spec me please a htpc exclusively for running xbmc?

dvdbunny

dvdbunny

dvdbunny

Permabanned
Joined
20 Dec 2004
Posts
1,122
I really like the popcorn hour a-100/a-110 and the hdx 1000

I also like the pch b-110 motherboard

But I would like something with the look and more the small size of the mac mini or apple tv but which is a PC.

I plan on running tiny xp or micro xp

What I like about the hdx 1000 is it's case which is aluminum. It doesn't use a fan as the motherboard touches the aluminum casing which keeps it cool. I hope to have the same kind of case.

I have heard you can run tiny xp or micro xp and xbmc and boot directly into xbmc in 10 seconds. As long as the PC is only used as a media player. You can also add some speed tweaks to get this boot up even quicker.

I really want a htpc that can playback everything that the pch a-110 can do just as well. So every format video and audio up to 1080p including h.264 in the mkv container format.

I want to be able to switch the htpc to boot into xbmc all with a remote control.

I also would like to use the htpc as a NAS box like the pch a-100/a-110 can do.

overclockers please spec me what is needed to make this htpc

Many thanks in advance
 
Last edited:
Well you cant do it with micro xp, theres no support for lan connections. Go with TinyXP.

Other than that, can't help you much, ask a mod to move the thread to either General Hardware, or Windows Software. Probably be best in General Hardware though, as you need to get the components sorted out first.

for people who don't know:

HORM = Hibernate Once Resume Many
HORM is where you set up the system as you like, hibernate at that point, and then everytime you power on the system it will resume from that point instead of booting normally. This is usually much faster.

HORM is a XP Embedded feature, and not normally available for standard XP, although it is possible to make it work:
(NB - this info was sourced from this thread on mp3car.com.)
You need to use files extracted from "XPeSP2FeaturePack2007.iso" downloaded from MS XPe site. Link. <-- Link is dead on forum I took it from, shouldnt be hard to find on the microsoft site though.
Mount or extract the Iso, you will see a file called 'XPEFP2007.EXE' which you can then extract with Winrar/Winzip.
The files mentioned below can be found in the "rep" directory
replace the original ntldr with renamed ewfntldr using recovery console on xp CD and restart
copy ewfapi.dll, ewfdll.dll, ewfmgr.exe in system32 dir
copy ewf.sys in system32\drivers dir
copy horm.dat in root dir (same as ntldr), c:\
add to the registry the ewf informations using a .reg file. Detailed info here. EWF reg file to download.
enable hibernation support on the system if not yet
restart and use command prompt to run "ewfmgr" (see below):
***
Microsoft Windows XP [Versione 5.1.2600]
(C) Copyright 1985-2001 Microsoft Corp.

C:\Documents and Settings\Administrator>ewfmgr
RAM (REG) Configuration
Device Name "\Device\HarddiskVolume1" [C:]
HORM Active
***
If you see "HORM active" now you can try to hibernate and resume as many times you want by the same hiberfile.sys
EWF protection is still disabled till you don't enable it using ewfmgr.exe (You probably don't want EWF active - it is designed to reduced writes when using Flash storage as a system drive)
NB It is best to hibernate with no external drives attached to prevent cached data being saved in the hibernation file.

http://wiki.arcadecontrols.com/wiki/Fast_Booting_Windows#HORM_.3D_Hibernate_Once_Resume_Many
Click to expand...

Thats how you'll get the fast "boot" as it were, hibernate it rather than shut it down. :)

I would be intrested in the components used for a wee media centre set up in this way as it would happen.
 
Last edited:
just buy one already, playing 1080p rips you download off torrents doesnt need a supercomputer, just pick whatever you like that can do the features you want..
 
Le_Petit_Lapin

Many thanks for that detailed information

I didn't know that I posted in the wrong part of the forum. Please can mods move this thread into the general hardware.

Many thanks in advance
 
tbh we need proper resolutions i mean 1080 is ****ing **** 720p has been below standard for over 20 years in computing.
 
Tefal said:
tbh we need proper resolutions i mean 1080 is ****ing **** 720p has been below standard for over 20 years in computing.
Click to expand...

its not just about pixels, theres bitrate aswell and 720 is fine, you cant really tell 1080 vs 720p for the exact same thing

but **** this, im off to watch seven pounds or wtf its called i dont know
 
I just read that you can boot into linux in 5 seconds, anyone got any experience with this?

EDIT: I can choose what operating system I will use at a later date. But for now can you please spec me what components would I need, what do overclockers have?

Many thanks in advance
 
Last edited:
dvdbunny said:
I just read that you can boot into linux in 5 seconds, anyone got any experience with this?
Click to expand...

depend on distro + hardware + any other boot up programs that load up after, and basically aint gonna happen mate as thats for booting pure linux. You are going to need at least one media player + the time it takes to load it;s library + any codecs + any other programs
 
Tefal, many thanks for the reply

I only want to check emails in outlook, use ms word, xbmc, and a torrent program probably vuze 4.0, I would install winrar, ISO maker, and a browser like firefox and nothing else. With tiny xp is it possible to boot in say in 10 secs?
 
dvdbunny said:
With tiny xp is it possible to boot in say in 10 secs?
Click to expand...

its possible but it wont happen..

you put it in sleep mode, then it turns on in a couple seconds...

Tefal said:
You can if you use a 1920x1200 monitor.
Click to expand...

i do, i have two!!

actually compared heroes 1080 and 720 the difference is not much, and you have to proper focus on something to see any difference, and tbh you gotta look at the same time to see the diff...

mabye i will make two pics from 2 versions and try to get the same frame if possible
 
Last edited:
It might be but it's going to depend on what hardware you use. Plus if you want this as a media pc, remember it takes quite a bit of time for a media player to fill it;s library from the Hdd.

I'd personaly say you're best off going for something with a bit of grunt, but low power usage and just leaving it on all day like a VCR/DVD player, that way you can stick it on in the morning (or just set it to hibernate/standby overnight) and then not worry about start up times.
 
Yeah but I really want to be able to make it boot fast, it's just I'm sick of putting on the computer and then turning it off. I want to do it all with a remote control.
 
You could set the remote control to hibernate, or sleep both would be far faster than booting.

Plus if this is just a htpc then you're only really going to be turning it on once a day surely?
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom