HTPC replacement options

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Disrespective

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#69530 10-Oct-2010 10:17

Okay, so i'm sick and tired of my HTPC dominating the cabinet and am looking at other options.

I need:
- Something to deal with Freeview Terrestrial that can record two channels at once
- Something to stream my CD collection to the stereo which is on a HDD currently in the HTPC
- Something to stream my movie collection which is currently in a file server which will be staying regardless

The way i am thinking to do it is move the CD collection to the USB NAS support on my wireless router so i can access it at any time even if the PC's/Components are off.

Get something like a popcorn hour for the movie streaming however i've never used these before and would like to know what others think of them. Do they have metadata support for the movies? I use metabrowser to scrape move information down off the internet and it'd be nice if whatever i get could use this.

Get a Freeview box with multiple tuners and a sizable hard drive in it for TV recordings. Do they get a full 7 day guide these days off the terrestrial signal or just the nox and next that was the case when freeview first came out.

So has anyone had experience with any of these or other options that might suit me better?

I'm really trying to get a set up that's less obtrusive than what i have now, and with any luck more stable...

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#390155 10-Oct-2010 13:53

Okay, for others that might be interested this is what i've found out.

The popcorn hour c-200 looks like it'll be the go. It will take an internal optical disc drive and HDD for further expansion. I can install the YAMJ (Yet Another Movie Jukebox) app on it and get it to boot straight to a custom index.html file which will point to Movies index and TV index separately. It seems it can read xml files and will pull down xml data itself if none is present. I'd be interested to hear from anyone who has done this to hear their opinion on the speed of the UI compared to other options such as Win7MC

The New PopBox (Available in the US only at this point) has a similar YAMJ installed by default and is integrated a little nicer into the user experience but also has some differences to the c-200 in that it can't have an internal disc drive installed.

As for freeview PVR options there don't seem to be too many in the Terrestrial type. The MagicTV ones seem to be the most available but I'm still keen to hear if anyone has an opinion on these or others.

PANiCnz

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#390188 10-Oct-2010 16:54

Have you considered one of the ION powered Acer Revo's? They can be vesa mounted to the back of most LCD/Plasma tv's.

Has no internal expansion (e.g. PCI) so I would then recommend a HDHomeRun or adding some DVB-T tuners to the file server.

Personally I prefer the level of customization you can obtain from a proper HTPC. I would argue one of the Revo's is probably smaller than a popcorn hour.

Disrespective

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#390197 10-Oct-2010 17:37

With the HDHomeRun is it multiple tuners? Or just one? If it's a couple then it'd be a neat solution to part of the problem.

Hadn't looked at the Acer options. It's just a sff PC right? So i'd potentially still have the stability issues i'm having with the HTPC and software combination i have now...

I just know that this will end in a new TV too at this rate :( sorry plastic.

PANiCnz

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#390199 10-Oct-2010 17:44

I believe the HDHomeRun has dual DVB-T tuners.

Yup, the Acer is just one of the hundred other similar products and is just a pc. They use the low power dual core Atom processors from Intel, which on their own can't do HD, but coupled with the ION processor (GPU) from Nvidia offer a small low power solution. On the XBMC forums these are the go to product, the moment anyone posts a "what hardware do I need" post it takes about 30 seconds for someone to link to the Acer.

I've heard murmurings but nothing official that when coupled with MediaPortal they aren't great, but this is more to do with MP's rendering engine and less to do with the Acer. There is a XBMC fork with PVR functionality that has come a long way, not as polished as MP yet but it won't be long until it is.

The other completely geek alternative to the HDHomeRun would be a plug PC coupled with a USB DVB tuner, this is something I'm considering at the moment but its not for the faint hearted.

I can't find any howto guides on the net which suggest nobodies really tried it yet, but since the plug would be passing the video stream onto the HTPC for decoding it should in theory work. The Sheevaplug website suggests it as a possible use for the plug so in theory its doable.

Disrespective

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#390205 10-Oct-2010 18:14

Jeez, we get reamed on the price of the HDHomeRun. NZD$349 or USD$149 or AUD$199. I'm tempted to try and source one from Aussie assuming the signals are compatible. I assume they are as they are marketed as the HDHomeRun EU/AU/NZ version...

Disrespective

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#390229 10-Oct-2010 19:04

Bugger it, used the ben.geek.nz code to get $30 off and it's winging its way to me now. Wooo. Even if i don't use it for the new HTPC setup it'll be handy for the better half to be able to watch TV on her laptop in bed. Brownie points ++

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elldizzle

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#390256 10-Oct-2010 20:32

I picked up the base Acer Revo version in the states last year. And coupled with MPC-HC's DXVA plays every single 1080p MKV I throw at it. Granted it won't do anything else while doing that it runs HD video fine...
I have done alot of messing around trying to configure a decent front end media centre for it though. Have tried the likes of 7MC, XBMC and Mediaportal. But it just doesn't have the grunt to run them as smooth as I like.
I think id definatly go for a dedicated HTPC there are alot of SFF options out there, If your worried about space.

Disrespective

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#390263 10-Oct-2010 21:06

elldizzle: I think id definatly go for a dedicated HTPC there are alot of SFF options out there, If your worried about space.

I'm not worried about space at all, but i am against any solution which isn't nice and snappy after a button press. My current HTPC is plenty grunty enough to do anything i throw at it and more but it's prone to crashes, the fans are noisy, overheats easily and doesn't 'fit' with all the other components as it's silver, not black like everything else. Smaller things i can hide easily.

PANiCnz

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#390282 10-Oct-2010 22:16

elldizzle: I picked up the base Acer Revo version in the states last year. And coupled with MPC-HC's DXVA plays every single 1080p MKV I throw at it. Granted it won't do anything else while doing that it runs HD video fine...
I have done alot of messing around trying to configure a decent front end media centre for it though. Have tried the likes of 7MC, XBMC and Mediaportal. But it just doesn't have the grunt to run them as smooth as I like.
I think id definatly go for a dedicated HTPC there are alot of SFF options out there, If your worried about space.

Have you tried XBMCLive? In particular the custom version developed by XBMCfreak? Works straight out of the box with the Revo's and is very snappy.

Have you upgraded the memory in the Revo? its one of the few recommendations. The upgrade to a small entry level SSD is meant to improve the UI as well.

elldizzle

91 posts

Master Geek

#390325 11-Oct-2010 08:08

Disrespective:
elldizzle: I think id definatly go for a dedicated HTPC there are alot of SFF options out there, If your worried about space.
I'm not worried about space at all, but i am against any solution which isn't nice and snappy after a button press. My current HTPC is plenty grunty enough to do anything i throw at it and more but it's prone to crashes, the fans are noisy, overheats easily and doesn't 'fit' with all the other components as it's silver, not black like everything else. Smaller things i can hide easily.

Fair enough. I personally like the idea of a dedicated HTPC running a nice media centre front end. I don't really have any experience with the dedicated media boxes like the popcorn hour. Although the HDhomerun looks like a great option for what you're after!..

PANiCnz:

Have you tried XBMCLive? In particular the custom version developed by XBMCfreak? Works straight out of the box with the Revo's and is very snappy.

Have you upgraded the memory in the Revo? its one of the few recommendations. The upgrade to a small entry level SSD is meant to improve the UI as well.

Im currently running 3 gb ram. Had to do some chopping and changing with another laptop I had and ended up with 3gb. It seems to run great in windows 7. I feel its the single core atom letting it down. I have run XBMC live but over the weekend I will definatly give the version you sugested a go and see how it works out. Also the Revo lacks HD audio Bitstreaming which is a bit annoying as most of my MKV's have both the standard DD/DTS 5.1 and either a Dolby True HD or DTSHDMA track.
Do you also use a revo setup?..

Nety

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#390336 11-Oct-2010 09:12

I am not sure if putting this thread under HTPC when you want to know about alternatives is the best way to get replies. Most people that browse this forum are going to tell you to go with a HTPC, as a few already have.
If you wish I can move this thread to home theater where you may get more people replying that are useing the alternatives. Of course if you want convincing that a HTPC is the best option then we will leave it hear ;-)
PS a HTPC done right will beat the pants off the "alternatives" :)

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CutCutCut

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#390341 11-Oct-2010 09:24

Disrespective: Bugger it, used the ben.geek.nz code to get $30 off and it's winging its way to me now. Wooo. Even if i don't use it for the new HTPC setup it'll be handy for the better half to be able to watch TV on her laptop in bed. Brownie points ++

What's that discount about then?

Disrespective

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#390413 11-Oct-2010 12:05

CutCutCut:
Disrespective: Bugger it, used the ben.geek.nz code to get $30 off and it's winging its way to me now. Wooo. Even if i don't use it for the new HTPC setup it'll be handy for the better half to be able to watch TV on her laptop in bed. Brownie points ++

What's that discount about then?

Just searched Google for HD Homerun coupon code and it came up with a couple from NZ. On a related note i have been told they only had one left in the country and it didn't have a power cord so could give me a stellar deal on it minus the cable. So i took it. Pity too, i wouldn't mind another one. Oh well.

Disrespective

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#390417 11-Oct-2010 12:08

Nety: I am not sure if putting this thread under HTPC when you want to know about alternatives is the best way to get replies. Most people that browse this forum are going to tell you to go with a HTPC, as a few already have.
If you wish I can move this thread to home theater where you may get more people replying that are useing the alternatives. Of course if you want convincing that a HTPC is the best option then we will leave it hear ;-)
PS a HTPC done right will beat the pants off the "alternatives" :)

Yeah, i couldn't decide where to put it. Leaving it here will do, i've pretty much come to the conclusion that the HTPC is probably still a damn fine way of doing things however if i was doing it again i might choose something else. Next step i think is to downsize the fullsize Silverstone LC16M case into something more manageable i think.

There is a new Acer Revo on the horizon which is dual core and ION2 tech so might keep my eyes out for that.

PANiCnz

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#390430 11-Oct-2010 12:40

Disrespective:
Nety: I am not sure if putting this thread under HTPC when you want to know about alternatives is the best way to get replies. Most people that browse this forum are going to tell you to go with a HTPC, as a few already have.
If you wish I can move this thread to home theater where you may get more people replying that are useing the alternatives. Of course if you want convincing that a HTPC is the best option then we will leave it hear ;-)
PS a HTPC done right will beat the pants off the "alternatives" :)
Yeah, i couldn't decide where to put it. Leaving it here will do, i've pretty much come to the conclusion that the HTPC is probably still a damn fine way of doing things however if i was doing it again i might choose something else. Next step i think is to downsize the fullsize Silverstone LC16M case into something more manageable i think.

There is a new Acer Revo on the horizon which is dual core and ION2 tech so might keep my eyes out for that.

Lian Li make a very sexy black low profile HTPC case, not cheap but it looks the goods.

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