[kmkarim]

Hey guys,

I have a couple questions related to XBMC. If I were to have a server running in the basement do I need anything apart from the ordinary specs to stream 720p and 1080p content? Also if I were to build a HTPC running XMBC to grab the content would it be more important to have a better/faster processor or video card.

Thanks,

kmkarim

[Pvt_Ryan]

Processor is probably slightly more important. For gfx a nvidia 76XX+ or 86XX+ will be more than suffice .

For the server in the basement I wouldnt actually have a server unless you need it for something else and even then I would recommend a NSLU2. They run at 233Mhz (133Mhz if you get the underclocked one but it is easy to clock back up) http://www.nslu2-linux.org/ Install Debain on a usb stick (I use a 4gb but tbh 1gb is more than suffice and attach an external 1TB usb drive to it.

The one downside to a NSLU2 is that it uses 10/100 ethernet and not gigabit but tbph I haven't seen this affect the anything other than the initial transfer of files to it.

The other route you could go is a Buffalo (?) DNS-323. Same thing as the NSLU2 but more powerful and instead of having only 2usb connections has 2 interal 3.5" bays. I also believe it has gigabit ethernet.

The main advantages of these over an actual server are:
1) Lower power consumption
2) less space requirements

http://www.dlink.co.uk/cs/Satellite?c=Pr...FDLWrapper

http://www.lambda-tek.com/componentshop/...dID=960362

Once you have linux on them just use nfs exports for your xbmc front end to mount and samba share the directory for access from windows machines.

[BLKMGK]

100meg is fine and I've spoken to guys on the unRAID forums who have streamed multiple 1080 streams over that interface. unRAId is what I am using for my servers, see sig. The HDHomerun also only has a 100meg NIC and does multiple OTA streams no problem. Put your money into the CPU in the XBMC box, even a P3 server could likely feed the box without issue

[kmkarim]

Okay, well I would prefer a server as im going to be running some other stuff on there but reading from this you guys are saying the server proc. should have no difference on the XBMC. I was looking at the same mobo you have BLKMGK (http://www.ncix.com/products/index.php?s...cture=ASUS) and was wondering if another video card would make a difference. (You have the 8400)

Thanks,

kmkarim

[althekiller]

Before everyone gets confused, are you talking streaming the files or a pre-decoded stream? The former requires basically nothing, would require a disgusting amount of power to get more than one stream going.

[BLKMGK]

Okay, well I would prefer a server as im going to be running some other stuff on there but reading from this you guys are saying the server proc. should have no difference on the XBMC. I was looking at the same mobo you have BLKMGK (http://www.ncix.com/products/index.php?s...cture=ASUS) and was wondering if another video card would make a difference. (You have the 8400)

Thanks,

kmkarim

I believe you are getting two builds mixed up. The board in my sig - and the video card - are part of one build that I have running just fine. The ASUS board you reference in this posting is a new one and not yet fully up and running. It has an onboard NVIDIA 9300 and should need no added card. In this new build I have the motherboard, memory, CPU, and nothing in the slots. Some others have this board running great with HDMI audio and all, I am still setting mine up and so cannot yet pass judgment on it.