2nd Build: Home Theatre PC- Suggestions Wanted

massahwahl

massahwahl

VIP Member
***Changes***

I found out my fiancee is ordering me a case, RAM and a new HDD for this build so the only things I need are a Mobo, processor and PSU. That being the case, I changed some things around, what are your thoughts on the following:

OS- MythBuntu Linux
HDD- 500GIG Maxtor Sata Drive (xmas present)
DVD- Generic HP Sata drive (xmas present)
Case- http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811144108 (xmas present)
RAM- 2X 1Gig Corsair XMS2 sticks (xmas present)
CPU- Intel Pentium E2200 Allendale 2.2GHz LGA 775 65W Dual-Core Processor Model BX80557E2200- http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819116063
MoBo- XFX MG63Mi7159 LGA 775 NVIDIA GeForce 7150 / nForce 630i HDMI Micro ATX Intel Motherboard - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813141013
PSU- Rosewill 400Watt (is that enough?)- http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817182074
Tuner Card- Hauppauge PVR-150 (purchasing from ebay, these are said to be the best with MythBuntu)
 
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Hugh9191

New Member
For a media centre PC running linux it really doesn't need to be that powerful, Id reccomend something with around 1 gig of ram and I recon a single core cpu would be plenty.
 
massahwahl

massahwahl

VIP Member
I intend to add a few media managers and orbiters in the future and use this as the core, that's why I want dual core.
 
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Hugh9191

New Member
Fair enough, dual core would prob be best then.

If you want to make it cheaper I'd go for an AMD based system.
 
massahwahl

massahwahl

VIP Member
I'm running an AMD right now and love it, but I suppose I want to expirement with an intel for once.

That and the linuxmce forums seemed to suggest intel over amd for compatibility issues.
 
tlarkin

tlarkin

VIP Member
I would be careful buying the hardware in the next couple of months since a lot of the new HD stuff has hardware level DRM in it, and lots of people have been screwed by this. Try buying and playing a new bluray disc, or a new DVD and get jipped as well as media players not supporting them.

Then on the hardware level you have DRM which only allows certain devices.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/HDCP

Companies don't want it to be like the wild west anymore, no more free reign.
 
massahwahl

massahwahl

VIP Member
tlarkin said:
I would be careful buying the hardware in the next couple of months since a lot of the new HD stuff has hardware level DRM in it, and lots of people have been screwed by this. Try buying and playing a new bluray disc, or a new DVD and get jipped as well as media players not supporting them.

Then on the hardware level you have DRM which only allows certain devices.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/HDCP

Companies don't want it to be like the wild west anymore, no more free reign.
Click to expand...

I read into this a little and from what I found out on the linux forum, it wont have much of an affect on linux users, it would affect users of TIVO and other PVR devices who try to export their HD tv stuff to dvds and what not and in one report i read it says their even trying to make it illegal to fast forward through commercials! Again these could only legally apply to pay-to-use services like TIVO.

Since Linux media centers are open source and no profit is made by them and they have no agreements with the networks it doesnt matter. If the networks change how they broadcast something, the linux service (like mythtv) will simply change how they get the data.

As for the actual device level DRM, DVDs were the same way and someone figured out how to break it. If theres a want theres a way.

I think it would be wise of companies to issue some sort of an unlock code with their movies that when purchased would let you back it up to your pc. That way your still forced to buy the movie and couldnt just go rent it and burn it.
 
tlarkin

tlarkin

VIP Member
I have seen brand new laptops that will not output HD content to brand new HD projectors at work, because of hardware level DRM. It can get ridiculous.

While you are correct it will not affect the Linux community as much, but it will limit to what you can 'legally' and brand new content won't be released for DRM free platforms like Linux.

I had a Myth TV rig a while ago and it is awesome, but when i tried to legally get on line content it sucked. That was some time ago and could have changed though.

I think I may just invest in that sling box thing that netflix is offering. It is like 10 bucks a month for unlimited streaming over your broadband. They are also going to start doing it with HD content as well, if HD is not already available. Xbox live will be also partnering with Netflix as well.

I canceled my Cable TV and don't watch TV anymore. Anything I want to watch I can stream online for free legally the next day after it airs, with less commercials. Plus I don't like TV that much and only watch like 4 channels, so I can't justify paying for it.
 
massahwahl

massahwahl

VIP Member
I dont blame you kickin cable tv to the curb, my fiancee is bigger on it than i am. Im more of a movie buff :D

Mythtv is indeed awesome and I have not had any difficulties streaming content to it, the only area i have run into problems with is my surround sound which is not up and running properly yet.
 
tlarkin

tlarkin

VIP Member
^ Interesting product. Let us know how it pans out if you buy it, I would be interested to know how well the ethernet based one works.

Is it limited to 100MB or are there Gigabit versions?
 
massahwahl

massahwahl

VIP Member
Just realized my television ill be using temporarily only hase s-video inputs and rca's so Ill have to use a vga>svideo adapter temporarily.
 
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