I am debating building a HTPC and running XBMC. From what I have read, it seems like it is a PITA to get sound through HDMI if you use the live way of booting the HTPC. Basically I was thinking of getting a Zotac Zbox, loading it up with ram, install a small SSD drive in it to run live boot of XBMC, then hang a huge USB drive off of it for storage. Anyone have first hand experience building something like this?
Yeah, I just didnt really want to have a wireless keyboard and nouse in my HT area. Plus the bloat of Windows 7 on the machine. I guess if all else fails I can go this route.
I dont actually use a mouse and keyboard. I use this :http://www.google.com/products/cata...og_result&ct=result&resnum=3&ved=0CDAQ8wIwAg#
I use Boxee on an Acer Aspire Revo running Win7, run to the tv through native HDMI. The nvidia card handles video and audio just fine. Works almost perfectly. The bonus there over running an XBMC live boot is that it's really a standalone PC running better media center software than usual. I can do whatever I want with it. And if you don't like the wireless desktop on your coffee table, there are iOS and Android app remotes for XBMC and Boxee.
I use my Harmony One remote with Boxee and XBMC on my laptop and the original XBOX DVD IR Dongle. Works great. Even the old original XBOX remote works. Pick up a MCE remote and give it a try. http://wiki.xbmc.org/index.php?title=Using_an_MCE_remote_control_in_Windows
Sweet, Xbox Kinect hack controls XBMC now too. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BKyFL3CgIXc&feature=player_embedded He is still working on the software but you can request it if you want to play around with it: johnsel _on_ gmail _dot_ com .
I've used this keyboard as well with success. http://www.amazon.com/Wireless-Mult...M7S0/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1292513103&sr=8-3
That is awesome considering I have a Kinetic unit at my house I guess I will be loading Win7 Ultimate on the box and running XBMC or BOXEE
It can pretty much do anything. Post your hardware setup and final results too. I've been thinking about a dedicated HTPC for a while now but something compact. That Zotac looks promising. I want a dual core processor for fluid 1080p.
Airplay hack for XBMC... http://www.engadget.com/2010/12/21/airplay-hacked-onto-xbmc-ubuntu-pc-windows-next-video/
Now I can't remember what I read… I think maybe what the issue is is that moonlight doesn't support hardware acceleration for hd video. All I remember is that that was something that kept me from doing an XBMC Live install. But really, Silverlight doesn't do that either… I can't remember.
Not on my machine. It's grossly underpowered anyway, but everything else works fine (native hd, flash hd).
I dont use netflix anyway and I have other devices hooked up that can stream netflix if I ever change my mind. I am so torn right now on what to do. I do have a license of Win 7 Ultimate I guess I could use for it.
Might as well. That way you'll have the option of doing boxee or xbmc, and doing whatever else you'd do with a normal PC.
Methinks I need to try an update Silverlight. Normally Netflix prompts me for these things. Edit: Silverlight 5 beta available "sometime 2011." Suck.
Just got a Lenovo N5901 to use with the HTPC and so far it's the most awesome thing ever. Way better than a standard wireless desktop setup, and better still than the free Logitech keyboard app for my iPhone. It's even got a ctrl+alt+delete button.(!!!) Some people have complained about the range, but it appears to be working just fine even three rooms away. Full disclosure, the link above is an Amazon affiliate link. Pasted here in case it doesn't work: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B0036VO67I
Ok, I just purchased a new video card for my main computer in the bedroom. It is one of the new Radeon cards that supports eyefinity. I can run both DVI displays (one has to go through the Display Port) and full HDMI out with sound. So three displays out of this card. I plan on running XBMC with it. I hope everything works out ok....if so, I will build my HTPC next week. Just curious how people are ripping blu-ray discs? I have DVD Copy and it will rip the blu ray to an ISO file but I havent found anything that will actually playback a blu-ray ISO. Including XBMC. My friend was telling me there is some other software out there that will rip it in a format that XBMC can read and still get 1080P quality. Anyone have any ideas on this?
Which card? There's a handful of Radeon cards that have Eyefinity, if I'm not mistaken. And those cards are fucking beastly. I still run a 9800GT 512MB..... (((((((((
I got the Radeon 5770 with 1 gig of memory. Had to purchase an active display port to dvi adaptor. I got Boxee and XBMC running and so far, I like Boxee better. I also just ordered my HTPC last night. Well, I ordered the rest of the parts for it. Going with an Intel i5 processor with 8 gigs of ram, 64GB SSD, Blu-Ray player and this kit below. http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16856115034 Going to see how the integrated HDMI out works with my HT.
Wait whaaat. You had to buy an adapter for the Eyefinity ports? The cards are supposed to come with all of the adapters, I'm pretty sure. And that HTPC is gonna be a beast. Are you just gonna be running Blu-Ray/DVD discs? Now a days, integrated video cards are supposed to be pretty good, compared to what was integrated before. Of course, it's always tons better to get a dedicated video card, but if the budget doesn't call for it, integrated is a good fall-back. Or a low-profile card. Lol http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814131350 I used to have an integrated video card... Then I upgraded to an MX400 ROFL.
Well to get all the 3 displays working at one time out of one card you have to use the Displayport. You need an adaptor from displayport to DVI/VGA and the adaptor has to be an active adaptor. I tried using a passive adaptor I had at work with no luck. I knew it going into buying the card but I was just hoping the adaptor I had at work was active. I am going to be running Blu-Rays, Boxee, XBMC, and wehatever else I would need a computer for in my HT with the new system I am building. I know, probably a little overkill but once I get started on a new computer, I can't help myself Will try the integrated HDMI to see if everything works OK....If not, I will get a lowpro radeon card.
Athlon II X6 8GB RAM MSI MB with USB3, SATA6gb, 7.1 TrueHD and DTS-HD on board Epson 8500 projector Onkyo NR5007 AVR ATI Radeon 5600 series with 1080p and audio via HDMI out 40GB SSD for Win7 2TB HDD for media Samsung Bluray PS3 xBox 4gb Kinect Polk 400's and CS20 Polk RC85's x6 for surrounds Onkyo bookshelf for front highs Onkyo PS10 front sub Bic F12 rear sub (under seat stage) Waiting for CETON InfinitV card to ship. Will use HTPC for this room and xBoxs for 3 other rooms. I'd like to give Comcast 4 HD box's back including the DVR. Will post more when the card comes in.
the new nvidia GT430 1gb cards have HDMI audio streaming as well. I just picked one up at frys for 49 bucks. Bluray works great with them too it seems. My only complaint about the Lenovo is the lack of a lit keyboard. its great but impossible to read in the dark. I'm running win 7 mc with boxee and hulu desktop integration and its great, i'd love to see what those cable card adapters can do!
Ceton InfinitV arrived and called Comcast last night. 4 tuner in PC with Win Media Center via Xbox and a Linksys DMA2200. I might get 2 more Linksys boxes after testing how good the picture quality is compared to HD cable box. The guide is better than Comcast and lots of other features- just no on demand. Still need to setup the Harmony to control the PC, as the wireless keyboard is great for getting things started, but lousy as a tv remote.