Hi Brad,

I may be able to help you with some of this stuff. I just went through setting up a HTPC myself. It was quite a task -- more than I had expected it to be...

I'm doing something like this:

A server in my basement holds everything that I may need to access from other points in the house (various movies, all my CDs, pictures, etc.). In addition to that server, two desktops and two laptops connect to the network by either Cat5 or wireless, depending on their needs.

The HTPC sits behind my TV and is connected to my TV using a VGA cable.

I use PowerDVD to playback whatever DVDs are sitting on my Server.

I use Winamp to play back all CDs, which are stored in FLAC format.

I can view pictures on the TV using whatever photo program I want.

I use a cheap digital audio card to hook from the PC to the 990. After a bit of trouble getting it to work, I have had no problems.

I think the biggest pain for me was getting my TV to handle a 1280x720 (720p) signal from my PC. I had to use a program called PowerStrip to get this close to working, and I'm still not 100% satisfied with it. I think I need a calibration on my TV to get all the way there.

So that's kind of how everything is hooked together. I'd be happy to discuss further what I'm doing, and how I might be able to contribute to your system. Post here, or PM me, and let's talk. We all put so much time, effort and money into this hobby and sometimes our wives and friends just don't appreciate it all!

Let me know, and best of luck either way.

-- Otto