This Media Centre good enough?

Author: anonym 01 6th, 2009 in xn--9ou.com edit

http://www.eclipsecomputers.com/product.aspx?code=SYS-DIY-MED

Here are the specs:

# Incudes: Media Center Barebone System With Digital Display.
# Wireless Media Keyboard.
# Windows MCE Compatible Remote Control.
# Intel Pentium 4 630, 3.0GHz 2MB Cache 800Mhz Processor.
# 18x DVD+/-R DVD Writer.
# 1024Mb DDR 400Mhz PC3200 Memory Module.
# 250Gb Maxtor DiamondMax21 SATAI/II 8Mb Cache Hard Drive.

# Media Center Barebone System
# Stylish Black/Silver Slimline Media Center Barebone Case
# SKT775 Motherboard Included for use with Intel Pentium4 500/600 series CPUs. Requires DDR400 Memory (up to 2GB). Motherboard has integrated Graphics with Intel GMA900 accelerator with VGA Output. Space for 1x SATA Hard Drive. LAN Card Included. Integrated 7.1 Audio Included
# Motherboard is an FIC P4M-915GDI-LF
# 250W PSU Included - With UK Power Lead
# Silent Intel Heatsink is included
# 1x PCI-Express port with 4x PCI Expansion ports (includes Riser card)
# IR Windows Media Center Remote Control (with batteries) is included
# Wireless Media Center Keyboard is included - with rollerball mouse control and hotkeys
# Blue LCD Display on Front Panel
# Flip down front panel with Multi Card Reader, audio, S-Video and USB Ports behind
# Media Controls on Front of case
# High quality silver effect case feet
# Driver CDs and Manual Included
# Inputs/Outputs on rear of case: 2x Scart, 4x USB2.0, VGA, Audio.
# 5.25" Bay available at the front of the case for an optical drive

Will this be good enough for full 1080p??? Looks a steal if it is!

I've always thought that a HTPC should be small. That's why I like the idea of these, even though I have no direct experience with them. They are basically generic mac mini's with built-in NTSC tuners (becoming useless) and an MCE remote. Bumped up past the default processor, they should definitely play all 720p, and bumped up to 2.33ghz you will probably have lots of success with 1080p. I just wish I could provide direct experience for you.

http://www.pcalchemy.com/product_info.php/cPath/413/products_id/645

First, let me say, I'm not a big fan of Acer. But has anyone seen this? Dual-core AMD, 4GB Ram, and integrated Nvidia 8200... the only thing I don't see is spdif out:

http://gizmodo.com/398056/acer-aspire-x1200-series-mini+pcs-stuff-hdmi-jack-9-usb-ports-and-more-in-a-tiny-space

I've the same CPU (Intel Pentium 4 630, 3.0GHz) and I must say that it has no chance to play 1080P on XBMC. It even drops frames on some 720P.

o.O

I'm on a 2.32 Ghz Athlon64 and I have no problems playing 720p content at all.
I've just downloaded some Batman h.264 trailer in 1080p and it plays at 24fps in VideoLAN and Nero Showtime.

I've the same CPU (Intel Pentium 4 630, 3.0GHz) and I must say that it has no chance to play 1080P on XBMC. It even drops frames on some 720P.

o.O
I'm on a 2.32 Ghz Athlon64 and I have no problems playing 720p content at all.
I've just downloaded some Batman h.264 trailer in 1080p and it plays at 24fps in VideoLAN and Nero Showtime.

You're also on windows with hardware acceleration playing a low bitrate file. Those stats are not in the slightest relevant to XBMC on linux.

I built a new pc at the start of the year. The mobo, processor and memory are listed below.

I have used the pc now for 5 months and its an absolute power house.

I would recommend this hardware 100%

What I would not recommend is buying a complete media center package. I find it is best to buy the exact components you want and build it yourself.

http://www.microdirect.co.uk/(17578)Abit-motherboard-ANM2HD-socket-AM2-nVidia.aspx

http://www.microdirect.co.uk/(16658)AMD-CPU-AM2-6000-Athlon-64-X2Dual-Core-Retail.aspx

http://www.microdirect.co.uk/(15884)Corsair-2048MB-TwinX-XMS2-6400DDR2-Memory.aspx

Other items I'm using are;

Silverstone lc16m case
Antec phantom psu
750gb Maxtor Sata HDD
New Philips MCE remote
Zalman CPU fan

The overall system is reliable and extremely quiet.

This is about the 10th system i have build so if you need any advice just send me a pm.

Cheers,

Dubstar_04

Second.

I run the same board, with a 5000+ X2. Very happy with it.

Dubstar, have you tried any beefy 1080p x264 content with your setup?

NO! On Linux most all of the vid decoding is being done on the CPU and little help is received from the GPU. Intel dual core (C2D) @3GHZ plays most anything with a decent NVIDIA card. For 720P you can go slower but try to stick to dual cores if you can as multiple cores really seem to help.

And yeah Apple trailers aren't high bitrate. Bet the Killer Bird Clip would put a hurting on your Windows setup, plays smooth on my XBMC.

I have an AMD 6000+ and it definitely plays most 1080p content. Still can't get through the Killa bird sample without dropping frames. I'd just get the fastest newer Intel chip you can afford. As has been mentioned umpteenth times, the 8400 is probably the best price/performance you can get. Not the cheapest way to go, of course...

Not snowballs chance in hell that CPU will ever play 1080p H.264 videos, and the Intel GMA900 graphics is not good enough for XBMC neither, (you need a Intel GMA950 at the very least and even that is a low-end as you can go with XBMC). Read the FAQ.

I have my doubts about the gma900.

Well, I have a crappy onboard graphic adapter ... I actually thought a media center on linux base would need much less resources then something on windows ...

though, it was probably low bitrate, your right.

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