Windows alternatives for HTPC

[Acanthus]

Hi all, im looking to build a new HTPC and move my main rig back into the computer room.

I've been kind of put out by windows lately doing stupid things (activation issues on a legit key, thrashing the HD at times when it makes no sense at all, random performance and interface annoyances)

What options do i have for an HTPC OS?

My requirements are:
1080p playback, the ability to rip a blu ray, internet browsing and streaming netflix, hulu, youtube, and other streaming services via chrome or firefox, a decent looking interface, very high stability, low cost.

Please don't say "linux" i need to know specific distros or specific software that can help me reach this lofty goal.

I am willing to tailor the hardware of the HTPC to an OS if needed. AMD hardware preferred for cost reasons.

Thanks in advance for any advice guys, i'm very in the dark about non-windows HTPCs.

 

[Steltek]

Here is a recent article on building a linux-based media center PC:

http://www.extremetech.com/article2/0,2845,2367455,00.asp

The OS used in the article is Mythbuntu: http://www.mythbuntu.org/

 

[Acanthus]

Here is a recent article on building a linux-based media center PC:

http://www.extremetech.com/article2/0,2845,2367455,00.asp

The OS used in the article is Mythbuntu: http://www.mythbuntu.org/

Thanks! I'll give it a read.

I've read some things but all of the articles are from 2004-2006. There is very little recent information.

 

[Binky]

The OP's requirements make it pretty clear that a Win7 machine is the best solution.

 

[TheStu]

Can linux playback BluRays and DVDs reliably?

If you do go AMD, I would recommend getting an aftermarket cooler unless you really don't care about noise. I have noticed that current intel CPUs have almost silent coolers whereas the AMD ones definitely are not. Maybe I am just more sensitive to it than others, but I would want a 'silent' HTPC not an 'almost silent' one.

 

[Acanthus]

Can linux playback BluRays and DVDs reliably?

If you do go AMD, I would recommend getting an aftermarket cooler unless you really don't care about noise. I have noticed that current intel CPUs have almost silent coolers whereas the AMD ones definitely are not. Maybe I am just more sensitive to it than others, but I would want a 'silent' HTPC not an 'almost silent' one.

I have an AMD watercooling setup that will be totally silent, noise shouldnt be an issue.

I can't find any information on linux + blu ray. I do know that VLC will playback blu ray if you have the proper codecs installed, and that VLC is available for linux. Without trying it I would have no idea if there are any hangups with that though.

I can rip the blu rays on a windows machine and just the linux box for a library of HD movies if that is a problem.

 

[Binky]

To my knowledge, Blu-Ray playback on any Linux distro is only marginally possible. There is no put-the-disc-in-and-play-it option. The only option is essentially a hack that plays the disc through VNC and it is much more complicated than in windows. This will absolutely kill your WAF if that's an issue for you.

I believe that netflix streaming is also more iffy since its in Silverlight and the last time I tried in Linux it didn't work very well.

I have extremely few problems with Win7, Blu-Rays, Netflix and Hulu streaming, and whole house distribution of OTA HD content. Maybe fixing your Win7 setup (or upgrading to one from XP/Vista) is the best option. If you're on an older M$ OS, try installing a Win7 setup and see how it goes. You can run it without activation for 90-180 days and see if it works for you.

 

[nerp]

Win 7 MCE is killer. Flawless for me. Even my wife can watch TV, browse photos and videos and stream netflix from the remote. If she can manage, it has to be good.

 

[Acanthus]

To the posters in this thread: I am currently running win7 and unhappy.

Reasons:
1. Windows font scaling issues. If i increase the size of the default fonts in windows to 125% or 150%... It seems to screw up all DX10 and DX11 games. The mouse pointer is offset from its actual position and everything in every menu is a pain in the ass to manage. Resolutions also dont seem to work properly so everything looks washed out on my 1080p TV.

2. Windows activation issues. Windows will not activate with my current official key. MS wants $ to even talk to support about fixing the problem. "this copy of windows is not genuine" shit pops up and minimizes anything im watching every 15 minutes.

3. silverlight errors while streaming in google chrome on netflix (seemingly random). I have not tried other browsers for a fix yet.

It does not appear that I can solve all of these issues with linux, however i'm willing to give up DirectX gaming and Direct blu ray playback for a smooth HTPC experience.

I can dual boot for gaming, everything else i would like to do in linux if possible.

1080p MPEG4 is a must though, if linux cant handle that then i must abandon the idea.

 

[IndyColtsFan]

Do you have an Xbox or PS3? Any other extenders?

 

[Binky]

Make an image of the existing system then install a fresh copy of Win7 with a different video card and a direct HDMI connection to the TV. I've had a very good experience with ATI 2600-4350 cards in an HTPC. The overscan settings are a bit strange, but they eventually work after you scream at your TV for a while about how stupid ATI is to make that bloated CCC monster.

The resolution problems you describe may be due to the video card, the video driver, or how you have the HTPC connected to the TV (HDMI, through receiver?). I've never seen the mouse offset issue, but I'd suspect the video card/driver or the connection method (through receiver?).

Changing fonts always makes things screw up. I just leave them. If you need larger text sometimes, try setting a different resolution on a control key combo of some kind. Seeing text from your couch on 1080p is always pretty difficult. I'm not sure how you can solve a DX10-11 gaming issue by moving to Linux.

Hopefully I'm not being annoying. I just really think that your requirements are really forcing you to use Win7, and my own experience with Win7 pure HTPC machines (zero gaming) is very good.

 

[Acanthus]

Make an image of the existing system then install a fresh copy of Win7 with a different video card and a direct HDMI connection to the TV. I've had a very good experience with ATI 2600-4350 cards in an HTPC. The overscan settings are a bit strange, but they eventually work after you scream at your TV for a while about how stupid ATI is to make that bloated CCC monster.

The resolution problems you describe may be due to the video card, the video driver, or how you have the HTPC connected to the TV (HDMI, through receiver?). I've never seen the mouse offset issue, but I'd suspect the video card/driver or the connection method (through receiver?).

Changing fonts always makes things screw up. I just leave them. If you need larger text sometimes, try setting a different resolution on a control key combo of some kind. Seeing text from your couch on 1080p is always pretty difficult. I'm not sure how you can solve a DX10-11 gaming issue by moving to Linux.

Hopefully I'm not being annoying. I just really think that your requirements are really forcing you to use Win7, and my own experience with Win7 pure HTPC machines (zero gaming) is very good.

I want to dual boot the machine for gaming purposes or just abandon gaming altogether.

As for the resolution change, everything gets blurry if the TV is changed away from native res.

The windows activation issues are driving me nuts most of all, hence the want to jump ship to linux rather than pay MS for another copy that they'll deactivate for seemingly no reason.

 

[nerp]

Activation support is typically free. Not sure why you're having that problem.

In terms of font scaling, I wouldn't know. My win7 MCE box is just for MCE. It never leaves the interface. I have a desktop for desktoppin.

 

[CSMR]

To the posters in this thread: I am currently running win7 and unhappy.

Reasons:
1. Windows font scaling issues. If i increase the size of the default fonts in windows to 125% or 150%... It seems to screw up all DX10 and DX11 games. The mouse pointer is offset from its actual position and everything in every menu is a pain in the ass to manage. Resolutions also dont seem to work properly so everything looks washed out on my 1080p TV.

Bugs in these games. DPI scaling is completely standard and software should support it. I don't know about DirectX, but the technology in the other latest microsoft platforms (wpf, Vista, Win7) makes this very easy. If you still manage to write software that doesn't work, you have to be deliberately screwing things up. At any rate another OS won't help here.

2. Windows activation issues. Windows will not activate with my current official key. MS wants $ to even talk to support about fixing the problem. "this copy of windows is not genuine" shit pops up and minimizes anything im watching every 15 minutes.

A single phone call should suffice.

3. silverlight errors while streaming in google chrome on netflix (seemingly random). I have not tried other browsers for a fix yet.

Probably a browser bug. I come accoss problems like this on firefox mainly for flash but sometimes silverlight. At any rate not an OS issue.

It does not appear that I can solve all of these issues with linux, however i'm willing to give up DirectX gaming and Direct blu ray playback for a smooth HTPC experience.

There are three platforms to my knowledge that people often say are good:
- Windows Media Center (reliable and easy, but from my point of view, dumbed down and overrated).
- XBMC: works on various operating systems, so this might suit you. Video acceleration looks experimental. For me reliable DXVA is a must.
- mediaportal (My choice of software. Very customizable. Windows only.)

I can dual boot for gaming, everything else i would like to do in linux if possible.
1080p MPEG4 is a must though, if linux cant handle that then i must abandon the idea.

I think video decoding hardware acceleration is at quite a basic level on linux. Not that I use linux, but linux doesn't have directx, and so doesn't have DXVA. On Windows DXVA is essential for playing back high definition video responsively and with low processor usage and power consumption.

But do a search on the AVS HTPC forum, they are the most comprehensive source of knowledge.

 

[Steltek]

To resolve your activation issue, download and run the Microsoft Genuine Advantage (MGA) Diagnostic Tool from:
http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?linkid=52012

Then, copy your results from the diagnostic tool and, paste them to a new post in the following Microsoft forum:
http://social.microsoft.com/Forums/en-US/genuinewindows7/threads

They ought to be able to provide you with a quick fix for your problem.

Once you get your activation issue squared away, if you haven't done so take a look at Slysoft's AnyDVD-HD software for handling DVDs and Blu-ray discs in Windows. I've used it for many years (since long before Blu-ray or HD-DVD) and continue to be impressed at how well it works and is supported with frequent updates.