General HTPC Software Questions

[Aikouka]

I rebuilt a PC as a HTPC to use in my bedroom since I threw a TV in there. I used to just use Media Player Classic and open this manually, but I decided to go back to trying Windows Media Center with Windows 7.

But, I've got a few questions and I wasn't able to find any answers on Google or whatever:

1) I noticed that it seems that WMC plug-ins (such as TMT3 or PowerDVD10) don't seem to take up the entire screen... it's like WMC only gives them 80% of the screen to use. Is there any way to push them out?

2) It seems while I watch a Blu-Ray with PowerDVD, it will cache data on the HDD, is this true? While watching one, it's easy to notice the HDD and BDROM activity LEDs flashing in unison. This is problematic because I use an Intel 40GB SSD in my HTPC and I don't want constant writes to it.

3) Any opinions on PowerDVD 10 vs TotalMedia Theatre 3? I noticed that PowerDVD seems to load much faster (5 seconds vs 20 seconds) and TMT3 crashed at the beginning of the Bourne Ultimatum credits. Note that I am currently just using the trials.

I appreciate your knowledge dump .

Also, any opinions on a relatively cheap, but good WMC-compatible remote? I've just been using a wireless keyboard ( which does work fairly well ).

 

[jdjbuffalo]

I rebuilt a PC as a HTPC to use in my bedroom since I threw a TV in there. I used to just use Media Player Classic and open this manually, but I decided to go back to trying Windows Media Center with Windows 7.

But, I've got a few questions and I wasn't able to find any answers on Google or whatever:

1) I noticed that it seems that WMC plug-ins (such as TMT3 or PowerDVD10) don't seem to take up the entire screen... it's like WMC only gives them 80% of the screen to use. Is there any way to push them out?

2) It seems while I watch a Blu-Ray with PowerDVD, it will cache data on the HDD, is this true? While watching one, it's easy to notice the HDD and BDROM activity LEDs flashing in unison. This is problematic because I use an Intel 40GB SSD in my HTPC and I don't want constant writes to it.

3) Any opinions on PowerDVD 10 vs TotalMedia Theatre 3? I noticed that PowerDVD seems to load much faster (5 seconds vs 20 seconds) and TMT3 crashed at the beginning of the Bourne Ultimatum credits. Note that I am currently just using the trials.

I appreciate your knowledge dump .

Also, any opinions on a relatively cheap, but good WMC-compatible remote? I've just been using a wireless keyboard ( which does work fairly well ).

1. I don't have that problem with TMT3 but I've heard of others with that issue.

2. You don't need to worry about the constant writes. I've seen the numbers for the Intel SSDs (160GB) and it would take well over 5 years of writing 20GB a day to even come close to worrying about it wearing out. I'm on the very conservative end here. I'm fairly certain it would last a lot longer than that.

3. Most people I've talked to prefer TMT3. I talked to a lot of them before choosing which to purchase. I have yet to try PowerDVD since I don't see the point in trying a new solution when I'm plenty happen with TMT3.

Those load numbers don't seem right, especially with an SSD. I'm using TMT3 on two computers, my main computer with and SSD and my HTPC with a 250GB SATA mechanical drive. On my main computer it takes about 1-3 seconds to load. On my HTPC it takes about 5-8 seconds from within Media Center.

The TMT3 crash in Bourne Ultimatum is a known issue. It is rare that a Blu-ray will cause a crash in the software but it does happen.

 

[notposting]

Also...isn't the HD light more of a "activity on the storage controller" light?

not sure on the rest but hack7mc.com and/or thegreenbutton.com probably has it covered.

 

[Zaap]

Also, any opinions on a relatively cheap, but good WMC-compatible remote? I've just been using a wireless keyboard ( which does work fairly well ).

I can't recommend this Gyration remote enough.

Yes, you can find cheaper IR remotes in the $20-$30 range, but consider that IR requires line of sight and can be a real PITA having to aim the remote at a specific point for key commands to register. With this remote, (RF) you don't have to aim it, merely gesture and the gyro function controls the cursor. It's a WMC-specific remote with the green-button + WMC nav buttons, but it also works for any program.

Also, you won't need any other remote cluttering your space, as it's an IR universal learning remote that will also control your TV and stereo. Hands down, it's my favorite PC remote. It used to cost twice as much, and was worth that, but at half the price it's a steal.

 

[Aikouka]

1. I don't have that problem with TMT3 but I've heard of others with that issue.

I was finally able to figure this out when I found some random thread on it:

http://forum.wegotserved.com/index.php?/topic/11570-powerdvd-ultra-9-not-playing-full-screen/

Apparently, my Samsung 46" DLP does not overscan the 720p picture, but WMC underscans to compensate for it. So I had to change it from HDTV to Flat Panel as the person in the thread did. I think I tried this before, but I never told it to "Preview Automatic Adjustments."

I tried out normal videos (especially videos with subtitles) and the videos do not appear to be cropped (as in their subs were in the same spot regardless of the "zoom factor").

My other HDTV, on the other hand, does overscan a bit, which is quite annoying .

2. You don't need to worry about the constant writes. I've seen the numbers for the Intel SSDs (160GB) and it would take well over 5 years of writing 20GB a day to even come close to worrying about it wearing out. I'm on the very conservative end here. I'm fairly certain it would last a lot longer than that.

I guess it might not be much of an issue, but I did submit a ticket to Cyberlink asking if that's what's going on.

3. Most people I've talked to prefer TMT3. I talked to a lot of them before choosing which to purchase. I have yet to try PowerDVD since I don't see the point in trying a new solution when I'm plenty happen with TMT3.

Those load numbers don't seem right, especially with an SSD. I'm using TMT3 on two computers, my main computer with and SSD and my HTPC with a 250GB SATA mechanical drive. On my main computer it takes about 1-3 seconds to load. On my HTPC it takes about 5-8 seconds from within Media Center.[/quote]

Heh, the one benefit of TMT3 is that right now it's about $35 cheaper than PDVD10 (Ultra) .

The numbers I'm quoting are how long it takes the software to load the actual blu-ray disc. When I was researching both programs, I heard other people talk about the differences in disc load time as well and I've definitely seen this.

If you're curious about the drive I'm using ( which I have no idea if that would really matter ), it's:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16827135205

The TMT3 crash in Bourne Ultimatum is a known issue. It is rare that a Blu-ray will cause a crash in the software but it does happen.

I think I've heard that Cyberlink is faster at updating PowerDVD than Arcsoft is at updating TMT3 for any issues... is that true? I mean, I poked around Cyberlink's website last night and there's an update that allows PDVD to play Avatar (quite a few players had issues with this one).

Also...isn't the HD light more of a "activity on the storage controller" light?

not sure on the rest but hack7mc.com and/or thegreenbutton.com probably has it covered.

While it could technically be something else that is accessing my disk, the in-tandem blinking is what is making me wonder what exactly is causing so much disk access.

Oh and thanks for those websites... I found a few interesting articles on MKV subtitles and a few plugins that should prove beneficial!

EDIT:

I can't recommend this Gyration remote enough.

Yes, you can find cheaper IR remotes in the $20-$30 range, but consider that IR requires line of sight and can be a real PITA having to aim the remote at a specific point for key commands to register. With this remote, (RF) you don't have to aim it, merely gesture and the gyro function controls the cursor. It's a WMC-specific remote with the green-button + WMC nav buttons, but it also works for any program.

Also, you won't need any other remote cluttering your space, as it's an IR universal learning remote that will also control your TV and stereo. Hands down, it's my favorite PC remote. It used to cost twice as much, and was worth that, but at half the price it's a steal.

That's an interesting looking solution. With that, I could probably ditch my old Logitech Cordless MX Duo and maybe pick up some keyboard just for the times when I need to type (I could just use the keyboard from the MX Duo, but the docking station is a bit obtuse...).

Is eBay the best place to purchase that? I noticed that auction is for an OEM model.

 

[Zaap]

Is eBay the best place to purchase that? I noticed that auction is for an OEM model.

Most online retailers no longer carry it- at least not newegg, TigerDirect, others I checked.

I found the Gyration 4101 at Amazon for $60- however, it's a different model with an LCD screen for iPod-like music controls. While that sounds cool, I've read that it doesn't work all that great- the music function, not the rest of the remote- (seems redundant to me anyway) and therefore it seems it just makes the remote needlessly bigger.

Meanwhile, I notice the 3101 model still sells for $114- confirms my suspicions a bit that it's the more sought after model without the LCD bulk.

Not sure what if any problem this being OEM would be- I needed an extra one myself so ordered it from ebay.

 

[Aikouka]

Not sure what if any problem this being OEM would be- I needed an extra one myself so ordered it from ebay.

I have no qualms with OEM, I was just wondering if anyone else sold the OEM version so I wouldn't have to use eBay . I'll make sure to put that on my "to buy" list, but it'll have to go behind a few more expensive items !

 

[notposting]

As far as the activity lights, what I meant was that:

assuming by BDROM light you mean the one on the drive itself;
assuming by HD light you mean the one on the pc front panel you have plugged into the motherboard;

If the BDROM is reading...the activity light on the front panel will blink also because I'm pretty sure it's not a 'HD' activity light, it's a 'storage controller' light. Any device plugged in and using your IDE/SATA will be causing this light to blink.