Media Centre PC Spec Please

kevpuk · 28 Aug 2006 at 16:32

I have to agree, on the whole, with Squiffy.....I think if one (Bloodshot

)is looking to go the MCE route on a budget of approx. £700 - and judging by the parts he initially selected - it is reasonable to assume that he is looking for a strong foundation and relatively future-proof. To me, this would also suggest that he is likely looking for HD ability, if not right now then sometime soon (as per various comments in thread thus far)

Yes, one could put together a MCE machine for considerably less, run it on a low res such as 800x600 4:3 CRT, but I am not sure that such a potential budget suggests that this is the desired route (guess only Bloodshot would know

)

kevpuk · 28 Aug 2006 at 16:33

Bloodshot said:
Just concerned about the motherboard and it's lack of a component input right now.

Don't think any give you a Component input :eek:

Bloodshot · 28 Aug 2006 at 16:37

kevpuk said:
Don't think any give you a Component input

Apologies - yes, I meant output

.

Bloodshot · 28 Aug 2006 at 16:39

kevpuk said:
I have to agree, on the whole, with Squiffy.....I think if one (Bloodshot )is looking to go the MCE route on a budget of approx. £700 - and judging by the parts he initially selected - it is reasonable to assume that he is looking for a strong foundation and relatively future-proof. To me, this would also suggest that he is likely looking for HD ability, if not right now then sometime soon (as per various comments in thread thus far)

Yes, one could put together a MCE machine for considerably less, run it on a low res such as 800x600 4:3 CRT, but I am not sure that such a potential budget suggests that this is the desired route (guess only Bloodshot would know )

You're pretty much spot on. My TV is HD, so future proofing for when it becomes mainstream would be ideal.

squiffy · 28 Aug 2006 at 16:42

6150 GFX & 3700 CPU can scale AVI and DD's with FFDSHOW to higher than HD (1680x1050) and playback HD no problem.

If you want Component inputs you're looking at expensive video capture cards.

michael baxter · 28 Aug 2006 at 16:47

squiffy said:
My point is you're not scaling like with FFDSHOW filters. Like I said my 1.6ghz machine plays back fine until I use ffdshow scaling. Here's what you need to do. You're recommending to people to buy a slow CPU, that's fine for non scaling and music playback, but not when using FFDSHOW scaling.

Uninstall Xvid and Divx codecs (if installed)
Download FFDSHOW and install it.
Open up Video Decoder Configuration
Select Resize and aspect. Tick it. In Specify Size, enter in your panel native rez (ie 1024 x 767 for my 14.1" laptop)
Tick OSD. Apply settings and close it.
Now playback a AVI file. You'll notice FF in the taskbar will appear, and green text on the top left. It'll show Input 460x320 (example) then output 1024x768 (LCD) If you open task manager CPU overhead you'll notice CPU load is far higher than before. This is because FFDSHOW is applying scaling.

Read here for more info.
http://www.digital-digest.com/articles/highdefdvd_test_page2.html

TO get FFDSHOW to scale DVD's you'll need to use a DVD player software that integrates with FFDSHOW, ie TheatreTek. Scaling DVD's seem to be even higher CPU requirement. Again this can be verfied with the OSD text. Region 1 DVD 480 vertical scaled to 768 (LCD TV)

Your incorrect, I'm not recommending Bloodshot should buy a slow CPU. I'm pointing out that an Athlon XP 2500+ is perfectly adequate at running Media Centre. Please note, it may be an older CPU, but it's no slouch.

However, your ramblings have reminded me of another important issue regarding cooling. The more powerful the CPU, the more cooling is likely to be needed. This will usually translate to more noise, and hence a less enjoyable TV experience.

You can bang on about me needing to do stuff, but I say for the fourth time, I have no problems whatsoever. May I suggest you try and stick to Bloodshots original question?

Bloodshot · 28 Aug 2006 at 16:48

squiffy said:
6150 GFX & 3700 CPU can scale AVI and DD's with FFDSHOW to higher than HD (1680x1050) and playback HD no problem.

If you want Component inputs you're looking at expensive video capture cards.

How exspensive?

Do I even need them? Does Sky connect through composite? I have no idea - i'm a n00b.

squiffy · 28 Aug 2006 at 16:51

michael baxter said:
Your incorrect, I'm not recommending Bloodshot should buy a slow CPU. I'm pointing out that an Athlon XP 2500+ is perfectly adequate at running Media Centre. Please note, it may be an older CPU, but it's no slouch.

However, your ramblings have reminded me of another important issue regarding cooling. The more powerful the CPU, the more cooling is likely to be needed. This will usually translate to more noise, and hence a less enjoyable TV experience.

You can bang on about me needing to do stuff, but I say for the fourth time, I have no problems whatsoever. May I suggest you try and stick to Bloodshots original question?

"My ramblings" You sir are ignorent. Before opening your mouth and insulting me perhaps learn something for yourself. Have you tried the above?

Regardless I very much doubt the 2500+ can play HD and scale with FFDSHOW...so your comments are pretty much useless. He's interested in HD, you've probably got a 14" CRT so picture quality/ffdshow scaling doesn't matter.

Bloodshot · 28 Aug 2006 at 16:57

Ah, just found this on another forum:

To connect Sky you'll need an analogue tv tuner card such as the Hauppauge MCE150 to handle the conversion to MPEG. You'll then need to connect the composite video and the stereo output from the Sky box to the input on the MCE 150. Only Sky+ has an s-video connection so unless you have that you're stuck with composite (a very few normal Sky boxes also offered s-video, I think the Sony one did). Once you've done that you can get MCE to scan for services, it should find the signal on the composite input and you can then set the EPG to Sky.

You'll need to attach the IR Blaster that comes with the MCE remote to the front of your Sky box so MCE can change channels and then you should be there. To have Sky+ type functionality, record one channel while watching anoter you'll need two Sky boxes which means another Sky box and a Multi-Room subscription which duplicates your existing subscription to another box which costs £10 per month.

If you need to know more let me know.

Sounds ok to me

Would it be worth going upto the 3800+ from the 3500+?

michael baxter · 28 Aug 2006 at 17:05

squiffy said:
"My ramblings" You sir are ignorent. Before opening your mouth and insulting me perhaps learn something for yourself. Have you tried the above?

Regardless I very much doubt the 2500+ can play HD and scale with FFDSHOW...so your comments are pretty much useless. He's interested in HD, you've probably got a 14" CRT so picture quality/ffdshow scaling doesn't matter.

At worst I'm ignorant, not ignorent.......and I'm not insulting you, I'm just being observational and I don't like being told what to do (read your post).

I haven't opened my mouth, I've tapped at my keyboard. But if I had opened my mouth I would be laughing.

I haven't tried the above, because I don't need to.

14" CRT? Are you sure yours is bigger than mine? (My girlfriend has just fallen off the sofa laughing and is approaching with a tape measure)

Finally, my points are valid, take them or leave them......I really don't care! But, I am amused by you!

squiffy · 28 Aug 2006 at 17:08

Whatever, clueless troll.
Bloodshot, ignore that idiot.

Bloodshot · 28 Aug 2006 at 17:11

Oh, it's also worth mentioning that it would need to be able to connect to the wireless network I have in the house. Would I need an additional network card for this?

Is all this going to fit in the case?

kevpuk · 28 Aug 2006 at 17:19

Bloodshot said:
Oh, it's also worth mentioning that it would need to be able to connect to the wireless network I have in the house. Would I need an additional network card for this?

Is all this going to fit in the case?

PCI card.....the mobo will have PCI-e x16, PCI-e x1, and 2 PCI slots....?

Else, a trusty usb dongle

squiffy · 28 Aug 2006 at 17:21

Go for the USB dongle if going MATX, you'll want to save those slots for other cars (soundcard, TV tuner)

I guess since you want dual sky you should go full ATX, as you can then fit two sky cards. Might also want freeview tuner cards as well. Depends what you want...simpler htpc and MATX will do.

Bloodshot · 28 Aug 2006 at 17:22

kevpuk said:
PCI card.....the mobo will have PCI-e x16, PCI-e x1, and 2 PCI slots....?

Else, a trusty usb dongle

Couldn't find anythng on overclockers =\

Another issue i'm concerned with is heat. Do you think it will be a problem?

kevpuk · 28 Aug 2006 at 17:25

Well, for me it isn't.......but horses/courses and all that.....

I have an Aspire Q-Pack case, with spec as per sig (2nd machine

).....and haven't actually bothered to 'quieten' it.....but heat is fine with CPU tending to hang around on 40 in use, and system overall on around 28.....ok for me

Bloodshot · 28 Aug 2006 at 17:31

squiffy said:
Go for the USB dongle if going MATX, you'll want to save those slots for other cars (soundcard, TV tuner)

I guess since you want dual sky you should go full ATX, as you can then fit two sky cards. Might also want freeview tuner cards as well. Depends what you want...simpler htpc and MATX will do.

I would need two sky boxes for dual sky, correct? I don't think I can be bothered to buy another Sky box... lol. As my TV has freeview built in, would I be able to connect that up without any issues?

michael baxter · 28 Aug 2006 at 17:31

squiffy said:
Whatever, clueless troll.
Bloodshot, ignore that idiot.

I'm neither clueless or a troll! I could take that as an insult........

I'm sure Bloodshot is mature enough to decide for himself without being told.

I'm not interested in HD at this point in time, as there isn't much to watch and there is a lot of expensive involved. Furthermore, there are significant technical issues to resolve, which I believe is what you have been trying to point out. When HD becomes mainstream, I'm sure I'll be on the case!

I apologise if I have offended you in anyway, I just didn't like the tone of your writings.

Regards,

Michael

squiffy · 28 Aug 2006 at 17:38

I gave you those FFDSHOW instructions to follow because you said you didn't understand and believ yours is scaling in high quality mode ala FFDSHOW. If you refuse to do it, and found that offensive that is your problem.

But I guess people just don't like to be corrected/pointed out. It takes a strong man to realize when you're wrong. I guess some aren't....

michael baxter · 28 Aug 2006 at 17:59

Bloodshot said:
Oh, it's also worth mentioning that it would need to be able to connect to the wireless network I have in the house. Would I need an additional network card for this?

Is all this going to fit in the case?

I believe some motherboards are equipped with an integrated wireless adapter.

Obviously, if you want to transfer media around, a wired network will be faster and more reliable.

For your interest, I've run wired gigabit ethernet throughout my home, and use an old P3 system with a RAID 0 card and 4 PATA drives as a fileserver. Surprisingly, this gigabit attached fileserver gives better performance than any of my locally attached drives and centralises the media. Additionally, it means the hard drive within the media center is powered down most of the time, and hence less noise. Although it may seem exotic, it was very cheap to set up using older hardware and using FreeNAS (www.freenas.org), although I'm currently running WinXP Pro. However, I think I may be going off-topic........

Again, I stress that the noise of a Media Center PC can be very intrusive, and should not be underestimated.

Just my thoughts on the topic!

Regards,

Michael