Messages

16

Users / Re: 1080p for a Media Director

« on: April 02, 2008, 02:56:36 am »

Awesome, thanks I'll look into it...now finding a nice tiny case to use with it

17

Users / Re: Core system spec list - thoughts?

« on: April 01, 2008, 10:10:15 pm »

Hi,

One comment I would make is the motherboard you have chosen includes the new Intel GMA3100 Graphics chip and since you have not specified a separate nVidia Card I assume your plan is to use the onboard video. We have not tested the GMA3100 with the latest Intel drivers so I cannot say for sure that it will configure smoothly with the current builds of LinuxMCE-0710... but I would expect it to. If that proves to be correct then you will get UI2 with Overlay ok but you may find that the pss will lock up if the animated images option is left at its default setting. If you set the pss to use 'static' images then that problem goes away however.

All the best

Andrew

Is that still an issue even if I won't be using the Core for any viewing, just as the server?

18

Users / Re: HDTV Capture card recommendations?

« on: April 01, 2008, 10:32:23 am »

Thanks, i'll look into those

19

Users / Core system spec list - thoughts?

« on: April 01, 2008, 08:48:28 am »

Hello. Sorry for all my posts the last couple days, hehe

Anyway, I've put together a list of what I'd like to put into my Core system, and would like some feedback.

Case: SUPERMICRO CSE-833T-550B - its a 3U rackmount with 8 hotswappable SATA bays in front.
Mobo: ASUS P5KPL-VM
Processor: Intel Core2Duo E8400 3.0GHz
RAM: 1GB Corsair CM2x1024-6400C4 (I got a free extra stick when I sent in an RMA, made my day!)
2nd NIC: Intel PWLA8391GT
RAID Controller: 3Ware 9650SE-8LPML
HDDs: 4x Seagate Barracuda ES.2 ST3500320NS 500GB configured in RAID-5
DVD Drive: ASUS DVD-E616A3T
Bluray Drive: LITE-ON DH-4O1S

The only thing I think I'm missing is a video capture card, which I have another thread asking about. Any suggestions would be wonderful - looking for a good HDTV capture card that does QAM and NTSC well.

I'd love any feedback that people have. A couple things to mention - I'm getting such a big case to add a 2nd RAID array at a later date (also the reason for the 8 port instead of 4 port RAID controller). This will be a Core only and not used for viewing. It will also be doubling as a home file server. I hope to be able to capture 2 video streams at a time as well as hopefully watch something.

Thoughts? Critique? Suggestions? Yea-go-for-its? Any hardware that won't work with MCE?

I've got a bit to work on everything, have to wait for my tax refund and stimulus check

EDIT: a link to my newegg wish list containing everything. https://secure.newegg.com/NewVersion/WishList/MySavedWishDetail.asp?ID=10944307

20

Users / HDTV Capture card recommendations?

« on: April 01, 2008, 07:12:25 am »

What is the current recommendation for HDTV capture cards? I've been browsing over at MythTV and looking here, but haven't really found much along those lines so far. I know the pcHDTV-3000 was very good, but you can't buy it anymore...unless somebody here is selling one or knows where to get it. I am in the US, and I'd like QAM and NTSC support. Thanks much

21

Users / 1080p for a Media Director

« on: April 01, 2008, 05:57:36 am »

What is recommended for getting 1080p from a media director? I'm trying to do as small a box as possible to keep it hidden behind the TV. My friend is saying I'll need a video card to do the output, but are there any motherboards with on-board video that will do 1080p decently?

Thanks

22

Users / Re: Looking for a Fiirestation like case...

« on: March 31, 2008, 08:04:38 pm »

I just wasn't sure if anybody had found something similar. I can replicate the insides fairly easily, its just finding a case thats small enough to mount behind my TV that I'm stumped on.

23

Users / Looking for a Fiirestation like case...

« on: March 31, 2008, 08:39:20 am »

I did a search on the forums and found that the 1.1in fanless case that is used for the Fiirestation is custom from VIA and that you can't buy one standalone. Does anybody know if there is a similarly tiny case that is available? I would like to be able to hide a media director behind my TV's rather than use a Shuttle sized case for them.

Thanks for any help

EDIT: I found the one that they use, but it only comes as a complete system. If anybody is interested, its available

http://www.logicsupply.com/products/vm7700

24

Users / A couple questions getting started...

« on: March 31, 2008, 05:18:56 am »

Hello,

I've been looking for a good MC/DVR solution for a while now, and just ran across LinuxMCE. From what I've seen so far it looks to be by far the best thing I've come across yet. I do have a few questions though.

First, here is what I'm looking for in a system. First and foremost, I want to set up something to be a DVR/MC as well as a file server for my home. I want to record SD and HD content from cable. I want all content to be accessible from all my computers (some of which are Windows machines.)

I'm sure that the SD recording is a go. The HD I am not sure about however. As long as I have a TV-Tuner card that can handle an HD signal I should be able to record correct?

As for the file server part, I'm planning on setting up a fairly large RAID-5 array. Is there any reason I  shouldn't/can't use MCE as a file server? Again, it will also be used largely with Windows machines. That would also answer my question about files being accessible to my windows machines.

I'm also curious what is thought about the Fiire systems. Whether or not I use one of their Core (they call them engine?) systems, I would really like to get their extenders simply because of their size! (I want to bolt them to the back of my TV's to save space and because the wife doesn't like having computers everywhere.) Do you think they are good? Bad? Simply so-so? Info on both their core and extender systems would be much appreciated.

Oh, one final thing - is it possible to use wireless connections to stream the content? I wouldn't use wireless for a live HD feed or anything, but we do have several laptops that I would consider putting MCE on.

EDIT: Forgot to mention, I'd prefer the use of HDMI. Doesn't look like Fiire has that, but since their store is down ATM I can't confirm.

25

Compatible Products & Services / Re: linuxmcestore comming soon.

« on: March 31, 2008, 04:23:35 am »

I think Cmittle hit it on the nose.

I'd really like to see a place where I can buy a pre-selected set of hardware that is known to work WELL with MCE. Having different levels of performance would be nice as well i.e. A) does single recording stream B) 2x recordings C) 2x recordings plus watch at the same time D) HD content - etc.

I think there are a number of us out there who could do everything ourselves, but would either rather spend time elsewhere or simply don't have the time to devote to all the research.