^^List of stuff to make Windows 7 Media Center even better.

Media Browser (a XBMC-style media browser, awesome-sauce)
http://www.mediabrowser.tv/

Media Center Studio (for modifying the layout/icons of your 7MC)
http://www.adventmediacenter.com/

Media Renamer (automatically makes sure files are named/recognized properly)
http://code.google.com/p/mediarenamer/

Hulu Launcher for 7MC (because, Hulu with 7MC is great)
http://hululauncher.codeplex.com/

Hulu Desktop Application
http://www.hulu.com/labs/hulu-desktop

[Edited on July 16, 2010 at 9:39 AM. Reason : .]

7/16/2010 9:39:35 AM

72 hour sale from Newegg has some good deals on HTPC stuff

http://promotions.newegg.com/NEemail/July-0-2010/72HoursSale/C/index-landing.html?nm_mc=EMC-IGNEFL071610&cm_mmc=EMC-IGNEFL071610-_-EMC-071610-IndexC-_-Header-_-ClickHere

specifically - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811121100&nm_mc=EMC-IGNEFL071610&cm_mmc=EMC-IGNEFL071610-_-EMC-071610-IndexC-_-HTPCMediaCenterCases-_-11121100-L01D

$44.99 w/ power supply and free shipping - need promo code EMCYVZT23

7/16/2010 10:09:46 AM

Stay away from this drive, btw. its a piece of junk
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822148531

7/16/2010 2:07:39 PM

Selling my HTPC if anyone's interested:

message_topic.aspx?topic=598870

7/19/2010 11:28:20 AM

5900 RPM

7/20/2010 10:42:54 AM

yeah what's with that.

7/20/2010 10:51:24 AM

http://www.engadget.com/2010/08/18/amex-digital-claims-worlds-smallest-1080p-media-player-with-m/

$49 for the world's smallest 1080p player. It's basically a harddrive/thumbdrive to HDTV converter. heh. Wonder what the interface is like.

8/18/2010 4:35:22 PM

What's a good remote control to use with Windows 7?

I have a Logitech 890 that I want to use with my HTPC, and I need to buy a remote and "train" my 890 with it, right? Do I have any other options?

9/8/2010 10:43:30 AM

Anybody have a good recommendation for a passively-cooled pci-e video card? Looking to keep the noise level to a minimum, so I'm looking into fanless cards on Newegg. My integrated Ati HD4200 is fine for just about all HD content I've thrown at it, but for light gaming and just a little added power, I might be looking to add a dedicated card. Other specs: Athlon II x3 440 @3.0GHz, 4GB DDR3, DVD, 1 TB hard drive, Silverstone big-ass HTPC case (don't remember the model # off hand). Thanks in advance.

[Edited on September 8, 2010 at 1:33 PM. Reason : .]

9/8/2010 1:33:12 PM

Oh FYI my friend just built an HTPC with an Intel i3-530 (2.93ghz $115) and i'm very impressed. The integrated Intel HD graphics are quite powerful and the chip itself is crazy fast. On par with the older Core 2 Quads (like q6600). If anyones thinking about building a budget HTPC the i3's are where it's at.

9/8/2010 1:36:29 PM

Yep, I built my htpc with an i3-530 and LOVE it. Great little proc for the price.

9/8/2010 1:42:28 PM

i'm thinking about swapping out my Atom/ION for a miniITX i3-530 setup...

Quote :

"Anybody have a good recommendation for a passively-cooled pci-e video card?"

depends on how much money you want to spend or what kind of performance.

i'd look at the ATI 5550/5570, good card that's typically passively cooled.

Quote :

"I have a Logitech 890 that I want to use with my HTPC, and I need to buy a remote and "train" my 890 with it, right? Do I have any other options?"

no you don't need a remote to train it, i have an 880 and tell the remote which remote controls to use via the Logitech Harmony software you download. when you add the remote, use Microsoft A9O-00007 for the MCE remote control

[Edited on September 8, 2010 at 2:02 PM. Reason : .]

9/8/2010 2:01:58 PM

Looking to spend <$100, that 5550 is about what I was looking at. I guess I should have specified the price as well as that it needs HDMI out. On Newegg I'm seeing HIS and Sapphire...anyone have experience with HIS? Also, I'm not up on Nvidia's offerings, do they have any comparable parts?

[Edited on September 8, 2010 at 2:30 PM. Reason : .]

9/8/2010 2:21:53 PM

i'm pretty sure anything less than $150, ATI is your best value, but worth a good look at both.... nvidia comparison would be the GT 240

9/8/2010 3:34:45 PM

Quote :

"miniITX i3-530 setup"

Do elaborate. How does the i3-530 compare to the ATI 3300/3400HD? I'm thinking about a similar downsize.

9/8/2010 10:26:06 PM

well i'm not sure about the performance, it's really hard to find reviews on the H55 chipset using the Intel HD (cpu embedded gpu) and the other option is just not using the Intel HD and dropping in a full-size graphics card (i have a 4570 lying around that would work).... it's just my dual-core Atom/ION can't handle Flash and I've recently dropped Cable TV so I'm watching a lot more online TV using Hulu and ESPN3

here's a small comparison where it uses an i5-661 along side a X4500 and the 4200 IGP, which the Intel HD bests both by a modest 10% or so.... but this is an i5, NOT the slower 733mhz i3
http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/intel-clarkdale-core-i5-661,2514-4.html

i have this case, so it supports 1x full-size PCI card (just in case)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811147133

here's another review to compare the 32/3300 to the 4200:
http://www.anandtech.com/show/2801
HD4200 used in 785G
HD3200/3300 used in 780G/790GX

So in summary this is how I'd rate the IGP's:
Intel HD > AMD HD4200 > Intel X4500HD & AMD HD3300

i3/i5 gpu = 733mhz core, 64-bit, 533mhz memory
i5-661 gpu = 900mhz core, 128-bit, 667mhz memory

more here:
http://www.techarp.com/article/Desktop_GPU_Comparison/intel_4_big.png

[Edited on September 9, 2010 at 12:29 AM. Reason : l]

9/9/2010 12:06:26 AM

here's a good article on the i3 733mhz gpu comparison with other IGPs:
http://www.bit-tech.net/hardware/graphics/2010/01/25/intel-gma-hd-graphics-performance/1

i'm just concerned with HD video and Flash playback, not true 3D gaming, so I figure Intel's ClearVideo and the i3 should be more than sufficient, gives my twice the computing power of the Atom and 'similar' maybe a little less graphics performance than the ION overall, but just as good if not better HD video support

about the only other option would be to go with a miniITX nvidia 9300 IGP solution

[Edited on September 9, 2010 at 12:54 AM. Reason : .]

9/9/2010 12:49:52 AM

Personally I think (processor and graphics chip) technology is between development cycles ... wait about 6 months. In other words, I think between January to March next year will provide a better purchase price for quality/performance than what is available right now.

9/9/2010 1:02:13 AM

yea, but that holds true for pretty much all technology (wait 6 months something better & price cheaper) lol.

9/9/2010 1:38:17 AM

I enjoy being right

But seriously, they are only now starting to really put newer technology (that has been around since the beginning of this year) into netbooks as this year approaches the holidays. So it stands to reason that the price on this technology will decrease following the end of the year. Sure it will be in anticipation of newer tech, but the difference between what's being replaced right now (single core to dual core and increased graphics ability) and what will replace it should be quite different.


[Edited on September 9, 2010 at 1:53 AM. Reason : .]

9/9/2010 1:46:06 AM

well that's half true, if the ION2 is any indication, the performance won't drastically increase with revisions, more than likely they'll focus efforts in making in more energy efficient first. which is why the ION2 performs marginally better than ION, but much better in power consumption. here's to hoping i'm wrong.

power consumption i don't really care about, so if the Intel HD performs similarly in Blu-ray tests as the ION -AND- can perform much better with Flash-based video, then that's all I need.

^also we're talking SFF boxes here not netbooks, and i have yet to see an i3/i5 (Intel HD) based netbook on the market, only in laptops and desktops so far.

[Edited on September 9, 2010 at 2:27 AM. Reason : .]

9/9/2010 2:21:03 AM

work log: http://www.techreaction.net/2010/08/13/gaming-in-tight-spaces-mini-itx-featuring-gigabyte-silverstone-and-prolimatech/

9/11/2010 5:11:03 AM

i dont wanna buy playon subscription....any other way to stream espn3 on tv? (i have xbox and wii if it matters)

9/11/2010 10:10:57 AM

There is no other way. You have to pay to play.

9/11/2010 10:13:58 AM

^^xbox360 will stream espn3 later this year

9/11/2010 11:12:00 AM

Looking for a solution to pull HD shows off my uverse DVR onto my laptop or over the air to my desktop.

I've been looking at a couple of devices but not sure which would be best.

Looking for something like this to connect to my laptop(Vista home basic)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16815100052

Or something for the network like this(Desktops have different Linux distros)
http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=3871577&CatId=4641

http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=5256840&CatId=4641

Not interested in torrent discussions. I know my way around torrents so no need to go there.

9/11/2010 11:19:36 AM

9/11/2010 3:19:43 PM

Quote :

"Looking for a solution to pull HD shows off my uverse DVR onto my laptop or over the air to my desktop."

Of the 3 you listed, only the first one will do what you need. The other two only do OTA and/or unencrypted QAM, which would do you no good if youre trying to get stuff off a DVR. You can also try this: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16815116030. Its the same thing as the AverMedia one basically, it just came out first I think. I have one and it works pretty well, although there is a command prompt capture program that works better than the one packaged.

9/12/2010 6:25:27 PM

So I held off on upgrading the integrated Radeon HD 4200 on my HTPC for a few months now. But, I think I want to add a low-mid range card for some added power in games. Here's the current setup:

MB: ASUS M4A785TD-V EVO
CPU: AMD Athlon II X3 440 Rana (unlocked 4th core to a Phenom X4 B40, I think)
RAM: G.SKILL 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 1333
HDD#1: SAMSUNG Spinpoint F3 HD103SJ 1TB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5"
HDD#2: Western Digital Caviar Green WD20EARS 2TB SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5"
DVD: Sony Optiarc CD/DVD Burner Black SATA
PSU: OCZ ModXStream Pro OCZ500MXSP 500W
TV Tuner: ATI TV Wonder 650 I think

I'm looking to spend no more than $100, somewhere around $75 - $80 would be nice. I'm not a hardcore gamer, just looking for a little more power (& not a screaming fan), though the 4200 does HD video really well.

So I've narrowed it down to either an ATI 5570 or 5670, preferably with DDR3 and at least 512 of memory. I see on newegg that Nvidia GT 240's go on sale every once in a while too. Just need HDMI out, only real requirement. Any suggestions for me, tdubs? I guess my biggest concern is if the power supply will handle it, being 500W with all the stuff already inside. Thanks in advance.

[Edited on November 18, 2010 at 4:43 PM. Reason : ]

11/18/2010 4:28:24 PM

I'm currently parting out my HTPC on eBay.

PM me and I can send you the links and give you a $5 discount on any part:

SiliconDust HDHomeRun ATSC QAM Dual HD TV Tuner HDTV
ZOTAC IONITX-D-E Atom N330 Mini ITX NVIDIA ION Motherboard
Rosewill RC-CIX-01-BK Black Gloss Mini ITX Cube Case
Lenovo Wireless Keyboard N5901 Wireless Keyboard

Not part of my setup, but also have these 2 keyboards that would work with HTPC setups:
Logitech diNovo Keyboard for Notebooks Wireless 2.4Ghz
Microsoft MCE Remote Keyboard (works with IR receiver for MCE remotes, ZV1-00004 )

11/18/2010 5:34:01 PM

I've got an extra XP notebook I think I'd like to use a media device for my HT.

what do I need to get to make this happen?

USB sound card/converter?
VGA -> HDMI cable/converter?
software?
how to integrate a remote control for notebook?

[Edited on January 16, 2011 at 3:03 PM. Reason : .]

1/16/2011 3:01:12 PM

You cant do vga to hdmi. If you want HDMI output, I wouldnt use the laptop. You'll spend more money on getting hdmi out than it would cost to just buy a different system

Software: Get Windows 7 and use Windows Media Center.

Remote control: buy a wireless remote with a usb dongle.

1/16/2011 5:41:36 PM

ok, so VGA to RGB then.

XP will stay

Just remembered it has an IR port... think I'll look into a remote application and try to sync my universal to it...?

still not sure on sound though

1/16/2011 5:55:43 PM

Just get a nettop http://lifehacker.com/5391308/build-a-silent-standalone-xbmc-media-center-on-the-cheap

1/17/2011 12:53:24 AM

because that's $150 more than I wanted to spend. I said I have an extra machine lying around, not that I wanted to buy another one. I was just hoping I could use what I have, if it won't work, then fine, but I think there's a way to get it rolling.

[Edited on January 17, 2011 at 7:40 AM. Reason : -->

1/17/2011 7:40:01 AM

Video - VGA -> RGB

Audio - You can probably just use a 3.5mm stereo to RCA stereo cable or if you want more than 2-channel sound you'll need an external sound card that has SPDIF out to your A/V receiver:
http://www.amazon.com/Creative-SB1090-Blaster-Surround-System/dp/tags-on-product/B0017QQQAE or this http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16829270009 Don't purchase those USB to stereo external sound cards, even if they say 5.1 or 7.1 it's virtual sound which is still output in 2 channels. You need SPDIF to get full 5.1 or 7.1 from your laptop to your receiver.

Software - I'd use Boxee

Remote Control - I'd get something like the Lenovo Wireless Keyboard which you can get on eBay for <$30 http://www.amazon.com/Lenovo-Multimedia-Remote-with-Keyboard/dp/B0036VO67I You can just plug in the USB transmitter (really small) and you're good to go.

Edit:

Quote :

"Just remembered it has an IR port... think I'll look into a remote application and try to sync my universal to it...?"

if you get the Microsoft IR Receiver (for the MCE remote) you can use it with Logitech Harmony remotes... i used to do this. Then you can use it to navigate boxee as well.

[Edited on January 17, 2011 at 12:53 PM. Reason : .]

1/17/2011 12:28:17 PM

Anyone in here ever used Amazon On Demand for HBO? Are they pretty current for all of their shows or is it more like DVD release time frame? By current I just mean sometime in the same week the episode airs you can stream the show via AOD. I see some of their current shows out there now (just looked for Big Love since it is a current show) but wasn't sure whether they did that for all shows (like if they withheld on their "flagship" type shows). I'm not a fan of True Blood but if I did see that season 3 wasn't on AOD yet.

Also, if the show is in HD, does Amazon always stream it in HD?


[Edited on January 17, 2011 at 2:11 PM. Reason : .]

1/17/2011 1:57:31 PM

^^I just bought that keyboard for 25 bucks and I'm digging it. I would still rather have a nice Harmony + Event Ghost, but 25 dollars you can't go wrong. Perfect for diagnostics too.

1/17/2011 2:50:37 PM

i was also getting ready to buy that Lenovo keyboard, but then realized that even a better solution for me was Mobile Mouse Pro app for my iPhone. DOnloaded it and coudln't be happier. It addresses the complaints that people had with the lenovo remote (poor visibility in low light, trackball sensitivity) and only cost me 3 bucks. It has touch trackpad and accelerometer-based (think wii-mote) mouse control, and changes the button layout based on the application that is currently on-screen.

Of course you'd have to own an iphone or ipod touch.. there probably is an android version out there.

1/17/2011 3:21:13 PM

Non-HTPC related, but I use the Sony Android app to control my Sony Blu-ray player and it's great to type in text in Netflix, Hulu, Pandora, etc.. the interface is great. ^but that app looks crazy good.

[Edited on January 17, 2011 at 3:43 PM. Reason : .]

1/17/2011 3:41:27 PM

question.

if I'm going to use my extra notebook as a media device and I'm going

VGA -> RGB

is that a straightforward operation? just the cable? monoprice says no.

notebook has an Intel 945GM

1/23/2011 7:42:16 PM

^so no onboard videocard? It's not going to really be able to handle anything in HD. Just ditch the laptop idea and get a Western Digital Live TV. It'll probably do everything you want it to. You can find them for $60-80 online.

[Edited on January 23, 2011 at 7:47 PM. Reason : f]

1/23/2011 7:45:28 PM

this is what I have:

Quote :

" 1 NJ745 Processor, 80539, YONAH, T2300E 1.66, 2M 1 CF809 Module, Adapter, Alternating Current, 65W, Lead Free, Liteon World Wide 1 FH658 Module, Label, Intel, CENTRINO DCY, Notebook 1 GH701 Module, Software, Roxio, Creator, Compact Diskette, Relationship Line of Business 1 H7658 Module, Software, Windows XP Pro Service Pack 2, COMPACT DISK DRIVE..., English DAO/BCC 1 HF700 Module, Palmrest, Plastic, Black Standard, D620 1 HN269 Module, Software, DSPRT3.2 Gteck0, Optiplex, Latched Address 1 K1551 Module, Information, No Floppy Drive, D Series 1 K2967 Module, Information, Software, Internet Service Provider, AOL 8.0, DELL AMERICAS ORGANIZATION..., ASSET RECOVERY BUSINESS... 1 K2972 Module, Information, Software, Internet Service Provider, AMERICA ON LINE..., PRI-OOBE 1 K8627 Module, Compact Diskette Driver, Portable Resource Cd Latitude, D620 1 KD109 Module, Liquid Crystal Display 14.1WX, D620, Lg Philips Lcd 1 KF863 Module, Card, Network Bluetooth 350 1 KJ735 Module, Label, VISTA, CAPABLE Small 1 PF245 Module, Card, Minicard, 3945ULD Dell Americas Organization 1 PF331 Ship Group, Notebook, United States, North, D620, Malaysia Direct Ship, DELL AMERICAS ORGANIZATION... 1 PJ180 Module, Dvd+/-rw, PHILIPS Latitude Dmod 1 R7469 Module, Software, WXPPSP2 Latched Address, english, No Docs, DELL AMERICAS ORGANIZATION... 1 TC578 Module, Keyboard, 87, United States, Dual Pointing, Black Dell Americas Organization 1 TC847 MODULE..., ASSEMBLY..., BASE (ASSEMBLY OR GROUP)..., NOTEBOOK..., D620I 1 U1540 Module, Battery, 53W, Primary Latitude, Sony 1 UY555 Module, Hard Drive, 60G, 5.4K SFX, SA060, Latitude 1 WC029 Service Install Module Software, Latitude, D620 1 WG934 Module, Software, Roxio, Roxio Latched Address, Deluxe 1 WH213 Module, Software, Powerdvd, 5.7 Latitude 1 WH217 Module, Software, Compact Diskette, Powerdvd, 5.7 1 X8346 Module, Dual In-line Memory Module, 1GB, 533MHZ, DDR2, 2X512"

the purpose of this was to use the extra notebook, not invest in other equipment. and nothing I have that will play through this notebook will be HD anyways.

1/23/2011 8:17:33 PM

It's going to be a shitty, shitty HTPC experience. You'll be better off selling the laptop and buying an ITX homebuilt or just buying a Boxee

1/23/2011 8:42:50 PM

sigh.

I'm not looking for spectacular. I'm primarily using it for music (streaming from my primary machine to the extra notebook then to the receiver) and thought it would be nice to include non-HD video. I can already bring up HD/HQ video via my Blu-Ray player (including youtube, netflix, etc.).


I did end up putting W7 on it though... I hadn't used this machine in a while and forgot it was acting all funky, so I was going to do a reinstall anyways. I was considered about the hardware and speed with W7 but so far it's running strong

[Edited on January 23, 2011 at 9:09 PM. Reason : .]

1/23/2011 8:51:07 PM

http://www.monoprice.com/products/product.asp?c_id=102&cp_id=10235&cs_id=1023503&p_id=2170&seq=1&format=2

Quote :

"THIS CABLE WILL NOT ALLOW YOU TO CONNECT YOUR COMPUTER'S VGA PORT TO THE COMPONENET INPUT ON YOUR HDTV unless your video card supports component out function through it's VGA port (please confirm with your video cards documentation before purchasing)"

I suppose you have a Dell Latitude D620?
http://www.dell.com/us/en/dfb/notebooks/latit_d620/pd.aspx?refid=latit_d620&s=dfb&cs=28&~section=specs#tabtop

I'm pretty sure the Quadro mobile cards support RGB out via VGA.

[Edited on January 23, 2011 at 11:08 PM. Reason : .]

1/23/2011 11:05:17 PM

^yeh, D620. specs as shipped in the quote a few posts up.

it's $3 so I'll just give it a shot

[Edited on January 23, 2011 at 11:21 PM. Reason : .]

1/23/2011 11:21:16 PM

I don't think it works

Notebook detects 2nd monitor (TV), but TV just stays blank (black screen)

I can swear I thought I read somewhere that this will work... just can't find where.

Dell D620
945GM
VGA -> Component

1/28/2011 11:47:43 PM

Is there any software out there that will upconvert (to either 720 or 1080p) a DVD rip with decent quality?

1/30/2011 12:49:43 PM

^^did you try plugging it in, then booting up your computer?

did you try Fn+F8 on the keyboard to switch monitors?

1/30/2011 7:33:52 PM