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Assassin's Simple/Beginner HTPC Buying Guide - Page 405

post #12121 of 15479
3/24/12 at 1:50pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by mariob33 View Post

Actually, I just tried a test from my 64gb SSD as the temp directory using a 7.4 gb WTV file to mp4 high and got a error as well. Hmm!

Great! Thanks! That's encouraging! I'll give it a try tomorrow, had some Honey Do's today and a babysitter tonight. So, I'll r/w D driver tomorrow as per Wilky's new (but apparently not newest) guide.

I'm gonna just break down and buy an HDD this week. The 500GB is not only too small, it is loud (4yr old Hitachi@7200).
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Gear mentioned in this thread:

post #12122 of 15479
3/24/12 at 2:04pm
Assassin,

I'm interested in getting the Seasonic X series fanless psu mentioned in your guide, however I am concerned about how this holds up. I am specifically wondering how it would hold up in the Lian Li PC-C60B case with 6 of the Samsung 2TB hard drives mentioned in your guide. I have seen the reviews are good both from customers and publications but they never mention what they are running and if the system is running 24/7.

Thanks
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post #12123 of 15479
3/24/12 at 2:09pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by hollatbk View Post

@Assassin
Thanks and I will be investing in your guides very shortly to get the most I can out of my new HTPC. You're insight has been very helpful and I can't wait to get started building this thing.

@Wikly13
How do you like it? Is there anything I should know that will help me in my build or in the future?

Sent u a pm.
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post #12124 of 15479
3/24/12 at 2:13pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by mattiedread View Post

I wanted to localize a problem I'm having with MC Buddy and I went to fire up handbrake this morning, and, it is no longer there. Buddy calls this program, and I'm wondering if my Buddy install embedded handbrake in the Buddy folder? Any insight is greatly appreciated.

I'm not certain of my next move, had planned on some testing, don't want to re-install handbrake if it might have adverse effects on Buddy, can re-arrange my test plans. However, ultimately I would like to run handbrake outside of the Buddy app to try and localize my problem.

That is strange. While MCEBuddy does have a version of Handbrake in it's program files, my independent version of Handbrake still works fine from it's directory.
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post #12125 of 15479
3/24/12 at 2:21pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by mariob33 View Post


Actually, I just tried a test from my 64gb SSD as the temp directory using a 7.4 gb WTV file to mp4 high and got a error as well. Hmm!

Ramit the new writer of MCEBuddy will know the exact specs, but I believe MCEbuddy wants atleast 2-3 times the size of the source file of open disk space for a job. Therefore, a 7.4GB wtv needs atleast 22GB of free space on the drive it is running the temporary files on. Luckily, he wrote in a way to change the location of the temp folder ( I too have a 64GB SSD that is 2/3 full). It is under the "tweaking" part of guide 35b.
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post #12126 of 15479
3/24/12 at 2:32pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by r3kk0s View Post

Assassin,

I'm interested in getting the Seasonic X series fanless psu mentioned in your guide, however I am concerned about how this holds up. I am specifically wondering how it would hold up in the Lian Li PC-C60B case with 6 of the Samsung 2TB hard drives mentioned in your guide. I have seen the reviews are good both from customers and publications but they never mention what they are running and if the system is running 24/7.

Thanks

I am not sure what you mean by "holds up". That Seasonic is the Bentley of PSUs. It will hold up fine. If you are building a Sandy Bridge based HTPC it will draw less than 50 watts even with 2 hard drives.

It will hold up just fine.
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post #12127 of 15479
3/24/12 at 3:04pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by kesawi View Post

I agree it is difficult, particularly as each user is also going to have a different combination of display, GPU, codecs, etc. What I'd like to find is a guide that explains what each of the settings do and how they are likely to impact the picture so I could then know which ones I need to adjust and what the likely impact is. I don't know if intel make a help file or reference manual for the drivers, but that would be a good start if I could find one.

Welcome to a new hobby!
http://www.curtpalme.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=10457
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post #12128 of 15479
3/24/12 at 3:24pm
Thread Starter 
Had a little bit of time today. Added an IR receiver recommendation and a few more Llano motherboards to the first post of this thread.

Enjoy.
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post #12129 of 15479
3/24/12 at 3:39pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Shark007 View Post


This is the 1st guide that I can honestly give 2 thumbs up towards the creator(s)
and tag it "Shark Approved."

Wilky/assassin, thank you both for all your efforts/time put towards creating this awesome guide.

Haven't seen the guide yet but if you're good wth it so am I. Wish all these guides were available a year ago when I built my system.
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post #12130 of 15479
3/24/12 at 3:48pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by Sammy2 View Post

Haven't seen the guide yet but if you're good wth it so am I. Wish all these guides were available a 4 years ago when I built my system.

+1

Quote changed to reflect my experience.

That's a big reason why I spent hundreds of hours making the guides. I was a newbie at one point as well and taught myself. Of course that was many years and thousands of hours (spent configuring, experimenting, tweaking, rebuilding, etc) ago.
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post #12131 of 15479
3/24/12 at 6:43pm
Alright...some updates.

The Good - Put one of these http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16835103100 in the system. Temps went from 38-42 at idle to a FROSTY 29. Got the same basic thermal state as I do in the old Quad 9550 system.

The Bad (VERY BAD) - the thing is HUGE and due to MB layout, had to remove the Asus 450 GPU and go to the Intel 3000 included on the Core i5 2500K. Now, I have NO HD-Audio...NONE!

I'm going through the posts from back then (currently, I've made my way through 30 pages or so) and I'm looking at the Paid Guides but if ANYONE has ANY suggestions, I'd sure like to hear them.

I know I installed and both LAV and CUVID...not sure if that would be a culprit or not. I do have the latest RealTek drivers installed as well...but they can go.

There don't seem to be options for the HD Codecs in the supported formats of the HDMI connected card. It is showing up as my Onkyo TX-NR3007 as it always did and in the configuration settings, I can get all 7.1 discreet channels...just no HD Audio Output at all.

At this point, I'm screaming for HELP!
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post #12132 of 15479
3/24/12 at 6:58pm
Thread Starter 
Have you installed the intel drivers for your cpu?
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post #12133 of 15479
3/24/12 at 7:29pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Paul E. Fox, II View Post

Alright...some updates.

The Good - Put one of these http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16835103100 in the system. Temps went from 38-42 at idle to a FROSTY 29. Got the same basic thermal state as I do in the old Quad 9550 system.

The Bad (VERY BAD) - the thing is HUGE and due to MB layout, had to remove the Asus 450 GPU and go to the Intel 3000 included on the Core i5 2500K. Now, I have NO HD-Audio...NONE!

I'm going through the posts from back then (currently, I've made my way through 30 pages or so) and I'm looking at the Paid Guides but if ANYONE has ANY suggestions, I'd sure like to hear them.

I know I installed and both LAV and CUVID...not sure if that would be a culprit or not. I do have the latest RealTek drivers installed as well...but they can go.

There don't seem to be options for the HD Codecs in the supported formats of the HDMI connected card. It is showing up as my Onkyo TX-NR3007 as it always did and in the configuration settings, I can get all 7.1 discreet channels...just no HD Audio Output at all.

At this point, I'm screaming for HELP!

Checkout the new Guide for Shark007 codecs on Assassin's blog: http://assassinhtpcblog.com/?page_id=183#guide61
It shows you had to use FFDshow to bitstream DTS-HD and TrueHD to your AVR. I have an i3-2100 on a GB Z68 mobo.
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post #12134 of 15479
3/24/12 at 7:30pm
long time lurker

Just paid for the paid guides and still setting up

av is a hk avr 340 with the s/pdif all infinity alpha 50 a37C

htpc is a antec isk 300/65
I3 - 2100
gigabyte itx H67N-USB3-B3
8gb gskills ram F3-12800CL9D-8GBSR ddr3 - 1600
slim dvd
250 gb hitachi 2.5 drive
Then I added 2 80 mm enermax quiet fans and fan controller so its dead quiet.
Now I just got a 80 gb intel ssd and about to config that. ( been trying all day to boot from usb. good OS # but no media. )



Wait, I have 1 question:

I Can't boot at all with my wireless keyboard. turns right back off.
I plug the usb one in and Zoom!! boots right up.
Please let me know the better way. once its up the wireless usb keyboard works like a champ.
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post #12135 of 15479
3/24/12 at 7:32pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by assassin View Post

Have you installed the intel drivers for your cpu?

Yes...I think so. I'll check and see if there is an update for the CPU...

Could this be something BIOS related? I did go back in and enable On Board HD Audio as mentioned in the guides...

It's really freaky man. I hate having to change things like this as something always frakin' dies...and then I have to start asking for help...:blush:

Edit:

Found an updated Driver for the Processor Graphics from 2/22/2012. Fingers are crossed, and toes (and even eyes).

Wish me luck mates!
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post #12136 of 15479
3/24/12 at 7:34pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Wilky13 View Post

Checkout the new Guide for Shark007 codecs on Assassin's blog: http://assassinhtpcblog.com/?page_id=183#guide61
It shows you had to use FFDshow to bitstream DTS-HD and TrueHD to your AVR. I have an i3-2100 on a GB Z68 mobo.

Thanks for the suggestion but I don't really want to run Shark unless it's a last ditch effort. I didn't have good luck with it the last time I tried.
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post #12137 of 15479
3/24/12 at 7:40pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by Paul E. Fox, II View Post

Yes...I think so. I'll check and see if there is an update for the CPU...

Could this be something BIOS related? I did go back in and enable On Board HD Audio as mentioned in the guides...

It's really freaky man. I hate having to change things like this as something always frakin' dies...and then I have to start asking for help...:blush:

Yes, check the bios. Make sure the iGPU is enabled as well. Also make sure that in control panel --> sound the appropriate HDMI device is set as default.
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post #12138 of 15479
3/24/12 at 7:45pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by assassin View Post

Yes, check the bios. Make sure the iGPU is enabled as well. Also make sure that in control panel --> sound the appropriate HDMI device is set as default.

Ok...Not sure what iGPU is but if the updated driver I'm downloading now doesn't fix it, I'm back in the BIOS. I haven't updated a PC BIOS in like forever and for some reason, it's got me terrified!
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post #12139 of 15479
3/24/12 at 7:59pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by Paul E. Fox, II View Post

Ok...Not sure what iGPU is but if the updated driver I'm downloading now doesn't fix it, I'm back in the BIOS. I haven't updated a PC BIOS in like forever and for some reason, it's got me terrified!

In my bios guide you can see this is the screen where it says "Primary Graphics Adapter". Your bios and motherboard may have something similar.

BTW, the iGPU is the integrated GPU built into the CPU.
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post #12140 of 15479
3/24/12 at 8:08pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by assassin View Post

In my bios guide you can see this is the screen where it says "Primary Graphics Adapter". Your bios and motherboard may have something similar.

BTW, the iGPU is the integrated GPU built into the CPU.

BOO-YAH! Fixed Now! Life is Good again.

I knew *what* iGPU was (and noticed you mentioned it back a ways to another troubled soul) but didn't know *WHERE* it was!

Now, gotta get MPC-HC and the MKVs working properly again...that's probably a LAV thing though...correct?

Started with the guides dude...but I knew that I was missing a fairly simple step somewhere and since this if my first encounter with Integrated Graphics, I was a little scared and a lot lost!

You Rock, as always, and thanks for the patience!
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post #12141 of 15479
3/24/12 at 8:10pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by Paul E. Fox, II View Post

BOO-YAH! Fixed Now! Life is Good again.

I knew *what* iGPU was (and noticed you mentioned it back a ways to another troubled soul) but didn't know *WHERE* it was!

Now, gotta get MPC-HC and the MKVs working properly again...that's probably a LAV thing though...correct?

Started with the guides dude...but I knew that I was missing a fairly simple step somewhere and since this if my first encounter with Integrated Graphics, I was a little scared and a lot lost!

You Rock, as always, and thanks for the patience!

No problem. Happy to help. That's why the guides are there.
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post #12142 of 15479
3/24/12 at 8:19pm
I always feel kinda stupid on this stuff when I really should know better.

I hit the Intel site before I even looked at your guides to see if there was a driver but didn't scroll down far enough and missed the correct link. All I can say to that is "DOH!"

MPC-HC is doing what it's supposed to do again and I even found something in the AXTU that I'd been missing...I didn't have the Power Saver feature on for the processor so it wasn't stepping down like it should have done.

Holy Cow boys and girls, it's been a Helluva Day!

Love. This. Thread!
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post #12143 of 15479
3/24/12 at 9:43pm
Assassin,

I saw this link in your Guide 16: Media Center Studio

http://experts.windows.com/frms/wind.../t/101687.aspx

Do you think MCE Reset Tool is a viable alternative to MCS? Have used it yet?
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post #12144 of 15479
3/25/12 at 5:57am
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by Wilky13 View Post

Assassin,

I saw this link in your Guide 16: Media Center Studio

http://experts.windows.com/frms/wind.../t/101687.aspx

Do you think MCE Reset Tool is a viable alternative to MCS? Have used it yet?

The first release was a little flaky but I have been told that the recent version is much improved. I haven't had the time to test it out.
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post #12145 of 15479
3/25/12 at 6:00am
Hi - I am building my 2nd HTPC, this time for a family member. I want to build a mini-ITX HTPC but am having trouble finding the mobo I want.

APEX MI-008
Intel Core i3-2100T Sandy Bridge 2.5GHz LGA 1155 35W
Crucial M4 CT064M4SSD2 2.5" 64GB
G.SKILL 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600
Scythe SY1225SL12L 120mm "Slipstream" Case Fan
Nexus SP802512L-03 80mm Case Fan
ASRock Z68M-ITX/HT LGA 1155
**already have a 1TB 3.5" drive

Any suggestions for another mini-itx DDR3 mobo? Thanks
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post #12146 of 15479
3/25/12 at 6:06am
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by rubberneck92105 View Post

Hi - I am building my 2nd HTPC, this time for a family member. I want to build a mini-ITX HTPC but am having trouble finding the mobo I want.

APEX MI-008
Intel Core i3-2100T Sandy Bridge 2.5GHz LGA 1155 35W
Crucial M4 CT064M4SSD2 2.5" 64GB
G.SKILL 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600
Scythe SY1225SL12L 120mm "Slipstream" Case Fan
Nexus SP802512L-03 80mm Case Fan
ASRock Z68M-ITX/HT LGA 1155
**already have a 1TB 3.5" drive

Any suggestions for another mini-itx DDR3 mobo? Thanks

I have a couple other suggestions in my guide (1st post). Any of those choices are very good. No real need for Z68 but if they are the same price then choose the Z68 version.
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post #12147 of 15479
3/25/12 at 8:29am
Flased the BIOS this morning to the latest available release. Complete reset EVERYTHING, including the AHCI selection, which I didn't notice.

Kept getting a BSOD at the moment Windows tried to start. Got if fixed but thought I'd post it here just to get the word out for those that may not know.

I'm getting random USB Mount/Unmount sounds (You know, that sound you get when you plug in or unplug) something from the USB jack? It's like it's trying to mount something and keeps failing. Don't see anything in the device manager and in my task manager, the only thing that was indicating any activity at the time was AXTU. I'm gonna keep looking.

Also, for Assassin, I looked for iGPU in the BIOS and the only thing I see in reference to that is Auto/Enable/Disable. The only thing I see relating to Primary Graphics Adapter is a choice between PCI/Onboard/Auto. Set it to Onboard and made sure HDMI HD Audio and Onboard HDMI Audio were enabled.
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post #12148 of 15479
3/25/12 at 8:36am
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by Paul E. Fox, II View Post

Also, for Assassin, I looked for iGPU in the BIOS and the only thing I see in reference to that is Auto/Enable/Disable. The only thing I see relating to Primary Graphics Adapter is a choice between PCI/Onboard/Auto. Set it to Onboard and made sure HDMI HD Audio and Onboard HDMI Audio were enabled.

Yep. Again, all of this should be in the guides for reference.
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post #12149 of 15479
3/25/12 at 8:49am
Quote:
Originally Posted by assassin View Post

The first release was a little flaky but I have been told that the recent version is much improved. I haven't had the time to test it out.

Adam, i just tested out the latest V5 of MCE 7 Reset Toolbox release yesterday, and all went well, just to let you know. Tried some .mct themes that i already had, haven`t tried the themes posted by the author on his website.

Oh, and the reset to defaults function also worked.
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post #12150 of 15479
3/25/12 at 8:51am
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by GreenEyez View Post

Adam, i just tested out the latest V5 of MCE 7 Reset Toolbox release yesterday, and all went well, just to let you know. Tried some .mct themes that i already had, haven`t tried the themes posted by the author on his website.

Oh, and the reset to defaults function also worked.

Great. I will take a look at it when I have time.
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