HTPC system in New Zealand?

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suvneet

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#5404 26-Oct-2005 17:29

I was planning to buy a Mediagate MG-35 for playing all the 400GB of movies/TV episodes I am going to get from a friend (to watch them on TV, watching on PC just doesnt do it).

Then I saw HTPC and this site which tells you how to build one
http://www.pcstats.com/articleview.cfm?articleid=1820&page=1

This would be an unknown territory for me, but I am willing to try as I want to record SKY/TV2 etc as well (and using TIVONZ looks quite complicated).

My question is has anyone tried making a HTPC in NZ? Are they on sale somewhere, so I can look at the performance? What costs are we looking for ( i guess i can add up with the materials specified, but if someone has used one, would be handy)

And what software is to be used? Windows media centre? Does it let you record TV and Watch simlutaneously?

I would also like to use this to rip and copy my DVDs as well (using DVD shrink/Decrypter). Can WMC do this as well?

I am a little new at this, so would prefer any detailed site info you can provide.

Much Thanks

geekiegeek

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#22090 26-Oct-2005 17:37

only one answer man - Modded Xbox. I still dont think you can beat it, the best media centre I ever brought.

coolvibes

20 posts

Geek

#22150 27-Oct-2005 13:10

Hi
I have a mediagate 25 the quality of the picture is exceptional I have no complaints what so ever with the picture or sound quality. The only thing it does not have is the pc network connector as on the mg35 and a capture facility on the MG (IWISH). No doubt products are in the pipeline that will be available soon I hope. I have created my own PC TV box but I am never satisfied. The main cause of my dissatisfaction with my pc solution is that the qualty in from sky or terestial stations leaves a lot to be desired, you need hardware mpeg2 compression to reduce the load on your cpu. Mpg4 divx /xvid hardware compresion I think some usb devices now support this will really free up your pc instead of compressing again after a capture. Next on my gadget list.
I use a winfast prv 2000 tuner capture card which comes with time shift software and a really neat scheduler.
Mpeg 2 uses about 3.5 gig an hour where as mpeg 4 will use about 400 meg an hour dependent on the settings.
Unfortunatly I do not think we have good enough quality transmissions in new zealand to go out and buy excellent quality capture kit yet. OT take sky for example they are transmitting from tapes and retransmit the terestial transmision from prime BOT
So hopefully when the new satelite goes up we can get the HDTV we deserve util then.
www.tehserver.us forever

suvneet

47 posts

Geek

#22152 27-Oct-2005 13:47

Yeah I thought of buying a XBOX, but it has things I dont need.. I am not a gaming buff..So why pay for it ??

Off the topic..
Question to cool... If I need some of the files on the website you have listed, where do I go?

Plus, found out Krone sells these boxes (Hush ATX boxes) for upto $6000, dont see why, havent called them yet, prob they sell a 42" plasma with it?! Anyone used them?

Anyway, I will keep researching on this, as I want to sit on my couch and surf on my TV, while my DVD's get ripped and I am downloading more from inertnet... I wonder when that will happen...

chiefie

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#22158 27-Oct-2005 16:03

well if you want MCE, then perhaps get in touch with Krome and get the TVTuner+MCE+remote, and build your own box. otherwise, get HP's MCE... I got HP's m7199a and is awesome when you hook it up with 32" LCD hehe.

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chiefie

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#22159 27-Oct-2005 16:05

oh as to whether MCE ripping DVD, nope, but you can use the normal software that you use for ripping to accomplish those jobs.

I use 1ClickDVDCopy with DVD43, normally, it is used for copying DVD to DVD (either DVD9-DVD4, or DVD9-DVD9), but you can also do DVD-HDD. I find it super quick and easy.

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suvneet

47 posts

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#22161 27-Oct-2005 16:44

Thanks mate, some more info please then.
How much did you pay for it? what are the specs? Where did you get it from? Cant see it in Noel leeming site?
I assume you only bought the CPU only? More info please... :)

chiefie

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#22162 27-Oct-2005 17:16

I got mine about 2 weekends ago. look at HP's site then you should be able to find. My recommendation is m7199a, as it is the highest spec of all m-series. if you dont want PC, you can get Toshiba's MCE laptop too, but it priced similar to HP's m7199a.

the model/package that I got comes with 21" LCD which can display up to 1680x1050. priced at $4299. Not sure if Harvey Norman still got it or not...

HP m-series MCE
HP m7199a
HP f2105 (P8727AA)

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coolvibes

20 posts

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#22237 28-Oct-2005 12:39

message for Suvneet
I have sent to your mail address on this site if you want to access it go to your profile and you should see you have a message. To contact me direct use my gmail email
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wogboy

2 posts

Wannabe Geek

#22268 28-Oct-2005 23:58

Hi try www.htpc-realm.co.nz its a kiwi based HTPC information site

suvneet

47 posts

Geek

#22325 31-Oct-2005 08:41

Thanks guys, My dear wife presented me an XBOX for my Bday, so i guess I have to use that as my Media centre for now !!

Questions reg that...
Can I play all my avi's, iso, cue, bin without getting it chipped?

Where do i get it chipped from, if all I want to do is use it as media centre and play nominal games. What chips? how much?

DO I need to get hardrive for it (with chipping) or can I just FTP my stuff from my PC (or an ext HDD connected to my PC) through my Xbox. And any suggestions on how to?

lchiu7

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#22381 31-Oct-2005 19:32

I must admit I am pretty happy with my Shuttle XP system, using an Athlon XP 2000+ with 512MB memory, 20G C and 160 (SATA) drive and Hauppauge PVR250 video card.

My tv provider is TCL. I use a USB-UIRT device and gbpvr to do my recording and auto cable box switching with epg from mr.geek.nz

gbpvr also provides a media player and with a USB 2.0 802.11a/g wireless adapter I can view videos both on the local drive and on my server. gbpvr can be controlled remotely using the Hauppauge remote control and I use a Toshiba 52" RP DLP for the display device. This works well since it has native VGA input so I don't have to worry about getting vga to work with component video input

Larry

Staying in Wellington. Check out my AirBnB in the Wellington CBD. https://www.airbnb.co.nz/h/wellycbd PM me and mention GZ to get a 15% discount and no AirBnB charges.