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Re: HTPC Build In Progress
#128339 02/17/06 06:18 PM
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Tharkun Offline OP
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LOL......really can't afford everything I like, but as for the house puters, Ken's job title is a senior Unix system admin, becasue of that we have the Unix boxes. So yes, we have so much redundancy & security built into the systems here that it s a pain at times when passwords are changed and I can't get to where I want.

Re: HTPC Build In Progress
#128340 02/17/06 06:34 PM
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Note: not me.


I am the Doctor, and THIS... is my SPOON!
Re: HTPC Build In Progress
#128341 02/17/06 06:44 PM
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Tharkun Offline OP
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Sorry, I should have used Kenneth L to aviod any confusion.

Re: HTPC Build In Progress
#128342 02/18/06 04:49 PM
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Tharkun Offline OP
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I was just reminded this morning that when we built the current box I use, we did add Raid 1 to it. Since tying it in to the DAT drive is way more problems than its worth, as the DAT is set up for SCSI use by the Sun boxes.

Re: HTPC Build In Progress
#128343 02/19/06 05:50 AM
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Cam, I've been testing MediaPortal, and so far I'm very impressed. Had to tweek some of the configuration settings to get rid of some stuttering on this old PC, but it is working great now. Can't get the webbrowser feature to work yet, but will figure that out.

This is a very very cool front end, for those that already have an OS like XP Pro, and don't want to buy MCE. Actualy their MCE skin almost looks just like the real thing. I think I like this one better than XLobby. Open Source is a great option.


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BluRay & HD-DVD Blues
#128344 02/19/06 06:01 AM
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"One of my motivations was to be able to incorporate BLU-Ray/HD DVD(not included in above cost estimate) and HD DVR capability so its on hold for me until that is both possible and sorted out."

Mark, not to argue or anything, but what makes you think that this issue will ever be sorted out? Further, what is the guarantee that EITHER of these so-called high-def DVD formats will take off in the marketplace?

My money is that neither will, and that this so-called high-def DVD brouhaha will die off before it really gets started. Once folks realize that the quality (resolution) is not all that much higher (especially with HD-DVD), and that the copy protection is just plain ludicrous, that regular ole' DVD player will gain favor over these newfangled attempts to part us with mo' and mo' dough. ;-))


Re: HTPC Build In Progress
#128345 02/19/06 08:19 PM
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That's really great! I hope to be able to test it next weekend. I'm still testing MythTV on Linux right now and I have it tweaked to where I like. Once I try MediaPortal I'll be able to decide which way I want to go. As far as I can tell they are pretty similar.
The main differences are that you have more settings to tweak on MediaPortal when it comes to DVD playback; and building up a DVD database is easier.
On the other hand it seems that MythTV has a better HDTV cards compatibility. I know that MediaPortal dowsn't have as many cards that work well, but they are working on it (the main "problem" being that most of the developpers/testers are european and therefore don't have enought people to test ATSC, that is changing for the better though).
I have heard that when it works MediaPortal's tv features are very close to Tivo, and they're getting better with every release!

Re: HTPC Build In Progress
#128346 02/20/06 03:22 AM
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Note to DIY HTPC'rs

HD + HTPC's = less and less likely everyday thanks to your friends in Washington bending over for the 'industry'.

I don't mean to rain on this parade because HTPC is one of my most favorite things. There is going to be a war once HD content becomes more prevalent and it doesn't look good for *us*.

Believe it or not, but Microsoft is our friend in this. They may be one of the few companies to fight on our behalf. On one side you have the RIAA saying you shouldn't be allowed to turn your CD into mp3. On another you have Hollywood fighting to keep movies off your (HT)PC. And then the kicker is the cable industry (CableLabs) saying those kick butt cable cards will not be allowed in any (HT)PC they don't stamp their ($$$) approval on.

Oh ya, don't care about HDTV? They are trying to make all this bad news backwards compatible too.

Write your Senator/Rep!

I'm a saaaaaad panda.

Re: HTPC Build In Progress
#128347 02/20/06 03:43 AM
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Oh ya, on a brighter side, I absolutely love MCE 2005. There may be other packages that do certain things better here and there but overall I haven't come across one I like more. I especially love how music is handled in it.

Re: HTPC Build In Progress
#128348 02/20/06 04:51 AM
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Tharkun Offline OP
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Appreciate the vote for MCE, the HT case will arrive tomorrow, and since we need an OS for it, sticking with MCE.

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