2010-05-16, 06:58
Hi!
I'm planning on building a mini-ITX HTPC over the Summer. I've pretty much decided that I want to go with the Asus AT3N7A-I motherboard/processor bundle, I also want to add 2GB RAM and 2 x 640GB hard drives.
I'd also like to be able to watch TV from it, so I can replace my pathetic excuse of a Freeview box.
I have many questions, though, some which seem answered, some I'm still not too clear on. Just to be clear, though, I'm not a PC noob, have been using PCs for over 10 years, I'm just not a Linux person.
From what I can tell, hardware acceleration isn't big in XBMC for Windows, which leaves me the option of XBMC Linux. Since I won't be using anything but the media centre functionality of it, I'd rather install XBMC Live to disk than install a full-featured OS which I won't even be using. Problem is, again, from what I can tell, I'd need some sort of OS access to install a "TV-backend", and I'm not sure I'd be able to do that, unless you good chaps know how.
What I need to know, summarised, is:
- Can I install something that will let me watch TV if I install XBMC Live?
- Which TV tuner is recommended?
- The motherboard I'm buying has Bluetooth support, are there any good (supported) Bluetooth remotes?
- If I have 4GB RAM, can XBMC Live support native 64bit?
- Is there any particular case you would recommend? Most cases just too big or too ugly.
- Also, is there any way I can get DXVA or general hardware acceleration support in XBMC on Windows at all?
I'm planning on building a mini-ITX HTPC over the Summer. I've pretty much decided that I want to go with the Asus AT3N7A-I motherboard/processor bundle, I also want to add 2GB RAM and 2 x 640GB hard drives.
I'd also like to be able to watch TV from it, so I can replace my pathetic excuse of a Freeview box.
I have many questions, though, some which seem answered, some I'm still not too clear on. Just to be clear, though, I'm not a PC noob, have been using PCs for over 10 years, I'm just not a Linux person.
From what I can tell, hardware acceleration isn't big in XBMC for Windows, which leaves me the option of XBMC Linux. Since I won't be using anything but the media centre functionality of it, I'd rather install XBMC Live to disk than install a full-featured OS which I won't even be using. Problem is, again, from what I can tell, I'd need some sort of OS access to install a "TV-backend", and I'm not sure I'd be able to do that, unless you good chaps know how.
What I need to know, summarised, is:
- Can I install something that will let me watch TV if I install XBMC Live?
- Which TV tuner is recommended?
- The motherboard I'm buying has Bluetooth support, are there any good (supported) Bluetooth remotes?
- If I have 4GB RAM, can XBMC Live support native 64bit?
- Is there any particular case you would recommend? Most cases just too big or too ugly.
- Also, is there any way I can get DXVA or general hardware acceleration support in XBMC on Windows at all?