HTPC for Dirac DLBC and replace AVR

[DWPress]

Costs around $240 on Amazon, is fanless, dead quiet, and can be controlled with a Logitech wireless keyboard (around $20).

Compelling argument for Windows if that's what you're already comfortable with. Cheers @phoenixdogfan

 

[phoenixdogfan]

Interesting. How do you control Jriver; with remote control or just like a pc with keyboard and mouse?

Logitech remote keyboard model K 400. Have had it for six years. It's plug and play with USB dongle. Will set you back around $20.

 

[phoenixdogfan]

Compelling argument for Windows if that's what you're already comfortable with. Cheers @phoenixdogfan

I thought hard about a Mac M1 Mini, but I was worried it would not do something I really wanted it to do, that Windows already does, or even something that it would hang up on. It just seemed to me that since I was familiar with Windows, I should try the Mele, and if I was dissatisfied with its performance, go for the Mac. However the Mele just works.

So as it stands, unless the Mac offers me some new wonderful home theater siperpower (like decoding streaming Atmos feeds and outputting them as 16 channel USB LPCM) I plan to stick with the Windows machine, since it does everything I need it to do.

 

[geek101]

I thought hard about a Mac M1 Mini, but I was worried it would not do something I really wanted it to do, that Windows already does, or even something that it would hang up on. It just seemed to me that since I was familiar with Windows, I should try the Mele, and if I was dissatisfied with its performance, go for the Mac. However the Mele just works.

So as it stands, unless the Mac offers me some new wonderful home theater siperpower (like decoding streaming Atmos feeds and outputting them as 16 channel USB LPCM) I plan to stick with the Windows machine, since it does everything I need it to do.

Thanks for letting me know seems like a good deal to go with MeLe Quieter 3 , which model did you get and how much ram you are using ?. Base clock on 3D model is lower and comes with 4gb . I remember windows always being memory hungry.

 

[phoenixdogfan]

Thanks for letting me know seems like a good deal to go with MeLe Quieter 3 , which model did you get and how much ram you are using ?. Base clock on 3D model is lower and comes with 4gb . I remember windows always being memory hungry.

You want 8GB of ram. I actually ordered this one

Amazon.com

Then I ordered an NVME board, cloned the existing hard drive using Macrium Reflect and Mintool Partition Wizard.

This is the board I ordered

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0B25LQQPC/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o07_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Pro tip: If you decide to order an NVME board and unlock the Bios to clone windows on to it and make it the boot drive, there's no reason to order more than the bare bones 125 GB eMMC drive for the Mele, and Mele often discounts that particular unit to the point where it sells for under $200 b/c nobody usually wants a 125GB disk drive, but if you have the NVME, you won't need it for anything anyway.

 

[pseudoid]

What do y'awl run as the video-player HTPC program, within the OperatingSystem of your choice?

After affairs with WiMP, VLC, along with trials with most others (DivX-, KM-, PowerDVD- players, etc.), my player of choice had become BS-Player during the 1080p days.
I find that InMatrix Zoom-Player (no, not that Covid V-conf brand) to be the most HTPC friendly; if you don't mind the use of a wireless mouse for all controls.
Currently, the 5K-player is my second fave.

 

[phoenixdogfan]

What do y'awl run as the video-player HTPC program, within the OperatingSystem of your choice?

After affairs with WiMP, VLC, along with trials with most others (DivX-, KM-, PowerDVD- players, etc.), my player of choice had become BS-Player during the 1080p days.
I find that InMatrix Zoom-Player (no, not that Covid V-conf brand) to be the most HTPC friendly; if you don't mind the use of a wireless mouse for all controls.
Currently, the 5K-player is my second fave.

JRiver MC30 FTW!

 

[geek101]

JRiver MC30 FTW!

Is that like an Apple TV interface and I can use Netflix and Amazon prime etc from it ?. It seems to be a media player not an interface to streaming services .

I am thinking if it is possible for windows to boot up and always start an application that can show interface like Apple TV does and I can use remote or Xbox controller with it to navigate

 

[DWPress]

JRiver is an app but it can handle video as well as audio surround duties. Probably a way to launch apps on startup in Windows. Plex is another option for the video end (audio too if you like the interface).

 

[pseudoid]

JRiver is an app but it can handle video as well as audio surround duties. Probably a way to launch apps on startup in Windows. Plex is another option for the video end (audio too if you like the interface).

Thank you but neither 'app' does HTPC justice from the comfort of a couch for 'potatoes'! imo

The LG TV's "Magic Remote" also acts as an onscreen wireless-pointer for their WebOS screen.
There has been some buggy attempts for controlling a Windows HTPC with the LG 'wand' (example), but...

 

[phoenixdogfan]

JRiver is an app but it can handle video as well as audio surround duties. Probably a way to launch apps on startup in Windows. Plex is another option for the video end (audio too if you like the interface).

Yes, I have Jriver start up with Windows. I control it from my couch via my Logitech Keyboard. The Mele sends video via HDMI to my LG C1 and the wireless keyboard is connected via the plug and play dongle. I can do anything with JRiver from across the room from my couch b/c the 55" LG Oled display is my monitor.

 

[geek101]

Thank you but neither 'app' does HTPC justice from the comfort of a couch for 'potatoes'! imo

The LG TV's "Magic Remote" also acts as an onscreen wireless-pointer for their WebOS screen.
There has been some buggy attempts for controlling a Windows HTPC with the LG 'wand' (example), but...

I got no smart TV .

 

[geek101]

Yes, I have Jriver start up with Windows. I control it from my couch via my Logitech Keyboard. The Mele sends video via HDMI to my LG C1 and the wireless keyboard is connected via the plug and play dongle. I can do anything with JRiver from across the room from my couch b/c the 55" LG Oled display is my monitor.

Thanks , done the keyboard and mouse thing a while ago then moved on to Xbox controller and windows media player and then to Xbox and then to Apple TV. Seems like I should be able to use Xbox controller and a media player that shows all the steaming apps on windows ?. Hate to use mouse and keyboard

 

[DWPress]

Seems like a really good idea for someone to create an app that pretty much emulates an audio/video streamer. Why not have an Apple TV like interface that amalgamates all the platforms and presents? Cut into the revenue of separate boxes I suppose.

Plex seems like the closest match though I don't use it to stream just to push local media.

 

[Vacceo]

Seems like a really good idea for someone to create an app that pretty much emulates an audio/video streamer. Why not have an Apple TV like interface that amalgamates all the platforms and presents? Cut into the revenue of separate boxes I suppose.

Plex seems like the closest match though I don't use it to stream just to push local media.

That would be an excellent idea. Something like a "software-based" Nvidia Shield that used the PC as an external, phisical device.

Typically the problem with PC video APP´s is that often times, they have limitations such as not sending atmos or no 4k, but that could (and should!) be bypassed. If AMD is reading this forum and they want to compete with Nvidia on yet another front, developing that software for their GPU´s could be an interesting idea.

In fact, any PC will have a lot more horsepower than any streamer...

 

[geek101]

On a side note can I use Dirac license on windows and then later if I move on to a different machine or msc can I move the license there ?.

 

[Dougey_Jones]

I run a few Intel NUCs (8/10) in the house and one is serving strictly as HTPC hidden inside our A/V entertainment system.
Yes, (my older) NUCs have fans but it's manageable if you have the room to reduce fan noise.
I run it as a 4K feed to a 4K OLED but use the front panel-headphone (3.5mm) output to use the analog/stereo into my pre/Pro.
Although, my pre/Pro does ARC/eARC; I don't like the lip-synch issues, due to additional pre/Pro processing (=delays).
I have found that using at least 16GB of RAM (w/o going external GPU) in the NUC10 has been a satisfying solution for judder-free 4K.
NOTE: I go back to the days of the Patriot Box Office (as HTPC even before the PBO "Core") during the good old days of 1080p being the 'best'.

I've had an HTPC since the late 90's, initially using a Proton 36" SVGA TV/Monitor and then one of the first Loewe HD widescreen's.

 

[xrqp]

Yes, I have Jriver start up with Windows. I control it from my couch via my Logitech Keyboard. The Mele sends video via HDMI to my LG C1 and the wireless keyboard is connected via the plug and play dongle. I can do anything with JRiver from across the room from my couch b/c the 55" LG Oled display is my monitor.

how do you prevent OLED burn-in when you use it for web browsing, for example?

 

[pseudoid]

Is that like an Apple TV interface and I can use Netflix and Amazon prime etc from it ?

I have tried Netflix/Amazon using both a NUC10 and 2021 LG-TV and I prefer the direct network connection to the LG-TV rather than routing/processing via the NUC10 first.
The TV upconverts anything that comes in HDMI inputs to its own native resolution anyways.
(imo)

 

[phoenixdogfan]

how do you prevent OLED burn-in when you use it for web browsing, for example?

Oleds don't burn in anymore, as long as you use the proper settings. When the PC is inactive, I have a slide show of 40 or so Banksy painting which change out after 1 minute each as my screensaver.