Hi guys,

Just a question on XBMC,

is there any site like IMDB.com to scrape info off for Chinese/Korean movies as IMDB.com is only for English Movies

Almost half of my collection is Chinese Korean Japanese Movies/TV Drama/Anime and i cant get it to list into Movies/Tv Shows in XBMC

Now iam only playing them thru Videos section.

Iam using my lappy on Windows Vista Home Premium 32bit to run XBMC.

Well i think it depends on your current setup more, i.e is the cables running fine? are they close to some power cord/source? are they tangle up?

LAN cables are very sensitive to those as they can pickup unwanted noise/disruptions from neighboring cables/equipment.

I have my LAN cables separated from the rest of my cables (power, vga, hdmi, and all the rest) and are able to stream 90% problem free (except for the jiterring/stutter when something runs at the background)

But different people may have different situation all together,

My advice is try and free those LAN cable from the cluster and use them as straight as possible, and also to keep them from going too near other power sources (i.e anything that has electricity running thru them), you might be able to see some improvement.

Another forum has a discussion on it --> http://forums.macrumors.com/archive/index....3C/t-29136.html

Good Cable Mamangement is your freind ^^

Qoute from Matt Simmons
"Keep power cables as far from ethernet cables as possible Power cables, especially clumps of power cables, cause ElectroMagnetic Interference (EMI aka radio frequency interference (or RFI)) on any surrounding cables, including CAT-* cables (unless they're shielded, but if you're using STP cables in your rack, you're probably doing it wrong). Run your power cables away from the CAT5/6. And if you must bring them close, try to do it at right angles."

Taken from --> http://serverfault.com/questions/26462/how...s-in-your-racks

This post has been edited by netherlord: Apr 28 2010, 03:41 PM

1. Whats your pioneer HT model, need to know what inputs you have to pass audio to it.

2. From the spec of the HTPC i can say the specs is enough to handle most HD content but iam not sure about BDMV and BD iso as those are more CPU intensive rather than GPU.

3. For casings i think you have to either browse from the net or go to low yat plaza yourself cause aesthetics is really a personal thing. What i like maybe not up to your taste.

4. For soundcard i think your spec already are capable for passing 5.1 DD/DTS to a receiver thru HDMI/SPDIF but if you want to pass 7.1 lossless DTS-MA/DD TrueHD thru HDMI i think you need something like a Asus Sonar HDA 1.3 ( http://www.dvhardware.net/article27745.html ) which is around RM700 ( Needs TMT Player to passthru thou ).

5. If you want better performance from your HTPC, of course another better Graphic Card will help, plus if you get the higher range of card like ATI 58XX series you can skip using the Sound card as it is capable of doing a 5.1 or 7.1 passthru (but the cheapest one i could find atm is around RM900) or take a look at this http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=1179134 which explain alot on how to pass audio thru ATI 5XXX series card.

Hope my explanation is good enough

This post has been edited by netherlord: Apr 29 2010, 02:14 PM

1. Havent really look into the models yet. What inputs should i look for?
ANS: Well depends whether you have an existing old Pioneer which accepts SPDIF / Coaxial connection or you planning to buy a new one with HDMI, all supports 5.1

2. In order to run BDMV and BD iso, what are the minimum CPU spec that u recommend?
Ans: Like what Bart-man suggested, a Core 2 Duo or Athlon II X2 should be sufficient but try and get i3 to future-proof your mb should you plan to later on upgrade to a better proc.

3. I cant agree more.
ANS: There are many nice cases for HTPC design but most of them are quite costly unless you go for those normal ATX. Price ranges from RM300 - RM700 for those really nice ones like Silverstone and Coolermaster

4. For sound, im glad to maintain 5.1 at the moment.
ANS: Then your MB SPDIF and HDMI should be sufficient to output DD / DTS to your chosen HT AVR

5. Ill stay with the integrated graphic with the mobo then.
ANS: Do note you need to do some tweaking to the On-Board ATI GPU in order to fully utilise it for HD playback, take note on the model and driver, and also get the latest codec to ensure smooth playback.

If you provide what the on-board GPU is i might be able to scrounge up some guide in how to set it up for HD playback.

All the best to your HTPC build

Not to say not recommending it, but you need to have some technical knowledge/skill to make it into a proper HTPC, there are ppl using it for XBMC Media Center [LiveCD Version] and have done so successfully.

Link --> http://forum.xbmc.org/showthread.php?t=538...light=acer+revo

If you like a simple HTPC ( Just to play HD SD contents ) then Acer Revo might be an option but do take note of the hardware limitation .

HTPC with C2D/Athlon are more capable in handling BD iso, BDMV and also Blu-Ray disc playback, not mentioning games and other stuff. Depending on what you want or expect from your HTPC, Specs may vary like Day and Night .

Deciding what you want from your HTPC will eventually decide on what component goes into your HTPC. Just remember the choice is in your hands and don't regret afterward .

1. Bring up Task Manager (CTRL + ALT + DEL and click Start Task Manager)
2. Browse to the PROCESSES Tab
3. Look for the MPC.exe file (mine is mpc-hc.exe), highlight and Right Click
4. Select SET AFFINITY
5. Make sure to tick BOTH CPU0 and CPU1 to make it run on both cores (or more if you have quad core or Intel i5,i7)
6. Click OK and restart MPC and start Step 1-5 to make sure the settings was applied.

If it still is running on 1 core i guess its either the software or settings that causing the problems. If that's the case, you can try the link below

Link --> http://www.tomshardware.com/forum/251947-3...1080p-8800ultra

Well here are the specs :

Aspire Revo specs

* CPU: Intel Atom N230, at 1.6GHz
* RAM: from 2GB DDR2
* HDD: from 160GB, at 5400rpm
* Graphics: nVidia ION (Geforce 9400)
* Ports: 6 x USB 2.0, eSATA
* Memory card reader: SD/SDHC/MMC/XD/Memory Stick
* Output: HDMI, VGA
* Networking: Ethernet, WiFi
* Dimensions: 7,1″ x 7,1″ x 1,2″ (18cm x 18cm x 3cm)
* OS: Windows Vista
* Monitor mount: VESA 80 to 120 standard

Since processing BD.iso, BDMV and Blu-ray disc needs more CPU power rather than GPU for file processing (i.e loading the file and such into RAM) the bottleneck is already apparent on the CPU. Intel Atom cpu arent too famous for their processing power. Neither is Windows Vista that was installed on it.

Quoted form the website
"The only downside of the Aspire Revo the operating system. If you want to play a video on your TV, waiting two minutes and a half to boot your computer is a pain. Depending on your country, you may be able to request a refund on Windows Vista."

Link --> http://www.eeextra.com/nettops/acer-aspire-revo.html

While the GPU no doubt is capable of handling HD contents but with the CPU bottleneck i doubt it will be a very good BD.iso, BDMV or Blu-ray disc player.
This is what i can see from the specs alone but i maybe wrong cause i haven't got a chance to play with one of them.

Hope my explanations are good enough

Ermmm.... Atom CPU aren't graded for those kind of games. The only games i heard ppl run on Acer Revo are like emulator games (SNES, Megadrive, MAME)

Link --> http://forum.xbmc.org/showthread.php?t=72656

To run the more newer games in the market (Dirt2, Need for speed, Starcraft II so on) i think a C2D/Athlon with nvidia 96xx serries/ ATI 47xx series is required for a smooth gameplay (albeit at lower resolution).

That's why in my previous post i said the Acer Revo has some limitations compared to a full fledged custom HTPC (which usually contain a better CPU/GPU combination).

Acer Revo is more suited for ppl who just wanna play HD mkv's streamed/stored on the HDD or Network.

NP Glad to be of assistance

Iam using my Acer laptop to play blu-ray disc with its own player (Acer Arcade Deluxe) atm, but at first when i playback some disc, windows did prompt me to unblock the application for internet access (BD Live function i guess) but the player was full screen and was covering the pop up window and it would freeze the player and disc. I had to Alt+Tab to the pop-up and unblock it and it went smooth afterward. Maybe your having the same problem?

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Added on May 3, 2010, 2:34 amWhy not go a step up and get Yamaha RX-V465 or similiar range product? (Pioneer VSX-819 or Onkyo SR507) cause they support 5.1 and also DTS/MA and DD TrueHD. Having those might be able to help you save on upgrades later (AVR are very costly to upgrade).

On the speakers side i think the Yamaha NS-P280 are sub standard speaker set. Its okay to use them for the moment (cash constrains maybe?) but you'll be looking for upgrades very soon. Maybe give the Onkyo SKF-330 a try? Pucca selling them for RM100 for 5 speaker set and so far no complain from the buyers.

On the subwoofer side i think you can get a pretty cheap nice one by searching the LYN forums, Mudah.my or Hifi4sale blog (will include the links later).

I think its best you go check out some other brands for comparison as there is alot of selection out there.

Pucca's Onkyo Speaker Thread --> http://forum.lowyat.net/index.php?showtopic=1341807&hl=

Mudah.my --> http://www.mudah.my/

Hihi4sale --> http://hifi4salesmalaysia.blogspot.com/

Hope i did not complicate things for you but i think you should really find a set that you prefer and fully satisfy with, rather than go into impulse buying and regret later. Just my 2 cents

This post has been edited by netherlord: May 3 2010, 02:34 AM

If Atom + Ion can do HD mkv, then surely your set mention above is overkill (Ignore the pun ) but for BD iso, BDMV and also Blu-ray disc i suppose your gonna add in a blu-ray drive? then you should have no problem getting anything running on it (but be sure to get all the correct codecs).

Just take note that BD content (iso, BDMV) consumes alot of space (around 35-45GB per disc), your 640GB HDD might not last you a long time if you tend to collect movies alot (13 show max) maybe upgrade to a 1.5TB might be better in the long run.

A rough note on a i3 spec pc is around RM1.2K, was last quoted by me by a shop in LYP (sorry couldn't remember the parts i3 Processor, mobo, 4GB ram, 1.5TB HDD, normal ATX, 400w Power supply, ATI 5850)

thanks, really appreciate ur effort, i have also came across one of ur thread that u were setting up HT system as well. Mind telling me what AVR u chose in the end? TQVM. How much is the pioneer VSX-819, RX-V465, Onkyo SR507 or Marantz 5003 which i came across. For Marantz 5003 only cost around 1.3k i can still grab Puccas Sat speaker rm100 and still make myself within 2k budget.



I'm using Pioneer VSX-919AH-K with Onkyo SKF-330 and Infinity Servo SSW-10 Subwoffer. All in all cost me RM2250 (RM1800 for AVR, RM100 for Speaker, RM350 for Sub)
All are 2nd hand except the speaker (might get another set to make it 7.1). Always remember to test 2nd hand units or ask for 5-7 days of personal warranty if the original warranty is over for testing period.

Last i asked, Yamaha RX-V465 was RM1.5K in Legend Jalan Klang Lama, i guess you should allocate RM1.5K to 1.8K for all the choices mention above. Yamaha, Pioneer, Onkyo are the more popular brands while Denon and Marantz are available at more specialized shops (Popular as in shop carrying them). Try to look around Harvey Norman to get an idea on how much those are, but they usually come bundle with speaker set so you have to dig abit deeper for the AVR price.

I been to Desa HT in Kepong and got quoted RM1.8K for Onkyo SR507 with an Onkyo Subwoofer (forgot the model).

To whichever model you chosen, i hope that your fully satisfied with your purchase. Never regret and make the best of what you got .

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Added on May 4, 2010, 10:15 amOps . haha not ATI 5850 but ATI 4850 hehe sorry for the mistake

I kinda forgot which shop was that. Was just running around like a headless chicken getting quotes for my freind. I guess all the pricing should be similar (except for the diff of RM10-30).

This post has been edited by netherlord: May 4 2010, 10:15 AM

I think the model is Silverstone LC 17, there one display on C-Zone Level 2 at LYP but i didn't see the price for it.

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Added on May 4, 2010, 10:08 pmWhats the extension of the file? i know some cctv files can only be read if you installed their software or use their USB Key something. MY freind has one of those CCTV, very troublesome. In order to view the cctv footage from another pc, you have to purchase extra license or their USB thingy.

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Added on May 4, 2010, 11:04 pmThe whole CPU excluding Monitor, Keynoard/Mouse. Casing is normal china RM80 casing i think lol.

Sorry for the late reply, missed that one

This post has been edited by netherlord: May 4 2010, 11:04 PM

LOL August its way bit off since AVR upgrades are coming along like freak trains on steroids (From DD / DTS to DD TrueHD / DTS-MA to 3D). By August i think you can get a 2nd hand 3D AVR .

True but if he were to plan so far ahead (getting AVR with pre-out and getting amps for his speakers) would blow him way out of his budget. Let him get his 1st AVR, then we can poison him kau kau

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Added on May 7, 2010, 1:26 amBTW since this is HTPC thread, I have a question.

Is anyone here using XBMC? if so have you tried running BD iso, BVMV on it?

I was only successful in running M2TS file (if the whole show is under 1 file). Running index file seem to cause problems.

If there is anyone who is successful in running the files, can you share your experience here and also steps on how to configure XBMC for it?

This post has been edited by netherlord: May 7 2010, 01:26 AM

Well think of it like Ferari and Lamboghini , Its either the Agile Horse or the Angry Bull, Neither one would be a bad choice if the steering wheel is in your hands.

Nivida has more supporters (Games and such) and ATI has more functionality (Bitstream). Neither would be a bad choice in a HTPC. Iam pretty happy with the 9600M GT in my laptop that iam using as a Part-Time HTPC. Although i wouldn't mind having a 58xx inside my Desktop for actual DD TrueHD / DTS-MA bitstreaming.

Just my dua cent

Atm iam running a C2D with Gigabyte MB + Nvidia 8800 GT so buying a new proc/mb isn't a good choice for me but upgrading my GC to ATI is , so far i converted my rig into a NAS server for my laptop so i can bring it out to the living and back into my room easily. If i can get bitstream from 58xx then i'll set my laptop to my living room and use my desktop as a full time HTPC rig fpor my bedroom.

Seems to me that problem might be a software/codec problem don't me on that thought

I found in anandtech forum the link in AVS for discussing the i3, i5 and i7 processor and H55 (HD + Bitstream), but too long for me to read thru now

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=1172451

Anyone who need more info on Core i and H55 will get more than enough info from that link i think but beware, alot of technical jargon inside

Have fun

Wahh nice ones, the only plague i have for my HT room is stuck to my teeth

Back to topic, have you notice any difference when using normal platter HDD with SSD? i.e Loading of movie files mkvs exceeding 25GB

I notice some different when i borrowed my freind SSD to play around for a day (Starting up the XBMC and loading of the movie) and was impress with the performance, but put off for the price. Might consider it later on for my new HTPC once my room have finish renovating.

My "Planned" build (Don't laugh pls )

Intel Core i5 650
Gigabyte H55M-S2H
4 GB RAM
CoolerMaster 500W Extreme Power
Carbon Black Chieftec Dragon (This has been lying unused for over a year already)
4 GB RAM
2 X 1.5TB Seagate (For My HTPC Media)
1 X 1TB W.D. Green (64MB) (For Other PC stuff)
1 X 500GB Samsung (For OS Win7 and Ubuntu XBMC) or 1 X Intel X25-V SSD 40GB (Ubuntu XBMC)

Hope to get this done in 1 month's time when i move into my newly re-designed room

Thanks for the suggestion, will look into CM 550W later. Yeah SSD still too expensive to get now, but if only used for Loading OS and Application then i think 40GB is enough but still abit expensive at RM400++ for 40GB. Will see how my budget go when i actually go get the items. For now i can only look and drool looking at accs_center pics

Ops sorry for the late reply, has a little accident yesterday, fell and dislocated my ankle. Today after proper X-Ray doctor says there's a hairline fracture found and my leg would need casting once the swell is gone. So i guess the sneak preview would have to wait. Will be back in action within 6-8 weeks



My sneak Preview for now

Thanks i hope so too