What's on your HTPC?

JuanR

I just ordered a Lenovo IdeaCentre Q150 to use as my HTPC. Anyboby use Splash Lite or Splash Pro on your system? They claim to eliminate the judder associated with HD. What do you guys use/recommend? How about files? what kind are best for HD content?

Basically, what's on your HTPC? What do you like or recommend?

Thanks

Juan

maximillian

Still using XBMC on original Xbox. Can't handle HD but the user-interface is wonderful. I have an WD TV Live plus for HD but the user-interface is no where near XBMC.

Files... used to use Xvid/avi. Migrating over to H.264. All files stored on a NAS. Love the setup.

JuanR

That XBMC looks pretty cool. They have some nice stuff in their Gallery. Thanks for the info.

cokewithvanilla

I use Win7 Media Center. Adding Shark007's codec pack = support for just about any file type. Mymovies addon is excellent for a movie library replacement that includes backdrops, metadata retrieval, actor profiles, ratings, ect. Netflix support is excellent on media center. It includes photo support, so it can be left up as a picture slideshow when not in use. Everything is controlled from a regular remote. Moreover, all this is free if your version of W7 has MC

My biggest complaint with media center is that every now and then it loses guide functionality and then you lose tv recording, and have to resetup the guide/channels. Other than that, I set one up for my parents and they use it daily for Music/TV/Netflix/Pictures/DVD/BR/Downloaded or Ripped content and have no issues... it's literally their only source in their living room setup

I'm having trouble with the features listed on the Splash page.. it seems the 'hd-cam' version is the only one that supports... well... anything... and it isn't out yet. I don't understand all their versions... they have a tv version, a bd version, a dvd version... Isn't there an "everything" version?

edit: I would recommend that you clone the hard drive once you set it up perfectly. If anything happens, use the image for a new HD and you're up and running.

intangible

I just run Windows 7 and VNC in from my laptop. I don't see any way I would personally benefit from running a gimped operating system.

maximillian

Some other general advice. Sorry if you have already addressed with these issues:

1) Make sure to make your HTPC as quiet as possible.
2) Make sure to hook it up to a UPS.
3) Pay attention to component aesthetics.
4) Try to figure out power consumption, and minimize it.
5) Minimize bootup time if you shut the PC down often. If not, then pay attention to #4.
6) Finally, you want your setup to be non-techie proof even if you are good at tech. The last thing you want to do is have to mess with tech settings when you would rather be watching TV.

ben62670

My HTPC is my main PC. It is in another room. I have the audio sent out via CAOX to my homemade DAC. Video is via analog out to the TV. My TV sucks so I don't care too much about that. I have a remote for my PC which can easily reach the other room from the listening position. Also you can use a laptop with remote desktop connection to control the PC. I thought long and hard about using some sort of music server device, but PC's can handle any format except SACD. They are pretty much future proof and hard drives are cheap. With the cost of BR drives dropping it is also great for doing HiRes video via most TV's.

cokewithvanilla

BR drives are like $50, but with the pc you bought, it would have to be external. It's no biggie, I put a br drive in and it has only ever been used once for testing. All HD content is downloaded to the pc.

edit: oh, I don't know if that thing you bought has IR, but if not, you might want to try this: http://www.buy.com/prod/wireless-bluetooth-rii-mini-keyboard-touchpad-fr-pc-laptop/q/sellerid/18700237/loc/101/217317414.html

Saves you from an ugly IR device and does not have to be in the line of sight

ben62670

If it is this one it comes with BR
http://www.amazon.com/Lenovo-IdeaCenter-30114MU-21-5-Inch-Desktop/dp/B0035ER00G

cokewithvanilla

ben62670 wrote: »

If it is this one it comes with BR
http://www.amazon.com/Lenovo-IdeaCenter-30114MU-21-5-Inch-Desktop/dp/B0035ER00G

that's mad fugly though!!!


this is his: http://shop.lenovo.com/us/landing_pages/ideacentre/2010/q150

fatchowmein

Windows 7 with Media Center + Media Browser + ATI 4670 + lots of tweaking. No judder (mpc-hc, hardware acceleration because no way the low power cpu can handle 1080p). Backup provided by Windows Home Server on the backend.

I concur with Maximillian's list.

JuanR

Yes Maximillians list will be followed. That Shark007's codec pack looks like it allows you to configure it for different modes. I just downloaded it for my old computer which runs on Windows XP. I will play with it here until I get the Lenovo computer.

I guess i'm going to start with Windows 7 MC + Shark007 codecs for now.

Keep posting your recommendations! The goal is to run a trouble free HTPC with all the goodies working as they should.

Thanks!!

nadams

I just run Windows XP Pro on a Dell Optiplex GX280. I use VLC or Media Player Classic to play the files. Files are stored on my main PC upstairs, and I stream them over a gigabit ethernet connection.

The PC has enough grunt to play 720p, but not 1080. I only have a 32" LCD, though, so 720 is more than enough.

Oh, and since my system is 2ch, I just use the onboard audio output.

spock 2054

I have a small form factor dell core2duo. Windows 7 and an Powercolor Radeon 5450. Using Arcsoft TMT5. Plays everything at 1080P. Faster than Windows Media Center. Just added an additional WD TV Live Hub. Store BD content on the hubs and playback networked content through the Dell to the Onkyo (for decoding lossless audio)and then to the TV. No judder issues with this config.

cokewithvanilla

It looks like arcsoft TMT5 is for bluray and dvd, right? I use PowerDVD 10 for BR... it integrates into MC as well... I wonder which one is better. You said it plays everything in 1080, what do you mean? Does it do more than just add BR functionality?

My biggest complaint with powerdvd 10 is that it thinks it's an audio player, no matter how much you adjust the settings. So, every now and then when I try to rip a cd, powerdvd will just come up and start playing it in the background. If I don't have the speakers on, I don't notice, then when I play the ripped content it is horribly messed up

disneyjoe7

Can you rip a dvd into WMC, and if so is that native to WMC or an add on?