[scooby81]

## Project revised - All 3D content playback is outside of scope ##

Dear all,

- Firstly just to introduce myself - I am a HTPC enthusiast looking to design my perfect "3 in 1" HTPC on a non-Windows based platform.
- I have completed an equivalent solution using Windows & MediaPortal and looking to develop a solution that is much more resource and cost effective.
- I have been reading many (many) threads over the past few days and wanted to reach out to the community for advice & support

I am planning to put together a step-by-step guide that everyone can benefit from.
Please support me and I will support the community in turn.

Objectives - the "3 in 1" solution

1. A media player
- Play full HD video / audio content (H.264 1080P(60) with DTS audio) over a LAN
- Playing 3D content is currently OUT OF SCOPE of this project
- 4K content is currently OUT OF SCOPE of this project

2. Live TV
- Watch, record & time-shift full HD DVB-S2 satellite TV via an integrate dual satellite tuner
- Planning to enable this via TVHeadEnd server (or similar) running on the same device
- Single satellite configuration 28.2E
- Automated channel management (scripted Bouquet generation / updating)
- Automated 7 Day EPG management
- Ability to decrypt owned subscription channels via card / softcam

3 - Blu Ray ODD playback
- Ability to play Blu Ray discs natively from within XBMC
- 3D Blu Ray playback is currently OUT OF SCOPE of this project
- Only required to playback main feature - access to disc menu not essential


I have chosen and ordered my hardware:

CASE Tendraw H124 HTPC Case Mini ITX with 120W DC PSU £80.98
IR & REMOTE Jonsbo Multimedia Remote with Internal IR £12.49
M'BOARD & CPU Biostar Intel NM70I-1037U £54.99
RAM Corsair Vengeance Low Profile 4GB (2x2GB) DDR3 1600 MHZ £40.34
SSD KINGSTON 30GB SSDNow £29.99
BLU RAY PLDS DL-4ETS SATA Slot BD-ROM Blu-ray Combo Drive £43.59
DVB-S2 DVBSky S950 PCIe £44.90

TOTAL £307.28

There will be many questions I am sure, so any advise will be appreciated

Regards

Rufio

[p750mmx]

If capable 3D playing goes for all 3D content (including BR format), then there is no alternative OS besides Windows, or is there?

[scooby81]

Hi,

Thanks for this.

Can anyone clarify any 3D playback limitations on non-Windows OS?

[scooby81]

Anyone?

[bluray]

I don't know that any OS can playback full MVC-3D other than Windows. It required external player (TMT, PDVD, etc)....

[scooby81]

Hi, thank you for the replies.

I am removing 3D playback capabilities from the build.

With this in mind, could someone recommend a suitable processor with onboard GPU?

I have been looking at AMD processors today - would an AMD A4 5300 CPU be a good fit?
http://www.amazon.co.uk/AMD-3-4GHZ-HD748...MD+A4+5300

[Kib]

Check my choices in my signature

[scooby81]

Check my choices in my signature

Hi Kib,

This is almost identical to the HTPC I built to implement this solution on a Windows OS platform with MediaPortal!

I am looking to utilise OpenElec / Linux only and use lower powered and cheaper components.

Basically, my question is what is the cheapest CPU that will be adequate to play 1080p H264 and Blu Ray content within OpenElec or Linux?

Thanks

[Kib]

Opinions will vary.

[00b5]

I can't speak to BR discs in OE/linux, but any intel processor with HD video should play 1080p (h.264) MKVs with ease (via built in hardware accelration in the GPU).

This includes celerons, and the newest gen of atoms.

See the other threads here (look for the NUC ones, and recycle any of those cpus into a MB of your choice if that is the way you are going).

mb/cpu combo:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.as...gnorebbr=1

Cheap intel cpu (Ivy bridge)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.as...6819116889

Plenty of examples, just read some of the more popular threads, lots of options to choose from.

Not sure on the AMD offerings, but i'm pretty sure its a similar situation in regards to CPUs they have with built-in GPUs (i think they call them APUs?)

[scooby81]

Hi all,

Thanks for the suggestions - really useful.

PROGRESS:
I have done a bit of digging and decided to use the AMD A6 5400K APU with HD7540D, which is selling for £42 on Amazon UK
http://www.amazon.co.uk/AMD-Edition-3-6G...0095VPBFY/

I suppose my hesitation with the (bargain) Intel Celeron 1037U is that the performance on heavy skins (Aeon Nox) and high bitrate HD content is likely to be "borderline", so I wanted to opt for something with a bit more power but in the same price ball park.

I have also decided on a DVB-S2 card: DVBSky S950 PCIe card (low profile)
http://www.amazon.co.uk/DVBSky-S950-prof...B00FXS0RBQ

NEXT CHALLENGE:
Now to find the right Mini ITX motherboard.

The features I am looking for are:

FM2 Socket support
HDMI out
Optical Audio out
Gigabit Ethernet
USB 3.0 support

and ideally:
SODIMM memory support (to keep the height lower)
mSATA support (so I can use a little MSata drive instead of a SSD).

Any thoughts / ideas / comments?

[scooby81]

Excellent. Seems there aren't any Thin ITX FM2 motherboards. Back to the drawing board...

[wigee]

Hi,

I was looking to build the same HTPC as you.
Past weekend i ordered the following:

RAM: Corsair Value Select - Geheugen - 4 GB : 2 x 2 GB -
Case: MS-Tech MC-1200 - Bureaumodel - micro ATX - voeding 350
Watt ( SFX12V 2.3 )
SSD: Kingston SSDNow V300 - Solid state drive - 120 GB -
CPU AMD A serie A6-6400K - 3.9 GHz
BD Drive: ASUS BW 16D1HTBDXL - 16x2x12x
Motherbord: ASRock FM2A75M Pro4+ - Moederbord - Micro-ATX - Socket
FM2+ - AMD A75 - USB 3.0 - Gigabit LAN

I am waiting now when it will be send to my home.

In couple of weeks i will also order: DVBSKy S952 Dual DVB-S/S2 PCIe of dvbshop.net.
To complete the HTPC.

PS: A 2tb disk will also be included as i already have this at home.

This specifications should be ok the watch everything you want to without any issue.

The only thing i don't know is if i should use openelec of XBMC under windows...
Maybe someone can give advice for this?

[Dougie Fresh]

I suppose my hesitation with the (bargain) Intel Celeron 1037U is that the performance on heavy skins (Aeon Nox) and high bitrate HD content is likely to be "borderline", so I wanted to opt for something with a bit more power but in the same price ball park.

Celeron 1037U plays high bitrate HD content with no problem. Even the Celeron 847 will. There's a thread around here with all the various format and bitrates I tested. Using OpenELEC, the C1037U will also handle any skin you throw at it. No worries.

I'd give anything to be able to buy the Gigabyte GA-C1037UN-EU here in the USA.

[scooby81]

Dougie, you are making me think twice!
Happy to buy one for you and ship it - feel free to PM me


So here is where I keep going backwards and forwards:
Do I go budget as per the project outline OR

Put something together that can:
Play Full Frame Packed 3D (MKV & BR)
Play 4K (2160p) @ 60 HZ

Thoughts everyone? And of course I know I am going outside of the original spec!