HTPC software beginning to end

sswats

sswats

sswats

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I want to build a dedicated HTPC that will play DVD's and ripped DVD's as well as all types of files, mainly Video tho but will rarely be used for music.
No TV card.

Hardware is pretty much decided. But what software do i need.
BTW I have Windows XP.

I have a MCE remote and want to control everything from that, i don't want to connect a keyboard or mouse. For configuration/maintenance etc I'll VNC it from my main PC .

So what I think I need is-
A media center interface and playback software.
Codecs to play pretty much everything.
Good fast DVD playback software or codec.
Audio stream switching software
Subtitle software

Any recommendations? Anything I've forgotten? free is a bonus, although if its really good I am willing to pay.
 
Have you not thought about getting something like.

Gyration GYR3101EU Media Center Vista Remote Control

This remote has built in tilt sensor so you can use it as a mouse as well allowing much easier use of programs and then you can use any program you like
 
When I say MCE remote I actually meant using Logitech Harmony with MCE programmed in.
And I'd like to stick to that 1 remote to control the TV and HTPC lus a few other devices.
This ones capable of only 3

BUT saying that. that's quite a cool device. Have you used it? work okay?
will keep an eye on it for future reference.
 
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sswats said:
I want to build a dedicated HTPC that will play DVD's and ripped DVD's as well as all types of files, mainly Video tho but will rarely be used for music.
No TV card.

Hardware is pretty much decided. But what software do i need.
BTW I have Windows XP.

I have a MCE remote and want to control everything from that, i don't want to connect a keyboard or mouse. For configuration/maintenance etc I'll VNC it from my main PC .

So what I think I need is-
A media center interface and playback software.
Codecs to play pretty much everything.
Good fast DVD playback software or codec.
Audio stream switching software
Subtitle software

Any recommendations? Anything I've forgotten? free is a bonus, although if its really good I am willing to pay.
Click to expand...

Don't discount the usefulness/convenience of a keyboard/mouse: http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=KB-001-KE

I have been using these on all my Media centres over the years and they are a godsend. Compact, wireless, long battery life and you can literally stick it under the bed/in a drawer etc etc. I have spent the entire weekend flat on my back using it for web browsing etc and would have been sitting in agony on a chair otherwise in front of my pc!

I too use a Harmony for the upstairs media centre/kit at least and it is great as you already know. Along with a X3IR spliced in I can power the pc up from the Harmony too which was a must for me.

"So what I think I need is-"

A media center interface and playback software. - Can you not stretch to XP Media Center? If not then have a look at MediaPortal

Codecs to play pretty much everything. - I use the K-Lite Mega Codec Pack along with Quicktime Alternative (both available from free-codecs.com) with perfectly good results for all my various media types. Doudle check your filetype playback selections during the codec pack install. I keep Windows Media Player as the default for AVI, MPEG and WMV, the rest are left to play through Media Player Classic (Again, included in the Codec pack)

Good fast DVD playback software or codec. - Bundled in with K-Lite mega Codec Pack if memory serves

Audio stream switching software - For changing between Directors commentary etc???

Subtitle software - Again, bundled in with K-lite Mega Codec Pack
 
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Last time I used media center you couldn't fast forward or rewind avi files.
I Am currently using Meedios on my PC but DVD playback on it is awfully slow and cumbersome. Plus switching audio streams for commentaries/language, and switching on and off subtitle for AVI's has to be done through the codec which can't be done with a remote.

And I've found its a similar case with Media portal
 
Media Portal & FFDSHOW for HTPC/codecs.
Microsoft USB IR Receiver/Dongle for control, then add a proper universal learning remote for control of your entire system.
 
sswats said:
Last time I used media center you couldn't fast forward or rewind avi files.
Click to expand...

Yep, well it doesn't rewind/ff like a video tape/dvd, it 'steps' through AVI etc files. FF steps 30 seconds at a time typically and Rewind steps back 5/10 seconds at a time if memory serves.

The IR Remote/Dongle is a must, you just forget about the remote part :)

FFDshow is fully integrated into the K-Lite mega codec pack too. I am normally uite a purist over software/codec but these all work very well together hand in hand, great for the novice user and intermediate alike.
 
For a normal user though you can't argue that it doesn't do the job. Be it a shotgun approach to things or not, it will give acceptable results out of the box in most instances. There is nothing to stop him tweaking/putting in other codecs at a later date.

Being a fussy tart I spent ages back in the day playing with codecs until I was blue in the face as did my housemate and in the end we both went back to K-Lite Mega codec pack and have been perfectly happy with the performance ever since.

When I got the SXRD which DEMANDS the best possible sources to be fed to it to produce oustanding visuals, I went playing with minimal codecs again and tweak tweak tweak. Guess what, I went back to the codec pack again and was perfectly happy once more.

There is nothing wrong with trying the pack out and see how you get on. Agree to disagree? ;)

P.S. The Harmony One is a perfectly good universal remote, but the software blows the big one and it took me a fair while to make workarounds to get it just how I wanted it. I grimaced at the activities-based functions but again worked around it.
 
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Installing just the decoders you need if ffdshow does not play them is hardly difficult. It pretty much plays 99% of audio/video files so you either download everything from torrent sites, or don't know how to use ffdshow.
 
I don't use torrents and I am more than well versed in ffdshow but thanks all the same..... There are somethings in life not worth being anal about and I think that having redundant codecs is one of those.
 
I've been using the HTPC for years I don't know why you would need a whole lot of crap installed.

As for not using torrents rubbish if your files don't work and you need lots of codecs you must be dowloading various files. I tried KMP on a old machine it slowed it down and made it unstable. All I have on mine is ffdshow, Quicktime and Realtime Alternative, morgan splitter and MKV Splitter. Everything plays.
 
I never said that my files didn't work. Sheesh, you seem to think that your opinion is the only one on here that counts. You don't know me from a hole in the wall yet seem perfectly happy to call me an idiot. I think you need to get a grip Mr keyboard warrior. OP, please feel free to do whatever you want, take Badbob's advice as he won't be happy with anyone else's at this rate :rolleyes: :rolleyes:.

I wish I had never stepped foot in here. Dealing with people like you remind me why I don't post all that much.......
 
badbob said:
Only idiots install k-lite mega codec pack.
Click to expand...

Agreed. If you install that you will get loads and loads of useless and conflicting codecs.

Your software needs are as follows:

1) mediaportal

2) CCCP : The Combined Community Codec Pack (this gives you ffdshow and the ability to playback .mkv files)

3) XVID

4) Powerdvd for hi-def playback (blu ray and hddvd). Mediaportal will allow SD dvd playback internally.

And thats it.

I use the above on my keyboard and mouse free HTPC using just an MCE remote and VNC.

Mediaportal boots up at startup and I can watch everything I throw at it, locally and streaming across my network.
 
Mr Footlong said:
I never said that my files didn't work. Sheesh, you seem to think that your opinion is the only one on here that counts. You don't know me from a hole in the wall yet seem perfectly happy to call me an idiot. I think you need to get a grip Mr keyboard warrior. OP, please feel free to do whatever you want, take Badbob's advice as he won't be happy with anyone else's at this rate :rolleyes: :rolleyes:.

I wish I had never stepped foot in here. Dealing with people like you remind me why I don't post all that much.......
Click to expand...

I would expect more from "Occupation:Head of Networking" I thought you were a noob PC user rather than IT bloke.

First off to you flip out when someone with more experience is trying to instruct you what you're doing is wrong? Or do you zip up and listen?

Installing KMP is like installing several anti virus progs. There is no need at all for KMP. Just install ffdshow then if something doesn't work find out what audio/video codec is uses and then install that. You just don't install dozens just to make sure, then wonder why your system is borked.
 
badbob said:
I would expect more from "Occupation:Head of Networking" I thought you were a noob PC user rather than IT bloke.

First off to you flip out when someone with more experience is trying to instruct you what you're doing is wrong? Or do you zip up and listen?

Installing KMP is like installing several anti virus progs. There is no need at all for KMP. Just install ffdshow then if something doesn't work find out what audio/video codec is uses and then install that. You just don't install dozens just to make sure, then wonder why your system is borked.
Click to expand...

What a load of tosh. How you know that you have more experience than me I have no idea and to bring what I do for a living in to it is ludicrous. Just because you do something a different way doesn't make it the right or better way necessarily.

I gave the OP an option, that works perfectly well for thousands of people, which was what he asked for. You then insult me by stating that I am an idiot for using a certain codec pack with great success, no problems whatsoever.

The antivirus comparison is a load of hogwash too. Codecs just don't sit there eating up system resources from the moment you boot to desktop and there are such settings as preferred codecs for certain files. To sit there and state that anyone using that particular codec pack is an idiot is narrow-minded and quite frankly pathetic. I salute you and your superior knowledge....:rolleyes:

OP, I am sorry for having to waffle on with this random bloke on your thread, I hope you end up with a nice MCE setup whichever way you go about it as both choices codec-wise will work :).
 
Idiots definitely go with the K-Lite pack, loads of rubbish you don't need.
After you get PowerDVD for BD/HD-DVD all you need is MPC-HC + Haali splitter. MPC-HC contains all the other necessary splitters and codecs based off of ffmpeg. If you want to play RealMedia or QuickTime then there's Real Alternative Lite and QT Lite, and if you want more control then add ffdshow-tryouts.

http://www.free-codecs.com/download/k_lite_Mega_Codec_Pack.htm
You need just about, oh, none of that.
 
OP,

Have a look at My Movies as a front end for the dvd library, will also help you out with ripping your dvd's with an add on or two. - www.mymovies.dk
I use DVD Fab 5 Platinum for ripping my dvd's to the hard drive. This is payware, but you get a good 30 days free trial - www.dvdfab.com

ps. My Footlong, please carry on providing opinions, I like you get fed up of people who slate others for providing an opinion. We live in a democratic society and this forum is open to anyone who wishes to post. I've used the k-lite pack for a long time now without any problems, it may install a number of things I don't need, but who cares, they just take up room on my hard drive, and only a small bit of room at that. oh, before someone calls me an idiot, who knows nothings. Do I care, I've got 28 years worth of IT experience, starting with ZX81, I've programmed in 20+ languages, and am currently designing a £12 million solution for a large company. The K-Lite pack is fine by me.

Taff
 
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