HTPC..but thinking outside the box.

gazjam

gazjam

gazjam

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Been mulling over an HTPC build for some time now, just need to get a few components and I'm off.

But had a thought..
Would this be feasable?

I have a very fast PC at home used for work, which would do all the HTPC duties I would need in the lounge.
Why not just use that?
Problem is that its in a different room. :p

SOME INFO:
My Network setup:
Virgin media Superhub in work-room connected via 15ft cat5 to 4 port router in the lounge, wireless turned on so I can use my Ipod Touch via wifi.

Q1:
Could I run a (say) 15ft video cable to connect my PC to my plasma via HDMI (I have a DVI-HDMI adapter), or even just normal hdmi?

*I have trunking along the wall hiding the cat 5 already installed - no problem to run an HDMI cable in there too)

Q2:
Wireless Keybaord and mouse to control PC

Obviously USB is limited to 5m (I think) so best solution is to have usb receivers in the lounge so I had a thought...
-USB Extender Over Cat 5e-

Its only a mouse and keyboard so would I be right in saying USB 1.1 would be fine for this?
Also...do these cat5 usb extenders ACTUALLY WORK?


As I said, this is just me thinking out loud...and it would be easier (I guess) just to build a seperate rig for my HTPC, but why not use what I have?

Just looking for some opinions of this, if it will work first of all and do you think its worth the hassle.


Thanks.
 
If you happen to have a PS3 then you can stream basically any video format from your PC to your PS3?

15 ft HDMI cable shouldn't be an issue, not sure about the USB thingy. Reviews on the US jungle place say the one made by Cables Unlimited isn't too bad though.
 
That's basically what I do :) I have my PC set up in the dining room and I have a 10m HDMI cable running through to the lounge.

I have the default audio output device set to my speakers and in XBMC I have it set to use the ATi HDMI Audio Output :)

I then use Unified Remote on my Android phone to navigate to C:\Program Files (x86)\XBMC and launch XBMC.exe via the in-built file manager -then once it's running I can use the purpose-made "XBMC (keyboard)" remote (still in Unified Remote) to control all playback/menu options :)

Works perfectly.
 
Get an Xbox 360 and use it as a Media Center Extender. Same interface and usability as Media Center on the PC (almost, some video file formats not supported) but in a different room. There were some stand-alone Extenders produced (I have a Linksys DMA2100 and a DMA2200 around my house) but they're all now out of production, were almost as much money and none have the graphics horsepower or future support that a 360 has.
 
All good advice guys, thanks.

I enjoy pc gaming though and my ideal setup would be to have internet access/ serious 1080p PC gaming and HTPC (XBMC) in the lounge....

My work PC can do all these things with its eyes shut, so ideally a solution to physically "control" it from the lounge and having its display on my plasma would be great.

Thats why I was asking about cat5 usb extenders and looonnnggg hdmi cables! :)
I know about 360's and PS3's but would prefer to go down the PC route because of its increased flexibility and upgradability.
If I spend a hundred quid on wiring/ wireless mouse and kb instead of £400 on a second PC that would be ideal.


ta.
 
Redmint said:
If you happen to have a PS3 then you can stream basically any video format from your PC to your PS3?

15 ft HDMI cable shouldn't be an issue, not sure about the USB thingy. Reviews on the US jungle place say the one made by Cables Unlimited isn't too bad though.
Click to expand...

Think again using the PS3 as a media player. With the recent implementation of cinavia DRM, the PS3 is no longer a viable or future proof option. Cinavia will be on blu-rays so you can't even rip your own blu-rays and play them at your own convenience.
 
zpos said:
Think again using the PS3 as a media player. With the recent implementation of cinavia DRM, the PS3 is no longer a viable or future proof option. Cinavia will be on blu-rays so you can't even rip your own blu-rays and play them at your own convenience.
Click to expand...

Cinavia DRM doesn't stop you streaming from your PC to the PS3 using the PS3 Media Server software. ;)
 
Redmint said:
Cinavia DRM doesn't stop you streaming from your PC to the PS3 using the PS3 Media Server software. ;)
Click to expand...

Correct. But I find that a movie without or sound or picture is as not as enjoyable as perhaps the director intended!

I just have to shove the blu-ray disc in but given how sensitive the PS3's blu-ray player is, I wanted to avoid having to do that.
 
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