2011-01-11, 16:04
Hi all,
I want to get rid of an old Xbox downstairs running XBMC for something that can run HD content. All the content is streamed via ethernet to the compaq. The specs for the machine are: Compaq Evo D500 Desktop PC, Pentium 4 2GHz, 768MB Ram Memory. I got rid of the onboard graphics and bought a PNY Technologies nVIDIA GeForce 8400GS Graphics Card - 512MB, PCI, VGA/DVI-I
I installed windows XP on the machine as it runs quite well on it. I then installed the latest XBMC, this is where my troubles start. First off scanning my library in takes ages, though my collection is huge with over 4500 movies and 150 shows. It took about 30 hours (My files have been done with media companion for NFO's, fanart etc). The first thing I noticed as the library database got larger is that XBMC takes about 10 seconds to get to browse all the movies. Secondly the movie thumbs and fanart are not instant when browsing.
As far as the movie playback goes the SD and 720p stuff play but is not totally smooth. I know the graphics card isnt the best but I thought it would be good enough for the job. I tried playing a 1080p movie and it wasnt having it at all it was dropping frames constantly. Although it doesnt matter that much as I only have a handful of 1080p stuff.
I just want to be able to play everything and be able to browse my library properly with no stuttering or waiting for things to load. Not being able to play 1080p I can live with.
So...
1. Am I whipping a dead horse here and just go out and buy myself a shuttle or Zotac or Apple TV?
Is it the RAM thats the problem? I could up the RAM to 2 gigs.
Maybe its the OS Windows XP thats sapping out the resources? Would installing Linux or XBMC Live solve the problem? I have never dabbled in either one but will do so if necessary. I just hope the learning curve isnt too steep and finding drivers will be straight forward.
I Hope someone can shine some light
I want to get rid of an old Xbox downstairs running XBMC for something that can run HD content. All the content is streamed via ethernet to the compaq. The specs for the machine are: Compaq Evo D500 Desktop PC, Pentium 4 2GHz, 768MB Ram Memory. I got rid of the onboard graphics and bought a PNY Technologies nVIDIA GeForce 8400GS Graphics Card - 512MB, PCI, VGA/DVI-I
I installed windows XP on the machine as it runs quite well on it. I then installed the latest XBMC, this is where my troubles start. First off scanning my library in takes ages, though my collection is huge with over 4500 movies and 150 shows. It took about 30 hours (My files have been done with media companion for NFO's, fanart etc). The first thing I noticed as the library database got larger is that XBMC takes about 10 seconds to get to browse all the movies. Secondly the movie thumbs and fanart are not instant when browsing.
As far as the movie playback goes the SD and 720p stuff play but is not totally smooth. I know the graphics card isnt the best but I thought it would be good enough for the job. I tried playing a 1080p movie and it wasnt having it at all it was dropping frames constantly. Although it doesnt matter that much as I only have a handful of 1080p stuff.
I just want to be able to play everything and be able to browse my library properly with no stuttering or waiting for things to load. Not being able to play 1080p I can live with.
So...
1. Am I whipping a dead horse here and just go out and buy myself a shuttle or Zotac or Apple TV?
Is it the RAM thats the problem? I could up the RAM to 2 gigs.
Maybe its the OS Windows XP thats sapping out the resources? Would installing Linux or XBMC Live solve the problem? I have never dabbled in either one but will do so if necessary. I just hope the learning curve isnt too steep and finding drivers will be straight forward.
I Hope someone can shine some light