Digital Media Hub

[Swytch]

Im planning on converting my PC into a digital media hub, and was looking for advice on how to get the best quality output from my PC (is it possible to get same quality as i would from a DVD Player, etc.?)

also what software is good for playing/organizing video files?

anything i need to consider if planning on havign HD content?

Thank you,
-Swytch

[yoda313]

For video make sure your using a video card that has a dvi output and your input source accepts dvi. That will ensure top video quality.

Also get a soundcard that has optical/coaxial digital outputs. That way you can output full digital surround sound too

Good luck.

[Swytch]

what about component video out? or converting dvi to component video?

i know dvi is optimal, my computers currently have dvi output, and my projector (what it will be hooked up to) has dvi input, but what im worried about is the cost of the 50 foot cable it will require.

[bits]

You do not necessarily need to go the HTPC route in order to view video, photos and music from your PC. You may want to investigate something like the Hauppague MediaMVP or IO Data Linkplayer2 and there are others. They are networked media players.

I can view WMVHD(Without DRM), DivX, DivXHD, HD ts, DV Avi, and mpeg file formats that are on my HDD on my wide screen TV(SD is upscaled and photos can be viewed in HD if they are shot at high resolution), which is on the other side of my house from where my PC is located. I have a Linkplayer that is networked to my PC via a LAN cable. The Linkplayer does all the work! I can capture TV shows to my HDD (I use a Hauppague PVR250) while watching a show that is on my HDD and cruise the internet all at the same time.

The main advantages to this approach in my opinion are:
* No noisy PC in the living room
* Lower cost to implement
* Very easy setup, less complicated
* Video card and audio card do not need to be high end
* The PC can be a long distance away from the TV
* It frees my PC up to do other things during peak viewing times, which means I only need (1) pc not two.

Just some food for thought.

[Swytch]

thank you, that actually sounds like a interesting solution, i was going to use my dish hd dvr (planning on upgrading, may switch to directv) to record and watch tv as normal, and then the shows i want to keep i would transfer somehow or recapture (i need a capture card) on my pc for later viewing off my pc... this PC being free for use is not intirely necessary....

anyhow, with this all in mind, if i were to go the route of a linkplayer, what method would you suggest to get recordings on my HD?

[redwudz]

I use a low cost ATI Radeon 9550 video card, output from DVI through a ATI DVI to Component adapter and then to a video projector for display. This setup will only work with a few video cards, mostly ATI Radeons.

But you wouldn't want to run that much component cable. Besides being expensive, you might have interference/display problems. I just set up a second computer in the front room and keep the cables short.

[Swytch]

well the reason for my long cables is because i have my receiver and video games/dvd player all hooked up in front of my couch below my screen, but my projector is set up behind my couch, so i need a long cable between the receiver and the projector, i am looking into some options for moving all my equipment behind the couch, but i dont think this will work without pushing the couch too close to the screen (i need a walkway behind the couch), and i willing to spend the money one one long cable if needed (currently running a long svideo and quality is great)

[redwudz]

OK, that makes sense. I use a 25 foot cable that carries component to the projector. (You must have a large room.) If you end up with a 50 foot cable, shop carefully.

I would try a company like Belkin or one of the major cable manufacturers. I wouldn't recommend Monster brand as it would probably cost more than your projector. Something around $60US or a little more would seem reasonable.

For a component switch box, I use a Radio Shack video/stereo switcher and just use all three inputs for each component channel. I believe it has 4 inputs. Good switcher for about $20US.

[Swytch]

yeah i know a site (hdtvsupply.com) that does long cables and preserves signal (they do all sorts of tests) and they are reasonably priced. my audio receiver actually switch video also (has several component video inputs and one output), so i dont beleive i need a switcher, altho i beleuve i will want to convert dvi out from my comp to component to plug into recieiver else i will need a 50 foot component and a 50 foot dvi... or i suppose i could convert the componenet out from teh receiver to dvi and have a dvi switch box to plug taht and my comp into and then 50 foot dvi from taht to projector... hmmmm....

[Swytch]

actually i think its more like a 35 foot cable i need...

[Danno100]

To bits;

I was interested in the Linkplayer2 (LP2) but find info tough to obtain. I already have 2 DSM-320's but want to move into HD, either with the DSM-520 or Linkplayer2. How does the LP2 handle remote browsing, i.e. java and other plug-ins? Does the firmware handle this directly, or the server application? Can the LP2 handle Nero encoded MP4 video, especially H.264? Finally, can the LP2 handle large audio libraries, something like 50,000+ tracks? It looks like the LP2 is UPnP compatible, if so, have you tried other server software applications such as TVersity? Thanks.

[bits]

Danno100 wrote:

To bits;
I was interested in the Linkplayer2 (LP2) but find info tough to obtain. I already have 2 DSM-320's but want to move into HD, either with the DSM-520 or Linkplayer2. How does the LP2 handle remote browsing, i.e. java and other plug-ins? Does the firmware handle this directly, or the server application? Can the LP2 handle Nero encoded MP4 video, especially H.264? Finally, can the LP2 handle large audio libraries, something like 50,000+ tracks? It looks like the LP2 is UPnP compatible, if so, have you tried other server software applications such as TVersity? Thanks.

How does the LP2 handle remote browsing, i.e. java and other plug-ins?

Not sure what you mean by remote browsing. You add the folders you want to browse to the server software that comes with the LP2. These folders are browsed much like you would look through a file tree. I currently run Linkplayer Server, Advanced Linkplayer Server and Windows Media Connect.

Does the firmware handle this directly, or the server application?

I think it is combination of both.

Can the LP2 handle Nero encoded MP4 video, especially H.264?

I have not tried it and it is not listed in their manual as a video format it accepts, however I will give it a shot.

Finally, can the LP2 handle large audio libraries, something like 50,000+ tracks?

Wow I did not think there was that much music on the planet! I do not know the answer. My guess is that you would need to be somewhat clever in how you set the file system up. The LP2 is not particulary fast when it comes to paging throug lots of files. It typically displays 10-12 files at a time alphabetically, so if you had say 500 files it may take a while to get to the files that start with 't' for example.

It looks like the LP2 is UPnP compatible, if so, have you tried other server software applications such as TVersity? Thanks

It does support UPnP but I have not tried with TVersity. I have tried it with BeyondTV version 4 and the LP2 recognized it but I have not explored it very much.

I have not had any problems with my LP2 and I am quite happy with it but it is clear from their forum that the DVD player is weak and their support is poor. There is a history of firmware updates that fixed one thing but broke something else. I did not buy the LP2 for the DVD player and I rarely use it, so at least at the moment that does not concern me.

The LP2 does play 720p and 1080i but not 1080p. As shipped it does not upconvert SD but there is realatively easy mod that is well documented on the AVS forum that enables upconverting.

My suggestion is the hang out on the IO Data forum.

What has your experience been with the DSM-320?

[Danno100]

Once you understand the limitations of the DSM-320 it is very good. TVersity is the best server software for the DSM. You can have large MP3 libraries and it is very fast to sort through folders or tags. Photo slideshows with music is OK (no Ken Burns effect). MP4 video (i.e Nero simple profile) playback is perfect with wired connection (wireless with video is a question). Doesn't work with some odd version sof DivX or XVID. DSM firmware includes a link to Live365.com, Napster, etc. If use use vob video, you'll get 5.1 using the digital audio out.

TVersity adds about 1,500 streaming audio stations, and about 150 video streaming video channels. Tversity is a beta product and free. With a fast CPU, TVersity will transcode, allowing virtually anything that WMP can play to play on the DSM-320.

The DSM-320 has composite, component, and S-Video out. Video output is very good in my opinion, much superior to the Media MVP box.

What you don't get on the DSM-320 (but you do on the DSM-520) is hi-def. Since it is only UPnP V1.0, there is no web browsing, skins, audio visualizations,etc. D-link support is virtually non-existent. Overall, I am a happy customer.