XBMC Media Centre - Windows Based

rberrisford4000

rberrisford4000

rberrisford4000

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14 Oct 2013
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Hi Guys,

New to the forum so go easy ;)

I'm looking to build a media centre with XBMC running on windows. I can get hold of a copy of windows easy enough (not illegal before you ask:D)

Its the hardware side I need some help with as I'm starting from scratch. I don't mind a pre-build or building my own.

What I want it to do..

> Be capable of running windows with XMBC comfortably
> Play 1080p files smoothly
> Stream from Netflix

I will be connecting it to a rather large TV via HDMI so assume it will need a bit of grunt.

I will be connecting external USB hard drives for the media I currently have which is about 1TB at the moment (Films, Music, Pictures, TV Shows).

If you have any questions, then fire away!

Thanks for your help
 
Usually Linux I prefer as the underlay but if games and drivers are an issue Windows.

the case? do you want big or small? nice? where? visable or living room?

No external drives IMO just load internal. Do you want it as a back end system? So it serves filees/ THIS MAY mean a 30gbp rasp pi can stream not dvd but 1080p video.\

Do you want live tv or a capture card?
 
As I understand it, Netflix are removing their public API so you won't be able to use XBMC with Netflix directly (not without some hacking anyway...).


For everything else, a small 'net top' box such as an Aver Revo will be plenty of grunt to run XBMC. You'd only need something more powerful if you were using it some any sort of emulation or games.
 
would a Raspberry Pi be an option running Raspbmc?

It's ridiculously easy to setup and will play back 1080 BD rips (full 30 odd GB mkv rips done in MakeMKV). The only thing it can't do is pass through HD audio to an AV receiver, but this *might* be coming in a future firmware update
 
cokecan said:
would a Raspberry Pi be an option running Raspbmc?

It's ridiculously easy to setup and will play back 1080 BD rips (full 30 odd GB mkv rips done in MakeMKV). The only thing it can't do is pass through HD audio to an AV receiver, but this *might* be coming in a future firmware update
Click to expand...


Personally, I'd only recommend a Pi if the budget was really tight. I set one up for my parents earlier this year and there were a few negative points for me:

- Interface is a little sluggish when browsing menus, especially if you want a nice skin with fanart etc.
- Hardware/peripheral support is not as good as Windows IMO
- Not all plugins work, or require hacking/modified version specific for the PI
- It's not as 'neat' a solution as a small PC given that you have to have a power supply and USB hub and Wifi dongle etc


Don't get me wrong, they're fantastic little gizmo's but they won't suit everyone as a main device. I think I'd consider one as a secondary device, i.e. in the kitchen or bedroom.
 
If you install it on a USB3.0 memory stick rather than a fast SD card the menu is on par with XBMC installed on a Microserver. The newer builds of Raspbmc also improve on the speed.

I've actually switched completely now to the Pi from my N40L. The few plugin's I've tried have worked fine, but I guess this point is more personal preference. If you don't care for plugins then it's a non-issue.

Hardware support is obviously smaller than a Windows PC but how much additional hardware is really required for an XBMC build? I have a Logitech Dinovo Mini connected to mine and that's it.

You also don't need a USB hub or a wifi dongle, but I get what your saying. A decent quality PSU and case is still required and the overall 'box' isn't as neat as a dedicated device due to having connections and ports on every side lol
 
cokecan said:
If you install it on a USB3.0 memory stick rather than a fast SD card the menu is on par with XBMC installed on a Microserver. The newer builds of Raspbmc also improve on the speed.

I've actually switched completely now to the Pi from my N40L. The few plugin's I've tried have worked fine, but I guess this point is more personal preference. If you don't care for plugins then it's a non-issue.

Hardware support is obviously smaller than a Windows PC but how much additional hardware is really required for an XBMC build? I have a Logitech Dinovo Mini connected to mine and that's it.

You also don't need a USB hub or a wifi dongle, but I get what your saying. A decent quality PSU and case is still required and the overall 'box' isn't as neat as a dedicated device due to having connections and ports on every side lol
Click to expand...


Fair enough on the speed, I know it's constantly improving for sure. I was actually using OpenElec at the time, as I had issues getting Raspbmc set up. I had some issues getting the MCE remote setup and sticky keys with the keyboard, but a lot of that will be software issues that can be improved upon. Like you say, at the end of the day it's personal preference.


The fact that they're always on is an advantage though, considering my sleep issues I've had with my windows xbmc box recently :)
 
Thanks for the replies guys

Tony Williams said:
Usually Linux I prefer as the underlay but if games and drivers are an issue Windows.

the case? do you want big or small? nice? where? visable or living room?

No external drives IMO just load internal. Do you want it as a back end system? So it serves filees/ THIS MAY mean a 30gbp rasp pi can stream not dvd but 1080p video.\

Do you want live tv or a capture card?
Click to expand...

I would prefer a smaller case where possible. It is going to be in the living room and I have a black TV, Sky Box and surround sound, so black would be best :) Capture card is probably what I'd go for too.

The reason I say external drives is that I currently have a 1TB USB external drive which is full of stuff I have ripped from DVD's and Films I own.

Scottland said:
Personally, I'd only recommend a Pi if the budget was really tight. I set one up for my parents earlier this year and there were a few negative points for me:

- Interface is a little sluggish when browsing menus, especially if you want a nice skin with fanart etc.
- Hardware/peripheral support is not as good as Windows IMO
- Not all plugins work, or require hacking/modified version specific for the PI
- It's not as 'neat' a solution as a small PC given that you have to have a power supply and USB hub and Wifi dongle etc


Don't get me wrong, they're fantastic little gizmo's but they won't suit everyone as a main device. I think I'd consider one as a secondary device, i.e. in the kitchen or bedroom.
Click to expand...

I have used a Rpi before for a bedroom which was running Raspbmc. It was a little sluggish on the menus but nothing to really worry about.

The reason I wanted a Windows base is that I am looking at integrating programs like Couchpotato and Sickbeard which is a lot easier to do on a windows machine, rather than Linux as I'm not brilliant on that platform yet. :cool:

ToxicTBag said:
Op you might get some really good input if you post your requirements/specs in general hardware no end of folk ready to quote you happy :)

http://forums.overclockers.co.uk/forumdisplay.php?f=8
Click to expand...

Will do, thanks :)

Scottland said:
As I understand it, Netflix are removing their public API so you won't be able to use XBMC with Netflix directly (not without some hacking anyway...).


For everything else, a small 'net top' box such as an Aver Revo will be plenty of grunt to run XBMC. You'd only need something more powerful if you were using it some any sort of emulation or games.
Click to expand...

I wasn't aware that Netflix were looking at doing that :/ I will also take a look at the Aver Revo.

Sorry I wasn't very concise in my opening post, it was a long day yesterday!

Thanks again
 
rberrisford4000 said:
The reason I wanted a Windows base is that I am looking at integrating programs like Couchpotato and Sickbeard which is a lot easier to do on a windows machine, rather than Linux as I'm not brilliant on that platform yet.
Click to expand...

For these I found Linux to be awesome, so many guides too. Reasons to use windows would be gaming and Silverlight for Netflix and SkyGo. But I hear they will dump silverlight.

Otherwise its just too much overhead.
 
Silverlight is virtually a dead platform anyway - so they'll all move from it eventually. Netflix closed their API to new developers back in spring, and I believe are starting to wind it down for existing users of the API and are focusing on "approved developers" if you will, the likes of MS/Roku/Apple etc.


Personally, I still find everything much easier to do on Windows - but that's because I've used it for the last 18 years. But Sickbeard and Couchpotato are quite easy to setup on Linux via git to be honest.
 
Make sure its installed on an SSD and has graphics with hardware decoding and it will fly.

The Revo is good but I would swap the default HDD for an SSD.
 
On a windows machine you can use xbmclauncher which can set itself to launch as the shell and then start xbmc, this saves on a lot of windows overheads. I have mine set up to start explorer if I exit xbmc and to shutdown on sleep. Shutting down on sleep allows for a fresh xbmc instance everytime ensuring library pick ups. I also found it got a little flaky at times after multiple sleep and wake events.
 
Metallifux said:
On a windows machine you can use xbmclauncher which can set itself to launch as the shell and then start xbmc, this saves on a lot of windows overheads. I have mine set up to start explorer if I exit xbmc and to shutdown on sleep. Shutting down on sleep allows for a fresh xbmc instance everytime ensuring library pick ups. I also found it got a little flaky at times after multiple sleep and wake events.
Click to expand...



Mind sharing the config of how you have that setup?
 
andy_mk3 said:
If you want a windows based HTPC I can't recommend an AMD APU enough. A small ssd does make all the difference too.
Click to expand...

Absolutely. I've previously used a completely passive AMD Zacate build and am now using an. A10-5700. Perfect for htpc duties witha bit of light casual gaming. My brother in law system uses a dual core Trinity cpu and even that is more than enough for htpc work. Will play 1080p 30GB MKV BD rips, 3D stuff, bit stream HD Audio and can stream to a few other devices at 1080p. Perfect htpc cpu.
 
Scottland said:
Mind sharing the config of how you have that setup?
Click to expand...

It's simple. Install XBMC. I then suggest using the XBMC hub wizard to put all the best add ons on. Then install xbmclauncher. When you run xbmclauncher all of the settings are in there for getting it to run as shell. I can't remember the specifics but it's very straight forward just check boxes.
 
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