Legal playback, sure, aTV3, maybe. Although if I were to go that route I'd rather spend the $100 on the new FireTV.

For anything else though the aTV and chromecast just can't keep up. Especially if you require 1080/HD audio.

Now as SOON as they root the FireTV, that will without a doubt be the best sub $300 option for XBMC.

I can't stress using XBMC enough.

 

You know you can just plug it in, and mount it later, right?

 

Says the one that's had his in a box for a month and a half


Anyways laziness kicked in. So I'll fiddle with it later. I just need to backup my OS drive stuff first so I can do a fresh install of win7.


My main gripe is with iTunes. Have to make sure I can sync and backup my phone/pad with the new install.

 

I just rebuilt my HTPC 3 times, I'm not that lazy, just didn't want to start rebuilding my home server until I had the other PC finished and buttoned up. That's what I get for deciding to rip out the perfectly good hardware and upgrade it on a whim

 

Mine can boot a Windows 7 virtual machine in 30 seconds

It there anyway to have it skip the Windows splash screen? That seems to waste a lot of time.

 

No, that's when it's loading the system processes

 

 

FYI the FireTV was just rooted. You can now play from attached USB storage devices.

Again, unless you want to build a HTPC, a rooted FireTV with XBMC is hands down the winner right now.

 

 

Got the home theater PC all hooked up to the surround sound via HDMI, and working on the projector and the 80" screen

IMG_20140621_221240_zpsjr4axrrc.jpg

IMG_20140621_220044_zps2fneu6ie.jpg

 

 

looks blue...

 

Whoops, didn't realize that the vacuum handle was in the pic, but that actually gives it some scale

 

Alright I've had this cart loaded on Newegg for a couple of weeks and I'm about to pull the trigger. Pretty much just waiting on the new processors to be released (6/26).

What do you guys think?

Mobo: ASUS Z97-A
Processor: Intel i5 4690K
Memory: G.Skill TridentX 2400 (2x4GB)
GPU: EVGA GTX 770 2GB
HDD: Samsung 840 EVO 128GB
Case: Cooler Master HAF 912 or NZXT H440
PSU: EVGA 600w APFC
Monitor: ASUS VG248QE 24" 144hz

I can't make up my mind on the case. Obviously the NZXT is a lot nicer, front USB 3.0, but it's also twice the price.

I couldn't really justify the extra $100 for the i7. This is literally just a gaming machine. I thought it'd be better to get the i5 and a GTX770 instead of an i7 and a GTX760. Right?

Also I may skip on the HDD for now. I've got a 840 Pro in the iMac and like it. But I've got so many loose platter drives (multiple practically brand new WD Blacks) that I figured I could make do for a while.

Also, 600 watts enough? The next option is the EVGA 750w, which is twice the price. I'm trying to stay around the $12/1300 mark.

 

Should be fine, I was not impressed with the HAF, the drive bays were stamped and didn't even line up. My advice is get the case that you really like. I really like Thermaltake's cases, this is the cheaper version of what I have.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...-179-_-Product

or
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...-190-_-Product

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...-250-_-Product

But my HTPC case is TT also and it's awesome.

If you're looking to stay in the range of the HAF, get this, I got it for my dad and wish I kept it for myself, it's a sweet case, or get that thermaltake.
http://www.tigerdirect.com/applicati...945&CatId=1509

 

^Good to know on the case. Thanks. Guess I'll skip the HAF then.

 

IMG_20130613_234856_zps1603dac3.jpg

Here's a side by side I did of my TT HTPC and the HAF case I built for a customer, the TT case is better in every single aspect. My main case is a TT also, but it doesn't look like I ever hosted any photos.

 

This is where the nerds come?

I'm about to pop my computer build cherry today or tomorrow. Gotta take the build portion of the PC systems test and then network+ at the end of the month. Probably all child's play to y'all but I finally understand half of what y'all post in here

 

This is where the nerds come?

I'm about to pop my computer build cherry today or tomorrow. Gotta take the build portion of the PC systems test and then network+ at the end of the month. Probably all child's play to y'all but I finally understand half of what y'all post in here

 

This is the main case I'm running, I'll take some pics this weekend when I move the 4 x 3TB drives to my new NAS and install my SSD

http://www.tigerdirect.com/applicati...876&CatId=1510

 

I was pretty much going off reviews. It's not that pretty, doesn't have front USB 3.0, and doesn't come with decent fans. So thanks for pushing me away. Lol

I wish I could do an ITX build. I'm not going to like having a big ass PC around again.

 

 

Nice double post, ya jagaloon.

Seriously though...

 

 

Might be a dumb question but I feel like I know half the answers....

How are you using this? Hooked up to your server? Can you capture/copy bluray to save on your server?

 

I ran a cat 5 from my office, through my garage and into my basement. I crimped the ends and plugged it into my router, so the HTPC can see whatever's on the network, can also stream whatever's on the internet, etc. I do not have it setup to capture video, but that might come down the road.

 

Most people these days run a NAS to store all of their files. And then 'stream' the content to the client (HTPC). Some may setup the NAS and HTPC together. Or skip the NAS and just host the media on their main PC and then stream the content to the HTPC.

I don't like streaming. Even when completely wired. So all of the stuff I play at my TV is actually at my TV being played locally.

If I'm in a time pinch, or the content doesn't have surround sound, I'll sometimes Airplay it over the network to the aTV3.

 

Well after looking into it further I think I'm just going to go with...

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16811139018

...for my case. Small, simple, USB 3.0 on the front. $60.

Thanks for the help Ack

 

 

So I yanked my 4 x 3TB WD drives out of my non-working RAID configuration in my tower, and threw them into my new WD NAS device.
IMG_20140625_173554_zpsklgg6vv6.jpg

IMG_20140625_173559_zpsfbg55gei.jpg

Threw a couple spare SATA drives i had laying around in the tower for backup drives, and installed my Seagate 600 SSD drive to act as my new OS drive.
IMG_20140625_180943_zpshkpwagva.jpg

Windows 7 installed so damn fast, I want to install SSD's on all my machines now

 

I think they make a bigger case if you are interested...

 

I have a bigger case, much bigger

 

I'll post pics of my old 4 foot full tower sometime

 

The only reason I got a case that big was for the 4 x 3TB drives that I was trying to run as a RAID 10

 

And I thought I had a lot of storage... :/

I thought those TR2 PSUs were junk? Has it been holding up for you?

 

Works great, no complaints

 

Mine's bigger than yours

NAS_zps9b3f8bee.jpg

 

You only use 160 MB

 

Nah, I'm just selective with my pron

Actually, that was taken right after the Raid finished building, but I only have 2 TB stored so far...

 

Ok finally getting off my lazy butt and upgrading my PC to that crucial 256gb SSD I bought a few months back.

I don't know why I'm letting win 7 update before shutting down to open the case