Print

Please login or register.
1 Hour 1 Day 1 Week 1 Month Forever
Login with username, password and session length

[negopus]

I began thinking about an Entertainment Station when I saw my old CD player sitting there unused near my PC. It could be replaced by a more useful appliance, I thought. Then I started thinking about an "Entertainment Station" that I would use exclusively for audio. My first idea was of an hardware device made up of two parts: a media server and a media client (player). They both have to boot very quickly, in order to be ready to entertain the user just after it powers on. I thought that a Linux-based server could be the best, while the player could be completely firmware-based (embedded Linux?). The unit should have a front panel as well as a remote control, and a big informative display.

Of course it would run Media Center, both as a server and as a client.

I am not into HTPC at all. But in seems that my idea resembles an HTPC, after all. I started googling for this topic (HTPC) and collected some information. I had to change somewhat my initial idea based on what's available in the market. HTPC are standard PCs, and are more oriented to video than audio playback.

I had to abandon the idea of a front panel, as HTPCs are exclusively controlled by remotes, and they have no display as they use a standard computer screen. Also, the dual architecture does not fit. HTPCs are standard PCs after all, with a single motherboard.

Media Center does not run under Linux. I heard some rumors about Media Server being ported under Linux, but nothing more. And nothing about a Linux client. So maybe at this moment a Windows-based HTPC is better suited to hosting Media Center (actually, it is the only possible choice).

The Entertainment Station is a self-contained unit and is mostly used as such. But for a more detailed, analytic listening one could use it only as a server, and use a standard PC as a client for playing tracks. I experimented a bit with Media Server and I found that the client is not able to edit the remote library, nor it is able to "send to" external programs. So I had to abandon the idea of a client-server architecture. The HTPC should be hooked to the same keyboard, video and mouse of the standard PC via a KVM switch.

Most HTPCs are equipped with Windows Media Center Edition. But what is the advantage of Windows Media Center Edition respect to standard Windows XP? I think that Windows XP will do.

In order to have a low power consumption, low noise and low heat generation, HTPCs can use low-power CPUs like those from VIA (and also an integrated video card in the motherboard). Why use Intel or AMD CPUs, especially if the PC is not for gaming? Also, notebook hard disks are used because of lower noise and lower power consumption.

The Entertainment Station also needs to have quick boot times. It should boot from solid-state memory. Compact Flash, with a suitable interface, can act as a standard IDE hard disk.

So far I have found a couple of problems:
- My standard PC has a DVI video output. A DVI video output from the HTPC is needed to use a (DVI) KVM switch, while integrated video cards have only analogue output (I hope this will change, as video HTPC users will want a DVI output)
- HTPC cases have no space for a Compact Flash slot in the front

I started with a somewhat original idea, and I ended with a fairly standard HTPC:
- Low power VIA CPU
- Video card integrated on the motherboard
- Fanless
- Boot from Compact Flash
- Notebook hard drive
- Windows XP operating system

Has anyone tried building such an HTPC for use with Media Center?

[Griff]

A DVI video output from the HTPC is needed to use a (DVI) KVM switch, while integrated video cards have only analogue output (I hope this will change, as video HTPC users will want a DVI output)

Hummmmmm

Maybe something like this?

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16813130529

More reading

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?s=976f83e6844cfc1ae9b0d8dfe7293fab&t=601451&page=1&pp=30

Hope this helps

[negopus]

Thanks, it helped.

So they are already making chipsets for DVI-equipped HTPC motherboards.

[Mithrandir]

Hi,

A little different than you have described, but how about this: http://www.cinemaronline.com/musiclobby.html

Pair it with a cheap fujitsu tablet pc ($200-$400 on ebay) and a wireless network and you would be good to go.  I have a fujitsu tablet (3500x) up and running in my family room at all times so no need to worry about boot times.  These things are very nearly silent and run very cool. 

Just connect the pc with MC to your stereo receiver and you are done.

HTH.

M.

[negopus]

Thanks for the tip. I didn't fully understand how it works. A block diagram would help me here.

I think it won't fit my lifestyle, however. I am afraid of whatever is wireless, because of RF concerns. Also, I don't like to leave devices always on. I need a short boot time whenever I use the device.

[BartMan01]

- HTPC cases have no space for a Compact Flash slot in the front

There are cases with media slots in the front.  Couple on NewEgg (there are more):
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16811204014
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16811204001 (hidden behind a door)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16811204005 (also behind a door)

Also, if you get a case with an extra drive bay open you can get bay mountable media card readers.

[negopus]

Thanks, I wasn't aware of such cases. I think that HTPC cases are in a too early stage in their product life. I was looking for a completely fanless solution. Will keep watching how the market evolves.

[pvrt]

Media Center does not run under Linux. I heard some rumors about Media Server being ported under Linux, but nothing more. And nothing about a Linux client. So maybe at this moment a Windows-based HTPC is better suited to hosting Media Center (actually, it is the only possible choice).

for a Media Center (client, not server) you can also try a pre-packaged Linux distro
e.g. GeeXboX (live CD = nothing to install)

[runemail]

Intel Viiv with a mobile low voltage cpu.

Intel Core Duo L2400 should be able to run without a fan at all.

http://www.intel.com/products/viiv/core2duo.htm
Viiv gives you almost instant on from sleep mode.

With this motherboard:
http://www.asus.com/products4.aspx?l1=3&l2=54&l3=0&model=1092&modelmenu=1

In this case:
http://www.origenae.com/product_x15e.htm

Add a fanless gfx card if you need Dvi/hdmi out.

Not cheap but should be able to run fanless, and control it via the touchscreen.
It even comes with a couple of remotes if you can live the Ir radiation

[wombat66]

I experimented a bit with Media Server and I found that the client is not able to edit the remote library, ...

Hopefully MC12 will get rid of this limitation.  ?

[negopus]

In this case:
http://www.origenae.com/product_x15e.htm

   
Not bad! It looks like the CD-player replacement I was looking for.