HP Pavilion Slimline s3330f, is it a good prebuilt htpc? - Page 2

Herve,

The HP hp s3330f sounds like a winner! Could you describe how to use the PVR recordings:
- How do you program the unit to record; is it menu driven where it can download a list of shows (like Tivo) or do you set the start/stop time?
- Can it do recurring events (i.e.: M, 8 to 9 for 6 weeks)?
- All recordings match the resolution of the original material (so 1080i is recorded 1080i)?
- Are you using it for over-the-airwaves recording? If so, is the tuners sensitivity good?
- Can it go from hibernation mode to wake to complete your recording then hibernate again? Can you tell I'm green?
- How do you like the remote? Does it work well enough to be able to get most of your media w/o using a mouse/keyboard?

I'm just about ready to plunk down the green for this unit! I think the price is pretty much the same everywhere (local and mail order); I know this is new, but are there any sales for this?

Thanks for your descriptions!

I wish I could be more help to you, but I use this machine only to play back movies recorded on all formats of HD and SD disks. It does that very well.

I have no external video sources connected to the PC. I am not using it to anywhere near its full potential.

To answer some of your own questions, you can read the s3330f manual here: http://h10032.www1.hp.com/ctg/Manual/c01294239.pdf

I suggest that you do as I did and buy from a place that has a statisfaction-guaranteed, full refund policy. I bought from a nearby Futureshop. I could have returned the unit within two weeks for a full refund. That was adequate time for me to decide that I wanted to keep it and I have not regretted that decision for one moment.

Sorry I couldn't be more help.

I can answer some of these...


Yes to both of these. The computer comes with Vista Media Center software, so that's the software you'd likely use to schedule/watch television. I'm not usually impressed with Microsoft's user interface skills, but their Media Center UI is quite good. It's far better than the cable box UI I have and as good as TiVo's (some may even say it's better).


When you record high-def content OTA, I'm fairly certain that it doesn't do any additional compression. Standard-def (analog) content does go through some compression algorithms. Important note: I'm not sure if you can do any recording of cable HDTV with this computer. The included HDTV card might have a QAM decoder (allowing reception of un-scrambled HDTV cable channels - which would usually just be the major networks like NBC), but I don't believe that Vista Media Center currently supports this. I believe that the only way to currently get QAM support in Vista Media Center is with the HD HomeRun external dual-tuner box.


I believe that it's *supposed* to support this. But I can't promise that it's bug-free. You should do some searching in the forums at www.thegreenbutton.com which is a site dedicated to Microsoft's Media Center software.

...and here's another [really long] thread at another forum which is dedicated to the Slimlines, which is chock full of good information:
http://www.hardforum.com/showthread.php?t=1224011
- In that thread, you'll see a lot of comments about how the Slimline's anemic power supply can make upgrading components tricky, but if you bought this high-end Slimline, you likely wouldn't need to upgrade much/anything. That said, if you can reconfigure this computer to remove the HDTV tuner card and don't mind having another external box, I would recommend looking into the HD HomeRun.

bump

Thanks Herve. I read through the manual and it was helpful! Let me know if you do run into any problems. I will probably be picking one up the next few days.

Thanks Srauly; you information has helped me to decide to give this slimline HP a try. I was starting to lean toward a higher powered Gateway GM5664 but I probably won't need the extra processing power, larger form factor, heat, fan noise, etc. It's a bargain when I compared the specs though which made it harder to resist!

first off let me say I am an extreme newb when it comes to htpc. I have several questions.

My current setup:
Pioneer pro-150fd plasma
Pioneer Elite 92-txh receiver
Scientific Atlanta explorer 8300hd
Samsung bd-up500 duo hd player

My questions are:
I basically want to use this as a hd, br, sd dvd server.
Out of the box will I be able to rip hd-dvds and blu-rays onto a hard drive that will be accessible through my media gallery on the pro-150fd?
If so does it deliver 1080p at 24fps?
As far as audio goes, is it able to handle the hd audio codecs or does it at least pass audio uncompressed to the receiver for decoding?

those are my basic questions for now. More to follow dependant on the answers. Thanks in advance!

Today I tried another display - a Viewsonic 37" LCD TV, with a native resolution of 1366x768.

After making the cable connections, I turned on the PC and the two display devices. After bootup, I used the Nvidia control panel to configure the system for two displays. The PC identified the Viewsonic instantly and I was able to pick 1360x768 @60 from a drop-down list. The PC was then driving the Viewsonic LCD via the DVI/VGA adapter 1360x768 @ 60Hz, while simultaneously driving the RS1 via HDMI 1080p @ 24 fps. Simple, except that the two displays are in different rooms and I had to do a bit of fast footwork between them.

Also, just for the hell of it, I tried connecting the S-video output from our Starchoice sat. receiver to the S-video input on the HP. I also connected the included IR emitter for the first time, and stuck it on the front of the Starchoice, (The IR emitter connects to the IR receiver that receives the IR output from the media center remote.) Then I went into the media center "live TV" set-up menu and configured the PC so that the media center remote could contol the Starchoice receiver via the IR emitter stuck to the front of the receiver. It was very easy to set this up.

Unfortunately, the PQ of the S-video image on a 120" screen was nowhere near as good as that when same sd channel is viewed via a direct DVI/HDMI connection from the Starchoice receiver to the RS1. The difference is dramatic. After a short time gazing at the ugly PQ, I unhooked the receiver from the PC .......... permanently.

Maybe the result would be better with an ATSC source connected to the PC, but I have no such source available.

Add me to the list of people very much interested in the S3330F. So I have a few questions.

I pretty much just want to watch SD dvds along with ripped/capped BR/HDDVD and HDTV programs. Using the tuner to watch/record OTA HDTV programs would be cool, but I could do without it. I'll be outputting to a Pioneer 4280.

A lot of people talk about replacing graphic cards, but it's unclear if they are doing it for this model. As far as I can tell, it supports HDMI via DVI->HDMI adapter, right? Also, it seems that the HDMI supports audio via a piggyback cable you plug into the HDMI from the audio cable.

So, given the situation, do most people replace the card in the S3330F?

Also, I have a second 500 gig 7200 rpm SATA drive that would love to go in there. Any chance of thise, or is it pretty much ruled out due to the wussy power supply and lack of room in the case?

All in all, does this seem a good fit without any other upgrades (like the video card)? I was thinking of building my own system (I've always done so with my desktops), but it's such a pain tracking everything down and doing the testing and troubleshooting. At this point I'm willing to pay as long as I'll be happy with the end result.

Thanks for bringing this model to our attention. Looking forward to your remarks.

There are different models of the HP Slimline. Most of the people talking about new video cards probably just have onboard video (Nvidia 6150 LE.)

I have the s3120n and am in this very position right now.



No space for another drive and not enough power really. I decided to just build a file server to go along with it.

If you get the S3330F, it wouldn't make much sense to upgrade the video card. But as a bargain-hunter, I like to look for better deals. Also, from what I've heard, playing Blu-ray and/or HD DVD via an HTPC can be problematic with some discs, so I'm probably going to wait a bit before jumping on a Blu-ray and/or HD DVD drive.

Right now, OfficeDepot has a $300 (after rebate) Slimline. It's got an AMD Athlon LE-1620 which is a newer single-core chip. Although it's only a single-core, reviews I've read about this chip on newegg are positive, indicating that it can be overclocked (if needed) and is very low power and runs very cool. Correct me if I'm wrong, but if you're using the PC as an HTPC, Vista Media Center should only run as a single task, so I don't know that a dual-core chip is necessary. This PC comes with 2GB of RAM, and a 250GB HD. You'd want to upgrade the video card (if you need HDMI and/or want to play HD material). And you'd want to add an IR receiver/remote (about $30 via ebay last time I checked). I think it might be missing the on-board 802.11b/g, which may or may not be important to you. I believe that you have to configure/order the computer via OfficeDepot, so it's posible that you could upgrade the video, etc. and still keep the price fairly low.

There are also some good deals on refurbished Slimlines online, if you're not opposed to refurbs.

Regarding the question about ripping HD DVD / Blu-ray movies...I'm no expert on this, but from what I've read it sounds like this is still hit or miss, with some movies not being rippable, and it will certainly require that you spend additional money on something like AnyDVD. Remember, too, that these movies will consume a large amount of HD space. Converting them to a different format (e.g., DiVX) can allow you to get the size down to 10GB or less, but will require a lot more effort as there aren't any simple one-click solutions yet, AFAIK.

Very Cool! Thanks Herve! I think this is exactly what I was looking for...

Programs can spawn multiple "threads" to do different jobs. Like you might have a thread doing the recording, while another thread lets you play a different video at the same time. Dual cores allow both of those threads to run at once without one bogging down the other.

Thanks everyone for your answers. The old me would probably buy the cheap one and try to soup it up. The new me just wants to get it working.

I love this thread...and I have similar similar questions that need to be answered before I take the plunge. Thanks to all and keep posting as I figure out what to post so I don't 'play the fool'!

Anyone know if it ALWAYS comes with the wireless keyboard and mouse? I'm thinking about buying it from amazon, because of the 30 day price drop refund thing (got $400 back on my 4280 that way). But they show it with a wired kb/mouse in the pics. But they never specify in the details which one it ships with. HP's page lists the wireless kb/mouse as an accessory. Amazon is selling it for a few bucks more than j&r and newegg, both of which list that it's the wireless keyboard.

Any idea? Anyone actually order it from Amazon?

Can someone that has this unit comment on the temperature? If I purchase it, it will go in an enclosed cabinet. (see signature) The cabinet does have two 120 mm fans I installed on the back for exhaust, but that is the only ventilation. Is that enough?

Is the HDMI out both video and audio? If yes on the audio, can the PC bitstream the newer audio codecs?

1. Yes

2. I make a distinction between discs as follows:
- Commercial sd dvds played directly by WinDVD from the one and only LG ROM drive in the PC. WinDVD plays these as well as our Oppo 981.
- Back-ups of smaller-sized commerical sd dvds that are backed up on a single-disk dvd-r and played from the ROM by WinDVD. WinDVD plays these as well as our Oppo 981
- Back-ups of commercial sd dvds that are split and then recorded onto two dvd-r disks and then played back from the ROM by Windvd. (These would not play on the Sam 5K, but would play on the Oppo.) WinDVD plays these as well as our Oppo 981
- HD-DVD and Bluray disks played back directly from the ROM by HP's OEM Pdvd version called "DVD Play BD/HD-DVD". As far as I can tell, DVD Play plays these perfectly. However, our collection of hi def disks is small, so I cannot say with certainty that all disks will play perfectly, or at all. (So far, 300, 2001, Borne Identity, Apocalypto, King Kong, Transformers, Babel and 5th Element have played perfectly.)
- HD-DVD and Bluray disks backed up to the hard drive as ISO by using AnyDVD and ImgBurn, and playing these ISOs back from the hard drive using DVD Play. As far as I can tell, DVD Play plays these perfectly.


As far as I know, the s3330f always comes with an HP-branded RF wireless keyboard and mouse, as well as the HP-branded IR media center remote. I think all three work fantastically well. With the IR receiver properly placed up high in a room, you can point the remote just about anywhere and it works instantanesously- far better than any sd dvd player I've owned, or the Sam 5K.

1. I don't know if your set-up will allow adequate cooling for the s3330f. I think you'd just have to buy the pc from a place that allows money-back returns and try it out. Of course, if the thing overheated and self-destructed, I'm not so sure that they'd give you a refund.

2. As I said previously, I am running DD5.1 to our Denon via coax spdif, so it is difficult for me to answer what audio is available over HDMI. Here is a screen capture of the audio selction AFTER HDMI has been selected as the audio output connection:

I assume it is possible to select any of those on that list.

Also, as far as I can tell, audio is output through the Geforce 8500GT's HDMI connection without any other audio connections being necessary.

Hope this helps a bit about HDMI audio.

Is there anyway to remedy the fact that I am hearing that the Graphics Card in this system will not work through the HDMI port of my Samsung LNT - 4061F?

Thanks!

Thanks Herve!

Today I added external hard drive capacity to our new pc. It's a Thermaltake BlacX, model N0028USU HDD docking station, into which you plug an ordinary SATA internal disk drive. The docking station supplies power to the HDD via its own plug-in power supply and data is transferred to and from the pc via USB.
http://thermaltakeusa.com/product/St...lacx/blacx.asp



Set up of the new drive was downright simple - plug in USB cable, plug in power supply, plug HDD drive into docking station and push power button on docking station. The pc immediately recognized the drive.

Right now I'm formatting the new drive. (Would you believe its going to take about 8 hours to do this?) I literally cannot hear the drive as it is being formatted. The only way I can tell it's running is that it feels warm to the touch and the power and activity lights are illuminated.

I bought the docking station from NCIX for $50, including shipping, and a WD SATA II, 7200 RPM, 500Gb (465Gb available after format) internal drive from a local retailer for $99.

Obviously, for even more storage, a push of the "eject" button on the front of station ejects the full drive. Another empty drive can then plugged in.

When the drive is not in use, it is first "stopped" as a USB device. Then the power button on the station is pushed, and the drive can be either left in position, but not running, or ejected from the station for storage.

(I'll store the full drives in their original static-free bags and padded, plastic vcr-tape cases.)

I'll post again when I get some performance results from the new external drive.

You're not going to leave it on top of that set-top (cable?) box, are you? If it's anything like my Motorola HD DVR, it gives off a good amount of heat.

Yes, I'm going to leave it there. It did indeed take about 8 hours to format the drive and at the end of that time it was maybe ten degrees warmer than body temp. No problemo.

Right after the format was complete, I copied a 26 Gb hi def ISO, containing AVC evo files, to the new drive. It took about 22 minutes to copy the file. That's over six times faster than the playing time of the movie, and that includes everything else on the disk.

I then mounted the ISO on the external drive to a Daemon Tools virtual drive and started DVD Play. I was able to fast forward, backward, and skip chapters in both directions without a single stutter or hesitation - in other words, perfectly.

Tomorrow, I'll try ripping directly to the external drive. I don't anticipate any problem. If the new drive system allows that, the docking station is a keeper.

Herve:

Thanks for your reply and all the help you are giving us who are contemplating this purchase. The unit actually seems too good to be true. A BD/HD DVD combo drive and a 2.8 GHz Dual Core for less than the price of a standalone Combo DVD player is amazing.

I guess my only concerns (not about this unit per se) is moving my emails from Outlook Express to Windows Mail (since it doesn't have Outlook Express, right?) and getting used to Vista.

Rich N.

Well, Amazon has added more info that makes it look even more likely they aren't shipping the wireless: "Keyboard & Mouse: This desktop comes with an HP multimedia keyboard and optical mouse (both PS/2) and remote control." Too bad. I love that price drop guarantee.

Is there any ability to use the media center remote as a mouse? I saw some programs that try to add that function, but they all seem a bit out of date and unsupported.

My s3330f from Amazon included HP's wireless mouse and keyboard. So far the s3330f has played perfectly, everything I have thrown at it. Transformers on HD and Day After Tomorrow on Blu have been problematic for some, but not on the s3330f. I have not tried playing anything except 2-channel sound yet. Hopefully I will find that it plays Dolby and DTS 5.1 (at least) through HDMI. Can anyone verify this?

Sorry to ask again, but does anyone know what I can do to overcome the problem that the videocard apparently doesn't work with Samsung LNT - 4061F through HDMI port?

This morning I backed up an HD-DVD directly to the external hard drive. It took about 40 minutes - a bit faster than if I had backed up to the internal drive. We will be keeping the Thermaltake external drive system.
__________________________________________________________


Rich, I think the most outstanding feature if this pc is its rock-solid software configuration. Whoever at HP/Cyberlink configured the playback software did a helluva good job.

My wife and I do all of our day day-to-day internet and e-mail stuff on an older XP system upstairs, so, honestly, I don't know what Vista's mail software is. I won't be using the pc for that purpose and, like you, I would have some concern about having to learn to use whatever it is.

In fact, in the near future, I hope to disconnect the PC from the internet altogether and uninstall that PIA trial version of Norton that comes pre-installed on the PC. (Rant. It seems that the evolution of Norton is toward a sort of ultimate "big brother" software that doesn't even allow one to NOT update definitions, or NOT scan on a scehdule, or NOT be bothered with all kinds of warning pop-ups, or doesn't even provide an easy method to block incoming and outgoing traffic, if one so desires. Have we evolved to the point where we have to, just like the good old days, physically unplug the internet connection?)


Not that I know of ........... yet. When I've accomplished other, more important, things, I intend to explore how to do more things with the remote. I'll post when I do.


I am using DD 5.1 via spdif. I cannot believe that audio via HDMI would not be capable of far more.


-How do you know that HDMI does not work?
-What are the connections on your display?
-What is the native resolution of the panel?
-Is there a VGA input on the panel? If there is, then you can connect via the included DVI/VGA adapter on the pc. On the Nvidia control panel you can then select from a variety of resolutions - one of which is 1360x768.

Thanks for the response Herve!

- The CNET Review of the 3020n (same video card as the 3330f) showed that the Samsung LNT-4061F did not pick up a signal when connected the PC via HDMI.

- I have 3 HDMI, Composite, S-VIDEO, and VGA. However, I really need HDMI because I want the audio to be coupled so I don't have to separate the speakers I have in the TV.

- Native Res is 1080P

- If I am going to get this I really want the output to be 1080, otherwise its not worth the Blu Ray/ HD Drive right? That's why I don't want to connect via VGA.