I kinda still want an HD extender, but don't really need as much now.

[ybrew]

So I couldn't wait.

Building a media pc based off of Shuttle's sg33g5


I'll initially use the onboard video (comes with HDMI out) along with an e6750, 2gig of ram, and a seagate 250g drive.
This will go in my media room connected to my projector.
I've been using comcast's DVR up there for the past several months and that was fine, but - 99% of the stuff I watch up there is still regular TV, and once you get hooked on the commercial skip, watching without it sucks.

When I first started using sage, the idea of watching on a PC wasn't as appealing, primarily due to the lack of smooth ff, but with commercial skip, that's a non-issue.
I will record some stuff in HD, but the locals covers almost everything I care about.

I'm returning comcast's DVR as soon as this is ready to go. I've primarily been using it to record TV, and have recorded a few movies, but I've got netflix for that and HD Movies on comcast really aren't that much better than good upconverted DVDs, so I don't think I'll miss anything there.

I also plan to do a bit of gaming with this. First on the agenda is Flightsim X at 119". I've got a wireless joystick so I'm all set there.
I may end up putting in a gaming video card. I'll see how the on-board is first and go from there.

My only real question though...Primary purpose of this box is SageTV Client. I'll use it for more than that, but Sage comes first.
My server is running XP Pro. I'm considering running Vista Ultimate on this box. Any reason I shouldn't? I wouldn't mess with vista on my server, but on this client, especially connected to a 119" screen, the vista bells and whistles might be nice. I've seen a few reports of folks running vista for clients. Anything i need to know about before I set this up?

[mohanman]

I am currently using vista in my mac mini client. It's okay. It is definatley not as stable as XP. But the reason I went with vista, is I noticed that the computer goes to sleep much more often than with XP which is what I want when there is inactivity. I really wish there were HD exteners with built in dvd players so we wouldnt have to worry about all this stuff, but with the HD extender I doubt you could game on it. However, I use my ps3/xbox 360/ and wii for the gaming. Can't beat console gaming to a degree.

Mo!

[ybrew]

Originally Posted by mohanman

However, I use my ps3/xbox 360/ and wii for the gaming. Can't beat console gaming to a degree.

Mo!

Eventually I'll get a 360. I'm just trying to justify this to myself!
But seriously though - looking forward to FlightSimulator X on a 119" screen.
Don't think you can do that with any console yet.

[mohanman]

I used to do a lot of pc gaming. However, I got sick of trying to find the right resolutions for plasma/lcd/projector, there really isn't any kind of force feedback, and games like that require high system requirements. So I gave up on spending a few hundred dollars every few months to upgrade my pc and settled with a 360. Best decision I ever made. You can use headset with 360 easily, chat with friends, download demos, watch movies etc. I wouldn't use it as an extender, that is what sage is for, but as far as gaming you can't go wrong with Gears of War, upcoming Halo 3, this new bioshock. The games are unbelievable, and trust me, much more fun with a rumble game pad that pc lacks most of the time.

Then there is the wii! Resident evil 4, one of the best games I ever played. Can't get that on pc.

But if you are only into flight sims, then stick with that. But if you have that much money to spend on that computer you just got, get a 360, it's way worth it.

Mo!

[mohanman]

Correction, you can get Resident evil 4 for pc, but without the wii remote it isn't as good.

[paulbeers]

Resident Evil 4 for the Wii is the bees knees....one of the best ways I ever spent 30 bucks.

[EzCo]

I like the G5 series Shuttle but Shuttle just announced a G6 model which looks very promising with WLAN, Bluetooth, fingerprint scanner etc (if you go for the Delux model that is). See:
http://www.casedesigns.net/mini/shut...cool-features/

[mohanman]

If I were you, I would just wait for an HD extender. get a 360 now, save your money and get one once they come out. I just can't tell you for sure if they are coming out or not. Then get a nice remote like a mx-950 (thats the one i use) and one button switches your whole system between things like watch tv, sage tv, play 360 etc.

Lates!
Mo

[ybrew]

Watching my first show on the projector with commercial skip made it all worthwhile.

The comcast DVR is going back probably tomorrow.
The shuttle form-factor is a tad limiting, but for a media center PC, it's perfect. Very quiet and very simple to get up and running. Without case mods, I can't put an 8800 card in there, but an 8600GTS is more than adequate.

I may eventually still get an xbox 360, but I'm quite content now.