My HTPC

[PABLO]

MP Version: 2.0.0.4
Skin: personal skin (mce template)
Windows Version: xp pro sp2
CPU Type: AMD ATHLON 2000+
Memory: 512mb
Motherboard Chipset: ASUS KS741S
Video Card: ATI 256
TV Card: type of TV card, NOVA-T 9002
TV Card Type: DVB-T

MY HTPC

Originally i connected my computer upstairs to my 26inch LCD downstairs, via a homemade VGA extension cable and Keyboard/mouse with a USB extension cable. Total cost £20. The main reasons being most of my music was on the PC and i could also watch downloaded videos on the bigger screen in comfort.
Although it cost very little to do this and worked reasonably well (Apart from vga extension issues) i was soon tempted to try MP and bought an additional budget PC.(AMD2000 EBAY £100) I had to upgrade the graphics card and bought a 200G HD.
I spent a few months tweaking the system with 1.0.3 but didnt start to get good results until RC3 and since a clean OS install the system doesnt need to be tweaked at all, apart from disabling login screens etc.
Although i have to restart the system now and again (somebody else mentioned "only as much as a set top box") stability isnt a problem and i have now moved on to tweaking the skin to create my own look.
Also i am waiting for a warm calm day so i can get up the ladder and mount my aerial on a tall pole as i am pretty certain this will cure the small stutter i get when initialising the tv\changing channels.
My girlfriend thinks its great and surprises me with her zapping skills as we have both learned to use the remote in different ways.
Now i am addicted to MP and want to build another system for the bedroom
I am still learning about skinning and hope to post a modded MCE skin soon

Here are my favourite tips

Make MP start from Hauppauge remote power button- edit irremote.ini add the following line to the default section GRNPOWER={run(c:\progra~1\teame~1\mediap~1\Mediapo rtal.exe)}
Another press and my system hibernates
Make MP close from Hauppauge remote- edit remote map to exit MP on button of choice
Get rid of "my" in home screen (THANKS AGAIN TROSTY) add the following line to the 'general' section of mediaportal.xml:
<entry name="myprefix">no</entry>

Many thanks to the Mediaportal team for an awesome program.

[tklon]

The lower part matches excellent to your tv. Nice work.

Originally Posted by PABLO

Get rid of "my" in home screen (THANKS AGAIN TROSTY) add the following line to the 'general' section of mediaportal.xml:
<entry name="myprefix">no</entry>

In the config app at general -> skin there is an option to disable "my" now.

[Aquarius]

Perfect !

May I ask what housing you are using ?

Also I see an LCD on the housing, what is it ?


[OT] From the second screen I see that there are still fans of the 'Electric Light Orchestra' out there, like myself. Good to know !
[/OT]

Regards
/Gerd

[tkortell]

Thats a sweet setup

[PABLO]

<Also I see an LCD on the housing, what is it ?>

Aquarius,
i knocked the housing up out of MDF, i havent got an lcd on it just a small panel with a few LEDS to show....power on HTPC, power on Upstairs PC and a USB socket for attaching a camera etc
On top there are three small buttons to Hibernate\power on Reset (not used so much nowadays) and power on/off for upstairs PC. These buttons connect to a modified serial port on the PC'S for easy disconnection
The sound comes via the Sony dvd system and the PC is hidden behind the wall.
Also i have a bluetooth keyboard so i can use like a normal PC.

I have a spare LCD from my CARMP3 project i might wire up one day, I got two 2x20 LM203'S from Ebay for 7quid !

Thank you all for your comments !