Spec me a HTPC for MKV and Steam

Relentless81 · 21 May 2014 at 07:25

Hi,

I've been looking at WDTV Live for a while now but I would prefer something a bit more powerful, it doesn't have to be desktop gaming spec but I would like a PC in the front room with flawless 1080P playback that's guaranteed to support all forms of files and will play front room style games from my Steam library to a similar spec to lets say something similar to a 360/PS3 maybe a little better

It needs to be silent and relatively small no bigger than a console, I already have a copy of W7, no storage required apart from the operating system and maybe one or two Steam games unless there is a way of streaming these from my main PC Steam library? It will also need to be wireless.

Please spec me up my first HTPC and thanks in advance!

StevieP · 21 May 2014 at 08:29

I went for an Intel NUC running OpenElec! Perfect HTPC imo!

Relentless81 · 21 May 2014 at 09:21

Please can you provide a little more info, I must admit I don't really understand those units.

Do you install Windows on them?
Can they handle sound ok and be used for Dolby surround?
Whats the playback like on 1080P?
How whats the performance like in regards to games?

Thanks

StevieP · 21 May 2014 at 10:33

Relentless81 said:
Please can you provide a little more info, I must admit I don't really understand those units.

Do you install Windows on them?
Can they handle sound ok and be used for Dolby surround?
Whats the playback like on 1080P?
How whats the performance like in regards to games?

Thanks

Sorry, I was rushing when I read your post and didn't notice you'd also specified Steam use too!

My reply was based on the fact that I have an Intel NUC (8GB RAM with a 64GB SSD inside) running OpenElec (which is XBMC as it's own O/S if that makes sense?) which I use to play all my media through from my NAS.

- I'm sure you can install Windows although I've never tried
- I believe they can handle Dobly surround but again, I've never tried
- 1080p playback is flawless (although I've got the i3 NUC and I believe that some of the lesser powerful systems (Celeron etc) might suffer from something commonly referred to as the "24fps bug" (or similar))
- Never tried games but I'd imagine this is where the system would suffer as it's essentially the Intel on-board graphics, which is fine for playback but would probably struggle with gaming!

All in all it's probably not what you were after but as I said, I didn't fully take in your post! Sorry!

Again though, as a HTPC it's fantastic - especially if you get a CEC adapter so you can control everything with your TV remote!

Relentless81 · 21 May 2014 at 11:06

Thanks for the info, in considering dropping the steam requirement anyway as 1080p playback os the main focus im currently looking at building a htpc but struggling with on board graphics options as its something I've never bought before

I've read about that bug and would like to avoid it if possible

StevieP · 21 May 2014 at 11:26

My understanding is that the i3 and i5 processors don't suffer from the issue - well my i3 certainly doesn't!

If you are considering just keeping it for media playback, my thread is here, although I'm sure the technology has moved on since last August!

I can't recommend OpenElec enough to be honest, it's the best looking HTPC UI out there imo!

Relentless81 · 21 May 2014 at 13:08

Great ill have a read, really appreciate the info this is more difficult than speccing a gaming pc!

Relentless81 · 21 May 2014 at 13:33

After reading your thread i have a couple of questions please - can xbmc be installed as an app to windows 7 running on the nuc?

One disadvantage that i can see is if you have 5.1 on a htpc how do you go about this on a nuc ie what do you output to and does it support dts etc?

How do i know if my Samsung tv supports cec?

Will xbmc connect to my windows share to stream or will i need to install plex?

Thanks

StevieP · 21 May 2014 at 14:00

There is a Windows version of XBMC so you could install Windows 7 and then the Windows version of XBMC but there would be a longer boot up time I'd imagine! My OpenElec is a) lightning fast and b) free!

I can't help you with any surround sound queries to be honest - mine is simply connected to the TV and my soundbar via HDMI!

I'd be surprised if Samsung TV's aren't supported by the CEC adapter but even if yours isn't, I believe there is some sort of IR controller you can get! Probably worth Googling your TV model to see if it's compatible! (on my Sony it's Bravia Sync or similar!)

XBMC will connect no problem to your NAS shares and stream just fine!