Media Centre PC help.

fenlander_uk

I wouldn't bother with the remote unless you intend to use Windows Media Centre.... and I wouldn't bother with Windows Media Centre unless you install a TV card. For the uses you've described, VLC will give more pleasing video playback than WMC and a cordless keyboard/mouse will be more useful than a Media Centre remote. Make sure you get a keyboard with sufficient range - many are useless past about 5 feet.

Percy1983

fenlander_uk wrote: »

I wouldn't bother with the remote unless you intend to use Windows Media Centre.... and I wouldn't bother with Windows Media Centre unless you install a TV card. For the uses you've described, VLC will give more pleasing video playback than WMC and a cordless keyboard/mouse will be more useful than a Media Centre remote. Make sure you get a keyboard with sufficient range - many are useless past about 5 feet.

This is true to a point, Media Centre is ok for most tasks but mostly shines when using tv tuners. The remotes main use is with media centre but can be used for other things.

A good wireless keyboard and mouse is a must, as mentioned check the range. Personally I would recommend looking at logitechs for good range, quality and value, but there is many so just keep an eye on reviews.

S0litaire

Side note!

A standard VGA socket has always been able to output 1080p (1080 is technically a backwards step in PC screen sizes!!)
So you only need HDMI output if you are going to watch Blu-Ray disks via a Blu-Ray reader. (Blame hollywood for forcing you use a HDMI cable when a VGA would do just fine!)

Personally I'm running a Zotec Nvidia ION Dual core atom board with the Linux version of XBMC (it's a Media center Win version is also available!) and i use VGA to my 1080p screen to watch MKV's and DVD's (no Blu-Ray player just yet since it's a hassle to get to work in Linux!!!)

Percy1983

This is true, but on the flip side you can stream audio on the HDMI which can be helpful and its hard not to find a board or graphics card without HDMI anyway.

So as much as I agree with a media PC you might aswell go HDMI as is doesn't really add any cost.

terahurts

I re-purposed an oldish desktop that wasn't getting any use (HP Dx2300 P4 Dual-Core@ 1.8Ghz with 1GB RAM running XP in case anyone cares) It running XBMC at the moment (MediaPortal in the past) and is quieter than the V+ box sitting next to it, and I picked up a generic MCE remote from Maplins for £20. I'm using a standard VGA-DVI connection until I get round to upgrading the graphics card since 90% of the time we are using it watch downloaded content, DVDs or listen to music, it will just about manage to play 720p content as is, adding a HD4xxx or GT210 should let me play 1080p native without stuttering.

There's an old Logitech Wireless keyboard and mouse attached but tbh the only time they get used it when I'm faffing around with it, although the kids seem to think that I'm going to let them play games on it when I upgrade the GPU.......

We've used the wireless keyboard for control in the past, as well as VNC from a laptop but both are a bit of a pain compared to the ease of a remote. The keyboard and mouse's range was just short of being able to have it comfortably within reach (around 3m IIRC) and using VNC meant that someone had to have a laptop sat on their lap or perched on the arm of the chair etc, not ideal when you've got puppies running riot.

The only issue I had was getting the remote to work under XP, since it was a Vista/7 certified USB MCE IR Dongle and whilst XP has the drivers as of SP3, I had to force them to install manually.

A lot depend on what you are going to be using it for, if you are mostly watching ahem downloaded shows and films you are probably good to go with what you've got plus a new GPU and optical drive for bluerays and dvds.

Software wise I really can't fault XBMC, it runs under Window (XP onwards), Linux or as a "LiveCD", looks pretty damn slick, and once set up correctly will pull TV show and Film meta-data off the 'net in the background.

S0litaire

Think there's a few apps for Android & iPhone to control XBMC using your phone like a remote!

Percy1983

I can control my PC with my medievel Sony W880.

It is worth looking at even i its just a backup for when the other half won't turn off boyzone.

jaydeeuk1

I used to build media PC's etc for a living, and as said above, decibel level is perhaps one of the most important.

I usually use the antec fusion series of cases (tried hundreds, and found these the best value), as cooling fans are quiet, and has rubber mounts to reduce hard drive vibration. Plus each component is sectioned off to stop heat blasting around. Just little things like that help.

You will need some airflow - a load of passive components is asking for trouble without someway of shifting the heat.

For graphics, the radeon 4200 on board chip is more than adequate for blu ray / HD acceleration, and even a modest energy efficient Athlon dual core CPU has more than enough grunt for most things (still using an old athlon dual core in mine). Have 2gb ram in mine too, and would be an utter waste of cash to upgrade it to 4gb or more. Even with a load of back ground programs and power DVD 9.00 running it rarely uses more than 1.5.

For a budget DVB-S card, I can recommend a compro s350 or two. Works great in windows media center and ITV/BBC HD.

Percy1983

I am using a compro USB DVB-T thing at the minute, compro do seem to have great products at great prices. Waiting for a DVB-T2 card as I can't be bothered putting a dish up.

terahurts

S0litaire wrote: »

Think there's a few apps for Android & iPhone to control XBMC using your phone like a remote!

Yeah, shame I wont be getting a 'droid or iphone handset anytime soon and the offerings for WinMob are all pretty pants.......:rotfl: