An HTPC for the sole purpose of playing every video format. And from a single frontend with a remote control. I don't want to have to use a keyboard and mouse once configured. It will display on a Panasonic AX100 projector. And the audio will be to a Onkyo 7.1 receiver.

I want to play mpeg2, avi, xvid, dvix, h.264, .ts, mkv, vc-1, etc. you get the idea. I want HD hardware acceleration. It will play ripped DVD's, HD-DVD's and ripped blue-ray.

System specs:
C2D e4400
2x1gb PC6400
500gb seagate
Foxconn Micro ATX board - will use the realtek AC883 optical out
Nvidia 8500GT

, HD-DVD's and ripped blue-ray.

Not if its linux based...at least not yet.

Not if its linux based...at least not yet.
https://help.ubuntu.com/community/RestrictedFormats/BluRayAndHDDVD

https://help.ubuntu.com/community/RestrictedFormats/BluRayAndHDDVD

That's info from playing from a disc, which I won't be doing. It will all be from a file.

That's info from playing from a disc, which I won't be doing. It will all be from a file.

The process is pretty much identical from a file (.evo). If you read it a little more carefully you'll realize it is basically decrypting the disk and reading the file on disc. Just like what happens for regular dvds and .isos. Search these boards for others who have done it

yes
u must oc e4400 to 3.2G

https://help.ubuntu.com/community/RestrictedFormats/BluRayAndHDDVD


I should have qualified my statement, but I don't believe linux handles E-AC3 sound decoding yet, just AC3, so if the video sound is encode in E-AC3 your out of luck for now. I believe that a decoder for E-AC3 is in the works though.

I should have qualified my statement, but I don't believe linux handles E-AC3 sound decoding yet, just AC3, so if the video sound is encode in E-AC3 your out of luck for now. I believe that a decoder for E-AC3 is in the works though.

This is my understanding as well, so for some disks the audio won't work. I should have qualified my statement :)

from reading the mplayer/ffd dev lists the E-ac3 audio demuxer has been finished, it just needs to be integrated with ffd and mplayer. I'd give it a few more weeks. Other than that, you should be able to play everything perfectly but really high def h.264 (1080p) with that processor in stock.

I'm able to play everything fine except the 1080p h.264 with my e4300 at stock speeds. I get some dropped frames and motion issues every so often. Overclocking it up some I have no problems (2.97 ghz at stock voltages). You will need massive storage for the ripped hddvds and bluray discs. around 30GB a piece....

Does hardware acceleration not work in linux with the 8500GT?

almost none of those nice new features work in linux due to nvidia not including that in the display drivers they make for us.. so short answer is no we don't have any hardware acceleration except XVMC (which isn't worthwhile to set up if you have a good processor)

Hardware acceleration in video card isn't needed if you have a good enough cpu.. for intel a core 2 duo 6400 and above (or an overclock to that speed) and you can play anything currently available