Tiggs

from my other post i am 99% settled on getting my Xbox out of the loft, chip it and run XBMC on it......

but i am also wondering if a cheap PC may be better?

My set up is simple - Main PC in home office with 10 gazzillion songs on it. Wirless network router lives under TV in living room.

Tv also sits by the amp and DVD player.

I want my Itunes in the living room....xbmc will do that...but if i use an old pc with a TV card i could use a bluetooth keyboard to actually use itunes on the TV with the pc outputting to the amp.

The pc could be pretty cheap as all it needs to do is stream mp3's from the main pc....and maybe play DVDs.....would i still need a seperate DVD player if the pc can play them....or the xbox for that matter.

Even a cheap pc will be more than a chip for the xbox but i am worried the XBMC wont give me the seraching facility that is so good on itunes......the xbox remote doesnt even have letters on it so i assume it searchs via "up or down"?

any thoughts?

T

STi wanna Subaru

iTrader: (1)

I haven't used the set-up you are talking about but I suspect the Xbox is by far the better option. It can be used as a multi-region DVD player and supports 5:1 sound. I'd have to check on how XBMC searches for tracks. If you need to use the Xbox controller then maybe you could get a wireless one?

RB5-Black

No matter how cheap the PC is the Xbox will be cheaper. £30 for the chip + fitting id you get someone else to do it.

Buy the DVD remote for the Xbox and you can navigate all of XBMC no problems.

I use my Xbox hooked upto my Denon amp and have split the RCA's to give me output to my Main TV (Toshiba picture frame 36") and a 15" LCD. The LCD is only used as a menu screen for the stereo. It will do everything you want it to do + more. Put Linux on it and surf the web in the livingroom too.

STi wanna Subaru

iTrader: (1)

May be some useful info here. I'll let your work pay you to read it

http://manual.xboxmediacenter.de/wak...MyMusic&v=12ws

JackClark

Buy a Mac Mini, it'll cost more but you won't have an ugly, noisy lump of cheap plastic in your living room.

Tiggs

bit worried about the noise from the xbox...all the reviews of xbmc centre mention the noise of the fan.

ozzy

Tiggs,

Do you just want to stream MP3's to your Living Room Hi-Fi?

You can buy dedicated devices for around £100 if that's all you want. Or you could throw £400 at it just to have an Apple Mini. Then you'll have an expensive lump of cheap plastic

Tiggs

ok.....deal done!

I have bought a chip for the xbox and going with XBMC.....just hope the fan can be sorted out?

Whats the best site for a STEP BY STEP guide to setting it all up.

i know VERY little about pc's although my IT brother will sort the chip stuff.........any easy guides to getting up and running?

Mogsi

Plenty of reading material HERE

STi wanna Subaru

iTrader: (1)

http://forums.xbox-scene.com/index.php?act=idx

http://www.xbox-scene.com/

You can alter the fan speed with some of the chips depending on the BIOS used I believe. I also have read that you can fit a quieter fan if need be. Personally it's never bothered me.

It all looks quite daunting at first but Xbox scene has loads of simple easy to follow guides.

what you need to do is...

Fit chip

flash with new Bios

Install dashboard and required apps (XBMC). You can do this via ftp from your PC to your Xbox or some people like to use an installer disc such as Slayer.

after that you are good to go. You will then need to follow the XBMC guides to get it all up and running.

Others will know better but a decent cable for the Xbox to your amp would be something to look at.

Tiggs

yep....i have ordered a cable that has scart/svideo and optical outputs