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There is no way I'd want this for my listening area. I currently have a 1960's era couch that looks horrendous, was free from someone I know and kept on their back patio under a tarp and probably used for hobo sex, but is very comfortable. You should just sit on something where you can relax and enjoy the music.
I think this is pretty cool. As a kid I got a "kiddy" projector that ran these little films (the only one I had was a cowboy short) and I used to run it over and over on the wall in any dark room I could find. I checked out every spoke, cog and part I could get to without breaking it so that I could see how it worked. I still do that with my gadgets.
I was thinking of getting a PS3. Can anyone tell me to what degree a PS3 can be used as an HTPC with addons like PS3 Media Server and PlayOn? What are the limitations?
@PurpleMonkeyDishwasher:: I have a PS3 that I use primarily for gaming but recently I've added music and videos to it. My main problem with it is that when you add videos you have to reorganize them into folders and their icons are just the first second of the video as a screenshot (if hovered over the video starts playing). Custom screen shots can be used but it's a hassle to do and they still don't look as nice as the dvd case or poster you would get with a real HTPC.
@greenhornetc13: That's not too bad though although the first few seconds are typically a black screen. So to stream movies from a networked PC you have to keep your media folders on your PC very organized?
@PurpleMonkeyDishwasher:: I have PS3 in my bed room, and a HTPC in the living room, and to be honest I feel that the PS3 should really be relegated to secondary duty. The user interface on the PS3 is nothing like what Boxee does, and you are completely limited to videos that you have on your host PC. I you are planning on getting a PS3 and think it will be fun to use it as a video server then by all means go for it. But if you are buying it with video streaming first, gaming second... then you might want to reconsider.
As for the organization question, yes you do have to keep your folders somewhat neat, as the PS3 does not organize any of the files itself, simply display how you have saved the files on your host PC.
PurpleMonkeyDishwasher: promoted this comment
Edited by San Francisco Kid at 12/09/09 3:30 AM
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At least when I checked very briefly back when the ZinoHD came out, the upgrade costs are unexpectedly reasonable. I could have perhaps found better deals if I had spent more than 15 minutes looking up RAM on NewEgg, but at least at that point in time upgrading to 8 GB of RAM through Dell was almost identical in price as upgrading the RAM using cards purchased off of NewEgg.
Good article, but you should follow it up with a series on the software required with all of this. What would be the good software?
My particular situation:
Right now, I've got my gaming pc (with HD card with HDMI out) hooked up to my 42" HDTV. The only things I currently do with it are: 1) Hulu, 2) Netflix, 3) gaming. For TV watching, I'm currently stuck with DirectTV, but trying to escape them. Once I do, it seems like my best option would be to just get an HD broadcast antenna and hook it up to my TV through one of the other HDMI inputs. The problem with that is that I really want DVR. I know there are programs out there that can handle this (I think Giz did something on them back in March or April, maybe), but that information would be good in conjunction with this article.
I have an HP Slimline as the backbone of my HTPC setup, with Windows Media Center running the show. At $500-600, I find it's far more flexible than the $400 options, and more powerful as well.
Major caveat to the Dell Zino: It will NOT do 5.1 audio over HDMI (2.1 only) and does not have optical out. If that's not a requirement, then enjoy.
Along with other Ion options, I'll recommend the ASRock 330 Ion. $350, and the only thing it's missing is WiFi and an OS. Dual Core Atom; easily overclocks to 2.1GHz. It's been working great for me. There's also a version w/ a BD drive, if you can find it.
With Flash 10.1, Atom + Ion becomes a viable option.
it DOES do 5.1 audio over the HDMI connection with the standard integrated graphics and with the upgraded ati card it will do 7.1 audio over the HDMI connection.
There. Had to say it. Ok, so I've tried my hands on HTPCs before, but I have always found them not user friendly enough. I need something my wife will want to use as much as me. If we have to wait 1-2 minutes for boot up etc and then starting the apps and having to deal with an unfriendly UI to get to what we want to watch, we'll never use it. Someone have a suggestion?
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I'm just digging the name of it. In fact, if I have a daughter, I might name her Ballerina Sweetspot.
Scratch that...
Even if I have a son, I'll name him Ballerina Sweetspot.
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As for the organization question, yes you do have to keep your folders somewhat neat, as the PS3 does not organize any of the files itself, simply display how you have saved the files on your host PC.
12/08/09
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My particular situation:
Right now, I've got my gaming pc (with HD card with HDMI out) hooked up to my 42" HDTV. The only things I currently do with it are: 1) Hulu, 2) Netflix, 3) gaming. For TV watching, I'm currently stuck with DirectTV, but trying to escape them. Once I do, it seems like my best option would be to just get an HD broadcast antenna and hook it up to my TV through one of the other HDMI inputs. The problem with that is that I really want DVR. I know there are programs out there that can handle this (I think Giz did something on them back in March or April, maybe), but that information would be good in conjunction with this article.
12/08/09
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12/08/09
Along with other Ion options, I'll recommend the ASRock 330 Ion. $350, and the only thing it's missing is WiFi and an OS. Dual Core Atom; easily overclocks to 2.1GHz. It's been working great for me. There's also a version w/ a BD drive, if you can find it.
With Flash 10.1, Atom + Ion becomes a viable option.
12/08/09
i thought not.
it DOES do 5.1 audio over the HDMI connection with the standard integrated graphics and with the upgraded ati card it will do 7.1 audio over the HDMI connection.
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Also - Has anyone actually gotten that Dell Zino and set it up as an HTPC? I know that the specs talk the talk, but does the machine walk the walk?
12/08/09
It is a good article.
12/08/09
It is a good comment.
12/08/09
There. Had to say it. Ok, so I've tried my hands on HTPCs before, but I have always found them not user friendly enough. I need something my wife will want to use as much as me. If we have to wait 1-2 minutes for boot up etc and then starting the apps and having to deal with an unfriendly UI to get to what we want to watch, we'll never use it. Someone have a suggestion?
12/07/09