Dell Zino HD - New mini HTPC - Page 65

If I got an N/Gigabit router, I would just connect between routers with 100mb and the Linksys G would be for G connections and Linksys N/Gigabit would be for N connections. I have charter cable modem and I am still connected to the world at 10mb via between Cable Modem and Router. All my computers are 10/100 ethernet anyway.

Is the connection between N to N or N to Ethernet that much quicker than between G to G or G to Ethernet that streaming between computers it will matter.

Early in this thread some members were pretty vocal in declaring that opting for the hd4330 and maxing out the cpu was pointless and stupid on a htpc. Now members are posting that you get what you deserve from not upgrading.

Java Jack gave us all a very decent account of what to expect from a limited sampling of Zino configs. Also, there is a sticky providing guidance on htpc building.

Remember, opinions are like arse holes.

People should do some research before configuring their system, and members should try to help those that have problems and questions.

'I told you so' and 'you get what you deserve' don't help anyone.

Although against the expert opinion of some members, it looks like I will be happy with my upgraded Zino. That is if Dell ever ships it.

Yes, I know. It was uncalled for. We're here either to help or go away. Hopefully those with lower spec pcs can get it working to what they were expecting.

If I can get my netbook running 720p videos with no issues, no reason this can't handle almost anything thrown at it. Perhaps using something like Coreavc can help as that is what I'm using on the netbook

For bluray playback, I don't think what codecs are installed will make a difference especially since it uses Powerdvd to play back the movies. But I also would expect it to play perfectly regardless of specs if Dell gives the option to add it in? I wouldn't expect anything but perfect playback from that or that's on Dell to address. Otherwise why give the option for bluray if some users are going to experience issues with playback?

I'm by no means an expert so whether lower specs or higher specs actually will make a huge difference in this case is not something I should be commenting. I can just say that for the build I went for seems to be running well for my purposes. I'm about to load up Media Browser into Media Center to see how it handles my media libraries etc. We'll see how that goes

What config is your upgraded Zino.

The Zino is just released, Flash with gpu acceleration is in beta, the new ATI drivers aren't even official. I feel that early adopters are feeling the joy of having a newborn. Things will iron themselves out, drivers will be released, maybe a fw upgrade, and by the time my Zino arrives one of you will post a nice summary of the propper care and feeding to have a healthy system.

I still would like to seee someone get oc working and would like to know what hybrid crossfire could do for the Zino

When you configure a system on there site and opt for Blu-Ray, if you don't select the HD4330 graphics, you get this.

Your Processor selection is not compatible with Video Card selection and/or your Optical selection. Please click on the highlighted links to change your selections.

So I guess they don't support Blu-Ray if you don't get the HD 4330 upgraded video. So if you decide on Blu-Ray later and you don't have upgraded Video, there may be a problem.

Ah ok, then bluray shouldn't be an issue. That doesn't mean that mkvs of 1080p will play perfectly, though. I've only tried 720p as I have nothing else for now but I do intend on backing up my hddvds at some point before the end of the month so will get to it at some point. I think using the GPU accelerated codecs in Shark007s package may do the trick though

This seems odd AMD has been touting the 780g as a capable BD chipset. Could dell be pushing the 4330, is there a software issue, a design flaw, does anyone have more info?

gearguy77: What configuration are you getting for your Zino HD?

I had chosen the default lowest processor, it may be that the lowest processor needs the video boost. Let me check that if you choose a higher processor that the default video is good enough.

Yep... that is what it is. If you opt for a non dual core processor on the Zino HD, then you need the upgraded video for the blu-ray option to work properly in Dell's eyes.

I think earlier in the thread I said something about this and JJ said that the Blu-Ray drive worked fine on the 3250e w/HD3200 Integrated video, which is still true.

But... If you get either of the 2 Single Core Zino HD's and have Integrated Video with them, then the Blu-Ray will probably have issues if you go eSata Blu-Ray or swap out the DVD/RW for Blu-Ray.

upgraded from base;
6850e
hd4330
4gb ram
W7

Why?

Thanks for the investigative work. The more info the better (to a certain point).

What persuaded you? What configuration are planning for the Zino?

I've been following this thread from day 1 and have read every post. However, I don't remember coming across the following answer, but it has been asked a couple times in various forms:

Does the 3250e + 3200 with a clean install of Win7 - with optimized configuration and proper drivers - play 720p/1080p x264 MKVs via software decoding (i.e. through XBMC)?

How about while using DSPlayer, the new GPU acceleration for XBMC on Windows?

We've heard that the UI overlay in WMC on 7 with this config lags. What about XBMC?

I tested blu ray on the integrated graphcis with the 3250e and it worked fine. My guess is that Dell was unsure if the bottom config without 4330 could do blu ray so they opted to play it safe and just require the 4330.

However, as stated, I tried a couple of different blu rays on the 3250e+3200 graphics and did not see any issues. CPU load was around 30%.

How I tested? I had 2 boxes, one with 4330 and blu ray, one without. I just swapped the BD drive into the 780G system with the 3250e and it played BD just fine.

I was using Arcsoft TMT for the testing. I tried P DVD, but I don't remember if that was on the original 4330 + BD drive or not.

Windows 7 records in a new format .WTV. There is no third party direct support (that I know of) for the WTV format. Windows 7 does have built in support to convert WTV files to the old (Vista) format of DVR-MS. There are 2-3 3rd party software that will convert WTV to another format. There is some 3rd, not much, direct support for the older DVR-MS

Yeah, it is a pain. I have my WTV files converted to DVR-MS, commercials stripped out and then converted to MPEG, and then encoded down to mkv (for the shows I want to keep)

I took one for the team.

I called Dell's tech support about getting the PowerDVD install disc. After an hour, they agreed to send me a disc.

The big problem (and what was causing the holdup) was that the MyDellDownloads website didn't include PowerDVD for those of us with BD combo drives.

They are aware of the problem now and it should eventually be resolved.

What are you using to convert each step of the way and how long does it take?

I used xbmc to watch a recorded southpark show from a vista WMC recording (when Cartman played having touretts.. very funny...) anyway... the xbmc did not play it as clean as WMC does.

Do any of you guys use the Zino as your main PC?

If so, how do rate it?

My wife does. For general purpose PC duties, it is fine so far. Though, she has only been using it for a couple of days. Also, she does not do much heavy lifting type stuff (Advanced photo editing, movie editing, or cad work, etc). Most of what she does is web surfing, a little gaming (Sims 3 mostly), email and some sign language type stuff.

I think for the basic mainstream PC it is fine. For gaming, it is pretty good if you get the graphics card, but don't expect super high frame rates (70-90 FpS) with all the eye candy turned on. However, in the 2nd blog, I do give an idea of what it can do gaming wise as others have here.

Dell just moved my delivery from 12/17 to 1/6. Quite frankly, I don't expect to get the Zino in January either, e.g., I wouldn't be surprised if they delay one more time.

Disregarding the obvious price difference, how does top of the line Zino HD compare to the latest Mac Mini (2.53 GHz Interl Core 2 Duo, integrated NVIDIA 9400M graphics, 4 GB RAM) for the following HTPC tasks (under Windows 7 Ultimate Media Center):

- Watching and recording HD TV
- Watching high bit rate HD home videos (from DSLR)
- Streaming Hulu and Netflix

If Mac Mini with Windows 7 Ultimate is going to be noticeably better, I may just cancel my Dell order and get myself a Christmas present really quickly and easily. This is the first (and most likely the last) time I attempted to order something from Dell. I currently have a custom built HTPC in full size Silverlight case; however, I am looking for much greener alternative that I can leave on all the time.

Mac Mini:
Mini DVI - No HDMI ( not sure on sound )
Firewire 800 - No eSata ( Faster than USB but not 3gps like eSata )
5 USB - Better than 4 USB (hmm...not that big of a deal )
DVD/RW - No Blu-Ray Option
Nvida 9400M - I heard it is not better than HD4330 and it is only 256mb video memory )

Mac Mini $799 w/4gb Memory and 320gb Hard Drive (have to purchase Win7 $125 or more) $924 total now - Zino HD $600 Top of the line 320gb Hard Drive Wireless N and Blue-Ray HD4330 6850e 4gb Memory

(Edited from original text) Damn you!


I had no problem with this at all. Both my mouse & keyboard will wake the unit from the front ports or back without changing anything.

I wonder if we can hook our Zinos up and have them learn from one another?

More random factoids:
I set WMC to record both Legend of the Seeker episodes today. I set the unit to sleep and upon returning home I found the Zino sleeping soundly again ... and 2 episodes of the Seeker in my recorded folder!!!! If it continues along this path (and my coat-hanger antenna keeps cooperating), I'll be very happy with my purchase. My wife is amazed at how well it's working out so far, and that's great since I only had last night to set it up & play with it. Four thumbs up for the 3250/4330 so far.

...oh, and since the slideshow kept showing pictures of her gay friend last night, she's thinking we might have gotten a gay Zino. Now she's feeling bad that we didn't get it a nicer lid aside from the plain black one.

Zino, $350 before receiving BCB.
WAF ... Priceless.

Guys -- probably overlooking the obvious but what did you have to do to get audio flowing over the HDMI?

Changed the default (CP -> Sound) to HDMI, but still no dice. Have the 4330 GPU.

Thanks.

John

Thanks for the comparison; however, I was primarily interested in performance, not features or price. Do we know for a fact that NVIDIA 9400M (integrated) is a more capable graphics card than ATI 4330 (discrete)? If so, then I probably have my answer given that 2.53 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo chip is most likely more powerful than the top of the line AMD chip in Zino HD.

Does NVIDIA have parity with ATI when it comes to graphics acceleration (e.g., HD video playback via Flash or different containers)?

It was mentioned in this thread that ATI Catalyst video driver is very flexible, and can even force 1080i output video via HDMI for older DLP displays. Can NVIDIA do the same?

I like faster to, but the Mac Mini is just to short on some key features I think. I had a mac mini 2 years ago, and as long as you had 2gb or more of memory, the Integrated video was great. This was before Blu-Ray and a double layer DVD drive was key so it was a great setup. It is just lacking in terms of some features nowa days. Give it just a little longer and maybe there will be a HDMI/eSata and Blu-Ray option.

Actually, if I'm reading this right, on a benchmark basis the HD4330 outperforms the 9400M. For example, with 3DMark06, the 9400M scores 1,824 and the 4330 scores 40% highter at 2,567.

And the Mini with no HDMI and eSata is Jobs being stubborn...that probably won't change anytime soon. I love my Macs (Macbook, Macbook Pro, Apple TV), but the value proposition just isn't there for me anymore (at least I don't think it is, I'm still waiting for my Zino).

I just got my ZinoHd.
Black, 6850e, 4330, 3GB, 320GB. Everything seems to be working fine now except that on my TV (SONY 1080p), there is a black border around the picture making the screen less than what could be. How can I get rid of this border?

Thanks,