thinking of getting a htpc

[TheCheekyMonkey]

There is less hardware overhead with ubuntu so if you are running it on a Atom CPU then it may make a difference.

thats correct, it makes the whole difference, i have been told there is a new version to run under windows which has less lag / overhead but i much prefer to stay away from windows with my media center, plus its good practice for using linux which is a much faster operating system than windows can ever be, but not user friendly (although ubuntu is superb and has come along way making it easier)

Plus dont quote me, i know this was the case running it under windows meant codec configuring for HD playback, i think this has been sorted in newer version, but every version ive used under windows has had a bit of delay when navigating menus.


but yes with the atom processor you want it as streamline as possible.


xbmc baby, the way to go

 

[linzi]

what can you pick up witth a sat card in the uk

 

[TheCheekyMonkey]

bit of an abstract comment that, you canny use a sat card with xbmc, and i`m sure that you can pick up whatever is availible software permitting.

 

[oneman]

You can pick up anything any sat box can. Depends on your dish, my card can drive a motorised dish with the right software. Big question is what cam's you can get on there. Never explored it much myself but you can do C/S for example.

By default, with a sky dish you can get freesat.

 

[linzi]

yeah its only pointing at sky so would only be free sat if you turned the sky dish would it be big enough to pick up other free channels

 

[oneman]

Don't know mate, never looked into sat options that much but know you mention it I might do, lol.

You will probably be better off posting in the sat forum as to what options you have.

 

[daveleebond]

bit of an abstract comment that, you canny use a sat card with xbmc, and i`m sure that you can pick up whatever is availible software permitting.

for sat can't you you use mythtv with mythbox xmbc frontend with dvb-s cards?

 

[TheCheekyMonkey]

possibly, but ive never used myth bud.

 

[daveleebond]

or you can use Mediaportal, it has in built tuner support.

 

[linzi]

right guys im gonna buy this housing in next couple of days what you guys think of it and what power suply should i get as im not very clued up

Thermaltakeusa*»*Chassis*»*Home Theater*»*DH Series*»*DH 202 : DH 202 VJ80011N2Z

i can get this for 161 quid

 

[TheCheekyMonkey]

well, looks georgeous , however few things put me off.

size, its a bit of a monster


16.7cm high
42.8cm wide
44.0cm deep

thats pretty big.

other thing is the VFD , this all depends what OS your putting in there, if its xbmc , i do know people have got the VFD`s (or little lcd displays ) going but not without a lot of editing configs etc etc.

In my opinion the vfd`s are a waste of time, but its my opinion.

the antec case i had was the same, superb looking fantastic build quality but massive and yours is even bigger!!

but i think no matter what, if thats the case you want, then it will be fine and future proof on upgrades at aleast (i.e. you should fit nearly any mainboard in there).

like i said before, i went for the chenbro home server case, small, compact , limited to mini-itx mainboards, but loads of functionality and room for expansion (hdd wise).

hope this helps.

 

[linzi]

well they aint much difference between the antec fusion case size and this one

 

[TheCheekyMonkey]

YOURS
16.7cm high
42.8cm wide
44.0cm deep

ANTEC
12cm high
39cm wide
41cm deep


no, i know its not much difference , but what i`m saying is i thought the antenc case was hugh and your is even bigger. end of the day, its up to you its a nice looking case either way.

 

[linzi]

how do you no what psu to get there is that many it says this one is Standard ATX PS2 (optional)

 

[zad]

bit of an abstract comment that, you canny use a sat card with xbmc, and i`m sure that you can pick up whatever is availible software permitting.

There is a port of xbmc that will integrate tv [RELEASE] XBMC TV using MediaPortal TVserver (XBMP-TV Script) - XBMC Community Forum

and im almost sure dharma there new builds will also be able to pvr etc just like myth etc...

 

[zad]

how do you no what psu to get there is that many it says this one is Standard ATX PS2 (optional)

You will be better off with a good quality modular psu that way you have just the wires you need

http://www.scan.co.uk/Products/500W...CI-E-6plus2P-5xSATA-DXXI-Ready!-Free-Gift-Fan!

 

[oneman]

Your link is not working but I agree that if you can get modular cabling system that would be better.

 

[TheCheekyMonkey]

also depends on what mainboard your getting, if its atom based then you want as low power consumption as possible, but like i say all depends on mainboard, let us know which your going for then we can advise more