XBMC - Media PC for the TV

sikelsh · 30th April 2010, 20:54

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Its flippin brilliant, it was originally made for the old Xbox to make use of it when the 360 came out, however, it runs very well on a cronky old PC.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

ceedy · 1st May 2010, 10:10

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!!

sikelsh · 2nd May 2010, 17:12

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.

eddybrown · 3rd May 2010, 20:31

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?

Andyd358 · 9th June 2010, 23:13

going to give this ago cheers

ceedy · 10th June 2010, 08:54

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/

Kedaha · 9th August 2010, 02:42

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

30th April 2010, 20:54	#1
sikelsh This is my second home MGF Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Boston Posts: 4,865 Thanks: 123 Thanked 281 Times in 178 Posts	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 __________________ Si Kelsh

1st May 2010, 10:10	#2
ceedy This is my second home All Trophy Blue ,ZT260#50 , ZT CDTI Auto, ZR105+ and 1.8T Firefrost spoiling the Set . Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Nr Sherborne But in Somerset.. Posts: 6,082 Thanks: 916 Thanked 1,214 Times in 768 Posts	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!! __________________ The Three Bloo's Wifey's Zr105, MY CDTI & 260 #50 and Number One sons 1.8T in Firefrost When I were a lad Zero to 142 in 10.25 secs at the Pod on my Blown Norton. 210 Kart Champ in 70's

2nd May 2010, 17:12	#3
sikelsh This is my second home MGF Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Boston Posts: 4,865 Thanks: 123 Thanked 281 Times in 178 Posts	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. __________________ Si Kelsh

3rd May 2010, 20:31	#4
eddybrown Gets stuck in Rover 75 Club CDT & 73' MG Midget Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Peterborough Posts: 543 Thanks: 0 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post	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? __________________ http://www.eddybrown.co.uk/images/userbar_ed.png http://www.eddybrown.co.uk/images/userbar_mg.png

9th June 2010, 23:13	#5
Andyd358 Posted a thing or two JAguar X-Type 2.0d Sport Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Bedlington, Northumberland Posts: 1,902 Thanks: 2 Thanked 15 Times in 8 Posts	going to give this ago cheers __________________ This was My MGZT [SIGPIC][/SIGPIC] Going to miss driving it Support Our Troops http://www.helpforheroes.org.uk/

10th June 2010, 08:54	#6
ceedy This is my second home All Trophy Blue ,ZT260#50 , ZT CDTI Auto, ZR105+ and 1.8T Firefrost spoiling the Set . Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Nr Sherborne But in Somerset.. Posts: 6,082 Thanks: 916 Thanked 1,214 Times in 768 Posts	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/ __________________ The Three Bloo's Wifey's Zr105, MY CDTI & 260 #50 and Number One sons 1.8T in Firefrost When I were a lad Zero to 142 in 10.25 secs at the Pod on my Blown Norton. 210 Kart Champ in 70's

9th August 2010, 02:42	#7
Kedaha Gets stuck in MG ZT 190 SE Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Dublin Posts: 500 Thanks: 3 Thanked 6 Times in 6 Posts	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