IMPORTANT NOTE: This service is for returning Cellar Cinemas HTPC customers ONLY
By adding this item to your shopping cart, we will perform a professional upgrade service on your HTPC with the upgrade options you select from the list below. Note that this is a very flexible ordering form that can be used by customers with older HTPCs as well as those with very current HTPCs. Please read through the options carefully and feel free to contact us if you are unsure which options are appropriate for your particular situation.
| HTPC Upgrade Service |
We perfom the following services for ALL HTPCs that arrive here for the HTPC Upgrade Service.
- Professional installation of all hardware upgrades selected from the options below. Also, a thorough internal hardware checkup and cleaning is performed.
- Professional installation of all software upgrades including carefully selected and configured BIOS, firmware, and driver updates.
- All tweaking, customizations, and tuning tricks that we use to turn a general-purpose computer into an audio/video component worthy of high-end home theater
- Updating all of your existing personal media libraries (My DVDs/Movies, My Music, My Videos, My Pictures, My Documents, etc). This can be very involved especially when we are expanding/adding RAID storage subsystems.
- HDNet 1080i HDTV demo content and Joe Kane Productions test patterns.
- Professional ISF-certified video calibrator performs oscilloscope video calibration.
- After running our full HTPC test suite to make sure everything is working properly, we create a new HTPC Recovery DVD for you.
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| Operating System Upgrade Option | Hardware Compatibility |
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Microsoft Windows Vista Ultimate Edition offers many new features that were previously not particularly user friendly or what we would call "home theater ready". In particular, the personal video recording (PVR) function is the first PC-based implementation that is worthy competition to a Tivo. With support for up to two standard definition recorders AND two over-the-air (OTA) HDTV tuners, our HTPCs can record four streams simulaneously to internal storage. You choose how much storage you need and you can add more at any time unlike a Tivo. Also you can burn both standard definition AND high-definition material to a writable DVD with the click of a few buttons on the remote control!
The cost of the Vista Ultimate Edition operating system portion of this upgrade service depends on the operating system that you are currently running.
What Operating System are you running now?:
If you are currently not running on the Vista operating system, we format your hard drive (only the C: partition, so personal documents and recordings on other drives/partitions are preserved) and "start over" with all of the HTPC firmware, drivers, and software components.
If you are currently running Windows XP Home or Pro, you will receive a handheld remote control, USB IR receiver, and IR emitters for any tuners that you order below.
For Windows XP Media Center Edition customers, if you purchase an additional tuner from the options below, you will receive an additional IR emitter for your existing USB IR receiver. Your existing handheld remote control works just fine with Vista.
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Microsoft XP Windows Vista Ultimate Edition is compatible with all of our HTPC-5xx models and higher, unless you want BluRay support which requires additional hardware. HTPC-4xx models require additional hardware and you should contact us first before ordering this upgrade. HTPC-2xx and HTPC-3xx models cannot be upgraded.
However, Microsoft Windows Vista Ultimate Edition is not compatible with all of the hardware we have offered in our HTPC models in the past. If you have any of the following boards in your system, we will remove them and send them back to you in anti-static bags.
- ATi Radeon before the 9800-series
- nVidia GeForce before the 6800-series
- Holo3DGRaph (both I and II)
- MyHD MDP-1xx
- PDI Deluxe
- Osprey-100
- SDI Silk-100 and Silk-200
- WinTV-PVR
- AccessDTV
- HiPix DTV-200
- M-Audio 2496, Delta 410, and Revolution
- HDTV Wonder
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| Upgrade Option | Feature | Benefit |
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| Chassis |
We can transplant your existing HTPC into a new HTPC-796 or HTPC-797 chassis with 2 x 5.25" (both exposed) and 6 x 3.5" internal drive bays. These cases cool very well and look great with their anodized aluminum front bezels. Ventilation is front-to-back making rack-mounting and tight shelving possible. Two front USB ports and one FireWire/IEEE1394 port makes it convenient for temporary connection to a digital camera or camcorder. There are high-end feet just like an AV receiver with rubber pads to protect your cabinet shelf. Behind the small door in the front is a 52-in-1 card reader which is very convenient for reading SD cards from digital cameras.
The HTPC-797 chassis features a touchscreen that is a very cool and useful feature unique in this HTPC. We program the touchpanel on the front to mirror the primary video output so you don't have to turn on your display device to perform maintenance, rip a CD, etc. You can use your finger or stylus/closed pen to navigate the entire user interface! Note that there is a separate on/off switch for the touchpanel if you want total darkness when watching a movie on your main display.
Note that if you have an HTPC-594, we can update your system to the HTPC-720 chassis to provide the full height needed for the video adapter options listed below. The HTPC-720 chassis upgrade is only available to HTPC-594 customers.
This upgrade includes a new super-quiet and efficient cooling system.
Case Color Option:
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Beautiful case fits in nicely with your other components in anodized aluminum black or silver. |
| Motherboard |
If you have an older system (ie, before the HTPC-595 series) and would like to move up to state-of-the-art performance, HDMI support, and BluRay-compatibility, you will need to upgrade the core components of your HTPC which are the motherboard, CPU, RAM, and video output board.
Intel® DX38BT full size ATX desktop LGA775 X38 Express chipset board with integrated PCI Express x16 slots, 6 x Serial ATA RAID-5 (3.0-Gbps), 2 x external Serial ATA, Firewire, High Definition Audio, and Gigabit LAN support. Two PCI Express x16 video, one PCI Express x16 (electrical x4) slot, and two PCI slots with PCI 2.2 compliance. This motherboard is ultra-reliable (our first priority above all) for dependable HTPC use. It also supports the new Intel® Core™2 Quad processors and Intel® Viiv Technology.
Motherboard Upgrade Option:
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State-of-the-art motherboard featuring the state-of-the-art chipset and high-bandwidth video support.
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| Processor |
Intel® Intel® Core™2 Duo Conroe 64-bit 8-MB Quad Core CPU with a 1066-MHz front bus. These CPUs can easily handle 720p and 1080p BluRay VC-1 and H.264/AVC decoding and even high-definition video encoding. Unless you have a HTPC-79x or higher HTPC, you must also order the motherboard upgrade if you want to also upgrade to one of these processors.
Processor Option (including custom CPU quiet cooling kit):
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Core™2 Quad processors are amazingly fast and perfect for an HTPC optimized for quiet operation. |
| Memory |
If you have less than 1-GB of memory in your system, we recommend that you upgrade to at least 1-GB total for an optimal Vista experience. 2-GB is recommended for servers that are used with client HTPCs and extenders. We use high-quality extended bandwidth memory that is optimized for your system. This memory performs well is very reliable for a rock-solid HTPC.
Memory Option:
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Vista requires more memory than previous operating systems. |
| Hard Disks |
Seagate Barracuda SoftSonic Ultra ATA-100 and Serial ATA 7200-RPM fluid dynamic bearing drive with whisper-quiet operation. The Seagates are the quietest drives on the market and excellent performers too. Seagate also offers an industry-leading 5-year warranty from authorized dealers (Cellar Cinemas is an authorized Seagate dealer). We set it up for quiet operation which is a custom firmware tweak.
The best way to choose how many drives you require is to add up the number of CDs and movies that you will store. Movie DVD backups require on average 7-GB of storage each. Music CDs stored in a lossless format require approximately 400-MB each. HDTV transport streams from HDTV recorders and D-VHS transfers run approximately 8-GB per hour. Standard definition recordings require 3-GB per hour of content.
Whenever possible depending on the system configuration, we always use the top-of-the line serial ATA (SATA) drives with the biggest drive buffer size available from Seagate. We also only use high-quality braided cabling which is important for airflow.
Replacement Primary/System Hard Drive:
Add a Second Media Storage Hard Drive:
Add a Third Media Storage Hard Drive:
Add a Fourth Media Storage Hard Drive:
For our HTPC-595 and higher customers, we can expand the capacity of your RAID array and even change the RAID level. Just make sure that you pick the same size hard drives in the selections above which must be the same size as the drive(s) already in your system. If you are not sure what size drives you have now, contact us and we'll let you know. We preserve all of your media content for this conversion/expansion.
RAID Level for Array 1:
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You'll want as much storage space as possible if you are recording HDTV and storing a large media collection! Local hard drives are the fastest and most compatible storage available for HTPC use.
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| CD/DVD-ROM and HD-DVD/Blu-Ray Drives |
We provide two CD/DVD media reading and writing drives so you can easily make copies of your media. One drive is customized to be an extremely quiet playback drive and the other is customized to be a very fast media ripper. The DVD-ROM drives write dual-layer DVDs at 8X and single layer at 18X. We provide all of the tweaks required to make this drive run super fast or super quiet and region-free.
CD/DVD-ROM and Combination Drives:
 
HD-DVD and Blu-Ray are the two competing high-definition media formats on the market today. There are hundreds of 1080p-quality discs available to purchase or rent today.
IMPORTANT: Your HTPC must have the horsepower and available ports required to decode the video on these new BluRay movie discs. Please contact us first before ordering the HD-DVD/BluRay drive to be sure that your system is HD-ready.
We include all of the hardware, licensed software, configuration, and calibration required to playback HD-DVD and Blu-Ray movies in their finest quality with full support for VC-1, H.264/AVC, and MPEG2 at 1080p.
Secondary CD/DVD-ROM or HD-DVD/Blu-Ray Drive:
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The quietest black and silver DVD-ROM drives on the market. The dual-layer DVD writer is awesome and optional HD-DVD BluRay drive is state-of-the-art. |
| Video Output Board |
Our standard output board for HTPC upgrades, the nVIDIA GeForce 7600GT, offers excellent video quality, hardware-based video post-processing including WM9-HD acceleration, and a reference video DAC for clean VGA/RGBHV output. This board is compatible with all HTPC models eligible for this upgrade package. If your HTPC has an older video output board, we strongly recommend that you add this upgrade option to your order.
For customers with an HTPC-595 or higher, we offer an upgrade to the nVidia 8x00 boards which offer state-of-the-art performance, video quality, HDCP support over DVI-D, 3D gaming, and H.264 hardware acceleration.
There are three independent connectors for VGA/RGBHV, DVI-D which is 100% compatible with HDMI with our optional DVI-to-HDMI cable, standard and high-definition YPrPb component video output, and standard definition s-video/composite. There are limitations on the simultaneous use of each of these outputs. We recommend and support only one simultaneously active video output.
Video Output Board Option:
Video Output Method:
If you selected DVI-D as the output method above, then you may want to consider the next option which is a special little box that sits between your HTPC and your display. Many home theater displays send incorrect or incomplete EDID information to the HTPC which prevents us from sending 720p or other non-computer video timings. We program this box with a custom EDID that defines 480p, 720p, 1080i, and 1080p. It comes with a short DVI-D cable that goes between the box and the HTPC DVI-D output. You just plug in your DVI-D (or DVI-D to HDMI) cable from your display.
DVI-D EDID Box Option:
We offer custom timings and resolutions custom designed and tested for HDTV, DILA, DLP, LCD, Plasma, and CRT display devices. If you tell us the make/model of your equipment, we optimize the HTPC for your display device. We target the native panel resolution for digital projectors and plasma displays, and accurate EIA-861B HDTV timings for HDTV direct view and rear projection sets. We even have 60, 72, and 120Hz custom modes for CRT front projectors including 1080p! Digital 720p and 1080p sets can be driven at their native rate thus avoiding double-scaling. There are also controls in the HTPC for overscan compensation which is important for most displays even digital display devices.
Primary Video Resolution and Timing:
Don't forget to add a broadcast-quality video cable to your order. Especially at longer lengths, cables do matter for high-bandwidth video. We have a special DVI to HDMI cable that is intended to be used to connect our HTPCs to the HDMI input on your display device. Don't worry about any language in your TV manual about connecting computers to HDMI. This is an HTPC which means that it obeys EIA standards for video output, not PC signals.
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This HTPC provides the highest quality video for home theaters especially with our custom modifications and calibration. |
| Personal Video Recorder |
This upgrade features a very robust personal video recorder (PVR) that works with cable and satellite set-top-boxes. A free graphical and remote-controllable program guide is included. Just like a Tivo, this PVR can be configured to automatically record a whole series like all episodes of Desperate Housewives without recording the repeats. You can even pause live TV! All of the recordings go to your hard drives which means you can have as much recording capacity as you want without limitation.
Our video input board for this HTPC has a built-in over-the-air and cable TV tuner, FM radio tuner, s-video input, and analog LR audio inputs. We include an IR blaster so the HTPC can control your cable or satellite set-top-box connected to the HTPC via s-video and analog audio.
Note that this HTPC wants to be a PVR and not a general purpose video processor for upscaling video from VCR, PVR, STBs, etc. We cannot use the Holo3DGRaph board, PDI Deluxe, or other general purpose video processing boards in this HTPC.
First Tuner Board:
Your PVR input board can be connected to a satellite or cable receiver/set-top-box (STB). For optimal video quality, this should be via s-video. Let us know what you have so we can set it all up for you in advance and test against the same equipment that you have in your own home.
PVR Source:
PVR Source Connection Method:
We support dual-tuner operation so you can record one show while you watch another. Both tuners must be connected to the same type of source (cable or satellite, not both). If you have set-top-boxes (STB) for your cable or satellite service, then you need TWO of them, one connected to each tuner in the HTPC. The HTPC has two IR emitters for controlling each STB.
Note: Do not mix and match tuners. The second tuner must be identical to the first tuner in your HTPC. Contact us if you are not sure what tuner you already have in your system.
Optional Second Tuner Board:
If you selected a second tuner board, then let us know what it will be controlling. You cannot switch source types, but the box can be a different model. So, two different DirecTV receivers are okay, but you cannot have a DirecTV receiver on the first tuner and a cable box on the second tuner.
Second PVR Source:
Second PVR Source Connection Method:
One of the more exciting features that we can now offer is over-the-air HDTV PVR capability that is completely integrated with the program guide and PVR function used by the standard definition tuners. You can record one HDTV show while you watch another. You can even record two standard definition programs at the same time you record an HDTV program!
Before purchasing this option, you should make sure that you can receive over-the-air (OTA) HDTV in your area. Refer to HDTV Programming Info
and HDTV Antenna Requirements for more information. The only input on this tuner is a coaxial RF connector to an antenna.
Optional Over-the-Air HDTV Tuner Board:
Don't forget to add a high-quality s-video cable to your order. Especially at longer lengths, cables do matter for high-quality video.
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This is one of the most dramatic functions of an HTPC. Record TV to your hard drive and even pause live TV! |
| Audio |
This HTPC features state-of-the-art digital audio including true 44.1-kHz 2-channel bitstreams for critical music listening. We fully support Dolby Digital and DTS digital audio of all formats that are decoded in your receiver or pre/pro, or optionally decoded by the HTPC and output via the 5.1 analog audio outputs. All audio from the HTPC including CD/MP3, DVD, WM9-HD, and even HDTV from the HDTV tuner/recorder card are output from the audio output you select below (depending on your particular HTPC model).
For you audiophiles, all music is stored at the highest quality WMA or MP3 format, or even in a completely lossless-encoding format if you prefer. The HTPC can playback music in any of these formats as well as FLAC.
Audio Output:
Audio Encoding:
Don't forget to add a high-quality audio cable to your order.
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Route encoded Dolby Digital/DTS and audiophile-grade 2-channel audio to your audio processor. Rip your entire CD collection to the HTPC and enjoy the high-quality audio and convenience of a digital jukebox.
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| Wireless LAN |
If you have a wireless LAN, we can install a Wireless 802.11 a/b/g adapter that works with all of the latest standards for high-speed wireless networking.
Wireless LAN Option:
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Connect to the Internet via ethernet or wireless LAN.
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IMPORTANT NOTE: This service is for returning Cellar Cinemas HTPC customers ONLY
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