HTPC with Win7 RC

[walzing]

Hi,

I have started to build a HTPC with the following Hardware:
Case: Antec Fusion Remote Black
Board: MSI P7NGM-Digital, nForce 730i
CPU: Intel Pentium Dual-Core E5200, 2x 2.50GHz, tray
CPU Cooling: Scythe Shuriken Rev.B
RAM: GeIL Value DIMM 2GB PC2-6400U CL5-5-5-15
HDD: Western Digital GP 500GB
WLAN: MSI WS54SE
Power: BeQuiet StraightPower 350Watt
BD-ROM: LG GGC-H20L
Media Center: Windows 7 Media Center
LCD: 22LG3000 (HDMI connected)
TV-Card: Technisat Skystar HD2 (DVB-S2)

Now I have some question regarding the WMC7 config.

1.) How do I set zoom level (for LiveTV, DVD,...) from remote control? Is there a keyboard shortcut in WMC7?

2.) Is it possible to Control Monitor via HDMI-CEC? I mean if WMC7 will go to hibernate, will it be possible to set the LCD to standby?

3.) Upscaling/Codec - what will be the best possible codec to get a little bit better video/tv quality? I tried ffdshow which caused higher cpu usage. Currently I went back to default windows codec. But i have PowerDVD 7 and ffdshow installed. (btw: I used mcdu to modify the default codec)

4.) Is there a plugin to seamless integrate BluRay playback in WMC? I just found something to integrate PowerDVD, but it will start PowerDVD as an extra app.

5.) When starting LiveTV and close it again, it is not possible to start LiveTV again. There won't be a free tuner. After closing Mediacenter and restart receiver service, LiveTV will work again. It seems to be related to the SkyStar Driver (org. from Technisat Homepage). Is there a better driver out there?

6.) Is it possible to control the DVD Speed? I tried to use CDBremse.exe. But it will not recognize the drive. My problem is, that some DVDs will spin very fast.

7.) Include DVD Rip Tool - Is there a good tool for this?

8.) How can I play DVDs from ISO?

9.) Recommended Codec Pack to play all common codecs (XVid, DivX, ...)

thx in advance
Walzing

 

[gmemore]

Hi and welcome to the forums

1.) How do I set zoom level (for LiveTV, DVD,...) from remote control? Is there a keyboard shortcut in WMC7?

Use the Left Navigation button on your Remote to navigate thru various features including zoom controls audio and languages - should be the same for your keyboard or Right click once the video has launched.

2.) Is it possible to Control Monitor via HDMI-CEC? I mean if WMC7 will go to hibernate, will it be possible to set the LCD to standby?

I'm sorry, I will have to leave that one for someone else...

3.) Upscaling/Codec - what will be the best possible codec to get a little bit better video/tv quality? I tried ffdshow which caused higher cpu usage. Currently I went back to default windows codec. But i have PowerDVD 7 and ffdshow installed. (btw: I used mcdu to modify the default codec)

Shark's codec pack for w7 is extremely popular on this forum. I have it installed because it does not interfere with the Native codecs installed in W7. Having the latest video drivers for W7 installed will be the most beneficial for picture quality - not the WDDM1.1 You may have to go fishing if you need the updated drivers

4.) Is there a plugin to seamless integrate BluRay playback in WMC? I just found something to integrate PowerDVD, but it will start PowerDVD as an extra app.

I'm afraid to this point that is as close as it gets to native Bluray support. There are other apps available but PDVD8 opening in WMC is the deal for now...

7.) Include DVD Rip Tool - Is there a good tool for this?

I am using DVDDecrypter with no problems at all, but if you look around these these forums, you will find a number of good ripping tools and tutorials.

8.) How can I play DVDs from ISO?

I will leave that to someone else also - search the forum- it's here

9.) Recommended Codec Pack to play all common codecs (XVid, DivX, ...)

Shark007 codecs for Windows7

I am using The EVGA nforce 730i with the same processor and having very satisfying results...

I hope this is a start for you.

 

[walzing]

Hi and welcome to the forums

thx

1.) How do I set zoom level (for LiveTV, DVD,...) from remote control? Is there a keyboard shortcut in WMC7?

Use the Left Navigation button on your Remote to navigate thru various features including zoom controls audio and languages - should be the same for your keyboard or Right click once the video has launched.

I was looking for a shortcut to assign this function directly to my remote control.

8.) How can I play DVDs from ISO?

I will leave that to someone else also - search the forum- it's here

Found - MyMovie Plugin I think

thx
Walzing

 

[mikinho]

Some additional info

1.) How do I set zoom level (for LiveTV, DVD,...) from remote control? Is there a keyboard shortcut in WMC7?

I believe the best you can do is CTRL+SHIFT+Z to bring up the zoom menu directly

2.) Is it possible to Control Monitor via HDMI-CEC? I mean if WMC7 will go to hibernate, will it be possible to set the LCD to standby?

Only on CEC capatible TVs. Though almost all modern LCDs will have an option to turn off if no signal is detected for XX amount of time.

3.) Upscaling/Codec - what will be the best possible codec to get a little bit better video/tv quality? I tried ffdshow which caused higher cpu usage. Currently I went back to default windows codec. But i have PowerDVD 7 and ffdshow installed. (btw: I used mcdu to modify the default codec)

As mentioned you should first install the latest video drivers. After that you can try CoreAVC but only on x86 (next to worthless for me until 2.0 when they have x64 bit support)

4.) Is there a plugin to seamless integrate BluRay playback in WMC? I just found something to integrate PowerDVD, but it will start PowerDVD as an extra app.

PowerDVD 9 has much better integration than previous version, give that a try.

5.) When starting LiveTV and close it again, it is not possible to start LiveTV again. There won't be a free tuner. After closing Mediacenter and restart receiver service, LiveTV will work again. It seems to be related to the SkyStar Driver (org. from Technisat Homepage). Is there a better driver out there?

Sorry I'm not familar with it.

6.) Is it possible to control the DVD Speed? I tried to use CDBremse.exe. But it will not recognize the drive. My problem is, that some DVDs will spin very fast.

I use AnyDVD HD for this. Make sure you have the latest firmware for that drive, the default one had a few problems w/ Blu-ray

7.) Include DVD Rip Tool - Is there a good tool for this?

Again, I use AnyDVD HD or Handbrake for single files

8.) How can I play DVDs from ISO?

Only with a plugin and virtual drive tool. Media Browser, MyMovies will do it. Personally I use a custom just for mounting as I like MC7's interface. My virtual drive tool of choice is Virual Clone Drive.

9.) Recommended Codec Pack to play all common codecs (XVid, DivX, ...)

Don't do it! Some Codec Packs are better than others but unless you download some obscure stuff stick to the essentials.

Sorry I didn't include links or reference guides, I can include those later. I'm just short on time right now.

 

[walzing]

Hi,

Originally Posted by walzing

2.) Is it possible to Control Monitor via HDMI-CEC? I mean if WMC7 will go to hibernate, will it be possible to set the LCD to standby?

Only on CEC capatible TVs. Though almost all modern LCDs will have an option to turn off if no signal is detected for XX amount of time.

The LCD is a 22LG3000 which has CEC Capabilies. But I didn't find something like power management.

Originally Posted by walzing

3.) Upscaling/Codec - what will be the best possible codec to get a little bit better video/tv quality? I tried ffdshow which caused higher cpu usage. Currently I went back to default windows codec. But i have PowerDVD 7 and ffdshow installed. (btw: I used mcdu to modify the default codec)

As mentioned you should first install the latest video drivers. After that you can try CoreAVC but only on x86 (next to worthless for me until 2.0 when they have x64 bit support)

Does CoreAVC do upscaling (SD -> HD) for LiveTV? I live in germany and we have only 2 HD TV channels.

Originally Posted by walzing

9.) Recommended Codec Pack to play all common codecs (XVid, DivX, ...)

Don't do it! Some Codec Packs are better than others but unless you download some obscure stuff stick to the essentials.

Even not the recommended codec pack: Shark's codec pack for w7 ?

thx and cu
Walzing

 

[mikinho]

The LCD is a 22LG3000 which has CEC Capabilies. But I didn't find something like power management.

I'll take a look at 22LG3000 offers but I believe it is only capatible with SimpleLink devices. I could be wrong, I haven't kept up much with LCDs.

Does CoreAVC do upscaling (SD -> HD) for LiveTV? I live in germany and we have only 2 HD TV channels.

If it is being broadcast in H.264 then yes. Sorry I can't give a definitely answer. I haven't lived in Germany in a long time (went to middle school in Frankfurt) and I haven't kept up on international broadcast.

Even not the recommended codec pack: Shark's codec pack for w7 ?

For Shark's codec pack that really depends on who you talk to. Everyone will have their own preference. I tend to be a minimalist and prefer to configure everything myself so if there is a problem I know where to look and most of the time how to fix it. I stick with nightly ffdshow tryouts and Haali Media Splitter (x64 for both).