Ace Modder's HTPC Project Log

Ace Modder · 13 Jan 2013 at 16:03

Glossing is done. Just need to wait a few more days for the walls to totally dry out.

Here is the feature wall paper (chosen by my wife), didn't get from ebay as planned. Homebase job!

Ace Modder · 13 Jan 2013 at 16:06

The TV is going on the opposite wall to the window. You can see my TV ariel comes in through the window frame. Is there a wireless transmitter type item you can get to stream the data to the AV receiver in HD, so I don't need the cable extending and routing all around the room?

ie. Plug in the coaxial cable from the ariel on the roof (placed on my window-sill) and plug the other end into my AV receiver to output to my TV

Ace Modder · 14 Jan 2013 at 08:43

I will let you know once I know

Ace Modder · 14 Jan 2013 at 20:55

I cannot build the PC - I'm still waiting for the case to arrive, stock is on order.

Also the plaster still is not 100% dry yet. Decided the gloss needs a second coat now that has dried, doing that tomorrow evening. CBA today lol.

Ace Modder · 19 Jan 2013 at 23:26

Started papering the plain paper ready for painting. Ran out of backing paper though. Will be fetching the last roll tomorrow to finish it.

And this, its a bit blurry but I CBA to go and take another pic. lol

Ace Modder · 20 Jan 2013 at 15:39

Right, I still have not bought my rear speakers, but I have my front left, right and centre. Will I be able to set a 3.0 setup or will I just do a 2.0 setup for now?

Half way through the final feature wall.

The wallpaper should be all finished today, then I can finally put my home entertainment system together, and bring the sofa in. Then tomorrow morning I'm off to Germany for 4 days, then hopefully when I get back my wife will have painted all the 3 walls with backing paper (once dry)

Ace Modder · 21 Jan 2013 at 09:14

Ace Modder · 21 Jan 2013 at 09:14

kylepeo said:
ace you will be fine setting up a 3.0 for now not as good as 5.1 but still better than 2.0 you just select what speakers are connected to the amp what amp have you got?

Onkyo TX-SR313

Ace Modder · 21 Jan 2013 at 11:25

The flooring ain't been changed. I will just get some beading next week to finish that off

Ace Modder · 22 Jan 2013 at 16:16

That is a random video i found on my main PC, I tested the speakers with it as it was a long audio/video music video. It is the R Kelly - Hiding in the closet.

That is streaming via the PS3, the HTPC has not been built yet. Was waiting on the case, which arrived on Monday, but as Im not in the UK this week I wont be building it till the weekend.

I will keep you all informed this weekend on the progress.

Ace Modder · 25 Jan 2013 at 10:38

Case / PSU and IR receiver arrived. So will be working on the build this weekend.

I am getting rid of those skanky nets and going to order a blind this weekend too.

Ace Modder · 25 Jan 2013 at 13:03

It should be ok, but worst case, I can under clock it a little and under volt it, but I think it should be fine. This is all part of my testing process I plan to do the weekend.

Ace Modder · 25 Jan 2013 at 22:53

Right. I have built the HTPC now.

Here are a few pics

I have installed Windows 8 onto the machine and XMBC.

Ace Modder · 25 Jan 2013 at 22:54

I have run prime95 the CPU doesnt go above 70 degrees which is fine. At the end of the day a HTPC won't tax the CPU that hard.

Ace Modder · 26 Jan 2013 at 20:23

shadow_boxer said:
Looking good Ace. Bang tidy build there.

Bit warm for my liking as the max temp I believe is 74ºC for AMD Trinity but for just htpc duties it should stay some way below that.

Agreed. Very much sounds like codec issue. I'm running Windows 8 and XBMC through a cheapish Yamaha AVR and had some issue issues initially. Downloaded MPC-HC and FFDShow codecs which sorted it out. Will it play using other media players like VLC?

Plays fine via Media player classic with the klite codec pack installed. I will have another play tomorrow and yes set to enable HDMI passthrough

Ace Modder · 28 Jan 2013 at 16:34

Just purchases an Enermax Aurora Media Keyboard with built in mouse too.

Tonight is gunna be busy.

Ace Modder · 28 Jan 2013 at 18:36

Currently browsing the OcUK site with this awesome HTPC.

Yes it is a 256GB Samsung 830 Pro

Ace Modder · 29 Jan 2013 at 08:48

My films are copying over from my main PC to my HTPC currently.....

Taking an age.

Here is XBMC all setup though

Ace Modder · 3 Feb 2013 at 12:50

I'm very pleased with the HTPC now.

HDD runs nicely at around degrees, and CPU idles at around 28-30 and goes up to 50 when running prime, when streaming etc its getting to around 36-37.

Currently I have installed XBMC, using the default skin with full scrapers to enable all the video cover art and film data. Only problem is I cannot get my TV shows to scraper right, so they are currently just listed as the file name

Ace Modder · 26 Aug 2013 at 19:53

I removed the HDD and stream everything now from my 6GB Synology NAS box.