Buying HTPC, is Mediaportal the right choise? (1 Viewer)

[North82]

Hi.

Im going to buy a HTPC today, and Im bit unsure about what program Im going to use. It stands between Win7+Mediaportal VS Ubuntu+XMBC. Im leaning towards Mediaportal now as Id like to have windows on the machine, though im unsure about a few things with mediaportal. Maybe you have the answers to the above questions, id be glad for all replies:

* As im going for a atom-ION solution I need to make sure that Mediaportal-codecs supports GPU-acceleration as Atom wont play 1080p without it. Does them? Gotto make sure that it will work.

* I have saved all my dvds onto my server, can Mediaportal stream them or do they have to be on the local harddrive?

* Most my moviefiles have subtitles on a seperate file. Does Mediaportal support subtitle-files such as .sub, .srt, .idx?

* I want to buy a universal remote control for my livingroom, will LOGITECH Harmony Remote Control 525 work on Mediaportal?



Regards
Lars

 

[Marvman]

Hi Lars,

MP is highly configurable, the short answer is YES to all your questions.

But what do you mean with your stored DVD's where you stored them, when not on the harddrive?

You can instal the server part on your dvd server and stream ALL to your clients.

 

[North82]

Hi Lars,

MP is highly configurable, the short answer is YES to all your questions.
But what do you mean with your stored DVD's where you stored them, when not on the harddrive?
You can instal the server part on your dvd server and stream ALL to your clients.

Thanks for fast reply.

Ive stored my dvds to a server thats in the basement. So I ment to ask if it was possible to stream them from my server to the HTPC via MP, with subtitlefiles. I assume it can be done, though I want to be 100% sure before I install the program.

The most important question is that 1080p files will be GPU-accelereated, if they are not I cant use MP.

 

[Marvman]

Hi Lars,

MP is highly configurable, the short answer is YES to all your questions.
But what do you mean with your stored DVD's where you stored them, when not on the harddrive?
You can instal the server part on your dvd server and stream ALL to your clients.

Thanks for fast reply.

Ive stored my dvds to a server thats in the basement. So I ment to ask if it was possible to stream them from my server to the HTPC via MP, with subtitlefiles. I assume it can be done, though I want to be 100% sure before I install the program.

The most important question is that 1080p files will be GPU-accelereated, if they are not I cant use MP.

Yes you can stream your files from your server.
Yes you can take every codec you want, fav's are CoreAVC, PowerDVD7/9 codec, mpc all support GPU-acceleration.

 

[North82]

Sounds fantastic. Even more fantastic when I now just found out that I can buy a sub $40 usbtvcard and record all wifeys programs so she will never ever complain again when Im watching live soccer.

Im buying a HTPC with bluray. Ive been reading more about features now, but couldnt find bluraysupport in there. Does it lack bluray-playback support? Can understand as its freeware, though would be nice to have.

 

[Marvman]

I don't use bluray, but for bluray you can use the powerdvd and control it through MP, MP supports to control external players,

But you should really ready more in the forum especially about bluray, before you buy stuff

read this thread about bluray https://forum.team-mediaportal.com/mediaportal-plugins-47/blu-ray-hd-dvd-player-powerdvd-working-solution-32268/

 

[Spragleknas]

Regarding your wishes:
If you need HW acc. (DXVA @ Windows) AND displaying subs, I'm not sure you'll find any other mediacenter except MedaPortal who can do that. Correct me if I'm wrong.

This is a bit old, so might have changed:

External subtitles are currently disabled over xbmc-VDPAU.

Source: XBMC for Linux VDPAU - NVIDIA GPU video decoding support (now in the mainline SVN) - Page 49 - XBMC Community Forum

EDIT: Oh, and I don't think you'll be able to play BR over Linux for a while ...

 

[North82]

I don't use bluray, but for bluray you can use the powerdvd and control it through MP, MP supports to control external players,

But you should really ready more in the forum especially about bluray, before you buy stuff

read this thread about bluray https://forum.team-mediaportal.com/mediaportal-plugins-47/blu-ray-hd-dvd-player-powerdvd-working-solution-32268/

It seems like bluray will work smooth when installing the external player so I went for it and ordered a new 47"lcd, ion-htpc, hauppage hdtv-usbcard, 5.1surround-system, logitech harmony remote, 1.5tb hd for server, and logitech wireless keyboard/mouse. This is going to be great!

Thanks for the answers.


Regards
Lars

 

[oflahsp]

I use a netbook with an N270 Atom as a MP client. It is Ok for occasional use but its a bit clunky. TV preview window stutters badly. Fullscreen TV is Ok with occasional stutter on fast movement.
Loading up MP also takes quite a while.
The ION's clever integrated graphics probably will help. But Win7 + MP seems a hefty burden on an Atom.
MP is free so try it for yourself

 

[North82]

I use a netbook with an N270 Atom as a MP client. It is Ok for occasional use but its a bit clunky. TV preview window stutters badly. Fullscreen TV is Ok with occasional stutter on fast movement.
Loading up MP also takes quite a while.
The ION's clever integrated graphics probably will help. But Win7 + MP seems a hefty burden on an Atom.
MP is free so try it for yourself

Here are the specs on my upcoming system:
Asrock NetTop ION 330
* Intel Atom Dual Core 330 1.6GHz prosessor
* NVIDIA ION DX10, Full HD 1080p
* 2GB DDR2 ram
* 320GB harddrive 2.5" SATA
* Super Multi BLURAY reader / DVD burner SATA slim
* Gigabit LAN
* HD Audio 5.1 channel
* 1 x HDMI
* 1 x VGA
* 6 x USB 2.0
* 1 x Optic S/PDIF
* ASRock Instant Boot
* ASRock OC Tuner
* EZ Overclocking - overclock cpu to 2.1GHz
* Noise: ~26dB
* Weight: 1.69 kg
* Size: 18.6 x 19.5 x 7 cm

I think the dualcore 2.1ghz atom +2gbram +geforce9400(ion) will have a significant impact on performance for both Win7 and MP. If that is not the case I will probably send it back for full refund and build my own ATI785G/athlon250 system. Though I think/hope I dont have to.