Media Center PC Questions:

Quentin_T · 11-30-2007, 09:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Quentin_T

1. Storing DVD's on a HTPC is just downright stupid. I'm sorry to say, but it is.

You will need at least 2 TB to store 300 dvd's (unless you downsample them)

Quote:

Originally Posted by theresthatguy

If you use something like DVD shrink it will compress it without losing any noticable quality to files about 4.4 gb in size. I have 74
DVDs on my computer all like this and one left uncompressed at around 7 gb. My total movie folder size is 348 gb. So 300 movies at 4.4 gb avg is ~ 1320 gb of hdd space.

Yeah, what he said!

Btw, you definatley notice a loss in quality unless you rip the extras. Especially on a 2+ hour long movie (as long as your running a 720p or higher anyway)

ukulele_ninja · 11-30-2007, 09:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Quentin_T

Yeah, what he said!

Btw, you definatley notice a loss in quality unless you rip the extras. Especially on a 2+ hour long movie (as long as your running a 720p or higher anyway)

300 is an estimate, If he reaches the point where he filled up a terabyte, we would add another HDD no big deal.

Quentin_T · 11-30-2007, 09:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ukulele_ninja

300 is an estimate, If he reaches the point where he filled up a terabyte, we would add another HDD no big deal.

I know, I know, I guess I'm too cheap to be willing to pay for HDD space for Movies I already have, sitting on a bookshelf 10 feet away!

So that's my problem with it! I guess I could have just said that from the beginning.

tlarkin · 11-30-2007, 10:01 PM

Here is what I would recommend and the reasons.

1) Scrap windows, Myth TV all the way. Plus with Linux you don't have to worry too much about exploits, viruses, malware etc.

2) VLC will play any thing with no codec needed, it will even play ISO files like you asked about earlier.

3) You don't need a heavy duty gaming graphics card, you could get a TV tuner card that already has true HDMI support.

4) This will also allow you to record live TV, and Myth TV has an option to automaticallly edit out commercials.

5) All the software is free

6) added features, has web browser interface so you can surf the web, has a MAME front end so you can play all your favorite arcade and console roms on your HD TV, is highly scriptible and customizable, works with just about any cable service, you can program your DVR from over the internet - say you are at work and read about a show and know you are going to miss it, remote in over the internet to your computer and add it to be recorded. The only other service that offers remote control is uverse from ATT to my knowledge.

www.mythtv.org

ukulele_ninja · 11-30-2007, 10:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tlarkin

Here is what I would recommend and the reasons.

1) Scrap windows, Myth TV all the way. Plus with Linux you don't have to worry too much about exploits, viruses, malware etc.

2) VLC will play any thing with no codec needed, it will even play ISO files like you asked about earlier.

3) You don't need a heavy duty gaming graphics card, you could get a TV tuner card that already has true HDMI support.

4) This will also allow you to record live TV, and Myth TV has an option to automaticallly edit out commercials.

5) All the software is free

6) added features, has web browser interface so you can surf the web, has a MAME front end so you can play all your favorite arcade and console roms on your HD TV, is highly scriptible and customizable, works with just about any cable service, you can program your DVR from over the internet - say you are at work and read about a show and know you are going to miss it, remote in over the internet to your computer and add it to be recorded. The only other service that offers remote control is uverse from ATT to my knowledge.

www.mythtv.org

VLC plays Iso's? I so didnt know that but that answers an ongoing concern! Also, is myth tv a version of linux or a program FOR linux? Dont need capability to record tv as he has a HD Tivo. Also, what card do you recommend?

tlarkin · 11-30-2007, 10:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ukulele_ninja

VLC plays Iso's? I so didnt know that but that answers an ongoing concern! Also, is myth tv a version of linux or a program FOR linux?

A program for Linux. However I do believe there are precompiled versions of a Linux OS that come with Myth TV already installed. I would google it, but check out their site I linked last post first. Look at all the features and screen shots. Also check out the hardware compatibility list. If the hardware you are set on running isn't supported you will have to either go with windows, or look at the supported hardware.

Check out their wiki!

ukulele_ninja · 11-30-2007, 10:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tlarkin

A program for Linux. However I do believe there are precompiled versions of a Linux OS that come with Myth TV already installed. I would google it, but check out their site I linked last post first. Look at all the features and screen shots. Also check out the hardware compatibility list. If the hardware you are set on running isn't supported you will have to either go with windows, or look at the supported hardware.

Check out their wiki!

Is mythTV just for recording tv? If so I could just do linux with VLC and be done with it. :/

ukulele_ninja · 11-30-2007, 10:10 PM

I like Ubuntu Studio a lot, so I am probably going to go with that. but from what you can see, will everything i chose be compatible?

tlarkin · 11-30-2007, 10:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ukulele_ninja

I like Ubuntu Studio a lot, so I am probably going to go with that. but from what you can see, will everything i chose be compatible?

I have no idea their wiki has a full compatibility page, I would look at that. You can navigate there from their main page. If its newer hardware I don't see why it won't be supported. The TV tuner card choices may be a bit slimmer but I would say the more quality ones would be supported.

ukulele_ninja · 11-30-2007, 10:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tlarkin

I have no idea their wiki has a full compatibility page, I would look at that. You can navigate there from their main page. If its newer hardware I don't see why it won't be supported. The TV tuner card choices may be a bit slimmer but I would say the more quality ones would be supported.

Well again, I have no use for a capture card, only a video card. Whats would be a good vdeo card with HDMI out considering this is for strictly video?

11-30-2007, 10:10 PM	#78 (permalink)
ukulele_ninja Diamond Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Ohio Posts: 2,713	I like Ubuntu Studio a lot, so I am probably going to go with that. but from what you can see, will everything i chose be compatible? __________________ BartMasta Cant afford an Xbox CF COD4: CF\|UkuleleNinja

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11-30-2007, 10:01 PM	#74 (permalink)
tlarkin VIP Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Kansas City, MO Posts: 6,981	Here is what I would recommend and the reasons. 1) Scrap windows, Myth TV all the way. Plus with Linux you don't have to worry too much about exploits, viruses, malware etc. 2) VLC will play any thing with no codec needed, it will even play ISO files like you asked about earlier. 3) You don't need a heavy duty gaming graphics card, you could get a TV tuner card that already has true HDMI support. 4) This will also allow you to record live TV, and Myth TV has an option to automaticallly edit out commercials. 5) All the software is free 6) added features, has web browser interface so you can surf the web, has a MAME front end so you can play all your favorite arcade and console roms on your HD TV, is highly scriptible and customizable, works with just about any cable service, you can program your DVR from over the internet - say you are at work and read about a show and know you are going to miss it, remote in over the internet to your computer and add it to be recorded. The only other service that offers remote control is uverse from ATT to my knowledge. www.mythtv.org