[jchray]

I'm new to the site but have been monitoring for years and a xbmc user for longer. I finally decided to do a htpc build. It will be be on or asleep all the time. And will be a windows system (7 or 8\8.1?) So I can intergrate Netflix, and bd disk playback and bitstreaming audio. As far as media goes .... I have a ripped collection of DVDs and blurays (all uncompressed mkv) all housed on an external Hitachi 2tb drive Via usb. And have just started the conversion of all them to 60fps (just sayimg .... What a difference!!!) I also use the normal streaming xbmc apps via WiFi.

My set up now is a mitsubishi 73 inch, onkyo receiver out to a 7.1 klipsch system, powered by monster power avs and conditioner. Xbmc wise, a mix match of a desktop running windows and xbmc 13.0 and a laptop running xbmbuntu 12.0 no hdmi on either and two channel audio being converted via receiver to 7.1. So you see why i'm in need of an upgrade. Ha.

So I just ordered:
Apex mi-008.
http://www.amazon.com/MI-008-Tower-Black...B001H0BA24

ASRock FM2A88X-ITX.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.as...6813157464

Kingston HyperX Red 8GB DDR3-1600 CL9 240-Pin (2x4 gb). Probably overkill. http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B008XQE...UTF8&psc=1

Amd a6-6400k http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00CPLG...UTF8&psc=1

I have a few hdds so i m just going to use them to begin and just load xbmcbuntu.
Then get a ssd and add windows later.

As far as apu cooling, not sure until I can see clearances on the mobo and case.

Unsure on remotes. I've just been using a mouse on all my other stuff.

So, for it being my first build what should i be looking out for? Does this all look like a sound setup? Anybody else have a similar setup?

[jchray]

Just saw on amazon, my case and APU just came in.... anxious to check it out.

[jchray]

Just got my case in and APU. they are both very nice. We'll see if the stock cooler is going to fit; not sure yet. This case is tight though and I noticed the psu fan blows directly on top of the mobo.... not the greatest design for a this small of a case. I wonder how much heat it will give off.

Also my mobo and ram are scheduled for delivery tomorrow. but not sure how much i will be able to get done. back to work--->graves.

[Dougie Fresh]

The stock AMD cooler will fit. You will definitely have some heat issues, especially if you put a couple of 3.5" HDDs in there. If you don't need to use the side 3.5" bay you can actually snap in a 120mm fan.

Here's thread with an A4 build in that case: http://forum.xbmc.org/showthread.php?tid=111746

And see this review here: http://www.silentpcreview.com/apex-mi008

[jchray]

Yeah I've actually seen that spcr review. And I do plan to add a silenx 120 case fan. I will need some air circulation. The space the htpc will be housed in doesn't have much air flow. And is housed with my avr, power conditioner/avs, bd player and hdd and 360

[Dougie Fresh]

It probably won't be long until you rip out that stock PSU and get a picoPSU

[jchray]

I looked at the picopsu but im trying not to spend too much money all at once. Maybe a future upgrade when I can convince the wifey.
Also, any recommendations on remotes? I have never had one for xbmc , ive just used a mouse but it is not all that friendly. A remote with a keyboard on the back would be nice. This has probably already been asked somewhere in the forum but why not ask it now; responses a purely voluntary anyway and I will research myself too...ha.

[jchray]

Ha. Just found this.. looking at the newegg q and a's.
http://lifehacker.com/5936546/how-i-buil...-under-500

Basically what I am building.

[jchray]

Ok. Got it all put together. Still waiting on a SSD. I have a 120gb Verbatim SSD on order with the silenx 120mm fan. I loaded Xbmcbuntu 13.0 beta 2 on my 640 HDD via USB and threw that in. It worked great except for some reason, I was not getting HDMI audio out. The HDMI output device was not showing up in xbmc either so i was just using two channel out for the time being. Then I changed the skin to MQ5 (i think that was the name) and it just went into a boot loop..... It would show the xbmc splash screen for a sec and then load the UI for a sec. and repeat. until finally it would go black with the "x" cursor. It however would let me load into the desktop with the ctr.alt.f4 stokes..... SOOoooo.... I wiped the drive,(more than once now) and tried Xbmcbuntu 12.0, 12.2, openelec fusion, generic, and oss generic. It will just not load any of them; Not sure why? Any ideas. I guess it doesn't really matter too much, i'm going to go to best buy today to buy windows 8.1.

---

Oh brings me to another question. as far as integration with XBMC in general, which would be better, windows 8.1, or 7?

[teki4u]

8.1 as its metro ui on big screen looks and feels better. I use it works great with xbmc, haven't had any problem.

[LazerBlue]

8.1 as its metro ui on big screen looks and feels better. I use it works great with xbmc, haven't had any problem.

I agree. I was using Windows 7 for the last 1 1/2 year's mainly for boblight and recently switch that one to Windows 8.1 and I now have a much higher WAF.

[jchray]

8.1 as its metro ui on big screen looks and feels better. I use it works great with xbmc, haven't had any problem.

Hmm. That makes sense as far is it being easy to see and use on a big screen. I have just been reluctant to update any of my PCs to 8 because i did not like the metro touchscreen feel.

I agree. I was using Windows 7 for the last 1 1/2 year's mainly for boblight and recently switch that one to Windows 8.1 and I now have a much higher WAF.
[/quote]

WAF is a big deal to me.... she has been freaking out the past few days because i dont have the htpc up and running right now.
I have never messed with bob light but have always wanted to check it out. It doesn't work with win 8?

[LazerBlue]

WAF is a big deal to me.... she has been freaking out the past few days because i dont have the htpc up and running right now.
I have never messed with bob light but have always wanted to check it out. It doesn't work with win 8?

Boblight kind of works but is way too slow to be usable. I stopped using Boblight about 2 months ago and am basically redoing the lights and once complete will be using Ambibox as the interface which works well with Windows 8.

[jchray]

Hmm. I'll have to investigate. ..

[jchray]

Alright..... I have installed windows 8.1 by USB on a Verbatim 120 SSD which was easy. Runs real fast. I got XBMC 12.3 loaded up. I found out 1 channel does not work on the new 13.0 yet. and i have successfully got bit-streaming to work using Bluray's guide on the forum. It took a little extra tweaking on my AVR and PC but it works like a champ. Still waiting on my 120 mm fan but my temps haven't been bad (though i don't have the case closed up yet either). The PSU fan is quite and the stock APU fan is quite as well so i don't think i'll be upgrading anytime soon on those. so right now i am waiting on my 120 mm fan, and my 640 HDD to finish being wiped by dban (I did a DOD wipe so its taking like 3 days...ha).

All file are ripped using Make MKV and the 60FPS files are done using SubJunk's method here. http://www.spirton.com/convert-videos-to-60fps/
Bluray's guide to bit-streaming is here. http://forum.xbmc.org/showthread.php?tid=128480

So lets recap. I am playing full HD 1080p (60FPS, 24FPS) MKV files and bit-streaming every format I've thrown at it (DTS-HD, DTS, DD, DD-TRUEHD). I'd call it a success and it was wife approved. I just need to get a remote that I like working. Any ideas on the best remotes working with Windows 8.1 and XBMC?