XBMC - Media PC for the TV
 

Hi all,

Dont know if anyone has posted about this before, but as many folk have flat screen TV's I thought I would post about this as it may be of use to someone.

I wanted a small PC connected to the TV, mainly to watch films, BBC iPlayer, youtube et al,

So I bought a Dell Optiplex P4 off Ebay for about 40 pounds, similar to this one http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/DELL-OPTIPLEX-...#ht_2177wt_914
I had a spare VGA Connector and wireless keyboard and mouse and my router is at the back of the TV anyway.

After Googling about after I installed it I came across, XBMC (Xbox Media Centre) found here >http://xbmc.org/

Its flippin brilliant, it was originally made for the old Xbox to make use of it when the 360 came out, however, it runs very well on a cronky old PC.

You don't have to get the the PC first to try it, you can install it on any PC, Laptop.

There are plenty of Plugins available, some of them not so legit I have to say and clearly I don't advocate the use of such elements, but give it a go.

Brilliant software for nowt

Simon

I use media portal... lots of plugins to add too!!

Even works ( mostly!!) with my El cheapo USB IR remote Control.

Tried loads of these, IMHO Mediaportal or XMBC are the best ..!! and free!!


:getmecoat:

I did try Media Portal, but there is a specific script I use in XBMC that I make quite a lot of use of.;)

I also tried http://www.boxee.tv/ which looked brilliant, but the cronky PC couldnt run it that well due to the require graphic power.

Wow the last time I looked at XMBC it was never so advanced. I have a spare PC connected to my plasma which I use to stream films from another PC. Using XMBC has just added a bit of polish to selecting films rather than browsing to them in explorer. I do like the automatic downloading of related images it's a nice touch.

Could you PM any useful plugins you use?

going to give this ago cheers

I've been tryiing BOXEE..... its powered by XMBC

Its a bit different but does give easier access to
on line TV ... EG Iplayer..


http://www.boxee.tv/

I just use Win7+ Media player classic home cinema edition.

Have been using XBMC on a softmodded xbox for 4 years(it's brill), but now have:
Win 7 PC with ATI Raden HD 5830 which outputs audio+video over HDMI to my Onkyo TX-SR606 Receiver, which passes the audio on to my 5.1 sound system and video to the plasma TV.

Have AC3 setup so that it does a good job processing Stereo(l+r channel) sound to 5.1, and MPC-HC uses the graphics card to upscale the video content.

The Pacific in high def with dolby dts = absolutely amazing :)