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Assassin's Simple/Beginner HTPC Buying Guide - Page 497

post #14881 of 15479
12/5/12 at 1:33pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by dikkiedirk View Post

I just start setting up my AMD Llano based HTPC. Following the guide I ran into trouble setting up the connection to my system. I click on the little loudspeaker symbol and Playback devices but don't see my Onkyo receiver or Panasonic TV listed. Instead I just see AMD HDMI device, speakers and Realtek digital output listed. The HTPC is connected with a HDMI cable to the Onkyo receiver. I do get picture but no sound. Are there any other setting that need to be changed?
System specs are: Asrock A75M, A6-3670, 8 GB Ripjaws, Windows7 Home 64 bit.
i


Clicking the little loudspeaker and Playback devices gives me a popup-menu showing AMD HDMI as default. When I select this and clicking configure I can select stereo, 5.1 and 7.1. Clicking the little play button I hear testtones on all louspeakers.

Does this mean all is well? I still don't hear sound when playing m2ts with DTS-MA HD or mkvs. My receiver doesn't switch another soundmode like DTS.
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post #14882 of 15479
12/5/12 at 2:21pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by BucksWin View Post

Looks like I was able to figure out my issue from the other day by manually editing the config.ini file - it's no joke when you hear that you have to be willing/able to tinker if you want to have an HTPC!
New question for today... I'm sure that this has been addressed before but I've used the "search thread" function and can't find it. I've burned a few movies from BD and am finding that a few won't play sound, while others are. Sound works just fine in MediaCenter menus, etc. TV shows are also not playing sound.
Is this a codec issue?

Happens to me too occasionally. TV and movies have no sound, but Windows/Media Center does. I believe it's a handshake problem (HDCP or EDID). A reboot should fix it. For me, power cycling my receiver does the trick. Sometimes I guess it just drops the connection.
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post #14883 of 15479
12/5/12 at 6:02pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by dikkiedirk View Post

Clicking the little loudspeaker and Playback devices gives me a popup-menu showing AMD HDMI as default. When I select this and clicking configure I can select stereo, 5.1 and 7.1. Clicking the little play button I hear testtones on all louspeakers.
Does this mean all is well? I still don't hear sound when playing m2ts with DTS-MA HD or mkvs. My receiver doesn't switch another soundmode like DTS.

What receiver do you have? Sorry if I missed it.
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post #14884 of 15479
12/6/12 at 3:27am
I have an old model Onkyo: NR906. Never let me down with the mediaplayers I have had.


I installed and setup LAV, and still didn't get DTS or DTS-HD MA audio.

After installing Total Media Theatre 5 all BluRays and mkvs are played with LPCM, Dolby Digital, DTS or DTS-HD, yippie.

Haven't tried ISOs yet. Gonna install Virtual Clone Drive first.
Edited by dikkiedirk - 12/6/12 at 5:38am
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post #14885 of 15479
12/6/12 at 3:44am
Quote:
Originally Posted by Dark_Slayer View Post

Super easy, launch "Configure Media Browser"
change to advanced
Choose .iso (only one offering menu support I believe)
Select TMT5 as the external player in the drop down menu

What if I have blu-ray backups as ISO? I guess the ISO needs to be mounted first? How does Mediabrowser deal with that?
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post #14886 of 15479
12/6/12 at 5:38am
Quote:
Originally Posted by Mfusick View Post

Quote:
Originally Posted by dikkiedirk View Post

Thanks I will try a Cat6 cable then. Drilling time I guess:). If not possible, would Moca adapter offer a solution, Power adapters dont work well on my system. Is it at all possible to watch full bluray rips with full menus on a HTPC? What setup would you recommend? Mediabrowser or XBMC?

Drilling time takes one afternoon. The rewards of that cat6 cable will pay pack for a really long time.

IMO Moca if you already have the coax runs will allow you to easily watch full bluray rips. I use a few actiontec adaptors today and it handles everything without a single hiccup. Beats 6-8 hours of drilling and feeding...
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post #14887 of 15479
12/6/12 at 6:28am
Assassin -

What are your thoughts on upgrading to the Frodo Beta release for XBMC? Should I wait until it is an official release? Any idea on how well it will handle HD bitstreaming audio? Will you be waiting for it to be an official release before updating your guide?

Thanks
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post #14888 of 15479
12/6/12 at 7:25am
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by anleva View Post

Assassin -
What are your thoughts on upgrading to the Frodo Beta release for XBMC? Should I wait until it is an official release? Any idea on how well it will handle HD bitstreaming audio? Will you be waiting for it to be an official release before updating your guide?
Thanks

I tend to steer clear of anything while its in beta --- especially if the previous version works well. I am eager to try Frodo as well but I won't make the jump personally until its an official release and most of the bugs are worked out of it.
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post #14889 of 15479
12/6/12 at 7:49am
Assassin what do you use personally these days ? XBMC or Mediabrowser? Do you use external player like VLC or Jriver or use the internal players configured to bitstream ?
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post #14890 of 15479
12/6/12 at 8:07am
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by Mfusick View Post

Assassin what do you use personally these days ? XBMC or Mediabrowser? Do you use external player like VLC or Jriver or use the internal players configured to bitstream ?

Depends what I am tinkering with.

Most of the time I am using XBMC now. The wife and kids use XBMC 100% of the time and I can't remember the last time there were any user issues or complaints. They even watch a bunch of youtube videos through XBMC.
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post #14891 of 15479
12/6/12 at 9:39am
I setup a rig a while back using these guides, and just now realized that my standard definition movies won't playback. HD works great (Blu Ray rips). Everything's in MKV format. When I hit the play button in Media Browser and just sits there with the movie length bar at position zero -- also, the length is screwy. i.e., if it's a 160 min movie it only shows like 87 mins or similar.

Anyone ever come across this?

Thanks!
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post #14892 of 15479
12/6/12 at 10:21am
Quote:
Originally Posted by Triglet View Post

I setup a rig a while back using these guides, and just now realized that my standard definition movies won't playback. HD works great (Blu Ray rips). Everything's in MKV format. When I hit the play button in Media Browser and just sits there with the movie length bar at position zero -- also, the length is screwy. i.e., if it's a 160 min movie it only shows like 87 mins or similar.
Anyone ever come across this?
Thanks!

Depends on how they were ripped, etc.

Things I didn't do in Makemkv don't have chapters so I can't skip forward in those. Does it show the same thing in Mediainfo? My guess would be yes.
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post #14893 of 15479
12/6/12 at 2:00pm
When using TMT 5 as external player in Mediabrowser for playback of Blurays will TMT 5 be shutdown when playback of the Bluray is finished? Or will TMT 5 remain opened?

Will this work for ISOs and folder structures?
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post #14894 of 15479
12/6/12 at 6:28pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by cburbs View Post

Depends on how they were ripped, etc.
Things I didn't do in Makemkv don't have chapters so I can't skip forward in those. Does it show the same thing in Mediainfo? My guess would be yes.

MediaInfo shows the correct length on the container. I think it's ripped correctly, I must have a setting somewhere that the SD doesn't like or something.
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post #14895 of 15479
12/6/12 at 8:07pm
Assassin:

I bought your guide, but the hardware was not that important as I wanted a ATX build. But now, as I have no space for an ATX case and the GD08 I wanted to purchase isn't available in my country, I'll stick with a microATX build. It's just going to be used for video playback. No gaming.

I'm a new to the audio/video world, but most part of my collection consists of BDs/remuxes (80% of the collection). The other 19% is 720p TV series content (I just get the BD for the series that I find worth doing it, but I'll just say that 20% of that is actual BD content), the rest consists of DVD (many conserts or even some movies I like weren't released in BD, and probably won't ever be frown.gif ).

- I have already tested the madVR with those DVDs, and the improvent is dramatic. My HTPC then, I'll need to be able to support it. But I really got confused by the CPU part: I can't choose between option 3, 4 or 5 of Ivy Bridge. Which one is suitable for my needs?
- Still madVR, will a dedicated GPU be necessary? If yes, which one?
- I will use this case: Silverstone SST-GD06B (it's available for sale in my country, so it's the "only" option I have).
- I also plan to setup a NAS if my storage needs grow too much.

I have no idea of the rest of the setup. If you could help me out, I would appreciate.

Best regards.
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post #14896 of 15479
12/6/12 at 8:33pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by mrfury View Post

Assassin:
I bought your guide, but the hardware was not that important as I wanted a ATX build. But now, as I have no space for an ATX case and the GD08 I wanted to purchase isn't available in my country, I'll stick with a microATX build. It's just going to be used for video playback. No gaming.
I'm a new to the audio/video world, but most part of my collection consists of BDs/remuxes (80% of the collection). The other 19% is 720p TV series content (I just get the BD for the series that I find worth doing it, but I'll just say that 20% of that is actual BD content), the rest consists of DVD (many conserts or even some movies I like weren't released in BD, and probably won't ever be frown.gif ).
- I have already tested the madVR with those DVDs, and the improvent is dramatic. My HTPC then, I'll need to be able to support it. But I really got confused by the CPU part: I can't choose between option 3, 4 or 5 of Ivy Bridge. Which one is suitable for my needs?
- Still madVR, will a dedicated GPU be necessary? If yes, which one?
- I will use this case: Silverstone SST-GD06B (it's available for sale in my country, so it's the "only" option I have).
- I also plan to setup a NAS if my storage needs grow too much.
I have no idea of the rest of the setup. If you could help me out, I would appreciate.
Best regards.

I'd start with the i3-3225 which has the HD4000. This should be enough for you to run Madvr on multiple different settings. If there is anything else you need/want it to do you can always add a discrete card later.

Hope that helps. Welcome to HTPC!
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post #14897 of 15479
12/7/12 at 1:44am
Quote:
Originally Posted by assassin View Post

What receiver do you have? Sorry if I missed it.


I have an old model Onkyo: NR906. Never let me down with the mediaplayers I have had.


I installed and setup LAV, and still didn't get DTS or DTS-HD MA audio.

After installing Total Media Theatre 5 all BluRays and mkvs are played with LPCM, Dolby Digital, DTS or DTS-HD, yippie.

Haven't tried ISOs yet. Gonna install Virtual Clone Drive first.

I bought your guide, and am trying to set-up a Llano build with A6-3670 and Asrock A75M. What would be the easier/better way to go: XBMC or Mediabrowser/WMC?

Is a setup possible where when I select a Bluray boxcover Total Media Theater starts up and plays the movie in the Blu-ray ISO or folder structure and when the movie ends shuts down TMT5 and returns to XBMC or Mediabrowser?

Will Madvr work in TMT5, or just in MPC-HC?
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post #14898 of 15479
12/7/12 at 8:27am
Quote:
Originally Posted by assassin View Post

I'd start with the i3-3225 which has the HD4000. This should be enough for you to run Madvr on multiple different settings. If there is anything else you need/want it to do you can always add a discrete card later.
Hope that helps. Welcome to HTPC!

Thank you for the reply! I would like your opinion about this build:

CPU: Core i3-3225 Ivy Bridge 3.3GHz
MoBo: the ASUS P8H77-M/CSM is more expensive than the ASUS P8H77-M PRO, in my country, so I might use it. Is there any problem?
RAM: G.SKILL Ripjaws Series 4GB (2 x 2GB) DDR3 1600 (Will it fit in the case? If not, I will use the "standard height" one.)
GPU: Intel HD Graphics 4000
SSD: OCZ Vertex 4 VTX4-25SAT3-64G 64GB
PSU: I have no idea of what to use.
Case: Silverstone SST-GD06B
Optical drive: LG Blu-ray/DVD/CD Burner


One additional question, I have a Harmony One and wish to control the HTPC with it. I was reading your guide and you recommend the "HP USB Windows Receiver" from eBay. The guide you did for the remote control setup was using this receiver?


Best regards.
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post #14899 of 15479
12/7/12 at 8:42am
Quote:
Originally Posted by Triglet View Post

MediaInfo shows the correct length on the container. I think it's ripped correctly, I must have a setting somewhere that the SD doesn't like or something.

Well like it has always been recommended send those files thru handbrake and see what happens.
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post #14900 of 15479
12/7/12 at 12:14pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by mrfury View Post

Thank you for the reply! I would like your opinion about this build:
CPU: Core i3-3225 Ivy Bridge 3.3GHz
MoBo: the ASUS P8H77-M/CSM is more expensive than the ASUS P8H77-M PRO, in my country, so I might use it. Is there any problem?
RAM: G.SKILL Ripjaws Series 4GB (2 x 2GB) DDR3 1600 (Will it fit in the case? If not, I will use the "standard height" one.)
GPU: Intel HD Graphics 4000
SSD: OCZ Vertex 4 VTX4-25SAT3-64G 64GB
PSU: I have no idea of what to use.
Case: Silverstone SST-GD06B
Optical drive: LG Blu-ray/DVD/CD Burner
One additional question, I have a Harmony One and wish to control the HTPC with it. I was reading your guide and you recommend the "HP USB Windows Receiver" from eBay. The guide you did for the remote control setup was using this receiver?
Best regards.

Looks like a really nice build. I think your choice in CPU, Motherboard, RAM, Case, and SSD are all very good. For a PSU try an MKIII or Antec Neo ($30) or one of the more efficient Rosewill models from Newegg that are reviewed well.

Can you get a 128GB SSD for $20 or less more ?? If so.. that also might make sense. Vertex4 is the fastest 64GB SSD in that price range and also has the best warranty- so it's a good choice. But I think 128GB is still better.
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post #14901 of 15479
12/7/12 at 12:40pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by mrfury View Post

Thank you for the reply! I would like your opinion about this build:
CPU: Core i3-3225 Ivy Bridge 3.3GHz
MoBo: the ASUS P8H77-M/CSM is more expensive than the ASUS P8H77-M PRO, in my country, so I might use it. Is there any problem?
RAM: G.SKILL Ripjaws Series 4GB (2 x 2GB) DDR3 1600 (Will it fit in the case? If not, I will use the "standard height" one.)
GPU: Intel HD Graphics 4000
SSD: OCZ Vertex 4 VTX4-25SAT3-64G 64GB
PSU: I have no idea of what to use.
Case: Silverstone SST-GD06B
Optical drive: LG Blu-ray/DVD/CD Burner

Agree with Mfusick on SSD unless this is a small playback only build. If that's the case, I'd actually recommend going with one of the 60GB for 30$ deals on a slower SSD. Otherwise go with the best deal on a 120-128GB (right now Samsung 840 for $70 after rebate plus shipping) http://slickdeals.net/permadeal/85324/tigerdirect.com-samsung-840-series-solid-state-drives-ssd-120gb-mz7td120bw-75-after-40-rebate-250gb-mz7td250bw-w-far-cry-3-game-coupon

I always recommend the Silencer MKIII power supply, but unfortunately it will not fit in your case. You'll need to find one that is 150mm or less. Corsair builder series is usually the cheapest, but Antec Neo Eco would also fit. Newegg has an average deal on the 400W Eco right now http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817371029

PSU dimension info from your case maker smile.gifhttp://www.silverstonetek.com/techtalk_cont.php?area&tid=10055
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post #14902 of 15479
12/7/12 at 1:00pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Mfusick View Post

Looks like a really nice build. I think your choice in CPU, Motherboard, RAM, Case, and SSD are all very good. For a PSU try an MKIII or Antec Neo ($30) or one of the more efficient Rosewill models from Newegg that are reviewed well.
Can you get a 128GB SSD for $20 or less more ?? If so.. that also might make sense. Vertex4 is the fastest 64GB SSD in that price range and also has the best warranty- so it's a good choice. But I think 128GB is still better.

Thank you for the feedback, Mfusick. Need to thank the configuration to Assassin's guide. tongue.gif

MoBo: I'll be using the ASUS P8H77-M PRO. Just to make sure, is this good? Any noticable difference from the CSM one?

PSU: my issue is that I don't know what power range I should choose from? Also, I may not find the PSUs here in my country, but I can solve that with not much of a deal (if really needed, of course).

SSD: I chose the 64GB just because I thought the 128GB would be way more expensive, but, for my surprise, it just added 15 more dollars (converted from my currency) to the bill.

EDIT: I was writing the reply as Dark_Slayer posted his.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Dark_Slayer View Post

Agree with Mfusick on SSD unless this is a small playback only build. If that's the case, I'd actually recommend going with one of the 60GB for 30$ deals on a slower SSD. Otherwise go with the best deal on a 120-128GB (right now Samsung 840 for $70 after rebate plus shipping) http://slickdeals.net/permadeal/85324/tigerdirect.com-samsung-840-series-solid-state-drives-ssd-120gb-mz7td120bw-75-after-40-rebate-250gb-mz7td250bw-w-far-cry-3-game-coupon
I always recommend the Silencer MKIII power supply, but unfortunately it will not fit in your case. You'll need to find one that is 150mm or less. Corsair builder series is usually the cheapest, but Antec Neo Eco would also fit. Newegg has an average deal on the 400W Eco right now http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817371029
PSU dimension info from your case maker smile.gifhttp://www.silverstonetek.com/techtalk_cont.php?area&tid=10055

The build is just for playback, so I was also wondering why the 128GB one. I think the size won't be an issue, because when installing my current PC, I followed this guide. Was able to reduced a lot of space used by Windows. The only programs I'll need are pretty small, like Media Browser, MPC-HC etc, so they won't consume much storage. If there is something I'm missing, feel free to tell me. biggrin.gif

The Antec Neo 400W Eco seems fine. I was able to find it for sale in my country already. Everything seems fine, I think.


Best regards.
Edited by mrfury - 12/7/12 at 1:17pm
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post #14903 of 15479
12/7/12 at 1:29pm
I use the NEO PSU. Just make sure you have a power cable. It does not come with one.
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post #14904 of 15479
12/8/12 at 8:42pm
Thread Starter 
My Denon 3806 quit tonight. The HDMI is kaput.

It had a good run. Now time to begin the research for a new AVR.

Just needed to vent. I feel better now.
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post #14905 of 15479
12/8/12 at 8:55pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by assassin View Post

My Denon 3806 quit tonight. The HDMI is kaput.

It had a good run. Now time to begin the research for a new AVR.

Just needed to vent. I feel better now.

This is your conscience speaking..You need a denon 4520 biggrin.gif
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post #14906 of 15479
12/8/12 at 9:05pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by mariob33 View Post

This is your conscience speaking..You need a denon 4520 biggrin.gif

Wow. I wish. About $1500 over my max budget!

Damn conscience! cool.gif
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post #14907 of 15479
12/8/12 at 9:14pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by mariob33 View Post

This is your conscience speaking..You need a denon 4520 biggrin.gif

Quote:
Originally Posted by assassin View Post

Wow. I wish. About $1500 over my max budget!
Damn conscience! cool.gif
But if you order right now you can save $0.99!!!!
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post #14908 of 15479
12/9/12 at 5:37am
Quote:
Originally Posted by assassin View Post

Wow. I wish. About $1500 over my max budget!
Damn conscience! cool.gif

"BUT..... but , IT'S X-MAS ! " How cool would that be with that new tv you just got. tongue.gif
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post #14909 of 15479
12/9/12 at 7:04am
My sub just went in for service which sucks but I really dread something happening to my 3808. It always sucks when you have to replace something instead of upgrading.
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post #14910 of 15479
12/9/12 at 7:18am
Quote:
Originally Posted by assassin View Post

My Denon 3806 quit tonight. The HDMI is kaput.
It had a good run. Now time to begin the research for a new AVR.
Just needed to vent. I feel better now.

My onkyo did the same thing.

I have a 3312 Denon now and love it. Its has dual simultaneous HDMI out.

Great if your run projector and/or flat panel.
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