Need advice on cutting cable cost.

[hometeam]

SO I think I am finally going to get off of DTV. Going to buy out my contract on the 30th and have a windows based HTPC ready to go with XMBC etc.

Any critques, things im missing etc? I have gigabit connection so plan to stream every thing I can.

http://pcpartpicker.com/p/YWVkzy

Can always add in NAS or more internal HDD space, and expand memory if needed. Also thinking about possibly reusing an old POS case I have that has a DVD drive, so could save 30 bucks, im just planning it all out in case I decide not to go that way.

[Fish]

Originally Posted by hometeam

SO I think I am finally going to get off of DTV. Going to buy out my contract on the 30th and have a windows based HTPC ready to go with XMBC etc.

Any critques, things im missing etc? I have gigabit connection so plan to stream every thing I can.

http://pcpartpicker.com/p/YWVkzy

Can always add in NAS or more internal HDD space, and expand memory if needed. Also thinking about possibly reusing an old POS case I have that has a DVD drive, so could save 30 bucks, im just planning it all out in case I decide not to go that way.

What are you planning for input? Do you have an IR or wireless USB receiver already?

The CPU/GPU you got limits you to a max HDMI resolution of 1920x1200. If you bumped up to the FM2+ chipset you'd be 4K compatible. If that interests you..

[hometeam]

Originally Posted by Fish

What are you planning for input? Do you have an IR or wireless USB receiver already?

The CPU/GPU you got limits you to a max HDMI resolution of 1920x1200. If you bumped up to the FM2+ chipset you'd be 4K compatible. If that interests you..

I am going to plug HDMI directly into my main TV, and use my chromecast for the TV in the bedroom.

Not interested in going 4k in the slightest. Im being cheap, which includes not spending money upgrading tvs.

If by input you are talking about a remote I looked into them a bit but not sure what im going to need, was thinking of just using a wireless keyboard/mouse combo from the couch.

[Fish]

Originally Posted by hometeam

I am going to plug HDMI directly into my main TV, and use my chromecast for the TV in the bedroom.

Not interested in going 4k in the slightest. Im being cheap, which includes not spending money upgrading tvs.

If by input you are talking about a remote I looked into them a bit but not sure what im going to need, was thinking of just using a wireless keyboard/mouse combo from the couch.

Yeah, I'm not real big on 4K yet either, just throwing that out there.

Regarding input... Something like this works well and isn't as bulky....

http://www.amazon.com/Logitech-Wirel...ckpad+keyboard

[NewChief]

Originally Posted by Fish

Yeah, I'm not real big on 4K yet either, just throwing that out there.

Regarding input... Something like this works well and isn't as bulky....

http://www.amazon.com/Logitech-Wirel...ckpad+keyboard

That's what I have, and I like it.

[ragedogg69]

Originally Posted by NewChief

That's what I have, and I like it.

As do I. My only complaints is it does not have dedicated media player buttons. So you will have to know some keyboard commands for XBMC... (sigh) Kodi.


As for the A6, I have one from the FM1 days. I will say it is probably the slowest processor I would want to use with (sigh) Kodi that will do anything (Media) you can throw at it. Those AMD APU are perfect for this type stuff, but I am excited to compare it to my Fire TV I just got.

[NewChief]

Originally Posted by ragedogg69

As do I. My only complaints is it does not have dedicated media player buttons. So you will have to know some keyboard commands for XBMC... (sigh) Kodi.


As for the A6, I have one from the FM1 days. I will say it is probably the slowest processor I would want to use with (sigh) Kodi that will do anything (Media) you can throw at it. Those AMD APU are perfect for this type stuff, but I am excited to compare it to my Fire TV I just got.

My other issue is that for some reason, there are times when the special characters on the keyboard don't work, which is infuriating when trying to enter in urls and such for repo sources. I think that since I've switched to Gotham, it's been all good, though.

[Baby Lee]

Originally Posted by NewChief

That's what I have, and I like it.

Are there many really vital features to a touchpad in 8.1 over a KB/Mouse combo, particularly one with a decent array of multimedia keys?

I have these two, and switch back and forth.

Rocketfish Bluetooth Combo



Microsoft Wireless Combo 3000

[NewChief]

Originally Posted by Baby Lee

Are there many really vital features to a touchpad in 8.1 over a KB/Mouse combo, particularly one with a decent array of multimedia keys?

I have these two, and switch back and forth.

Rocketfish Bluetooth Combo



Microsoft Wireless Combo 3000

I don't think so, no. The main reason I like the keyboard with touchpad is that it's only one piece to keep up with. I can also recline with it in my lap or whatever without having to have a flat surface on which to place the mouse.

[ragedogg69]

Originally Posted by hometeam

SO I think I am finally going to get off of DTV. Going to buy out my contract on the 30th and have a windows based HTPC ready to go with XMBC etc.

Any critques, things im missing etc? I have gigabit connection so plan to stream every thing I can.

http://pcpartpicker.com/p/YWVkzy

Can always add in NAS or more internal HDD space, and expand memory if needed. Also thinking about possibly reusing an old POS case I have that has a DVD drive, so could save 30 bucks, im just planning it all out in case I decide not to go that way.

Well, this is just my preliminary thoughts on the Fire TV Stick but I have some questions:
Does your TV do 1080p?
Does your wifi have N Speeds?
If you plan on having your own DVD/TV Show rips, can they be put on another computer?
Do you have $25?

If you said yes to all of the above, then get a Fire TV Stick. Staples and Best Buy will have them on sale this weekend. This thing is speedier than my A6, but my single band N wifi is what holds it back when streaming my library on my network.

This is by far the best value streaming box I have played with.