Been There done that

[willybeamish]

SO i have been toying with HTPC's for the last few months , i didnt want to have to resort to a full blown PC . But the only way to play and manipulate HD .mkv files it is the only reasonable way to go . I will list the options i tried below before resorting my current Rig. I also want to keep this simple and dont want to use on the fly transcoding software. All of my opinions and biases are based upon my use of XBMC for a hacked XBOX. I want to find something that is as easy to use and as fast . all being Played on Sharp Aquos LCD 42" 120hz

Note: all methods are streaming from a Linnux Based NAS gigabit LAN

Xbox ( w/XBMC ) - wont play .mkv HD
Xbox360 - willy only play a Divx or Xvid using 3rd party streaming software no .mkv
PS3 ( Native O/S ) - will stream .MP4 with 3rd party software not .mkv (really wished it played .mkv , very nice interface)

PS3 ( Yellow Dog) - Ran like a dog - wouldnt even play divx
PS3 ( XUbuntu) - Ran better than YD still not up to par.
AMD 1800+ w/ ATI X1650 AGP Video 1 GIG DDR GLAN - Ran like crap , wouldnt play 1080p
P4 2.4 w/ATI 1650 AGP Video 1 GIG DDR GLAN - Ran Better Stuttered On 1080p

SO at this point I was disappointed and built an HTPC on the cheap with new stuff opposed to stuff lying around the shop.

Intel Core 2 Duo 4500E
Asus VM-DO
2 x 1024 DDR 2 800
36 GIG Raptor
LG 16X DVD-RW
Ati 3650 512 PCI-X
Apevia Q-Pack
Windows XP Pro SP2
MP V0.2.3.0

My conclusions so far are as Follows.

Pros - This machine will handle anything I throw at it , super quick . It work 100X better than the two previous PC's.
Cons - I get fine horizontal lines somethimes playing hd .mkv files I think it is the video card. Gonna sawp to NVDIA
- I can't get the Audio to play over HDMI , I have tried pretty much everything


I would say this solutions is great for Media Portal and runs like a dream except for the video issues which I will solve eventually, WMP11 also has same lines so I know its a hard ware issue.

I havent got My harmony 1000 to work with it , but its on my list.

I have attached the pic for my budget HTPC, I am testing all this before I finish my HT Room.

[Paranoid Delusion]

Now that sounds like a NICE SETUP, Nvidia are just edging it driver wise, but that seems to be going Vista orientated as well.

So finish this baby quick before xp drivers disappear.