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| Thread ID: 128849 | 2013-01-19 07:40:00 | Mini-itx HTPC project - to run XBMC | Tukapa (62) | Press F1 |
| Post ID | Timestamp | Content | User | ||
| 1323528 | 2013-01-19 07:40:00 | Hi all Recently bought a WD TV Live Streaming Media Player but it hasn't turned out to be exactly what I was after. So I am now looking at throwing together a mini-itx system to run XBMC which should result in a much nicer end product (I hope!). What I want to do is be able to access all of my network stored content in the lounge and that includes full quality blu-ray rips, so the unit needs to be able to do 1080p. Wondering if anyone has had any experience with this sort of a set up? I am looking at using the Antec ISK 110 case with 90W external PSU - see here (www.computerlounge.co.nz) I'm looking at pairing an ASRock mini-itx board - here (www.ascent.co.nz) - with the i3 3225 CPU as it has the HD4000 GPU. As far as I can tell the standard cooler fits into the Antec case. I will add 8GB Ram. At this stage I have 2.5" notebook drive at home as well as a Windows 7 licence (tossing up whether to go Windows or the linux route). If all goes well then I woudl probably remove the 2.5" drive and install an SSD down the track. This would be connected to the network via cable, not wireless, and I would ideally like to use a bluetooth remote control as this would not be stored in the lounge (although I see the android remote over wifi gets quite good ratings). If anybody has any experience with this sort of set up I would be interested in your views. Likewise if anybody can see any pitfalls with the hardware etc that I have outlined. Cheers. |
Tukapa (62) | ||
| 1323529 | 2013-01-19 08:46:00 | Sounds like a nice unit, small but functional. Only "pitfall" I can think of is sometimes from various reports and other forums, XBMC setup, can be a bit awkward to find drivers for some hardware. I tried it a year or so back and had nothing but trouble with the audio driver not working (couldn't locate a driver - Linux based- to make it work for the soundcard I had) in the end I gave up. Hopefully its gotten better by now.:2cents: |
wainuitech (129) | ||
| 1323530 | 2013-01-19 08:53:00 | Try an odroid x2 | stratex5 (16685) | ||
| 1323531 | 2013-01-19 09:03:00 | The good thing with a PC setup is that you can run.... anything! XBMC, Windows media centre, it's all there. So if XBMC isn't to your liking either you can do pretty much anything. Re remotes, there are some bluetooth remote apps for Android as well as WiFi. Both are good. Unless there is a particular advantage that you consider worth your $ for a physical remote then I'd go the phone/table app route, programmable, always on hand and upgradeable I'd personally say that's the better option. Also, one less device to worry about. Spouse/kids can have their own remote too (if they have a wireless/BT device). Other advantage (esp with a tablet) is that you can VNC in pretty easily or use a wireless/bt mouse/keyboard app to make quick changes. Of course a proper kb and mouse is better for bigger jobs but the phone makes it a little quicker to say, change the resolution, rather than dragging over a kb/mouse. Other than that little insight I'd say your setup looks pretty gold, that i3 should be able to handle everything fine, it's only doing 1080 video. It's not that hard, even some 700MHz ARM processors can shove 1080 out. That being said, someone may correct me on that and say an i3 wont cut it. Notebook HDD vs. SSD? Unless there is a serious need for speed a HDD will be fine, I'd save your pennies. Since it's only for streaming media a HDD will do fine and last longer since the constant Read/Write will kill the SSD pretty quick, even if you don't stream and store locally a HDD is going to be better because of the cheap size/storage value. Anyway, that's my opinion, never run an HTPC myself mind you, someone with more experiance is likely going to come boot my ass : |
The Error Guy (14052) | ||
| 1323532 | 2013-01-19 09:14:00 | Does the B75 chipset let you use the IGP? You don't want to end up GMA :O | icow (15313) | ||
| 1323533 | 2013-01-19 09:20:00 | Try an odroid x2 Sound like an interesting piece of kit. Not sure if it would be quite powerful enough for what I want - reviews of xbmc running on android aren't overly flash just yet. Might be worth a purchase at that price though just for a play. |
Tukapa (62) | ||
| 1323534 | 2013-01-19 09:29:00 | Does the B75 chipset let you use the IGP? You don't want to end up GMA :O Hopefully I read the specs right: Supports Intel® HD Graphics Built-in Visuals : Intel® Quick Sync Video 2.0, Intel® InTru™ 3D, Intel® Clear Video HD Technology, Intel® Insider™, Intel® HD Graphics 2500/4000with Intel® Ivy Bridge CPU |
Tukapa (62) | ||
| 1323535 | 2013-01-19 12:10:00 | Raspberry Pi works with it. I'm currently doing just that :-) | Chilling_Silence (9) | ||
| 1323536 | 2013-01-19 19:41:00 | You could always try Openelec here/ (http://openelec.tv/) another Linux media OS, I haven't tried this nothing to try it on | gary67 (56) | ||
| 1323537 | 2013-01-19 21:25:00 | I built a similar one using a pentium G620 and an asus H67 board and it worked great using windows media centre, I did end up adding a cheap graphics card though - the integrated could handle 1080P but I had problems with getting the HDMI to work with my TV and setting the native resolution. I ended up with an i5 in mine which was total overkill, sold it eventually as it was not getting much use but it was a great little unit. Now I have a 3Ghz core2 Duo Dell ultra small form factor I was given I'm thinking of setting up as a media centre, seems to handle everything ok. | dugimodo (138) | ||
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