Your Very First HTPC? But Where do You Start?

(2012-07-30 05:32)assassin Wrote:  Seriously can someone (mods?) please update the first post to correct the blatant misinformation about the G530?

It does bitstream HD Audio. Let's correct this misinformation. Maybe include the opinion of people that have actually used some of these options?

Especially since it always could via launching an external player such as MPC-HC with FFDShow (when it first supported it) before there was native XBMC player support -- whether or not it's disputed if this is actually "XBMC". That solution was cheaper than buying a discrete GPU.

All the builds list separate GPU cards. Wondering why? I want to build a mini itx system and very limited on space so need to use a case like the size of Asrock mini pc's. Planning to use i3 2525 which has built in hd3000 gpu running at 1100 frequency. Is the built in graphics enough to run blu ray at full hd? This will be strictly an XBMC dedicated build.

Question 2. In theory is the on board HD3000 Almost the same as the zoTac gt210?

Thanks

(2012-08-01 15:22)mustangjim1 Wrote:  Planning to use i3 2525 which has built in hd3000 gpu running at 1100 frequency. Is the built in graphics enough to run blu ray at full hd? This will be strictly an XBMC dedicated build.

Yes, and there is no need for a discrete GPU.....

any comments on my build pls

http://forum.xbmc.org/showthread.php?tid=137438&page=2

I have a HD tv, so HD streams would be nice. I'm not interested in building a HTPC, would like just to purchase one to run XMBC for Skysports & Asian tv channels really. #

Can someone offer me some guidance please? I want a box, just for XMBC & 2 add ons for sports and asian movie channels to go straight to my tv...

I'm quite boggled by the information about #confuseeeed

(2012-05-10 00:39)Frankie Spankie Wrote:  Hi, new to these forums. I've spent the past couple of hours looking into building my own HTPC. I've read the topic and looked through some of the builds and was just looking for some advice.

Essentially, I really just want to make an HTPC that works as an HD DVR and work with Netflix. I saw in the Q&A that all the Micro-ATX builds work fine as a DVR.

Do you recommend any video capture cards in particular? And will the video capture card eliminate the need for my cable box? I'm fine with paying a little more for a video capture card that I can use a cable card in to save some money on monthly payments to my cable company.

And I'm looking into the XBMCbuntu program. Reading up on it, it sounds like it's just a version of Linux. I've heard some people have a lot of issues with setting up Linux (I've only known a couple of friends who have ever worked with Linux). How hard is it to get set up?

Thanks for the help!

I am interested in this project is what i want to do but dunno how. BTW there is an alternative for DVR here, that together with the Mohu Antenna sounds great!

Also i would like to know if users with ZOTAC Zbox and AMD APU, E-series processor have tried to install Android 4.0 in it, how was the experience?

BTW ZOTAC released a new model: http://liliputing.com/2012/08/zotac-zbox...um=twitter

~ V

Can anyone let me know if it makes any sense to try and use my old hp pavilion amd athlon 64x2 4200+ a1710n case, psu, and DVD drive to build a decent htpc? I wanted to see about saving a few dollars. Interested in maybe doing amd a6 or a8 htpc build if anyone has suggestions? I believe it's a micro atx style case but no idea the psu power? The system as it sits is just horrible for video, dead slow with iTunes and horrible start up. It will be used for Internet browsing, downloading and streaming videos to 40 inch LCD. Let me know what u think or should I just get rid of the old parts and start fresh.

(2012-08-12 05:37)Palmer Wrote:  Can anyone let me know if it makes any sense to try and use my old hp pavilion amd athlon 64x2 4200+ a1710n case, psu, and DVD drive to build a decent htpc? I wanted to see about saving a few dollars. Interested in maybe doing amd a6 or a8 htpc build if anyone has suggestions? I believe it's a micro atx style case but no idea the psu power? The system as it sits is just horrible for video, dead slow with iTunes and horrible start up. It will be used for Internet browsing, downloading and streaming videos to 40 inch LCD. Let me know what u think or should I just get rid of the old parts and start fresh.

Or does anyone think this old system could be upgraded cheaply enough with say some more ram, cheap video card to make it a viable htpc? Of course I'd still have to purchase windows 7 and an ssd. Man not sure what to do.

Hi!

(2012-08-01 16:19)bluray Wrote:  

(2012-08-01 15:22)mustangjim1 Wrote:  Planning to use i3 2525 which has built in hd3000 gpu running at 1100 frequency. Is the built in graphics enough to run blu ray at full hd? This will be strictly an XBMC dedicated build.

Yes, and there is no need for a discrete GPU.....

Is the GPU of the Celeron G540 also capable of playing HD content which is encoded in h.264 or MPEG4(HD TV)?

(2012-08-17 14:25)newpipe Wrote:  Hi!

(2012-08-01 16:19)bluray Wrote:  

(2012-08-01 15:22)mustangjim1 Wrote:  Planning to use i3 2525 which has built in hd3000 gpu running at 1100 frequency. Is the built in graphics enough to run blu ray at full hd? This will be strictly an XBMC dedicated build.

Yes, and there is no need for a discrete GPU.....

Is the GPU of the Celeron G540 also capable of playing HD content which is encoded in h.264 or MPEG4(HD TV)?

Yes....