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| Thread ID: 98893 | 2009-04-12 02:17:00 | HTPC questions | Myth (110) | Press F1 |
| Post ID | Timestamp | Content | User | ||
| 764144 | 2009-04-12 02:17:00 | Ok, I have a budget HTPC set up at home. Currently it is a computer with DVD, running Linux (Debian running My Media Server), with large amounts of storage (500GB+) I was going to connect it to a projector, until SWMBO and I realised that projector bulbs have a very limited life and replacements are not cheap I don't like the idea of having to use a keyboard/mouse for input. Im also not 100% sure if Linux is the ideal OS What can I do to eliminate the keyboard/mouse. What OS should I be looking at? If its connected to the TV, do I need a TV card in the computer? And if so, why? I would prefer not to have to buy a dedicated HTPC case with remotes etc. Just would like to build own one I have it connected to output sound via the stereo as well |
Myth (110) | ||
| 764145 | 2009-04-12 02:24:00 | Unless you want TV to go through to a TV, you dont need a tuner Dont think it'll matter what OS you use, it'll probably need a mouse/ kb. Doesnt mean you have to use it tho |
Speedy Gonzales (78) | ||
| 764146 | 2009-04-12 03:18:00 | Use a Windows Media center remote. MythTV(OS) or MediaPortal(standalone) If you decie to connect an HTPC to the TV, you'll need a TV tuner if you want to be able to take full advantage of a DVR system Blam |
Blam (54) | ||
| 764147 | 2009-04-12 03:48:00 | I wouldnt mind some version of WMC. Then I could see what its like with the Xbox. I've got the Xbox, to talk to WMP 11 (for MP3's) in XP. Photos will probably work, once I put some on a USB flash drive. Only thing I havent figured out yet, is where videos would go (so the Xbox can see them). Altho, this doesnt really matter. I would just play dvd's. Do what I did, buy one of those logitech remotes. Saved me $40 getting the remote for the Xbox. Just use the Harmony remote software, find whatever, download it to the remote. Change the settings / buttons, if you want, save it again. Thats it |
Speedy Gonzales (78) | ||
| 764148 | 2009-04-12 03:54:00 | Use a Windows Media center remote. BlamAny idea who sells these? Had a look at DSE, Ascent, and Computer Lounge. I must be going blind I think :waughh: |
Myth (110) | ||
| 764149 | 2009-04-12 04:02:00 | www.trademe.co.nz www.trademe.co.nz www.trademe.co.nz www.trademe.co.nz You can make it work with other OS'es and softwares too. Most higher end TV Tuners come with a nice remote anyways |
Blam (54) | ||
| 764150 | 2009-04-12 07:24:00 | www.trademe.co.nz www.trademe.co.nz www.trademe.co.nz www.trademe.co.nz You can make it work with other OS'es and softwares too. Most higher end TV Tuners come with a nice remote anywaysThanks for those links and the info. I now know where I am heading re:HTPC :) |
Myth (110) | ||
| 764151 | 2009-04-12 07:59:00 | Two words: iTouch VLC 'nuff said ;) If you have VideoLAN Client, you can control it from in Windows or Linux easily via the iPod Touches remote application (Free or $1.29 for Paid). In a nutshell, you can adjust volume, ffwd, rew, add new items to the queue. Just set VLC to start in Full-screen mode when playing a video and you're away laughing! VLC performance for HD movies seems to trump XBMC and (especially) MediaPortal. MPC-HC or MPC can use the CoreAVC codec which is better if you've got a sub-par graphics card, but still.... Projector is great, use it lots for movies etc, but stick with the TV for general viewing. If you've got your TV, you can run the output from the TV -> Projector, so you wont need anything special on your HTPC at all. Pretty much every single projector on the market these days can take a standard VGA output, so HTPC -> Projector is also sweet as without any extra hardware :) Seriously, Im not kidding you, try and find a friend with an iPhone or iPod Touch, install VLC Remote from the App Store and you'll love it! I should post pix ... |
Chilling_Silence (9) | ||
| 764152 | 2009-04-12 08:11:00 | Attached file: vlcremote1.jpg (www.imagef1.net.nz) (36 KB) Attached file: vlcremote2.jpg (www.imagef1.net.nz) (38 KB) Attached file: vlcremote3.jpg (www.imagef1.net.nz) (33 KB) Attached file: vlcremote4.jpg (www.imagef1.net.nz) (29 KB) Attached file: vlcremote5.jpg (www.imagef1.net.nz) (52 KB) By far the best remote I've ever used, so easy to do all that you need (With the exception of full-screening video) ;) FYI - Check the filenames, all video trailers from the Apple Website, go download them yourself. Star Trek looks MEAN! :D |
Chilling_Silence (9) | ||
| 764153 | 2009-04-28 19:16:00 | Ok, just an update on this: Decided to go with this remote (images.trademe.co.nz) For an OS, I ditched the existing install and had a look at various Linux based OS's before going with Mythbuntu (http://www.mythbuntu.org/) Setup on this OS was really quite easy (you can play with it first as a LiveCD) and on install, the remote worked perfect. I found it easier to use than Mythdora Had to do a few minor tweaks (getting alsa to see pci soundcard as default instead of onboard) but its all good now and works exactly how I want it :) |
Myth (110) | ||
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