TV Setup

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StellenboschStudent

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I don't know what to do with my tv setup.
I have a nice TV (sony LCD) and I have a PS3 and DSTV (for now). I am considering getting the new Apple TV, but then again, is it worth it? I don't really watch DSTV, only sport, no movies or series. Movies and series I download, load it onto my flashdrive, plug that into my PS3 and watch it on the TV. So I guess I don't need a Apple TV or anything else, or do I?

I was also thinking of setting up my own system completely. I have an ancient Sony amp (no hdmi). So, I want to built my own HTPC with a proper sound card and speakers and run everything through that, image and sound? I guess this will be the best option, then I can download movies directly to the HTPC and watch it from there...
Comments?
 
StellenboschStudent said:
I am having a braai this weekend, if the weather holds up, but I am a bit stretched with my budget this month. Do anyone know of lekker specials on alcohol?
I know Checkers had a special a while back, something like R99 for 24 castle's... looking for something like that.
Click to expand...

Where's this money to upgrade coming from?
 
You have the TV, PS3

Now you need a decent AMP, depending on your budget, Game, Hifi corp and some other places have nice specials on for 5.1 + etc R5000+- that includes speakers as well.

If you are going to use it in a small TV room etc. then these are your best bet - don't be like other people and buy an expensive unit to stick in your 4x4m room and needlessly blow the ear drums of your friends and piss of the neighbours.
HTPC, get decent graphics card (maybe for pc games) that also outputs the sound, then all you need is a single hdmi from back of graphics card to amp.
Load XBMC on the htpc , add all your albums, movies and series - let xbmc connect and download all cover art for series and movies.
Install Helium music manager to add all the correct coverart to your albums and mp3's.
 
Hemps said:
You have the TV, PS3

Now you need a decent AMP, depending on your budget, Game, Hifi corp and some other places have nice specials on for 5.1 + etc R5000+- that includes speakers as well.

If you are going to use it in a small TV room etc. then these are your best bet - don't be like other people and buy an expensive unit to stick in your 4x4m room and needlessly blow the ear drums of your friends and piss of the neighbours.
HTPC, get decent graphics card (maybe for pc games) that also outputs the sound, then all you need is a single hdmi from back of graphics card to amp.
Load XBMC on the htpc , add all your albums, movies and series - let xbmc connect and download all cover art for series and movies.
Install Helium music manager to add all the correct coverart to your albums and mp3's.
Click to expand...

So a HTPC with a proper sound card isn't a good way to go? Would be a lot cheaper that a decent amp.
 
I have both:

HTPC (hidden) behind a wall in my garage, single hdmi cable comes through a drilled hole in the wall and plugs into the Sony amp.
Single HDMI cable from amp into my TV.
Single hdmi cable from DSTV HD to amp.

HTPC:

Dual Core
4gbs ram
3TB (movies, blu ray stuff, music albums)
Windows 7
XBMC (www.xbmc.org)
Boot's directly into xbmc +-15sec.
Wireless logitech keyboard and mouse
Nokia 5800 bluetooth as second remote
ATI HD4850 512mb
Blu Ray writer.

Have all cover art for my Movies and albums in one single place.
check out www.xbmc.org to see what I mean.

An amp is the way to go, pc speakers whether 5.1 etc dont come close to decent surround sound system - I used to have a logitech 5.1 attached to this pc, but switched to the amp and will never look back.
 
Hemps said:
I have both:

HTPC (hidden) behind a wall in my garage, single hdmi cable comes through a drilled hole in the wall and plugs into the Sony amp.
Single HDMI cable from amp into my TV.
Single hdmi cable from DSTV HD to amp.

HTPC:

Dual Core
4gbs ram
3TB (movies, blu ray stuff, music albums)
Windows 7
XBMC (www.xbmc.org)
Boot's directly into xbmc +-15sec.
Wireless logitech keyboard and mouse
Nokia 5800 bluetooth as second remote
ATI HD4850 512mb
Blu Ray writer.

Have all cover art for my Movies and albums in one single place.
check out www.xbmc.org to see what I mean.

An amp is the way to go, pc speakers whether 5.1 etc dont come close to decent surround sound system - I used to have a logitech 5.1 attached to this pc, but switched to the amp and will never look back.
Click to expand...

That's a monster for an HTPC!!!
 
I use it for games as well.

Was thinking about getting an xbox360 on special for R1699 + 2 games at game recently but changed my mind, not a big fan of console controllers, prefer mouse and keyboard.
Thinking I might add another identical graphics card to the above system for crossfire but still deciding.

Now just to find a way to record HD TV and I'm pretty much set, pretty sure I was one of the first people in SA to install xbmc on the original xbox I bought in the UK way back when, still have it - upgraded to 750gb drive with about 40 games and all my albums installed on it.
Used to have series and movies on it but since Blu Ray came along I had to switch over to HTPC for HD stuff.

XBMC was the start of the media centre, those guys deserve massive credit and it's for free - I have been following them since they started.
In fact upgrading my HTPC to the latest release as I type.
 
Hemps said:
I use it for games as well.

Was thinking about getting an xbox360 on special for R1699 + 2 games at game recently but changed my mind, not a big fan of console controllers, prefer mouse and keyboard.
Thinking I might add another identical graphics card to the above system for crossfire but still deciding.

Now just to find a way to record HD TV and I'm pretty much set, pretty sure I was one of the first people in SA to install xbmc on the original xbox I bought in the UK way back when, still have it - upgraded to 750gb drive with about 40 games and all my albums installed on it.
Used to have series and movies on it but since Blu Ray came along I had to switch over to HTPC for HD stuff.

XBMC was the start of the media centre, those guys deserve massive credit and it's for free - I have been following them since they started.
In fact upgrading my HTPC to the latest release as I type.
Click to expand...

I had a look at the XBMC site. Would have been nice if I could install it on my PS3... But think I will save some money and built a HTPC maybe middle next year... Will see if I have the money.
 
Hemps said:
I have both:

HTPC (hidden) behind a wall in my garage, single hdmi cable comes through a drilled hole in the wall and plugs into the Sony amp.
Single HDMI cable from amp into my TV.
Single hdmi cable from DSTV HD to amp.

HTPC:

Dual Core
4gbs ram
3TB (movies, blu ray stuff, music albums)
Windows 7
XBMC (www.xbmc.org)
Boot's directly into xbmc +-15sec.
Wireless logitech keyboard and mouse
Nokia 5800 bluetooth as second remote
ATI HD4850 512mb
Blu Ray writer.

Have all cover art for my Movies and albums in one single place.
check out www.xbmc.org to see what I mean.

An amp is the way to go, pc speakers whether 5.1 etc dont come close to decent surround sound system - I used to have a logitech 5.1 attached to this pc, but switched to the amp and will never look back.
Click to expand...

+1!
There is a humongous difference.
The amp makes the sound, well sound better.
I also moved to an amp and would not look back.
 
Hi

Hemps awsome set-up ,I also have somthing similer to you I use my 5800 as a remote also .What software do you use I use smarttouch via bluetooth works great besides a lack of some buttons just asking if there is something better.

P.S can sombody please tell me where I can bye a remote that works with windows media center/xbmc and if possible how much on avarage does it sell for.

I say you should use the ps3 for now maybe if you can tweak a little with the software maybe you can get it working.My brother has a ps3 in his room and we also have a pc in the lounge both are networked to a pc which stores all the movies,series etc.Dont know if you get ps3 media server for mac but I use it quite often and it works well

Thanks Guys
 
You can buy almost any windows media center remote from places like sybaritic.co.za or prophecy... they will then work with xbmc (with a bit of tweaking i think)..

Should set you back about R400...
 
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