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The zotac board can take standard 3.5" SATA Drives so you could put whatever size drive you wish in. If you looked at the different specs though the Zotac f-e board also gives you an e-sata connector in addition so this maybe something to factor into the build: http://www.zotacusa.com/zotac-ionitx...therboard.html i.e. having the ability to add an external drive.
The f-e board also takes a standard case mounted psu as an added bonus.
Hoi Art, good to see you. I look at it having an on board psu as the added bonus in this case. One less component to install/worry about.
Now I need a wireless keyboard/mouse combo. Are there any that have recharging docks that won't break the bank? :dabs:Quote:
Originally Posted by Detale
Tell me more about remotes too. :yup:
orsum man. ok well as I mentioned the adesso wireless keyboard is really pretty good. The only remote I have is the one that came with my Thermaltake DH-102 case and TBH, I hated it. Navigating with it really sucked ass trying to move a cursor with a joystic type control is too weird for me. For me the trackball was waay easier getting used to.
...
A remote as a media controller is different than a remote as an input device.
If you are using the computer only as a media center then the functions can all be run from a remote with a keyboard/mouse a secondary consideration for changing configuration/updating software etc.
This all depends on whether the computer is going to be used to do standard computery things as well as as a media controller, ie web surf, email, gaming etc.
If the system is just to be a media controller, ie the media center app starts at bootup then a remote control is more than adequate since all of the inputs within the media center can be run from the remote control, in which case here is one you may like: http://www.xpcgear.com/xphavistabk.html
the website itself xpcgear www.xpcgear.com has alot of different remote solutions but bang for your buck this is one of the nicest & it will work with all versions of Media Center.
If you want a more conventional keyboard/mouse etc, the Logitech S510 gives you a remote keyboard/mouse & remote in one package
www.logitech.com
I enjoy the use of remote control with media portal also . Of course I need the keysonic 540RF when I want to change the setup of the htpc but it's not an everyday job. I like the way dinovo mini looks but it's to small to be an easy to use keyboard/mouse.
I'm trying to setup Iphone as a remote but there are a few bugs that must be solved
I am not happy.
The new HTPC I've just finished building, sucks. :dry:
I've installed Win 7 64 bit as well as the the most basic necessities for downloading - Newsleecher, Winrar, Core Media Player, and CCCP (codec pack). However, 720 content is borderline unwatchable.
720 content skips a bit at the first 10 seconds or so and then clears up 99%. 1080 on the other hand is a joke. I've tried downloading one 1080 trailer online as well as two movies and all were horrific. I'm talking maybe two frames per second, if that. I've tried Core Media Player and WMP Classic Home Cinema and the results were identical.
My knee-jerk reaction right now is to sell the thing and try to recoup my money, but I'd like some opinions first. Also, here is the WEI:
Code:Processor: 3.3
Memory: 4.5
Graphics: 4.4
Gaming graphics: 5.3
Primary hard disk: 5.9
Check the link above. It's probably a codec problem
http://nunnally.ahmygoddess.net/watc...itecture-cuda/
:no:Quote:
Only nVidia cards that supported CUDA and has PureVideo 2, 3 and 4 can use the new CoreAVC 2 with CUDA. ATI/Intel users are out of luck.
I highly doubt that it's a codec issue anyhow. I have downloaded the exact media player and exact codec pack that I use for my main desktop and everything runs flawlessly there.
CCCP is an excellent codec pack that hasn't failed me in the past. Seeing as all three 1080 videos using different codecs all played at the same level of shit, and even the 720 files to a slight extent, I'm very reluctant to point the finger at a codec.
What's the chipset of the htpc?
I don't really do forums atm, just in to check my pms, but this caught my eye, and since I had a hand in recommending it, I did a quick search for stuff to halp you.
Random thread.
The guy in there had to enable hardware acceleration and do some other tweaks, now it's cool.
From what I understand by looking around it does some horribad software-only decoding from the get-go. And combined with a couple of cpu-hungry filters (normally it's not a problem but I guess the atom is speshul) like the ffd-show included in cccp, it gets bad.
EDit:
It does have an nvidia chip, see, that's the Ion. Which afaik supports the core avc you were talking about.
Unless it's s330 with intel 945 chipsetQuote:
Originally Posted by Snee
It helps to read the whole thread......cuts down on guessing that way, the motherboard skiz purchased is listed earlier in this thread - an ION based mini ITX board.Quote:
Originally Posted by brightsidUnless it's s330 with intel 945 chipsetQuote:
Originally Posted by Snee
Skiz, I'm really NOT trying to dance on your grave after the purchase but one of the reasons for the F-E zotac board which I suggested is that it includes a PCI-e slot, although an extra cost, this does give you an upgrade path in case the 9400m IGP sucked ( it really shouldn't suck though, it is a 9xxx series NVidia chip with PureVideoHD using hardware decode) the 16 stream processors & 4 ROPS should be more than adequate.
Snee's suggestion that hardware decode is not enabled by default seems to be one of the only logical ones, if the chipset is not using the 9400M to decode but is instead relying on the Atom CPU then playback would indeed be awful, the Atom is a low power CPU.
I've read the whole thread and suggested a ha setup for the ION nvidia chipset . Then he just quoted the intel/ati exception and yes after that I was just guessing :D.Quote:
Originally Posted by ArtemisIt helps to read the whole thread......cuts down on guessing that way, the motherboard skiz purchased is listed earlier in this thread - an ION based mini ITX board.Quote:
Originally Posted by brightsid
Thanks for the suggestions fellas. I'm gonna start with the link that Snee posted and then one-by-one start troubleshooting with the subsequent posts.
EDIT: I noticed that when playing 1080 content, the CPU is running at 100%. I dunno how that guy got his running at only 20%...
Damn dude I'm sorry your initial experience sucks. Lets not be hasty and sell it just yet. We'll figure this out toots sweet so don't panic ;)
Have you downloaded and installed the latest bios and stuff from the website yet? Usually things like chipset drivers will help.
I have and am now reading many people who love it and have no issues playing 1080 with no problems at all. I mean in the first review I could find they said "Add to the integrated GeForce 9400m GPU a fully-native HDMI 1.3a connection, and the ION platform serves video to 1080p HDTV's better than most media players." seriously this is not a typical result as per a quick google search.
Could be the drivers at is would seem from this forum post. Try what they said and get back to us bud. Hope this fixes ya up man ;)
EDIT to your EDIT: It shouldn't be running at 100% just from playing video man. Not even 1080p it's shouldn't be a system intensive thing playing 1080 Mkv's. I'll keep looking as well.
I use an Acer Revo for my HTPC, which also has an Atom processor (only 230 though) and Nvidia ION graphics. I have a Ubuntu/Win7 dual-boot set up, and I did have to enable hardware acceleration in Windows to get smooth HD playback.
This ION review shows the differences in CPU usage with hardware acceleration on (15%) and off (98%).
Hope you get it solved, HTPCs are the best.
Good article Lee, I do however disagree. Although HTPC's are in fact awesome the WDTV live is the best! :P I did just come across XBMC and I have never used it. I am going to scrap together an HTPC to check out XBMC for research purposes ;)
:lol: Detale. I guess I meant "the best" in contrast to not having something to sling media. I fully respect your WDTV love. In fact, I'll admit I wasn't real familiar with them when I bought my Revo. I'd probably suggest them first now to any friends due to their ease of use and ridiculously low price ($120 say whaaat??).Quote:
Originally Posted by Detale
I just like to make things hard for myself I guess. The freedom to scrap it all and start over with XBMC/Boxee/MythTV/etc is nice though.
OK, it took a shit-ton of work but I finally got it working. :yay:
The really short story is, I reinstalled Windows 7 Ultimate 64 to properly clear out all of the codecs that CCCP installed.
Installed CoreAVC codecs and checked CUDA hardware acceleration option by going through the loooooong tutorial for setting it up. I couldn't get it to work properly though. It said the taskbar/quick launch icon would be green if being used and blue if not and I never could get it to show green, so.... :idunno:
I overclocked the processor to 2.0 (1.999 actually) and that seemed to do wonders. Now, movies that were taking 100% CPU and were completely unwatchable are now playing perfectly and only utilizing 7 - 13% CPU. :01:
Fantastic Skizo! Glad to hear all is well. So it is playing 1080p now or... I ask because i am planning on getting one for my Brother soon. How does it act with general computer stuff? Internet and such.
Why can't WD TV Live play RMVB?
http://www.wdtvlive.com/products/which
It can with the "B-Rad" firmware ;) and honestly what the hell are you using Real formats for? Is this the 90's :P
Yep. Playing 1080 stuffs just fine.Quote:
Originally Posted by Detale
I wouldn't try playing games on it or anything but otherwise it seems OK. There's a small lag when opening Firefox or IE. Videos take a couple seconds to open, etc.
Now that I have everything tweaked, its quite nice. :)
Glad to hear it bud ;)
:D
On the 46" LCD.
Spoiler: Show
I'm still shopping for just the right keyboard though. I really want the Logitech diNovo Edge because it's rechargeable, but I refuse to pay that much. :no:
Actually while browsing around the other day I came across this and thought of you (well me too).Quote:
Originally Posted by Skiz
http://www.enermax.com/home.php?fn=e...3&lv1=12&no=53
It's not a rechargeable bluetooth solution like the Di Novo, but it's not an arm & a leg either ($84.99 @ newegg).
Damn that things looks cool as hell, good find Artie