Media PC

**GrnEyedDvl** · April 25, 2011, 08:18 PM

Has anyone built one? I am specifically interested in what you are using for software/OS and remote control. I am looking at XBMC but testing a few other things as well.

**Crazyeyesreaper** · April 25, 2011, 10:38 PM

mythbuntu i think has built in media function and since its linux based its free. i dont really bother with an HTPC to be honest i use my machine as a central media hub gaming tv console gaming, etc etc all running through the same monitors but for a good HTPC maybe check an actual tech forum like. techpowerup, xtremesystems, hardwarecanucks, overclockers etc etc there gonna have far more in depth idea of what you need and what you might want to know.

**Top-Tier-Tech** · April 25, 2011, 10:45 PM

The AMD E-350 motherboard + APU is a great choice for an HTPC.

**GrnEyedDvl** · April 25, 2011, 11:16 PM

Originally Posted by Crazyeyesreaper

mythbuntu i think has built in media function and since its linux based its free. i dont really bother with an HTPC to be honest i use my machine as a central media hub gaming tv console gaming, etc etc all running through the same monitors but for a good HTPC maybe check an actual tech forum like. techpowerup, xtremesystems, hardwarecanucks, overclockers etc etc there gonna have far more in depth idea of what you need and what you might want to know.

mythbuntu is out because it only runs on Linux. XBMC is free as well and will run on both, and i like the interface better than mythbuntu. The aversion to Linux is simple, Netflix will not run on Linux because of the Silverlight issue (which I just discovered tonight), and there is no point building a box I cant do everything with.

I downloaded about 5 or 6 media center options tonight and ran on both Windows and Linux. When I discovered the Netflix issue it made one decision for me.

Originally Posted by ChaobSiroc

The AMD E-350 motherboard + APU is a great choice for an HTPC.

Thanks but not really looking for hardware suggestions.

**Top-Tier-Tech** · April 25, 2011, 11:25 PM

Originally Posted by GrnEyedDvl

Thanks but not really looking for hardware suggestions.

Oh right, because it's not like you need actual PC hardware for this to work or anything

I've never seen the point of HTPC software personally. If you want to watch a movie just use a standard movie player, want to watch content off the internet? Just umm... watch it off the internet. There really isn't any all-around amazing HTPC software that I've ever heard of.

Originally Posted by Crazyeyesreaper

for netflix i just use my

PS3 lol

Exactly. Although not everyone has a PS3...

**GrnEyedDvl** · April 25, 2011, 11:47 PM

Originally Posted by ChaobSiroc

Oh right, because it's not like you need actual PC hardware for this to work or anything

I have more hardware laying around here than I can shake a stick at. The only thing I am buying new is a case and some 3000 gig hard drives so I can reorganize stuff.

I've never seen the point of HTPC software personally. If you want to watch a movie just use a standard movie player, want to watch content off the internet? Just umm... watch it off the internet. There really isn't any all-around amazing HTPC software that I've ever heard of.

If you have a ton of media, want to have access to it from every room in the house then yes its very useful.

For example, I already have a full blown 52U server rack that I use for all kinds of stuff (old pics lots more in it now). Mostly work but I do have something like 500,000 MP3s and all kinds of pictures and home movies and other stuff, all stored on servers where pretty much I am the only one that can access it. The wife and kids can get to some of it, and they cant do any damage because of the group policies put in place, but again they have to be sitting at a computer.

By building a media center PC (or 2 or 3) I can hook one up to each tv in the house and they can watch/listen to whatever they want a lot easier. The entire house is gigabit wired so I can have central storage on my servers and just play it wherever. When people come over (family) they always want to see pictures of this and that and blah blah blah, now they wont have to crowd around a computer monitor they can watch them on the big screen.

The wife can build her playlists and play them through the entertainment center instead of playing CDs or turning on the radio. It is pretty useful.

**mp0295** · April 26, 2011, 12:59 AM

Originally Posted by GrnEyedDvl

I have more hardware laying around here than I can shake a stick at. The only thing I am buying new is a case and some 3000 gig hard drives so I can reorganize stuff.

If you have a ton of media, want to have access to it from every room in the house then yes its very useful.

For example, I already have a full blown 52U server rack that I use for all kinds of stuff (old pics lots more in it now). Mostly work but I do have something like 500,000 MP3s and all kinds of pictures and home movies and other stuff, all stored on servers where pretty much I am the only one that can access it. The wife and kids can get to some of it, and they cant do any damage because of the group policies put in place, but again they have to be sitting at a computer.

By building a media center PC (or 2 or 3) I can hook one up to each tv in the house and they can watch/listen to whatever they want a lot easier. The entire house is gigabit wired so I can have central storage on my servers and just play it wherever. When people come over (family) they always want to see pictures of this and that and blah blah blah, now they wont have to crowd around a computer monitor they can watch them on the big screen.

The wife can build her playlists and play them through the entertainment center instead of playing CDs or turning on the radio. It is pretty useful.

And I'm sure every single one is legal, right Mr. Admin?

Anyways I kinda want one of these, but I don't have enough extra cash to spend $400 making a decent one of these.
GreenED, is that server is your house? If so, I'm insanely jealous. Well I'm jealous either way, but that's just super awesome.

**Crazyeyesreaper** · April 25, 2011, 11:04 PM

yea great performance for the price im thinking more in line with what the op will use for an OS for ease of use / cost, etc hardwares a no brainer as you pointed out

if mythbuntu is still up to date and works right its free and badass if not it could be a serious problem if trying to use it i havent messed with it in awhile.

**Crazyeyesreaper** · April 25, 2011, 11:20 PM

then yea if netflix wont work then go with XBMC, for netflix i just use my

PS3 lol

**GrnEyedDvl** · April 25, 2011, 11:22 PM

I have a blu-ray player that will play Netflix, but you cant search from it. You can only play whats in your current play list. So you have to go to your computer, add stuff to your list, then go to the living room and play it.

**Crazyeyesreaper** · April 25, 2011, 11:27 PM

its mostly just an ease of use all in one kinda thing i guess where your ass can stay planted on the couch. lol

**Top-Tier-Tech** · April 25, 2011, 11:30 PM

Originally Posted by Crazyeyesreaper

its mostly just an ease of use all in one kinda thing i guess where your ass can stay planted on the couch. lol

Which is exactly why so-called HTPC software is a failure. There isn't any uber-awesome software that just plain works, if there were than I'd know about it I should think as I have looked in the past