAdmin]

I find openelec/xbmc is pretty easy to use. I guess plex is easier but it doesn't support hd bitstreaming

 

[Bryce_H]

so on a different forum board they suggested a different cable and I still couldn't get it to work...
I think I am onto new MB and CPU with integrated graphics...
I am thinking of Intel Core i3-4330 Dual Core Processor 3.5 2 NA (BX80646I34330)
As I look at new motherboard, I am thinking of an H97 board with HDMI under $100..
Does it matter what audio chip I have on the board?
Any good suggestions?
Thanks everyone for the help.

 

[BoredSysAdmin]

these guys on the other forum are morons. Geforce 9800GTX doesn't support hd audio over hdmi, only with special spd/if cable, but the later is not allowed to bitstream hd audio. catch 22.
Newer cards do. GTX 960 has proper support, but I guess if you forget about 4k support probably you could find much cheaper video card to support this. Not sure re: Nvidia cards, but ATI supported hd bitstreaming since Radeon HD 6000 series

more reading about i3 bitstreaming here:
https://doityourselfhtpc.wordpress.com/2010/09/13/bitstreaming-dolby-truehd-and-dts-hd-with-intel-core-i3/

 

[Bryce_H]

yea..I didn't have high hopes, but for $7.50 it was a cheap hope...

Looks like most of the GTx960 boards are going for about $200, which is only slightly less than a new CPU/MB combo.

If I go the Intel i3 route any good suggestions on a MB.

 

[BoredSysAdmin]

http://www.amazon.com/EVGA-GeForce-Profile-Graphics-01G-P3-3731-KR/dp/B00L5GZOOK/?&tag=bom-tomshardware-20&ascsubtag=[site|thaus[cat|[art|[pid|B00L5GZOOK[tid|14255903761936774[bbc|LESPRIX

with free bonus - silent passive cooling

http://www.geforce.com/hardware/notebook-gpus/geforce-gt-730m/specifications

hd audio bitsteaming supported