PC > HTPC Conversion, Software and BD Questions

[fitch.j]

Ok, So i've been given a Samsung HD TV, having not had a HD TV Before the thought of a HTPC wasn't anything i was considering but now i am and having a few questions. I'll try and give as much detail so that you guys can see what i'm aiming for here.
Currently i have a pretty standard setup, Sound into an AMP with surround sound, standard monitor, with PC Specs being as follows:
Intel i5 750 2.79Ghz Quad, 4GB Ram, GeForce 8800GT, W7 64Bit

The aim is to keep this being able to run exactly as it is at present, for PC games etc, then to use the second output on the Graphics Card to go to the Tv, and a switch for the amp to send the sound to a different set of speakers in order to use it as a HTPC. The switch i have now. Does anybody else use their HTPC as a standard machine on a different monitor? Does this work ok with being able to switch between screens ok etc?

I'm looking at getting this BD Drive http://www.ebuyer.com/product/172638
And as far as i can tell i'm going to need AnyDVD HD, and DVDFab in order to correctly backup them to the Media Drive in my computer. Will I will then need some software to play them back from there? Or can this just be done with Windows Media Centre ? Any issues because of my 64bit OS ?

For connecting to the TV, the TV has a VGA input port as well as HDMI ports, i have tested connecting to the TV With the VGA port and once resolution is set to the native 1080x1920 the quality looks very very good. When connecting via a DVI>HDMI and a (£89.99) HDMI Cable the image quality seemed no better, slightly brighter maybe but that can be adjusted, plus i have heard that there are then audio sync issues that need to be addressed with HDMI and audio out? Is it worth going the HDMI connection route when the VGA looks just as good as it is ? Obviously i havent been able to test with a Blu Ray yet as i dont have a drive.

I'm also going to be looking for a Remote, i've been looking throgh the threads here and there are some good links to some good pages with remotes in so i've got plenty to look through, but if anyone has any specific suggestions it'd be appreciated, i'm looking for something small and thin. Not as big as a standard remote for a TV.

If anyone else sees any isses i may hit as you've been through it before just let me know. Thanks for any help.

[Chef_Brian1]

GeForce should be able to easily use 2 monitors, and switch back and forth between them. I have an LCD monitor & Samsung TV hooked up simultaneously, and it works fine. GeForce should allow easy control of both, but may also look into UltraMon to manage windows on 2 monitors.

Note: I have used DVDFab extensively, very powerful program able to archive 95+% of DVDs reliably without playback problems. Note that DVDFab and AnyDVD conflict with each other (i.e., if AnyDVD is operating in the background then DVDFab will request you to disable AnyDVD to work). Suggest starting with DVDFab to see if it meets your needs before buying AnyDVD--Be aware that DVDFab has both standard-def and Blu-ray versions. I've had no issue running on 64 bit OS.

I tried the DVI-->HDMI cable, but was never able to reliably send audio (video was fine). For simplicity, I would use HDMI-->HDMI (especially if you plan BD archiving) where audio is no issue.

As to remote, no real recommendations. There is a ~$100 Hauppage TV card (1600, I think) that comes bundled with a WMC remote that works fine for me---Navigates, rew/ff, play, menus, works with My Movies, etc.

With WMC, the software I use for DVD archive playback is My Movies, hands-down. Freeware, though accepts donations to turn on features. Powerful SQL database implemented by Brian Binnerup with plug-in server/client video jukebox in WMC to display DVD cover art, info, etc. Best way to go in my opinion, it should meet all your needs. Also 64 bit compatible. Note that it will also support Blu-ray playback, though you'll also need Total Media Theater 3 to plug in--Advantage is that both My Movies & TMT3 plug-in to WMC, so you never leave WMC to play back.

Have fun!