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Assassin's Simple/Beginner HTPC Buying Guide - Page 410

post #12271 of 15479
3/29/12 at 9:20am
Quote:
Originally Posted by Lars99 View Post

They're marked so they can be marketed.

yep - now that you posted, and I have since researched the facts and it does seem marketting has grabbed a hold of me.
Thanks for the enlightenment!
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post #12272 of 15479
3/29/12 at 9:59am
Quote:
Originally Posted by LastButNotLeast View Post

What were you using to watch BDs before? Any chance it was, say, a demo version of TMT that expired?

I was just using MakeMKV to rip them to my harddrive and then using WMB. But now when I put the bluray in the drive, it says no disc. I also just installed the software that came fre with my drive, can't remember the name of the program, but it was by cyberlink, and it also says no dic is present when a bluray disc is in the drive.
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post #12273 of 15479
3/29/12 at 9:37pm
when I try to enter the BIOS it goes straight to Q-Flash and not the main bios setup
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post #12274 of 15479
3/29/12 at 9:59pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by hollatbk View Post

when I try to enter the BIOS it goes straight to Q-Flash and not the main bios setup

Wow I feel like such an idiot but I figured i'd share it anway. About 2 years ago I cleaned my keyboard (the only wired one I have) and when I rassembled it I guess I mixed up the 'end' key and 'delete' key thus the reason I couldnt get to my bios.
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post #12275 of 15479
3/29/12 at 11:39pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by scopeyus View Post


Have either one of you guys been able to improve the mouse response. I'm about ready to throw mine out the window it's so aggravating. The roller ball version was ok, because if you continued rolling, the pointer would eventually get there. All I wanted was backlight so I got the 5902 only to find out they had changed to a mini soft touch pad which is not an improvement in my opinion. I'm ready to try the rii or something that works; however, it's hard to get excited about spending more money on something that works so so. FYI- I sit about 8 feet away from the pc, although I have tried moving closer and putting the receiver in the front USB without noticing any improvement.

My HTPC is in a cabinet and was also getting poor response. So I bought a cheap USB extender which has 4 ports on it and a 3' cable. Plugged it into the back of the HTPC and velcroed the dock under the cabinet right behind the front leg. I plugged the Lenevo and Harmony mouse/keyboard USB sticks in there. I have no problems from 15+ feet now.
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post #12276 of 15479
3/30/12 at 5:59am
I finally got my Assassin HTPC. Wow, this thing is bigger than I thought it would be but I'm loving it so far. I had to retire my HDDVD player since it wouldn't fit in the cabinet space on top of it like the Dune and Boxee Box used to. I never use the thing anyways since I hooked up my old Xbox HDDVD drive and can now rip them to MKV.

My XBMC install that came on the HTPC did not have the option to select HD audio supported like the included quick start guide said so I just downloaded the patched version which has been working pretty good with the few movies I tried. I did notice something weird with my Bluray ISO of Akira where it would play the TrueHD soundtrack for a while and then the audio would drop out and my receiver would no longer show the TrueHD or any audio format for that matter. I think this is because that movie used some supersonic high fidelity soundtrack or some crap but if push comes to shove and I want to watch it, I will just watch it on the Dune.

I've also ran into a couple crashes with XBMC that I have to look into and figure out what's causing it. I installed the Hulu, Boxee, and XBMC integration in WMC and sometimes when I close XBMC and return to WMC it seems like it freezes until I click the Info button or the mouse.

Despite these few niggles I'm really liking this thing and the amount of content I've found on the web from XBMC, Hulu, and WMC internet TV is great. Also, free high quality HD local channels with DD+ is way better than what I was getting from DirecTV. Once everything is set up the way I like it, that service is definitely getting canceled.
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post #12277 of 15479
3/30/12 at 6:25am
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by Joe 6 Pack View Post

I finally got my Assassin HTPC. Wow, this thing is bigger than I thought it would be but I'm loving it so far. I had to retire my HDDVD player since it wouldn't fit in the cabinet space on top of it like the Dune and Boxee Box used to. I never use the thing anyways since I hooked up my old Xbox HDDVD drive and can now rip them to MKV.

My XBMC install that came on the HTPC did not have the option to select HD audio supported like the included quick start guide said so I just downloaded the patched version which has been working pretty good with the few movies I tried. I did notice something weird with my Bluray ISO of Akira where it would play the TrueHD soundtrack for a while and then the audio would drop out and my receiver would no longer show the TrueHD or any audio format for that matter. I think this is because that movie used some supersonic high fidelity soundtrack or some crap but if push comes to shove and I want to watch it, I will just watch it on the Dune.

I've also ran into a couple crashes with XBMC that I have to look into and figure out what's causing it. I installed the Hulu, Boxee, and XBMC integration in WMC and sometimes when I close XBMC and return to WMC it seems like it freezes until I click the Info button or the mouse.

Despite these few niggles I'm really liking this thing and the amount of content I've found on the web from XBMC, Hulu, and WMC internet TV is great. Also, free high quality HD local channels with DD+ is way better than what I was getting from DirecTV. Once everything is set up the way I like it, that service is definitely getting canceled.

Glad you are enjoying your machine. We should be putting the HD Audio version of XBMC on the machines as our default. I will get with the build team and try to clarify this.

Congrats on your new machine. Let us know your other thoughts once you have had time to break it in.
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post #12278 of 15479
3/30/12 at 6:34am
Will do. I look forward to playing around with this thing. I was up until 2:30 getting my movie and TV shows in XBMC, customizing the Aeon skin to my liking, setting up the DVR, and just checking some things out. Quick question, do you know which button on this remote: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00...01_i01_details corresponds to I in XBMC. I want to bring up the info screen while watching a movie or selecting the thumb but the I button on this remote does not do that.
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post #12279 of 15479
3/30/12 at 6:40am
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by Joe 6 Pack View Post

Will do. I look forward to playing around with this thing. I was up until 2:30 getting my movie and TV shows in XBMC, customizing the Aeon skin to my liking, setting up the DVR, and just checking some things out. Quick question, do you know which button on this remote: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00...01_i01_details corresponds to I in XBMC. I want to bring up the info screen while watching a movie or selecting the thumb but the I button on this remote does not do that.

Looks like it could be the "i" button:



If not you may try to map some buttons to the "I" key on your keyboard. I have limited experience in this mainly because I have never had to do it.
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post #12280 of 15479
3/30/12 at 6:46am
Yeah, that's one of the things I'll be fiddling with when I get home tonight. Pressing that I button in XBMC backs out of the current screen or movie. I think I saw an option in XBMC that says whether your input device sends key presses. I will turn that on and see how it goes. I also downloaded the MCE Remote plugin so I'll see what options that offers as well. I can get the info to show up if I pause what I'm watching but I kinda like hitting the I key on my keyboard and seeing the info without stopping playback.
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post #12281 of 15479
3/30/12 at 8:40am
I've just had the time to retest the problems I was having with MC Buddy. I uninstalled Buddy, re-installed Handbrake standalone (you may recall Handbrake 'disappeared' from Program Files when I installed Buddy- but the one which was embedded in Buddy was there).

Sometimes Buddy rendered usable files (first two on each of the two installs); most times it failed and a few times it produced 'non-sensical' output (grey screens). Using the same files I have replicated the bogus output using Handbrake alone. So, it is not buddy.

My signal booster (as recommended on the Ceton thread) arrives today... I don't know though, I could replicate other problems (specifically out of synch audio) with files which I did not record via the tuner. So, although that may be the source of some problems, it is not the source of all.

It might not be in the cards for me. I highly doubt with Media Center running fine (having known Ceton problems - 'Subscription Required' - 'HDCP...' occasional crashes etc.) that I will attempt to tweak too much right now. Really just need a large enough drive (and use no encoding in Buddy for the MCM/MB piece maintaining the huge files). That might be my short term solution... I'm putting together a few servers for a large project at work and just can't tweak machines all day and then do the same on my time off. I guess I should be glad I'm not a gynecologist.
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post #12282 of 15479
3/30/12 at 8:41am
I saw that the 'egg has a Buffalo 2TB external refurb for sale ~$84 with a 1-year extended warranty included. A quick Google search didn't turn up any evidence of what is waiting inside ... anyone know?

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...-22165368-L06C
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post #12283 of 15479
3/30/12 at 8:54am
Quote:
Originally Posted by assassin View Post

Congrats! Welcome to HTPC.

1. A few ways. You can use an external dock or just connect it temporarily to the motherboard and PSU and transfer your data over.
2. Yes. Get a HDMI from somewhere cheap like Monoprice. Remember that the smaller the gauge the larger the wire.

The old drive I have is PATA. Is there any type of adapter I can get to convert it to sata
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post #12284 of 15479
3/30/12 at 8:59am
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by hollatbk View Post

The old drive I have is PATA. Is there any type of adapter I can get to convert it to sata

No, there is not.

Edit: There are some PATA/IDE docks. I have never used one though.
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post #12285 of 15479
3/30/12 at 9:00am
Quote:
Originally Posted by mattiedread View Post

I've just had the time to retest the problems I was having with MC Buddy. I uninstalled Buddy, re-installed Handbrake standalone (you may recall Handbrake 'disappeared' from Program Files when I installed Buddy- but the one which was embedded in Buddy was there).

Sometimes Buddy rendered usable files (first two on each of the two installs); most times it failed and a few times it produced 'non-sensical' output (grey screens). Using the same files I have replicated the bogus output using Handbrake alone. So, it is not buddy.

My signal booster (as recommended on the Ceton thread) arrives today... I don't know though, I could replicate other problems (specifically out of synch audio) with files which I did not record via the tuner. So, although that may be the source of some problems, it is not the source of all.

It might not be in the cards for me. I highly doubt with Media Center running fine (having known Ceton problems - 'Subscription Required' - 'HDCP...' occasional crashes etc.) that I will attempt to tweak too much right now. Really just need a large enough drive (and use no encoding in Buddy for the MCM/MB piece maintaining the huge files). That might be my short term solution... I'm putting together a few servers for a large project at work and just can't tweak machines all day and then do the same on my time off. I guess I should be glad I'm not a gynecologist.

Sounds like you narrowed down the conversion problems to Handbrake. Have you tried uninstalling both and JUST installing MCEBuddy 2.1.5? Then running a batch of conversions?
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post #12286 of 15479
3/30/12 at 9:05am
Quote:
Originally Posted by hollatbk View Post


The old drive I have is PATA. Is there any type of adapter I can get to convert it to sata

Something like this might work: http://www.google.com/m/products/cat...d=0CDgQ8wIwAA#
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post #12287 of 15479
3/30/12 at 9:07am
Quote:
Originally Posted by hollatbk View Post

The old drive I have is PATA. Is there any type of adapter I can get to convert it to sata

Quote:
Originally Posted by assassin View Post

No, there is not.

Edit: There are some PATA/IDE docks. I have never used one though.

Yes, there are a number of adapters that may work for you. Search for PATA or IDE to SATA adapters. Here is one.
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post #12288 of 15479
3/30/12 at 10:13am
Quote:
Originally Posted by Wilky13 View Post

Sounds like you narrowed down the conversion problems to Handbrake. Have you tried uninstalling both and JUST installing MCEBuddy 2.1.5? Then running a batch of conversions?

No, I haven't tried that and there are a few things I'd like to try first. I have had some successes with the networks so I thought my next set of tests would be after I put the signal booster/amp (whatever it is called) on the line, test that the signal strength /SNR is affected.

I just re-installed MCBuddy (.18?) and came over this machine to pull up your new guide so I can apply the tweaks, then I'll run a TNT HD program and a network program to see if there is any correlation as I've forgotten the prior test results. I'll get it to do what I need eventually. However, that may require no encoding and lots of diskspace. The main goal is produce commercial free kids shows. Perhaps the .avi 'no encode' method will suffice for that.
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post #12289 of 15479
3/30/12 at 1:19pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by mattiedread View Post


No, I haven't tried that and there are a few things I'd like to try first. I have had some successes with the networks so I thought my next set of tests would be after I put the signal booster/amp (whatever it is called) on the line, test that the signal strength /SNR is affected.

I just re-installed MCBuddy (.18?) and came over this machine to pull up your new guide so I can apply the tweaks, then I'll run a TNT HD program and a network program to see if there is any correlation as I've forgotten the prior test results. I'll get it to do what I need eventually. However, that may require no encoding and lots of diskspace. The main goal is produce commercial free kids shows. Perhaps the .avi 'no encode' method will suffice for that.

I recommend downloading 2.1.5

http://sourceforge.net/projects/mcebuddy2x/files/
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post #12290 of 15479
3/30/12 at 2:40pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by roknrol View Post

I saw that the 'egg has a Buffalo 2TB external refurb for sale ~$84 with a 1-year extended warranty included. A quick Google search didn't turn up any evidence of what is waiting inside ... anyone know?

Further research indicates it may be anything from WD, Hitachi, Seagate, or Samsung. Sounds like Buffalo is using mostly WD or Seagate lately.

Since everyone else is busy snatching up Lotto tickets ... I went ahead and rolled the dice. I'll post what it turns out to be ....
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post #12291 of 15479
3/30/12 at 3:08pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by badgerpilot View Post

I was having the same problem and started using MCE Standby Tool which was recommended earlier in this thread. It took care of the 4:3 problem for me.

I downloaded the MCE standby tool, but i am unsure what to do with it. Can you tell me exactly what you did to fix the 4:3 problem?
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post #12292 of 15479
3/30/12 at 3:13pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by bomberjim View Post

Same problem here. My HTPC was hooked to a video processor and then split to the TV (video) and the receiver (audio). I have a rear projection TV and am therefore using a custom resolution setting in the graphics display properties. This is necessary to minimize overscan. The problem is that this can be misinterpreted as 4:3 mode when the TV and Video Processor are turned on.

I tried altering the order in which devices are turned on etc, to no avail. The only thing that worked was to program my Universal Remote to signal my HTPC to go to the desktop when I shutdown the system, and on system turn on program my remote to wait 8 seconds before telling the HTPC to go to Media Center (green button). A pain, but it works. It seems to be necessary to wait until everything is up and running before going from the desktop to media center.

Which code did you use to tell the Universal Remote to go to the desktop?
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post #12293 of 15479
3/30/12 at 3:38pm
So I thought I was done spending money upgrading some AV components in my HT.
Then I stumbled across this thread a few weeks back. What caught my eye was the name Assassin.
I was like, WTH, Assassin??? So I clicked on the thread. I have heard of HTPCs before, but wow,
I never knew their potential. I remember seeing a media server in a booth across from ours in a CEDIA Expo years back. I remember getting a demo and thought to myself WOW, this is badass. But then saw a retail price of $10K. LOL and walked away. But now with Assassin’s thread and paid guides (just paid), I’m like, I can totally do/afford this!
So my journey begins…..
Here’s what I have in mind, oh & I think it’s obvious, this is my first build, so any help would be much appreciated.
1) nMEDIAPC Black Aluminum / Acrylic / Steel HTPC 6000B ATX Media Center / HTPC Case
2) ASUS P8Z68-M Pro LGA 1155 Intel Z68 HDMI SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 Micro ATX Intel Motherboard with UEFI BIOS
3) Intel Pentium G840 Sandy Bridge 2.8GHz LGA 1155 65W Dual-Core Desktop Processor Intel HD Graphics 2000 BX80623G840
4) PC Power and Cooling Silencer MK III 400W Modular 80PLUS Bronze Power Supply compatible with Intel Sandy Bridge Core i3 i5 ...
5) G.SKILL Ripjaws Series 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Desktop Memory Model F3-12800CL9D-4GBRL
6) Corsair Nova Series 2 CSSD-V60GB2A 2.5" 60GB SATA II Internal Solid State Drive (SSD)
7) LITE-ON Blu-ray Burner with 3D Playback SATA iHBS212-08 LightScribe Support
8) TP-LINK TL-WN722N USB 2.0 High Gain Wireless Adapter

I have a 2T HDD already and the obvious Win7 64 bit I didn’t list.
I really wanted the nMedia PC 7000, but with the HDD clearance issue, I decided on the case above.
Thanks for reading,
Joe
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post #12294 of 15479
3/30/12 at 4:09pm
I've got some .avi files that include multiple episodes. What program would you suggest to split the .avi file so that I get one episode per file?
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post #12295 of 15479
3/30/12 at 4:22pm
Hey Assissin,

I had a SSD die on me. I have replaced it and need to reload WIndows and the other files I had on it. I and am trying to get back into your blog. I forgot my password and have tried to reset it through the site for the past hour or so. Maybe my membership or whatever has expired. It has been a while since I signed up.

Can you help out. I really don't want to try reloading everything without the use of your blog again. It was invaluable the first time.

Thanks
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post #12296 of 15479
3/30/12 at 4:26pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by Wikid S4teen View Post

So I thought I was done spending money upgrading some AV components in my HT.
Then I stumbled across this thread a few weeks back. What caught my eye was the name Assassin.
I was like, WTH, Assassin??? So I clicked on the thread. I have heard of HTPCs before, but wow,
I never knew their potential. I remember seeing a media server in a booth across from ours in a CEDIA Expo years back. I remember getting a demo and thought to myself WOW, this is badass. But then saw a retail price of $10K. LOL and walked away. But now with Assassin's thread and paid guides (just paid), I'm like, I can totally do/afford this!
So my journey begins..
Here's what I have in mind, oh & I think it's obvious, this is my first build, so any help would be much appreciated.
1) nMEDIAPC Black Aluminum / Acrylic / Steel HTPC 6000B ATX Media Center / HTPC Case
2) ASUS P8Z68-M Pro LGA 1155 Intel Z68 HDMI SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 Micro ATX Intel Motherboard with UEFI BIOS
3) Intel Pentium G840 Sandy Bridge 2.8GHz LGA 1155 65W Dual-Core Desktop Processor Intel HD Graphics 2000 BX80623G840
4) PC Power and Cooling Silencer MK III 400W Modular 80PLUS Bronze Power Supply compatible with Intel Sandy Bridge Core i3 i5 ...
5) G.SKILL Ripjaws Series 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Desktop Memory Model F3-12800CL9D-4GBRL
6) Corsair Nova Series 2 CSSD-V60GB2A 2.5" 60GB SATA II Internal Solid State Drive (SSD)
7) LITE-ON Blu-ray Burner with 3D Playback SATA iHBS212-08 LightScribe Support
8) TP-LINK TL-WN722N USB 2.0 High Gain Wireless Adapter

I have a 2T HDD already and the obvious Win7 64 bit I didn't list.
I really wanted the nMedia PC 7000, but with the HDD clearance issue, I decided on the case above.
Thanks for reading,
Joe

Thanks for the kind words.

I think the G840 is a strange bird. I would either go with the G620 for a little less (if you don't want/need 3D) or the i3 2100 for a little more. You won't really notice a difference between the G840 and G620 for HTPC use.
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post #12297 of 15479
3/30/12 at 4:27pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by jacket_fan View Post

Hey Assissin,

I had a SSD die on me. I have replaced it and need to reload WIndows and the other files I had on it. I and am trying to get back into your blog. I forgot my password and have tried to reset it through the site for the past hour or so. Maybe my membership or whatever has expired. It has been a while since I signed up.

Can you help out. I really don't want to try reloading everything without the use of your blog again. It was invaluable the first time.

Thanks

Absolutely. Send me a PM with your blog username and what password you want and I would be happy to reset it for you.
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post #12298 of 15479
3/30/12 at 6:34pm
Bingo. Thanks for the reset, and your continued support of this thread.
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post #12299 of 15479
3/31/12 at 2:13am
Just a "shout out"

Finally got my Harmony One programed exactly the way I want it .

I can honestly say that with out the "guide" it would have never happened . This is just a flat out , hard remote to work with until you fully grasp the concept of "activities" and how to manipulate them with in the "custom buttons" in the menu .


Added the htpc as an activity and the mouse function as well . The really sweet part is that all you have to do is hit the htpc activity and the Harmony acts exactly like a remote inside WMCE with all the bells and whistles !!

Finally installed the new Asus GT 430 fanless gpu card . WOW ! it is so nice that the screaming fan on the gtx 460 is GONE . I can actually hear my tv now

Summary : So, I have wmce , media browser , media studio, lav , a ceton tv tuner , and a harmony one remote along with every piece of freakin art work known to man AND everyone is playing in the sand box all nice and comfy

All for the price of a $25 guide

Thought I would post some "good" not just the same old "help me" stuff

Thanks Assasin / forum members !
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post #12300 of 15479
3/31/12 at 6:41am
Quote:
Originally Posted by Wilky13 View Post

I recommend downloading 2.1.5

http://sourceforge.net/projects/mcebuddy2x/files/

Interesting, I re-did a test using Handbrake and it worked this time with a file which had previously failed, exact same file. I do have some more testing, next set (hopefully this weekend) will be tuner/signal related. I just gathered channel/f/signal/snr/copy protection from 8 channels. Will add the signal boost... may replace a 3 way splitter with a 2 way (if I can figure out which goes to that htpc, which currently can't tune live tv... but, it can record and play back... no hardware has changed - oh well, I got into the new pc to retire the old anyway).

In any event, I'll keep you posted. Thanks for the input. One thing that is interesting, or, I didn't expect, is the channel I consistently get failure on (NickTeens - handbrake and buddy) is unexpectedly 'One Copy'. However, I also have failures on "Copy Freely".
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