[gujuman]

I just completed setting up a W7 MC for my brother who is not very computer savvy. I know some may consider building a MC for someone else a mistake but I feel it really is the best way to bring photos, movies, etc into the family room.....any-hoo here's my question.


What else can I set up / tweak to get him off to a running start and minimize my time providing tech support. Here's the setup and what I've already done...also anyone have experience shipping a MC box?


Thanks in advance!

Already done:

Partions created for Photos, Videos, Recorded TV, etc

MC pointing to each specific folder on Data Drive

All USB, Ethernet, headphone, keyboard, firewire, etc tested

TMT3 Installed and tested with SD and BD

Directory Structure completed (for file organizatioN)

Acronis 2010 installed and backup generated

W7 updated

Drivers updated

Tuner card tested

Temps, fans, optimized and calibrated

Cables managed in the box

HDMI cable ordered from monoprice

Logmein.com installed (i know it's going to be useful)

Configuration:

Silverstone GD-04 case Black

AMD Athlon II X4 630 95W AM3

Windows 7 Home Premium

G-skill 2 x 2GB DDR3 RAM

Western Digital Caviar Blue 640 GB x2 (one for OS other for data)

Cooler Master Silent Pro M600 Power supply

Gigabyte GA-MA785GMT-UD2H

Sapphire Radeon HD 5670

Hauppage 2250

LG WH10LS30 BD Burner (probably overkill)

 

[sriramc]

You seem fairly thorough (that only comes from hours of tweaking and troubleshooting

)


I also recommend these steps


1. Tuner and guide setup in win 7MC

2. AV receiver/ surround sound setup (if any)

3. Universal remote (e.g. logitech harmony one) with activities setup

4. Media Browser configured for movies if possible

 

[gujuman]

Thanks!


--Dinovo Mini setup done

--Tuner/Guide downloaded for their location

--added antivirus and pdf viewer

--They'll probably have to finalize the resolution and sound when the receive the unit


How does one configure "Media Browser for movies if possible" ?


Anything else that I could do pre-emptively???

 

[bjterry62]

If it's a dedicated HTPC, I would do a few of things you didn't mention.


1. Set MC up to load on reboot.


2. Set the system to reboot after power outage.


3. Turn off screensaver.


4. Configure the systems sleep states (if you're using them, I don't).


You may have already done these and just not mentioned them since they're little things, but they can mean a lot down the road.


BT

 

[csmcdem]

definitely do MyMovies (or MediaBrowser like sriramc suggested)


it's up to you to decide between the two, as far as i know they accomplish the same thing. I just like MyMovies' interface better

 

[Artslinger]

The Collection Management is what makes MY Movies the better of the two, of course you can always use MediaBrowser front end with MyMovies Collection Management if you want.


I have no antivirus software on my HTPC. I don't do much web surfing and no email, downloads I scan for virus on another PC and then transfer to the HTPC. I'll do a web based scan every once in a while.


You will need AnyDVD HD if you will be ripping movies.

 

[perpetual98]

MyMovies and MediaBrowser will probably each get you to the same goal. I personally think that MediaBrowser is much better and looks better, but to each his own. With MB, you still need to do the metadata with another program unlike MM which is more of a streamlined solution.

 

[gujuman]

Thanks everyone. I am not familiar with My Movies but it seems like it's used to view copy movies to the MC box. I don't think that they have a huge movies collection so I may forgo My Movies at this time unless there is something I'm missing.


Has anyone shipped a MC box? Recommendations?


thx

 

[user4avsforum]



Quote:
Originally Posted by gujuman /forum/post/18245711


--added antivirus and pdf viewer

If you are using anti-virus software that has very resource draining agressive scanning features such as certain On Access modes you may want to turn off those most agressive scanning methods. As it can impact your ability to perform multiple concurrent recordings and playback.

 

[ogormask]

Just use something else for metadata like salami or metabrowser and then media browser. Media browser is probably the best front end there is.