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[TheBoy]

Q8200 ?

One thing I have found is that Samsung 1TB drives are very quiet.

Freesat HD BTW is very good - even if it is basically BBC HD

Yes, Q8200.

It already has a Samsung 1Tb drive, though that may soon come out in favour of something bigger.

Might wait and see what happens with Freeview HD trials - currently I can't 'upgrade' my MCE to TV Pack 2008 or Windows 7 due to my reliance on Webguide that only works with pre TV Pack Vista.

Without TV Pack 2008 or Windows 7, it is not possible to mix different tuner technologies with MCE, so its either freeview or freesat

[Martin_1962]

Same processor as my rebuild

Those Samsungs are good

Freeview HD AFAIK will be MPEG4 and using DVB-T2, so that needs to be card supported as well.

However due to OFCONs crap HD on Freeview will most likely be of a lower resolution and bit rate than Freesat HD.

Freesat is not worth it without HD if you have Freeview

[TheBoy]

Same processor as my rebuild

Those Samsungs are good

Freeview HD AFAIK will be MPEG4 and using DVB-T2, so that needs to be card supported as well.

However due to OFCONs crap HD on Freeview will most likely be of a lower resolution and bit rate than Freesat HD.

Freesat is not worth it without HD if you have Freeview

Only bought it because it came in under £110.  Media Center isn't a CPU killer, probably a dual core would have easily sufficed.  But as I intend to use onboard graphics, no harm in having extra grunt.

[Dishevelled Den]

Video card failed.  Runnign the MCE on the onboard 915G video card now.

Surprisingly, playback (even HD) isn't too bad at 1920x1080

Due to difficulty in getting decent, LP, fanless video cards, I'm changing the mobo (which is old and crap (915 chipset) anyway) to Intel DG45ID which has Intel's onboard GMA x4500HD video with DVI and HDMI.  Onboard graphics should be more than adequate for this use (bearing in mind the 915G graphics are adequate!).

The mobo has the bits needed - most important is the slot layout, due to a PCI riser, enough internal USB headers to run all the internal IR, VFDs, card readers and front panel USBs. Also has enough firewire headers, gigabit network, SPDIF and DVI & HDMI.

Just noticed, now I've ordered it, that it doesn't have PATA interface, so will need to source a SATA DVD drive. Not sure I'll splash out for another Bluray one seeing as I have a shortage of Bluray disks


Just to be polite, I ordered a 2.3Ghz Core 2 Quad to go with it.


Still undecided on TV card, so will be running with only 4 freeview tuners, across 2 Nova 500 DT 

... can I ask what type of case you're using for this ,TB?

[TheBoy]

Video card failed.  Runnign the MCE on the onboard 915G video card now.

Surprisingly, playback (even HD) isn't too bad at 1920x1080

Due to difficulty in getting decent, LP, fanless video cards, I'm changing the mobo (which is old and crap (915 chipset) anyway) to Intel DG45ID which has Intel's onboard GMA x4500HD video with DVI and HDMI.  Onboard graphics should be more than adequate for this use (bearing in mind the 915G graphics are adequate!).

The mobo has the bits needed - most important is the slot layout, due to a PCI riser, enough internal USB headers to run all the internal IR, VFDs, card readers and front panel USBs. Also has enough firewire headers, gigabit network, SPDIF and DVI & HDMI.

Just noticed, now I've ordered it, that it doesn't have PATA interface, so will need to source a SATA DVD drive. Not sure I'll splash out for another Bluray one seeing as I have a shortage of Bluray disks


Just to be polite, I ordered a 2.3Ghz Core 2 Quad to go with it.


Still undecided on TV card, so will be running with only 4 freeview tuners, across 2 Nova 500 DT 

... can I ask what type of case you're using for this ,TB?

My old Spectra case as used by many MCE OEMs, most notibly (in the UK) Elonex in their Artisan LX media center

[TheBoy]

ie, this little kiddy....

http://crave.cnet.co.uk/desktops/0,39029426,39189909,00.htm

[TheBoy]

lol, only those reviewers are too stupid to use technology - of course it has a built in IR receiver.  Effing dimwits.  Any external IRs are blasters (transmitters) to control your other equipment...

[Dishevelled Den]

Video card failed.  Runnign the MCE on the onboard 915G video card now.

Surprisingly, playback (even HD) isn't too bad at 1920x1080

Due to difficulty in getting decent, LP, fanless video cards, I'm changing the mobo (which is old and crap (915 chipset) anyway) to Intel DG45ID which has Intel's onboard GMA x4500HD video with DVI and HDMI.  Onboard graphics should be more than adequate for this use (bearing in mind the 915G graphics are adequate!).

The mobo has the bits needed - most important is the slot layout, due to a PCI riser, enough internal USB headers to run all the internal IR, VFDs, card readers and front panel USBs. Also has enough firewire headers, gigabit network, SPDIF and DVI & HDMI.

Just noticed, now I've ordered it, that it doesn't have PATA interface, so will need to source a SATA DVD drive. Not sure I'll splash out for another Bluray one seeing as I have a shortage of Bluray disks


Just to be polite, I ordered a 2.3Ghz Core 2 Quad to go with it.


Still undecided on TV card, so will be running with only 4 freeview tuners, across 2 Nova 500 DT 

... can I ask what type of case you're using for this ,TB?

My old Spectra case as used by many MCE OEMs, most notibly (in the UK) Elonex in their Artisan LX media center

Thanks TB, is that available or would I have to buy an equivilent?  Have to build a new box after beating the keek out of the Dell Demension sitting stuttering beside me at the moment.

 

[TheBoy]

Video card failed.  Runnign the MCE on the onboard 915G video card now.

Surprisingly, playback (even HD) isn't too bad at 1920x1080

Due to difficulty in getting decent, LP, fanless video cards, I'm changing the mobo (which is old and crap (915 chipset) anyway) to Intel DG45ID which has Intel's onboard GMA x4500HD video with DVI and HDMI.  Onboard graphics should be more than adequate for this use (bearing in mind the 915G graphics are adequate!).

The mobo has the bits needed - most important is the slot layout, due to a PCI riser, enough internal USB headers to run all the internal IR, VFDs, card readers and front panel USBs. Also has enough firewire headers, gigabit network, SPDIF and DVI & HDMI.

Just noticed, now I've ordered it, that it doesn't have PATA interface, so will need to source a SATA DVD drive. Not sure I'll splash out for another Bluray one seeing as I have a shortage of Bluray disks


Just to be polite, I ordered a 2.3Ghz Core 2 Quad to go with it.


Still undecided on TV card, so will be running with only 4 freeview tuners, across 2 Nova 500 DT 

... can I ask what type of case you're using for this ,TB?

My old Spectra case as used by many MCE OEMs, most notibly (in the UK) Elonex in their Artisan LX media center

Thanks TB, is that available or would I have to buy an equivilent?  Have to build a new box after beating the keek out of the Dell Demension sitting stuttering beside me at the moment.

 

The OEM of Spectra is FIC, they did do a more up to date one, but they only deal with OEMs.  Unfortunately, because nobody has seen the light offered by MCE, people go out and buy overpriced PVRs instead, making case choice slim, and few companies have got it right.

The big thing is noise.  My case only has PSU fans, nothing else, making it silent.  Your dimension is ideal for that as it probably uses a BTX chassis (most dimensions with p4 chip do) which is virtually silent.  Most ATX style chassis would be too noisy for MCE.


I have a spare Coolermaster (an utterly shite make, best avoid anything of theirs) cm260 case that I may put the old bits of my existing mce in...

[Dishevelled Den]

The OEM of Spectra is FIC, they did do a more up to date one, but they only deal with OEMs.  Unfortunately, because nobody has seen the light offered by MCE, people go out and buy overpriced PVRs instead, making case choice slim, and few companies have got it right.

The big thing is noise.  My case only has PSU fans, nothing else, making it silent.  Your dimension is ideal for that as it probably uses a BTX chassis (most dimensions with p4 chip do) which is virtually silent.  Most ATX style chassis would be too noisy for MCE.


I have a spare Coolermaster (an utterly shite make, best avoid anything of theirs) cm260 case that I may put the old bits of my existing mce in...

...I burnt my bridges on the Dell when I went to town a few weeks ago on both it and the HP Brio I had - hence my desire to build from the case up.

Is there any case worth looking at?

[TheBoy]

The OEM of Spectra is FIC, they did do a more up to date one, but they only deal with OEMs.  Unfortunately, because nobody has seen the light offered by MCE, people go out and buy overpriced PVRs instead, making case choice slim, and few companies have got it right.

The big thing is noise.  My case only has PSU fans, nothing else, making it silent.  Your dimension is ideal for that as it probably uses a BTX chassis (most dimensions with p4 chip do) which is virtually silent.  Most ATX style chassis would be too noisy for MCE.


I have a spare Coolermaster (an utterly shite make, best avoid anything of theirs) cm260 case that I may put the old bits of my existing mce in...

...I burnt my bridges on the Dell when I went to town a few weeks ago on both it and the HP Brio I had - hence my desire to build from the case up.

Is there any case worth looking at?

For general PC usage, or MCE type usage?

For general PC usage, to be honest, the days of self build are well and truely over unless you have very specific requirements.  Put it this way, I guess I've built more custom PCs here that most people except PC shops, but my primary desktop is a Dell

[Dishevelled Den]

The OEM of Spectra is FIC, they did do a more up to date one, but they only deal with OEMs.  Unfortunately, because nobody has seen the light offered by MCE, people go out and buy overpriced PVRs instead, making case choice slim, and few companies have got it right.

The big thing is noise.  My case only has PSU fans, nothing else, making it silent.  Your dimension is ideal for that as it probably uses a BTX chassis (most dimensions with p4 chip do) which is virtually silent.  Most ATX style chassis would be too noisy for MCE.


I have a spare Coolermaster (an utterly shite make, best avoid anything of theirs) cm260 case that I may put the old bits of my existing mce in...

...I burnt my bridges on the Dell when I went to town a few weeks ago on both it and the HP Brio I had - hence my desire to build from the case up.

Is there any case worth looking at?

For general PC usage, or MCE type usage?

For general PC usage, to be honest, the days of self build are well and truely over unless you have very specific requirements.  Put it this way, I guess I've built more custom PCs here that most people except PC shops, but my primary desktop is a Dell

...thanks TB - was going for a general purpose PC with MCE
capability - am running Windows Vista Premium in the Dell at the moment but am not impressed with the video playback, quite hesitant. (and the bent case)


Athlon 64 X 2 5600

3Gb RAM

Pinnicle PCTV 3010iX Dual card

[TheBoy]

The OEM of Spectra is FIC, they did do a more up to date one, but they only deal with OEMs.  Unfortunately, because nobody has seen the light offered by MCE, people go out and buy overpriced PVRs instead, making case choice slim, and few companies have got it right.

The big thing is noise.  My case only has PSU fans, nothing else, making it silent.  Your dimension is ideal for that as it probably uses a BTX chassis (most dimensions with p4 chip do) which is virtually silent.  Most ATX style chassis would be too noisy for MCE.


I have a spare Coolermaster (an utterly shite make, best avoid anything of theirs) cm260 case that I may put the old bits of my existing mce in...

...I burnt my bridges on the Dell when I went to town a few weeks ago on both it and the HP Brio I had - hence my desire to build from the case up.

Is there any case worth looking at?

For general PC usage, or MCE type usage?

For general PC usage, to be honest, the days of self build are well and truely over unless you have very specific requirements.  Put it this way, I guess I've built more custom PCs here that most people except PC shops, but my primary desktop is a Dell

...thanks TB - was going for a general purpose PC with MCE
capability - am running Windows Vista Premium in the Dell at the moment but am not impressed with the video playback, quite hesitant. (and the bent case)


Athlon 64 X 2 5600

3Gb RAM

Pinnicle PCTV 3010iX Dual card

That won't help 

Though to be honest, MCE has modest requirements. The key to a fast, stable MCE is not to put those gay codec packs on - for Vista media center, ffdshow and maybe an AC3 filter is all you need (maybe the haali splitter if you're that way inclined).  Gay codec packs are guaranteed to bugger up any PC, but MCE suffers worse.

[Dishevelled Den]

The OEM of Spectra is FIC, they did do a more up to date one, but they only deal with OEMs.  Unfortunately, because nobody has seen the light offered by MCE, people go out and buy overpriced PVRs instead, making case choice slim, and few companies have got it right.

The big thing is noise.  My case only has PSU fans, nothing else, making it silent.  Your dimension is ideal for that as it probably uses a BTX chassis (most dimensions with p4 chip do) which is virtually silent.  Most ATX style chassis would be too noisy for MCE.


I have a spare Coolermaster (an utterly shite make, best avoid anything of theirs) cm260 case that I may put the old bits of my existing mce in...

...I burnt my bridges on the Dell when I went to town a few weeks ago on both it and the HP Brio I had - hence my desire to build from the case up.

Is there any case worth looking at?

For general PC usage, or MCE type usage?

For general PC usage, to be honest, the days of self build are well and truely over unless you have very specific requirements.  Put it this way, I guess I've built more custom PCs here that most people except PC shops, but my primary desktop is a Dell

...thanks TB - was going for a general purpose PC with MCE
capability - am running Windows Vista Premium in the Dell at the moment but am not impressed with the video playback, quite hesitant. (and the bent case)


Athlon 64 X 2 5600

3Gb RAM

Pinnicle PCTV 3010iX Dual card

That won't help 

Though to be honest, MCE has modest requirements. The key to a fast, stable MCE is not to put those gay codec packs on - for Vista media center, ffdshow and maybe an AC3 filter is all you need (maybe the haali splitter if you're that way inclined).  Gay codec packs are guaranteed to bugger up any PC, but MCE suffers worse.

Think I may start again with a new PC altogether TB.  I suppose there's little point in building anything as my needs are quite modest.

Have had quite a few Dell machines (all Intel) and they have performed well.  The present machine is the first AMD powered PC I've had and TBH its been OK apart from the poor playback on the MCE aspect of it.  It only got caught in the fall-out of my assault on the HP Brio because it was sitting beside it.

Will have a look in the Dell shop.

Thanks as always

[TheBoy]

Mostly got the little bugger together, though it is fighting every step of the way.

The PCI slot doesn't seem capable of running more than 1 PCI device, so currently stuck with a single tuner card (with dual tuners).  PCIe dual tuner now on order (not that I mind, can't wait to get rid of these bloody awful Nova 500 DT tuners).

Thrown Windows 7 on there, as buggered if I can find a Vista DVD about anywhere. I've go plenty of licences, just no DVDs!  All the Vistas we use at work are Enterprise versions, which is a different DVD to the retail DVD.  I will go back to Vista once I have the a DVD, purely because it'll take MS a few patches to iron out the abnormalities.  Tempted to go back to XP MCE 2005 to fix the audio problem, but I need Vista or later for the hardware video playback.


Remaining problem, and its a Microsoft problem introduced with Vista, is audio.  Under XP, you could have simultaneous audio from different devices - eg analogue ports and SPD/IF.  Vista prevents this (and as far as I know, only Realtek drivers have a special fix for it), so that leaves me with a problem:

I want audio to come out of hdmi port (so its easy for her to use), but also out of one of the spd/if ports so I can connect to amp when I'm watching a film.  Current line of thinking is doing it external to the PC, combining SPD/IF back in to the HDMI, or even splitting SPD/IF off to stereo jack into into telly (active when vga port used), and ignoring HDMI altogether.