I'm dragging myself into the modern age and have decided to combine the various bits of kit stuck under my TV! I've acquired a small desktop PC (Celeron 2Ghz) and was wondering if it would be possible to Run as a Media Centre if I upped the Ram to 1gb.
What I'd like to do is add the following:-
1. Half height AGP with TV out
2. <a href="http://www.aria.co.uk/ProductInfoComm.asp?ID=25533" target="_blank">Dual freeview card</a>
3. 5.1 Soundcard
4. DVD Writer
Also within MCE would I be able to watch one channel whilst recording the other and also set timed recordings etc. I'd even go so far as to say I'd be happy to pay for Vista if it would do all of this!!
I need a half height AGP card with TV out otherwise I'd need to get a PCI graphics card with TV out and I've only got 2 PCI slots. Is there anything else I should be looking at?
Media Centre Project
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Rasputin
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Don't know about MS Media Centre, but there is a version of Linux which is ideal for this. Puppy/DSL Linux would work a treat for a lower tech machine like that. It is only about 70Mb in total size comes with everything that you would need for a Media Centre OS. I think one that both versions should allow you to watch a different channel than the one you are recording but I think that it is more of a Card/Driver thing than a OS thing but I maybe wrong. 
The Best thing about the above versions is that they are small enough to install on to a Flash Drive, yes a Flash drive which means no waiting to boot. Just think Jase an instant OS, very handy if you are just watching tele or listening to music. And next to no setup needed.
Worth a Think about, that is unless your scared of Linux.
The Best thing about the above versions is that they are small enough to install on to a Flash Drive, yes a Flash drive which means no waiting to boot. Just think Jase an instant OS, very handy if you are just watching tele or listening to music. And next to no setup needed.
Worth a Think about, that is unless your scared of Linux.
Last edited by Rasputin on Thu Jan 11, 2007 4:52 pm, edited 1 time in total.
Rasputin
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Myocardial Infarction
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Rasputin
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Not really the kernal should do most of it for him. He would only need to add codex's for playing Video & MP3's then he should not need to anything.Myocardial Infarction wrote: Think theres too many things for him to break with linux tbh ras
We don't call it "doing a Jase" for nothing
I am sure that Jase can handle tpying smart install *whatever*
Or
just don't tell him the Root password then he can't "Jase" anything up.
Linux isn't the Big Commie Monster
it used to be view as Most Distro's are just if not more user friendly than MS Windows eg. Error Messages that tell you want the error is and not just a random collection Hex code 
.
Last edited by Rasputin on Thu Jan 11, 2007 6:13 pm, edited 1 time in total.
Rasputin
You dont 'need' 1 gig of ram for a media center, i ran 512mb for a while and it seemed fine, now have 1gig and it's still fine, dunno what else to say as in windows xp, the more the better i guess.
If you use a dual tuner, you will be able to record one channel and watch another, or record 2 channels.
BUT, you need to make sure you buy a compatible card first, also, it's worth paying a bit more for a tuner with 2 physical tuners on board, a lot of the cheaper ones have one onboard PCI and one onboard USB one, you need to run a cable from the card to a usb slot. PITA.
Search before buying it.
Whatever AGP card you get, it needs to be dx9 hardware compatible for the video decoding. I run a gforce fx 5200, cost me £15, is half height, silent and runs fine.
It does stutter badly on HD video though.
Other than that, you should be fine with that spec.
Timed recordings are as standard, you browse through the guide (which automatically updates through the net), then just click on the program you want and it gives you the info about the program and the option to record that one showing or to record the entire series, in which case it automatically searches the guide and adds it to your scheduled recordings. It also tells you if the program is being shown again.
Other things to look out for are:
Need a remote and ir sensor, you cant beat the one specifically for MCE.
Need a wireless keyboard, i just use a rubbish ir one.
You need a 3rd party dvd codec, something like windvd installed or nvidia codec is fine.
Choice of TV is very important, specifically the inputs it has, you want to be using DVI or preferably component (not composit or s-video at any means) which means getting a gfx card with a D-sub connector on it.
Avoid anything with HDMI cables.
Streaming video over a wireless network can be a pain on MCE for some reason, mine always stutters on a 54g network, could be ram.
not much else too it really, apart from make sure it has a massive hard drive, recording to DVD is a bit rubbish, so you end up storing most of your recordings, MCE deletes old stuff for you if it runs out of space.
I have a 200gb drive and it has about 3 months worth of recordings on it.
I would probably advise getting a media center that's capable of running vista though as it will be vastly superior to MCE 2005.
MCE can be very flakey, dont expect it to run flawlessly.
Give me a shout if you need a hand.
as in windows xp, the more the better i guess.If you use a dual tuner, you will be able to record one channel and watch another, or record 2 channels.
BUT, you need to make sure you buy a compatible card first, also, it's worth paying a bit more for a tuner with 2 physical tuners on board, a lot of the cheaper ones have one onboard PCI and one onboard USB one, you need to run a cable from the card to a usb slot. PITA.
Search before buying it.
Whatever AGP card you get, it needs to be dx9 hardware compatible for the video decoding. I run a gforce fx 5200, cost me £15, is half height, silent and runs fine.
It does stutter badly on HD video though.
Other than that, you should be fine with that spec.
Timed recordings are as standard, you browse through the guide (which automatically updates through the net), then just click on the program you want and it gives you the info about the program and the option to record that one showing or to record the entire series, in which case it automatically searches the guide and adds it to your scheduled recordings. It also tells you if the program is being shown again.
Other things to look out for are:
Need a remote and ir sensor, you cant beat the one specifically for MCE.
Need a wireless keyboard, i just use a rubbish ir one.
You need a 3rd party dvd codec, something like windvd installed or nvidia codec is fine.
Choice of TV is very important, specifically the inputs it has, you want to be using DVI or preferably component (not composit or s-video at any means) which means getting a gfx card with a D-sub connector on it.
Avoid anything with HDMI cables.
Streaming video over a wireless network can be a pain on MCE for some reason, mine always stutters on a 54g network, could be ram.
not much else too it really, apart from make sure it has a massive hard drive, recording to DVD is a bit rubbish, so you end up storing most of your recordings, MCE deletes old stuff for you if it runs out of space.
I have a 200gb drive and it has about 3 months worth of recordings on it.
I would probably advise getting a media center that's capable of running vista though as it will be vastly superior to MCE 2005.
MCE can be very flakey, dont expect it to run flawlessly.
Give me a shout if you need a hand.
Thanks for the advice.
I'm going to take the plunge next weekend and order everything, as long as everything works fine then I think I'll order myself a legit copy of Vista then
as this is going to replace everything and I'll be fully reliant on it!
Also need to find a damn decent set of 5.1 speakers to use as home cinema surround sound, any advice there?
I'm going to take the plunge next weekend and order everything, as long as everything works fine then I think I'll order myself a legit copy of Vista then
as this is going to replace everything and I'll be fully reliant on it!Also need to find a damn decent set of 5.1 speakers to use as home cinema surround sound, any advice there?
Yes, get an audio video amp and a good set of speakers.
I have a yamaha 7.1 amp, it supports componant video, so my pc, gamecube and PS2 all go through it, i then run an output from the amp to the tv and to switch to gamecube or ps2 all i have to do is switch the amp over, no fidling around changing the tv to ext1 or whatever.
Cost £120 or so but is better than anything i've used before.
You can map the buttons on the mce remote to change the volume on the amp instead of within media center.
I only need 1 remote control for my entire av setup
I have a yamaha 7.1 amp, it supports componant video, so my pc, gamecube and PS2 all go through it, i then run an output from the amp to the tv and to switch to gamecube or ps2 all i have to do is switch the amp over, no fidling around changing the tv to ext1 or whatever.
Cost £120 or so but is better than anything i've used before.
You can map the buttons on the mce remote to change the volume on the amp instead of within media center.
I only need 1 remote control for my entire av setup
Well after listening to Hippy (is this a good idea I ask myself) I've ordered all the bits I need to get everything up and running!
Celeron 2Ghz PC (already had)
1GB PC3200 (single stick incase I need more in the future)
200gb Hard Drive
Liteon DVDrw - (Black to go with the case!)
USB Wireless dongly wotsit
MSI Gforce FX5200 (Half height)
Pinnacle Dual Freeview PCI card with remote control
Creative External 5.1 soundcard with remote control
5.1 Tower speakers (until I can afford a new amp and 7.1 setup)
Thats it I'm broke now so this better work!!!!
Will have a play about with XP Media Centre to get it all working and tested and will then order a copy of Vista and if I need it the remote control as well I'll get it then! That will be my first Legit copy of windows as well I feel all dirty 
Celeron 2Ghz PC (already had)
1GB PC3200 (single stick incase I need more in the future)
200gb Hard Drive
Liteon DVDrw - (Black to go with the case!)
USB Wireless dongly wotsit
MSI Gforce FX5200 (Half height)
Pinnacle Dual Freeview PCI card with remote control
Creative External 5.1 soundcard with remote control
5.1 Tower speakers (until I can afford a new amp and 7.1 setup)
Thats it I'm broke now so this better work!!!!
Will have a play about with XP Media Centre to get it all working and tested and will then order a copy of Vista and if I need it the remote control as well I'll get it then! That will be my first Legit copy of windows as well
I feel all dirty Just my experience with mce. I have found either my graphics or processor are lacking to play hooge hd files. I get stuttering on whats called true hd but smaller encoded hi res vid files work a treat. I will try to stream hd quality with my new rig to the mce box using vlc.
XP2500 barton @ 1.9ghz
2 x 1gb pc3200
ati radeon 9800xt 256mb graphics card
abit nf7s v2 board
XP2500 barton @ 1.9ghz
2 x 1gb pc3200
ati radeon 9800xt 256mb graphics card
abit nf7s v2 board
The gfx card will work but will definitely be your bottleneck there. Dont expect to play HD video without it stuttering.
Seems like a good system to start with, plenty of room to upgrade there.
Remember when you set up MCE to install all the service packs and updates before running the MC app for the first time. it has a different setup section after service pack 2
edit: get the remote, you'll be lost without it. The one with your tv card will be next to useless for media center.
Check here for plenty of advice <a href="http://thegreenbutton.com/default.aspx" target="_blank">http://thegreenbutton.com/default.aspx</a>
Seems like a good system to start with, plenty of room to upgrade there.
Remember when you set up MCE to install all the service packs and updates before running the MC app for the first time. it has a different setup section after service pack 2
edit: get the remote, you'll be lost without it. The one with your tv card will be next to useless for media center.
Check here for plenty of advice <a href="http://thegreenbutton.com/default.aspx" target="_blank">http://thegreenbutton.com/default.aspx</a>
Last edited by Hippy on Thu Jan 18, 2007 11:50 am, edited 1 time in total.