Writing magazine article on ultimate HTPC - need XPMediaCentre's help

[mikehayton]

A couple of questions:

- does something in your package include the remote control? Im sure someone can comment on a good remote control to use.
- do you have an IR receiver? (maybe its part of the case)
- would the user want a keyboard?

Re: the keyboard, you might want to check out this one (coming Sept in the US) and this one. I particularly like the "Backlighting comes on automatically when you approach the keyboard and turns off when you’re away, saving valuable battery life. And, backlight intensity automatically adjusts itself to the room lighting conditions". ...and, of course, they're shaped like a boomerang.

[DeadlyChicken]

a quick note regaring keyboards. I have the media center keyboard, and although its a great idea and does everything pretty much, the mouse pointer is very annoying and if I really need a keyboard I tend to just plug in a usb one rather than actually use the media center one But does make for good remote control fights with the missus

As for teh VFD, the only thing I can think od that I would use it for would be to permanently display the time, like on teh old vhs recorders. Therefore making it a bit of a waste of money, they are nice but you have to balance how much you will actually use it against cost, other than it being pretty cool, I cant think of a real use for a vfd.

[AdamTurner]

Re: the keyboard, you might want to check out this one (coming Sept in the US) and this one.

They look kool but they're Bluetooth so they'll be expensive. I'll list stuff like that as an optional extra.

The motherboard comes with a remote, I'm not sure if Vista does. I'd use a third party LCD programmable remote anyway - Dick Smith sell a rebadged Sunwave SCR-300 for $99 (DSE 8-in-1 LCD Touch Screen Learning Remote Control) which does a good job.

As for teh VFD, the only thing I can think od that I would use it for would be to permanently display the time

sadly they display isn't big enough to read the time from the couch.


So what are people's thought's on graphics cards, will the Gigabyte 8500 GT do the job or do I want/need to spend more on the 8600 GTS? If I go the NSK2400/Fusion case I can easily justify spending more on the Gigabyte 8600 GTS.

[juzdownunder]

The Shintaro wireless keyboard is a bewdy for just doing a bit of web-surfing when using the HTPC as a PC. Cheap as chips with a nifty little trackball built right in....

Trying to use a mouse in the living room is like trying to use an MCE remote to control your PC at work...it doesn't make sense...

[merovingian]

BTW, this month's Atomic says the the 8500 GT is rather underpowered compared to the others. Are we sure it has the grunt for the job?

I haven't put mine through its paces yet. However, my understanding is that it's got all the grunt you'll need for video. I think you only need more if you want to game on this machine. That said, I've heard of someone complaining that they can't get 50Hz going on this card at HD resolutions. The manual (which wasn't available on-line before I bought the card) says 60~85Hz for 1920x1080 resolution. This is a MUCH bigger issue. If it's true, this card is a dud for the Australian market. Just as the Xbox360 extender is. Anyway, once I have had a decent crack with mine, I'll post the results here.

Philzgr, my build hasn't progressed beyond assembling the parts, and trying to lower the noise (without having yet installed Vista). Putting my case (OrigenAE X11) fans to 5V has got it all pretty quiet, but now those darn WD hard disks are the noisiest thing! I have no idea if the Samsung's would actually be significantly quieter, but dagnabbit the not-knowing is killing me! I've canned my RAID5 + 3x400G = 800G storage idea. Now I'll either go 2x400G RAID0, or just one 400G with NAS. One disk is appealing because the intake fan under the drives is the noisiest fan, and I could disconnect it altogether. Need to figure this all out before installing the software.

Anyway, if anyone wants to buy my WDs .....

[merovingian]

They look kool but they're Bluetooth so they'll be expensive. I'll list stuff like that as an optional extra.

You mentioned in an earlier post that you have a Logitech RF keyboard. Presumably not Bluetooth. So which one? I rang Logitech to ask them which of their wireless keyboards would work reliably at a range of 4m. Their answer? None. So the wireless keyboard issue remains an open issue for me.

So what are people's thought's on graphics cards, will the Gigabyte 8500 GT do the job or do I want/need to spend more on the 8600 GTS?

The manuals for the 8600GT and 8600GTS cards are available on the Gigabyte website, and both say 60~85Hz for 1920x1080. And that, like the 8500GT, the only resolution for which 50Hz is available if 720x576. The manuals for the 8800 cards all say 30~85Hz for 1920x1080.

I e-mailed nVidia about the 50Hz on the 8500GT card. They told me that all 8000 series cards are only capable of 60Hz and upwards. I pointed out that this is definitely not true for the 8800 because many Aust users have them doing 50Hz at HD resolutions. They countered by then saying, er, every 8000 series card can do 50Hz. Doesn't sound like a very reliable statement does it? So I figure it's a case of suck it and see. I'm going to suck it in the very near future.

[AdamTurner]

You mentioned in an earlier post that you have a Logitech RF keyboard. Presumably not Bluetooth. So which one?

Yep, RF. It's the Logitech Cordless Desktop Navigator, it's about four years old - I can't find it on the Logitech website. Keyboard model number is Y-RJ21 and the mouse M-RR67A. I don't use the mouse, I use a Cordless Optical Trackman with a separate receiver http://www.logitech.com/index.cfm/pr...CONTENTID=5006

The Cordless Optical Trackman has just given up the ghost after being dropped one too many times - it's taken quite a beating over the years, I intend to get another one.

They both happily work over 4 metres, but they can be troublesome when the batteries start to fade - I've resorted to putting the $10 lithium energizers in them coz they last longer and don't fade as badly.

I reviewed the original diNovo Media Desktop, which is Bluetooth, and that worked more than 10 metres away.

[AdamTurner]

The manuals for the 8600GT and 8600GTS cards are available on the Gigabyte website, and both say 60~85Hz for 1920x1080.

Interesting point. If the 8500 and 8600 won't do 50Hz, what would you recommend? The Gigabyte 8800s all seem to have fans, which I'm trying to avoid.

Am I right in thinking 50Hz is important whether you're watching 1080i or 1080p? Considering the changing prices and specs on TVs and graphics cards, and evolving standards such as HDMI, I'm wondering whether to advise people to just get a cheap graphics card now until they're ready to buy a 1080 TV, and which time the graphics cards should be cheaper/better. No point in spending too much on a graphics card if, when you finally get a TV to do it justice, it's not right. Over future-proofing can be dangerous if they future isn't set in stone. I think I need to recommend a good card if you've a 1080 panel today, as well as a good card to tide you over for a few years until you get a 1080 panel.

[philzgr8]

Personally I don't believe a keyboard is a huge issue. The fact is I hardly ever use it unless I'm doing configuration work etc. (BTW I seem to be doing a lot more of that with Vista then I ever did with MCE2005.) For mine the Microsoft MCE keyboard is quite adequate for most tasks although I tend to agree that the stick mouse should be stuck right up the clacker of who ever invented it. If I was looking for the ideal keyboard solution I'd be thinking IR and I would want it backlit so maybe with a Lithium Ion battery and a docking station. For mousing I think the ideal scenario is an integrated optical trackball as they seem to be quite accurate and relatively easy to use. As far as remotes are concerned I'd strongly recommend that you look at the Logitech Harmony range which while relatively expensive IMHO are worth every cent.

[juzdownunder]

I rang Logitech to ask them which of their wireless keyboards would work reliably at a range of 4m. Their answer? None. So the wireless keyboard issue remains an open issue for me.

What's wrong with the Shintaro? I use mine regularly from a distance of about 5/6 metres, and my HTPC is enclosed inside an entertainment unit.
http://www.shintaro.com.au/products/...20Keyboard.htm

Mitec Digital sell them for about $60 delivered.

[merovingian]

Interesting point. If the 8500 and 8600 won't do 50Hz, what would you recommend? The Gigabyte 8800s all seem to have fans, which I'm trying to avoid.

I don't know what I recommend. I'm hoping I don't need an alternative. I installed Vista last night, so hopefully I will be able to tell you by Monday whether the 8500GT can do 50Hz.

Am I right in thinking 50Hz is important whether you're watching 1080i or 1080p?

It matters for FTA HD TV, and for HD home video if you shoot it at 1080i50. It matters for these because they are at 50Hz. If your card can't output 50Hz, you will get motion judder resulting from converting 50Hz to 60Hz.

[AdamTurner]

It matters for FTA HD TV, and for HD home video if you shoot it at 1080i50. It matters for these because they are at 50Hz. If your card can't output 50Hz, you will get motion judder resulting from converting 50Hz to 60Hz.

Okay, kool, so that's for 1080i. What about 1080p? My understanding is that Blu-ray and HD DVD are 1080p24. If I eventually put a Blu-ray drive into this HTPC, do I need a graphics card that can output at 24Hz? Do I also need a TV that will input at 24Hz?

I'm going to test this HTPC with a Sony Bravia X Series KDL40X2000, which Sony assures me will accept 50Hz 1920x1080 via HDMI. It is likely to accept 24Hz? If not, how would it treat the input from a Blu-ray player or Blu-ray HTPC?

I've started sourcing my components from the distributors, so I'm keen to hear how you go with your 8500 GT.