My HTPC build - OpenELEC XMBC

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Pako

Pako

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I am doing a little back tracking, but will document my build here. Since my PS3 will no longer stream my archived videos, it was time to figure something else out.

I decided on the following components:
AMD A4-5300 for the processor and graphics
MSI FM2-A55M-E33 Mobo with HDMI and 7.1 HD Audio
8gb PNY 1333 Ram
1TB 10,000 RPM SATA (extra drive I had)
The case is a small form factor with x2 HD spots and x1 optical drive bay.

I did a small 70mb OpenELEC XMBC OS install and it works flawlessly. With all my media on my FreeNAS box, and can now stream 1080p without a hiccup. Best of all, the interface is fast, clean and can handle DTS-HD pass through audio to my receiver. There is a lot more that you can do with this box, as I feel I am just scratching the service, but for a build cost of just over $200 I feel it is money well spent for anyone that has a sizable media collection on your hard drive.
 
What tv/speakers will it be plugged in to?

XBMC is great, as is Plex. I use Plex on the PC's and laptops and then I have XBMC on a Raspberry Pi for the bedroom TV.
 
Very nice.

I've got mine running through my Yamaha A/V system.

The Pi in the bedroom just uses the TVs speakers. Although I do have a 5.1 system to set up when I find the time!

These MediaCenters are great. I love how they download synopses, dvd art and actor/genre information making searching through them easy and fun.
 
How does the Raspberry Pi perform when streaming 1080p, full DTS-HD, or will it?
 
I've only tried with 720p.

I would imagine it can decode it fine but it might have trouble streaming it as the network is only 10/100Mb. You really want a gigabit connection for that.
 
I'm actually considering doing a XBMC build, seeing my media players are no longer sufficient, but I haven't yet figured out the specs in order to ensure it streams 1080P Hi10P without issues. Has anyone done a build which can successfully do that by any chance?
 
Yes, with the components described in my first post. Without a flicker! My box is 10/100/1000 but my FreeNAS server is only TX at 10/100 on it's Ethernet port. I have plans on upgrading that box later this year as it is my only non-gigabit device, but all seems to be working flawlessly.
 
Pako
Yes, with the components described in my first post. Without a flicker! My box is 10/100/1000 but my FreeNAS server is only TX at 10/100 on it's Ethernet port. I have plans on upgrading that box later this year as it is my only non-gigabit device, but all seems to be working flawlessly.
Click to expand...

Seriously? I've seen so many people complain about issues with Hi10P, even using Frodo, so I figured it wasn't quite as easy as I might have hoped. But if you can play these without a flicker, then there's hope. :)
 
1080P is not Hi10P correct? To be honest, this is the first I've heard of Hi10P, but a quick search lends this post: http://wiki.xbmc.org/index.php?title=Hi10P

But it sounds like the issues people were having with Hi10P playback has been solved: http://forum.xbmc.org/showthread.php?tid=106051

Might have to do some checking into that particular encoding method and try some testing on my side.

[EDIT] I found some Hi10P files I can try tonight and will let you know.....
 
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Well this thread has made me curious, I've had my Pi sitting around for ages but now I pretty much have to install XBMC on it so I can see what I can do with it. Shame I don't have a TV, really...
 
neema_t
Well this thread has made me curious, I've had my Pi sitting around for ages but now I pretty much have to install XBMC on it so I can see what I can do with it. Shame I don't have a TV, really...
Click to expand...

I would suggest OpenELEC 3.0 that supports the Pi. ;) That way you can tell me how it works. :D
 
Pako
1080P is not Hi10P correct? To be honest, this is the first I've heard of Hi10P, but a quick search lends this post: http://wiki.xbmc.org/index.php?title=Hi10P

But it sounds like the issues people were having with Hi10P playback has been solved: http://forum.xbmc.org/showthread.php?tid=106051

Might have to do some checking into that particular encoding method and try some testing on my side.
Click to expand...

Ahh, ok. Yes, I was referring to streaming 1080P files encoded in H.264 using the High 10 Profile (Hi10P). Apparently, it is supported in XBMC from version 12, yet, whether you can play it or not is entirely dependent on the underlying hardware, and even then there seem to be issues still. Some hardware can't play it at all, some hardware can only play it with a lot of stuttering, it seems you really need some power underneath in order to properly decode it. I don't want to end up buying something I think should work, only to find out that it doesn't. That's why I'm still looking around at this stage.

Pako
[EDIT] I found some Hi10P files I can try tonight and will let you know.....
Click to expand...

Thanks!
 
Ok well.... 1080P Hi10P file, not a problem. No artifacts, no digital pops, played perfectly. Watching the CPU, one core would get up to ~50% while the second core would occasionally bump up to ~12%. Out of 8g of ram, only 1.2 was max in use.

Seems like plenty of head room to me. I hope that answers your question. If there is a legal "test" file I can download that people use to check their system, let me know. I would be happy to check it out and report back accordingly.
 
Pako
Yes, with the components described in my first post. Without a flicker! My box is 10/100/1000 but my FreeNAS server is only TX at 10/100 on it's Ethernet port. I have plans on upgrading that box later this year as it is my only non-gigabit device, but all seems to be working flawlessly.
Click to expand...

An it streams 1080p no problem? Should be ok then but the Pi is also only 10/100.
 
DQuaN
An it streams 1080p no problem? Should be ok then but the Pi is also only 10/100.
Click to expand...

No issues here. My entire network is Gigabit, and I even have a Intel Gigabit nic in my FreeNAS box, but it will only transfer at 11.2MB/s max. Could be limitations on the PCI bus, or the P4 that I have it running on. Either way, that box will be my next upgrade. I'm thinking for the price/performance these A4 or even the A8 chips from AMD are the way to go for these utility boxes. What I really want the Gigabit Nic working on the NAS is strictly for file transfers and backups. It would be nice to hit a 100MB/s or there abouts. 👍
 
Pics? I'm a sucker for SFF PC's, looking into building a mini ITX gaming rig soon.
 
Pako
Ok well.... 1080P Hi10P file, not a problem. No artifacts, no digital pops, played perfectly. Watching the CPU, one core would get up to ~50% while the second core would occasionally bump up to ~12%. Out of 8g of ram, only 1.2 was max in use.

Seems like plenty of head room to me. I hope that answers your question. If there is a legal "test" file I can download that people use to check their system, let me know. I would be happy to check it out and report back accordingly.
Click to expand...

Thanks for looking into this, this sounds promising. I see whether I can find a good test file.

*snip*

Pako
I decided on the following components:
AMD A4-5300 for the processor and graphics
MSI FM2-A55M-E33 Mobo with HDMI and 7.1 HD Audio
8gb PNY 1333 Ram
1TB 10,000 RPM SATA (extra drive I had)
The case is a small form factor with x2 HD spots and x1 optical drive bay.
Click to expand...

So, I've started selecting the components for my HTPC build, slightly based on the component list above. I went one up on MB and CPU, seeing there really wasn't much difference in price. What I had a lot more issues with is selecting an appropriate case/psu combo, and what I'm really struggling with is which IR receiver/remote combo to use.

As for case, I'm currently considering the Silverstone ML03B, seeing it isn't quite as ugly as some of the other cases which can still fit a standard ATX PSU (still ugly enough). It's still a little too big for my liking, though, so I'm still looking for a smaller case, which then may require an external power brick, and would bring with it all the according limitations.

As for IR receiver/remote combo, which one did you choose? I've got two spare external ones collecting dust, but I'm really looking for an internal one to integrate into my case.
 
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Very nice! 👍 I actually had the A8-5800 processor I believe originally but the system wouldn't boot with that mobo so I went for the cheaper processor. For remotes, I'm just using my iPhone XMBC app. A buddy of mine used an IR that he really liked. I'll try to pass that info on to you.

I like that case also. It's wider but not as deep so it should fit in a A/V cabinet nicely. Mine is too deep to have in a shelf so I have it on top right now. I may drop it down later but it works.
 
I'm in the infant stages of possibly having a new house built and coupled with this thread, you guys are really making me want to build a HTPC for it! :lol:
 
Pako
Very nice! 👍 I actually had the A8-5800 processor I believe originally but the system wouldn't boot with that mobo so I went for the cheaper processor.
Click to expand...

There's quite a bit of a jump in price to the A8, seeing it's a quad, but it's less than $20 more for the A6-5400K over the A4-5300, which is why I'm leaning towards the A6. Still dual, but faster, better integrated graphics, and multiplier unlocked, just in case. Similarly for the MB, I was looking at the MSI FM2-A55M-E33 first, but it's less than $10 more for the MSI FM2-A75MA-E35, which has SATAIII and USB3.0, so I figured I'd do that, seeing the case I'm looking at has the two USB3.0 ports at the front. Just hoping that combo will work now.

Pako
For remotes, I'm just using my iPhone XMBC app. A buddy of mine used an IR that he really liked. I'll try to pass that info on to you.
Click to expand...

That would be great, thanks.

Pako
I like that case also. It's wider but not as deep so it should fit in a A/V cabinet nicely. Mine is too deep to have in a shelf so I have it on top right now. I may drop it down later but it works.
Click to expand...

I found a few cases I liked a lot better than the one I'm currently looking at, but they're about twice the price (or even more). I don't want to end up spending as much for the case as for the rest of the system combined. Even though it is tempting.

TB
I'm in the infant stages of possibly having a new house built and coupled with this thread, you guys are really making me want to build a HTPC for it! :lol:
Click to expand...

I've been putting it off far too long. It's about time. I'm over all my media players.
 
Pako
This is the product he was using: Antec Elite Multimedia Station Internal IR receiver w/ VFD and remote.
Click to expand...

Thanks for the info. 👍

Pako
Oh my goodness, glad I didn't see this earlier, my build would have cost another $150. LOL

Check it out: Case and Remote, Antec Fusion Remote
Click to expand...

Nice! I was actually considering the SilverStone LC16M, seeing it included the remote and all, and it can actually feature a standard ATX motherboard, but it was a) quite a bit more expensive, and b) quite a bit bigger. It would still fit into my TV cabinet, though. I'm still not entirely set on the case yet.
 
I've been thinking about making one using the Novatech Vision as it looks pretty sleek and comes with a remote but I only have a 1 bedroom flat so have run out of rooms to have a Media Center in! Maybe the bathroom?! 💡
 
The Novatech case looks great to! I clearly could have done some better case research. ;)
 
All done.

  • Case: Silverstone ML03B Black Slim HTPC Case
    (decided to go for low-profile in the end, still allowing a standard atx psu)
  • Case cooling: Two Noctua NF-R8-1800 80mm fans on intake
    (looks like two are sufficient, didn't want to go without, though)
  • PSU: SeaSonic S12II 430W 80+ PSU
    (had that spare, but I'd highly recommend a modular PSU for that case, had to remove the optical drive cage which I don't need in order to make room for all the cables, 430W is probably a little overkill for the system too)
  • Motherboard: MSI FM2-A75MA-E35
    (took Pako's recommendation, but went a model up, to get SATAIII and USB3)
  • CPU: AMD x2 A6-5400K Dual Core 3.6Ghz/2M/65W
    (went a model up here too, for the improved graphics, and the unlocked multiplier, while still being 65W)
  • CPU cooling: Stock
    (comments below)
  • RAM: G.Skill Ripjaws 1600 CL9 2x4GB
    (had those spare, but 8GB is definitely overkill for this system)
  • HDD: Sandisk Extreme 120GB
    (was actually the smallest my supplier had in stock and way more than I'll ever need, seeing I only need it for the system and library, but I didn't want to wait)
  • Software: OpenELEC XBMC
    (how easy was that?)

Edit: Forgot the Receiver/Remote combo. For now, I've just cabled up one of the two spares I've had, external receiver sitting under my TV, works well enough (except for the fact that it also controls my Xbox at the same time), but I've got to say, this actually works quite nicely with the Android remote.

Put it all together yesterday, installed OpenELEC, set up my library, tested it all out, and it's working like a charm. I mean, it plays everything like a charm. 1080P Hi10P without a hitch. Well, except, that thing is bloody loud! I've got 4 fans in there, PSU fan, two case fans, and the AMD CPU stock fan, and what can I say, if I disable the CPU fan, the case is whisper quiet, I have to put my ear close in order to hear the other fans, the stock cpu fan is not just audible, but utterly annoying from my couch across the room. Why, oh why, did I put that thing in in the first place?

Just placed my order for a correction from above:

  • CPU cooling: Noctua NH-L12
    (to be run with one fan only)

And yes, that means I've spent more money on the cpu cooler than on the actual cpu, but right now I don't care, as it's currently unusable. It's ok if I turn the fan right down, but then the processor gets too hot, so I'm taking it all back apart. Picking my cpu cooler up a little later today.

Apart from the terrible terrible noise the current cpu fan is making, I'm extremely happy with my new HTPC, and it looks quite nice in my cabinet too. :)

Thanks again for the thread, Pako, without it, I'd most likely still be thinking about building my HTPC. 👍
 
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^ That's great!!! Congrats on the build. As nice as it is, I really wish I would have gone down this route years ago. The only hitch I have found so far is the inability to stream Netflix. Some guys are doing with Ubuntu and Wine, running Microsoft's Silverlight DRM, but on the OpenElec, no such luck. Besides that, however, it is just a straight forward, basically turn-key solution!

:cheers:
 
Thanks! And I've got no idea why I've waited that long either. Had been thinking about it for years.
 
Silverlight runs on Ubuntu?!? I tried running Ubuntu off of an 8Gb SD card about a year ago on my laptop (hard drive was dead and wanted to play around with Linux). Everything worked great except for Netflix. Might have to give it a go again. :mischievous:
 

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