Can I run MediaPortal on this?

[Passa]

I haven't installed it yet, or set it up my old PC with Windows yet, and I want to make sure I can run it before I do.

I read the MSR, but assuming I dont want to do TV recording, and basically just use MediaPortal to play video files and audio, is this enough?

Windows Version: Windows XP Pro SP2
CPU Type: Pentium III 733MHz
HDD: 10GB but video files stored on 200GB media server
Memory: 256MB RAM
Video Card: Radeon 9250
Video Card Driver: Omega Drivers Catalyst 6.5
Sound Card: Soundblaster 5.1 Surround Sound
TV: 80cm CRT TV

Sorry for the generally stupid post, but I just want to confirm if I cant run MediaPortal, so I can keep looking for an alternative Media system software.

Thanks

[Callifo]

Itll be a close call, you might have to wait and see. It does have a DX8.1 video card at least. Might find compressed video (ie mpeg4) might be a little slow.

[Passa]

It had problems during Windows XP setup, so I had to take out one of the RAM chips, so it only has 196MB RAM now, but still, only basic video playback and audio playback needed here, and the video files are less than DVD quality, encoded with XviD.

If worse comes to worse I can overclock the CPU, it sits around 35-39 degrees just idling, so it should overclock nicely.

I dont even intend to use the system for DVD playback, it only has a CD-ROM drive. Really I just want to use MediaPortal so I have a nice looking menu for all my audio and video files.

[NickName]

I have 1GHZ pc that plays TV, DVDs etcs without issue but I think you'll find that the lack of RAM will stop your 733MHZ working 'nicely' for you.

FYI. XP needs 256 meg to run acceptably though I have watched a 733MHX with 128 meg RAM run XP (barely). It was incredibly slow and painful to watch but it wasn't my PC.

The problem is that RAM for older PCs is becoming worth more then a 2nd hand PC so it's probably not worth buying any for it. Maybe you can get some 2nd hand RAM cheap?

Alternatively you could try MythTV which has lower system requirements and already has the features that MP will soon have, ie. networking 'back-end/s'.
Sadly though, Mediaportal doesn't support 'Picture in Picture' like MythTV does but then as you don't have 2+ digital TV cards in it, that won't matter.
You do need more IT skills (read 'Linux') for MythTV whereas Mediaportal is simpler to set up.
Hope that helps...

Regards,

NickName.

[Passa]

Well I've been mucking around with it, and is there a way I can set it to one media directory over a network?

I have a media file server elsewhere with 200GB of storage and all my TV shows and music carefully labelled and sorted.. I know other media programs can do this, can MediaPortal do that?

[NickName]

Sure can! Just map the network drive as a local drive and then add that new drive as a source in the settings for 'My Videos' in the Configuration program.

[Passa]

Thanks, I mapped the media folder and the configuration program didnt complain

My 64MB stick of ram died on me unexpectedly.. I'm stuck with 128MB ram now :/

If I upgrade it to 1GHz Pentium III and 512MB RAM will it run perfectly? Its a shame MediaPortal needs such high specs

Shame also that it runs so freakin slow on my pc! Takes about 5-10 minutes for it to load MediaPortal! Hopefully I can counter this by setting the off button to by default hibernate the computer, so it doesnt need to load MediaPortal on every reboot.

BTW, how can I stop it from playing things as soon as it loads? It always starts playing Nova 96.9 radio stream as soon as it loads.

Also, it seems to play videos fine, but if I press ESC to go back to the menu it takes up to 2 minutes (probably because its attempting to scale the video into the window at the bottom). Is there a way I can make this faster, such as disabling it from playing after I press ESC? Multitasking music and videos isnt my thing anyway, so can I disable that to save resources?

Thanks for the help so far, awesome software btw

EDIT: would lowering the resolution from 800x600 to 640x480 help combat the lag?

[zombiepig]

Originally Posted by Passa

My 64MB stick of ram died on me unexpectedly.. I'm stuck with 128MB ram now :/


BTW, how can I stop it from playing things as soon as it loads? It always starts playing Nova 96.9 radio stream as soon as it loads.

you must have a tick next to 'nova' in the radio stations config - this tick makes it play on startup.
get some more ram i run mp on a similar box, but with 512 MB ram, and while it doesn't respond instantly, it's very usable and my wife has never complained!!

[Passa]

So will setting the res to 640x480 help at all?

And how can I make it automatically pause videos when you press ESC (because it lags otherwise.)

[zombiepig]

Originally Posted by Passa

So will setting the res to 640x480 help at all?

And how can I make it automatically pause videos when you press ESC (because it lags otherwise.)

perhaps very marginally, but i doubt it. and i'm not sure on that second question...