HTPC / XBMC / How ?

Dolby

Dolby

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I've used my TViX for years and while it's great - thought I'd check out what other things there are.

I downloaded XBMC and quite like it - but wondering what I'd need to have to use it as a media player?

I have an old PC in my lounge that I don't use for anything - but I'm not sure of how powerful these things need to be? It's a Dual Cure 2.5ghz with 2GB RAM and the crappiest graphics card I could get a few years ago.

How do I organise a remote control to control it from my couch? I have the remote itself - but the IR receiver and codes etc?

Totally new at this ...

Thanks!

EDIT : Looks like XBMC cannot filter/search via year, genre, title etc. Can Boxee do this?
 
Last edited:
Dolby said:
EDIT : Looks like XBMC cannot filter/search via year, genre, title etc. Can Boxee do this?
Click to expand...

Once you've updated your library, press right instead of enter on the MOVIES tab. There you'll have different options like genre, year etc.
 
zeb said:
Once you've updated your library, press right instead of enter on the MOVIES tab. There you'll have different options like genre, year etc.
Click to expand...

Oh I see ... I've been using the mouse to test and simply clicking rather than than left/right!

I think this will do what I need then!
 
You wont regret it at all dude..

XBMC smokes all those TVIX/MVIX etc etc systems...

Mine looks amazing, does all sorts of shyte for me automagically etc.....
 
Ultimately, I'd like get myself one of the X-streamer Ultra units ... which is pretty much a HTPC.

I've just found this old BAFO IRDA thing http://www.shopping.com/BafoTech-BAFO-Infrared-adapter-BF-120/info which on the websites doesn't specify Windows 7 as an OS. However I plugged it in and it was recognised and installed a driver?

When I go to 'devices' I see 'IrDA/USB Bridge' and it says 'Device working' ... if this does work - think I could use it with my Harmony?
 
If its a IRDa/USB bridge... I don't see why not... might take a bit of tweaking.. but as long as your machine picks up the "keystrokes" from the remote you will be all good.
 
Great - thanks!

I'm going to give it a test run shortly and see if it picks up commands
 
Dolby said:
Thanks!

So to simply start - I could get this http://www.mcesa.tv/index.php?page=...category_id=2&option=com_virtuemart&Itemid=66 and I'm all good?

I mean I don't have the fancy HDMI graphics card - but as a start, the remote would be the very first thing to get me going?
Click to expand...

How are you going to output the video to your TV ? - you'll need a HDMI graphics card (R330 @ http://www.nivo.co.za//buy~gigabyte.nvidia.geforce.gt210.512mb.graphics.card.gv.n210oc.512i.~p19453

I use a cheap ( R80) remote that I bought here - www.pc-direct.co.za

Read here for some great advice : http://mybroadband.co.za/vb/showthread.php/333460-HP-ProLiant-MicroServer
 
Dolby said:
Ultimately, I'd like get myself one of the X-streamer Ultra units ... which is pretty much a HTPC.

I've just found this old BAFO IRDA thing http://www.shopping.com/BafoTech-BAFO-Infrared-adapter-BF-120/info which on the websites doesn't specify Windows 7 as an OS. However I plugged it in and it was recognised and installed a driver?

When I go to 'devices' I see 'IrDA/USB Bridge' and it says 'Device working' ... if this does work - think I could use it with my Harmony?
Click to expand...

Hi Dolby, when you setup your harmony remote add the Microsoft mce keyboard as your device. This will allow you to send almost any keyboard key press using your remote. If you set it up as the mce remote then you will be limited to the normal remote buttons. XBMC has keyboard shortcuts for all of the functions for instance "W" changes the watched status of a file and "Q" allows you you to queue files in a playlist? If you set the remote as a remote then all these key won't be available. See

http://wiki.xbmc.org/index.php?title=Keyboard
For more shortcuts
 
If you want to get the most out of the hardware, look at a XBMC OS called Openelec. you can install it to a flashdrive if you like and it boots within 20 seconds of pressing the power button.

Its essentially a built from scratch Linux with only enough components to run XBMC.
 
Sapphiron said:
If you want to get the most out of the hardware, look at a XBMC OS called Openelec. you can install it to a flashdrive if you like and it boots within 20 seconds of pressing the power button.

Its essentially a built from scratch Linux with only enough components to run XBMC.
Click to expand...

I also suggest Openelec... For the remote I suggest a Harmony One or a Harmony 900, the placement of the buttons on the remote makes a big difference..

I used a mede8er before this, once I started using XBMC I haven't touche my mede8er, as ToxicBunny mentions, its a 1000 times better..

Oh and it does sort by year, genre, title, actor, director, studio etc you just have to select library mode (left, and select library)
 
Dolby said:
I've used my TViX for years and while it's great - thought I'd check out what other things there are.

I downloaded XBMC and quite like it - but wondering what I'd need to have to use it as a media player?

I have an old PC in my lounge that I don't use for anything - but I'm not sure of how powerful these things need to be? It's a Dual Cure 2.5ghz with 2GB RAM and the crappiest graphics card I could get a few years ago.

How do I organise a remote control to control it from my couch? I have the remote itself - but the IR receiver and codes etc?

Totally new at this ...

Thanks!

EDIT : Looks like XBMC cannot filter/search via year, genre, title etc. Can Boxee do this?
Click to expand...

Might find something useful in this thread:

http://mybroadband.co.za/vb/showthr...-Guide-to-creating-the-Ultimate-TV-Experience
 
THanks guys,

Before I buy a fancy card or upgrade RAM, I just want to see that it *can* work.

Was hoping I could get it working now, but it seems this 8 year old BAFO IR thing isn't working, as nothing happens :/ I've got the remote - so I just need an IR receiver and will probably have to get one of the cheap ones here just for the receiver.

Does anyone know a shop where I can buy it tomorrow without ordering it online?
 
If you're gonna run Openelec, don't bother upgrading the ram ... Openelec is fine with 1GB, won't use more
 
I have a PC running whale movies with openelec at our office. its a atom 1.6Ghz single core with 512mb. with openelec it is running 720p video
 
I tried installing openelec on an old laptop(1.8ghz amd 64bit with ati graphics card and 1gig ram) but I kept on getting this error after installing: "cat:can't open storage/.xbmc/temp/latest no such file" does anybody know what might be wrong?

Happened with the default and nightly builds
 
Ok so I installed openelec on my HTPC and it works great; the only thing I need now is how do I get my 3G modem to work?
 
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