[R1CHO]

I read something about custom drivers for using the MS 360s chatpad with the pc. That could be very useful.

Last time i checked it worked with the wired controller, but not with the wireless.

Any news on this?

[dyergram]

anybody tried one of these:
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Wireless-Key...2354485&sr=1-1

[crisdecuba]

Sharing here also, since it's definitely gaming related:
---
After lots of work, I’m finally able to share my HTPC setup. I initially thought this was going to be a weekend project, but it turned into about 4-5 weekends' worth of ripping media, tinkering with settings, redoing things, and so on to get everything working seamlessly.

So here’s my setup, and all of the things I learned along the way. I hope it helps anyone else trying to do the same thing. Note: I own pretty much all the content contained here.

Specs / Hardware:
------------------------------------------------
* CPU: Core i5 3750k overclocked to 4.2Ghz
* GPU: GeForce GTX 560
* Storage:
- 60GB HDD for the OS and main programs
- Four 2TB External HDDs (1 for movies, 1 for TV shows, videogames, home movies, pictures, and music, and 2 drives as backups)
- 8GB USB Thumbdrive to store fanart, videogame covers, etc.
(The reason for this approach is to make it as easy as possible to move the setup to a new computer down the road)
* Optical Disc Drives:
- LG GDR-8164B 16x DVD-ROM Drive (for ripping GCN / Wii discs)
- LG Super Multi Blue Bluray Drive (for BluRay ripping)

Software:
------------------------------------------------
* OS: Windows 7 Home Premium
* Media Program: XBMC
* XBMC Skin: Aeon Nox
* Emulators Used: Visual Boy Advanced, Jnes, ZSNES, ePSXe, Project 64, Dolphin
* Blu Ray Ripping: DVDFab
* DVD Ripping: DVD Decrypter
* DVD Encoding: HandBrake

Physical Controls:
------------------------------------------------
* General Navigation: Logitech Wireless Touch Keyboard K400 with Built-In Multi-Touch Touchpad
* PC Gaming: HP Wireless Elite Keyboard v2, Logitech Wireless Mouse M310 Dark Aces
* Non-Motion Console Gaming: Xbox 360 Wireless Controller for Windows
* Motion Gaming: Regular Wiimote / Wii Motion Plus Controller
* Bluetooth Adapter: cirago BTA-6210 Micro Bluetooth Dongle

Demo Video (or click the links below to go to specific sections):
------------------------------------------------
HTPC DEMO VIDEO: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i1J-4...ature=youtu.be
-- Weather portion of the demo video: http://youtu.be/i1J-4b9CPJI?t=19s
-- Music portion: http://youtu.be/i1J-4b9CPJI?t=33s
-- Movies portion: http://youtu.be/i1J-4b9CPJI?t=1m17s
-- TV Shows: http://youtu.be/i1J-4b9CPJI?t=2m34s
-- Games (took the most effort!): http://youtu.be/i1J-4b9CPJI?t=3m35s
-- Apps: http://youtu.be/i1J-4b9CPJI?t=14m11s

Screenshots
------------------------------------------------
- Weather

- Movies

- TV Shows

- Games

FAQ (aka Random Things I Learned):
------------------------------------------------
...XBMC General:
1. Removing the “Up Directory” option: Settings - Appearance - Filelists ... make sure the first option there is UNCHECKED
2. Changing Between Celsius and Fahrenheit: To change between Celsius and Fahrenheit go to Settings -> Appearance -> International and select your location under "Region".

Videogames:
1. ePSXe
- Settings for FF7 that remove the weird green lines:

2. Project 64
- How to show correct aspect ratio, rather than stretching widescreen: Use the Glide64 graphics plugin, rather than Jabo.

3. Visual Boy Advance
- Show Correct Aspect Ratio in Fullscreen Mode: Change the render method to something other than DirectDraw
- Remove the menu bar: Emulation > Auto Hide Menu

4. Wii / GCN
- Program for Reading Wii-Formatted External Hard Drive: WBFS Manager
- Wii / GCN Game Backup: Program for ripping GCN / Wii games: RawDump 2.1
- Emulator Setup: Different GCN / Wii games may require different settings or different versions of Dolphin to run well. So I essentially created a different instance of the dolphin emulator for each game. This allows me to tweak or adjust the settings for each game individually without worrying about breaking something in another game.

Apps:
- Hulu Desktop – Launch Fullscreen Every Time: Open app, hit control F, close app. Next time will launch full screen

- Advanced Launcher:
--- Creating Duplicate Instance of Advanced Launcher (for example, one for Apps, one for Games:
1. Follow instructions in this video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_gMFJcxdcEg
2. Summary of instructions:
- a. Go to: C:\Users\<username>\AppData\Roaming\XBMC\addons
- b. Copy paste the “plugin.program.advanced.launcher” to create a new instance
- c. Rename it to “plugin.program.advanced.games.launcher”
- d. Open and edit addon.xml (2 references to update)
- e. Edit launcher_plugin.py in \resources\lib (2 references to update)
Note: Use Notepad++ for this, rather than Notepad

- Netflix:
1. Installing Netflix onto Windows Media Center:
- a. In Windows Media Center, click Tasks, click Settings, click General and then click Automatic Download Options.
- b. Click Download Now. If Windows Media Center prompts you to set up an Internet connection, complete the steps that are listed on the screen.
- c. In the Start Download dialog box, click OK. The download may take several minutes to finish.
- d. When the download is complete, restart Windows Media Center. Then, look for the Netflix option to the left of Recorded TV in the TV + Movies row.

2. Setting up a shortcut that goes directly to Netflix (instead of having to launch Windows Media Center first:
- Create a shortcut. The target is: C:\Windows\ehome\ehshell.exe -launchcoded:{e6f46126-f8a9-4a97-9159-b70b07890112}\{982ea9d3-915c-4713-a3c8-99a4688b7c59}
For the “start in” field, enter: C:\Windows\ehome

Weather:
Where do I get decent FanArt images for the dyamic weather backgrounds: Download the Weather FanArt Pack (about 800 images, 1080p)

Movies and TV Shows:
1. Ripping / Encoding BluRay Discs
- The best approach to ripping Bluray movies, in my opinion, was to do a “passthrough” or something along those lines in DVDFab to create an MKV file. This means the program doesn’t re-encode the file – it just passes it through to create the MKV file. This option results in no loss in image or audio quality and allows you to keep the subtitles and various audio tracks.

2. Ripping / Encoding DVD Discs
- The best approach to ripping / encoding DVD movies, in my opinion, was to rip using DVD Decrypter (DVDFab kept giving me errors), and then using HandBrake to encode into an MKV file containing the subtitles, audio tracks, etc (again, DVDFab kept giving me errors for some reason). There’s a loss in quality, but it’s imperceptible to my eye.

3. Setting up a keyboard shortcut to switch audio tracks:
Follow the instructions here: http://wiki.xbmc.org/index.php?title=Keyboard.xml (I chose “n” as my shortcut).

4. What is the shortcut for enabling / disabling subtitles?: “T”

5. Subtitles are enabled by default – how do I change this?
- a. While watching a video, hit “M” to bring up the navigation options at the top of the screen
- b. Navigate to the audio options button, press enter
- c. Disable subtitles, and then down the bottom select "make default for all movies"

I hope folks can get some use out of this, and that it encourages others to take the plunge! :)

[crazy monkey]

this is awesome. Way too awesome.

[Charrettizard]

I was absolutely blown away by your HTPC setup crisdeuba, and because of that, I'm now looking to build my own. I already have a PC, I just need to swap a couple parts, but I'm not sure about some things - for example, this the motherboard I'm looking at:

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00...A2L77EE7U53NWQ

Will audio be an issue for me with this board, or will I not even be able to notice it? (I do not have 5.1, but I'm thinking about investing in a setup).

My second question is the quality of Blu-ray drives compared to that of the PS3 - will a cheap one be noticeably different and lower quality than the drive found in the PS3?

[HisshouBuraiKen]

Daaaaamn dude, the roms/games setup is SICK. How did you set all of them up? I've been wanting to do the same kinda thing but haven't even begun to research how. Are you just using a separate launcher for each game or is there a plugin/add-on to automate it?

[scissorfight]

XBMC desperately needs a Games library. unfortunately, i don't think much progress has been made on it.

[Marty Chinn]

XBMC desperately needs a Games library. unfortunately, i don't think much progress has been made on it.

Time to get some people here to code it up since it's open source =)

[Seance]

As if cost and comfy couch are the only things holding back console gamers from going PC.

[SlickShoesRUCrazy]

I like HTPCs.

I have been on the fence of building one for a long long time.

My biggest problem is that I enjoy gaming primarily with my brothers, who are not really that dedicated to gaming and game on consoles.

It would be dumb for me to buy then next box and building a HTPC. I yearn for the day that we can have cross-platform gaming as a standard between xbox/pc(or ps if you prefer that).

I don't mind and prefer using a gamepad anyways.

[DeVeAn]

As if cost and comfy couch are the only things holding back console gamers from going PC.

This looks like the most awesome thing on the planet but, waaay to much seems to have to go into this. Having to set everything just right is still like being on a PC. IMO the whole point of console game was to avoid the hassle of a PC.

[Raoh]

Very cool thread, subscribed, lots of info worth researching.

I use my PC for Gaming hooked up to my HDTV via HDMI through my 4890 video card. I wont bother with specs.

Outside of that, my PC sits on the side of the tv now, as a server if you will.

It streams to my PS3 via Playon by mediamall or ps3mediaserver. I get better quality from ps3mediaserver but more options and stability from playon.

Itunes. All my music is on itunes. All my movies I want to keep are on my itunes. All in mp4 format. MP$ makes it a nice simple format that even plays nice with my ps vita.

AppleTV though is where I use all of my video/music playing from though, jailbroken running xbmc. All my apple features linked to my itunes via home sharing plus the apps and jailbroken apps. Primary source for netflix as well. iphone/ipad to control appletv/itunes at times. I'll prop up my ipad on the side and play a movie via playon or itunes to my ipad while gaming on the pc on the hdtv at times. I have a small compact bluetooth keyboard I use with my ipad, I'll set that up and just leave the tv/pc running movies/games while I surf the web/forums/shop through the ipad.

PS3. Primary gaming station, also my main source for amazon prime video.

I used to use boxee as well, had a boxee remote (it's ok, not great, but it works well) that I still use for hulu desktop. Haven't tried it with other media apps on pc yet.



WIreless keyboard, still using a wired trackball mouse, need to order a wireless one but I'm thinking about something like the logitech one like the one they have for the ps3. Can I have that keyboard pull double duty on ps3 and pc with easy switching?



Also have been considering the DiNovo



I pretty much shy away from keyboard and mouse gaming so if I can't use a controller I rarely play the pc game that wont support a gamepad so a super keyboard and mouse aren't important to me.

And I fully endorse Pinnacle Game Profiler, great app worth every penny. I'm sure there are a lot of free options, those options require too much work.

[crisdecuba]

I was absolutely blown away by your HTPC setup crisdeuba, and because of that, I'm now looking to build my own. I already have a PC, I just need to swap a couple parts, but I'm not sure about some things - for example, this the motherboard I'm looking at: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00...A2L77EE7U53NWQ Will audio be an issue for me with this board, or will I not even be able to notice it? (I do not have 5.1, but I'm thinking about investing in a setup). My second question is the quality of Blu-ray drives compared to that of the PS3 - will a cheap one be noticeably different and lower quality than the drive found in the PS3?

Not sure about the audio question (I'm not an audiophile), but re: the Blu-ray drive question, if you're thinking about putting Blu-ray drive into your HTPC to watch movies, I wouldn't. There is surprisingly little in the way of good playback software for PCs. There are a couple of articles that describe hacks that will enable you to watch the discs through XBMC, but these all seem way more complicated than simply popping a disc into your PS3.

The reason I bought a Blu-ray drive was because I wanted to rip all of my Blu-ray discs and store them on local hard drives.

Daaaaamn dude, the roms/games setup is SICK. How did you set all of them up? I've been wanting to do the same kinda thing but haven't even begun to research how. Are you just using a separate launcher for each game or is there a plugin/add-on to automate it?

Thanks! As far as the XBMC setup is concerned, one instance of the Advanced Launcher Plugin allows you to set up all of the individual launchers (i.e. what you see on this screen):

The plugin gives you options for adding additional launchers, you tell it whether it's going to launch a rom using a specific emulator, or if it's launching a standalone application like an exe file (meaning I can set up an SNES Games folder for the ROMs, and an SNES Emulator folder for the Emulator, and I can tell the launcher to look in the SNES Games folder for the ROMs and to launch them using the Emulator found in the Emulator folder). For PC or Steam games, I make a folder with shortcuts to each game and the launcher can launch those as well. Go here for a lot more information on how the Advanced Launcher plugin works - it's nice. http://forum.xbmc.org/showthread.php?tid=85724

The plugin automates downloading of summary text and information for each game, as well as thumbnails and background images, but I only used that feature to download game info, and I chose / assigned the thumbnails and background images myself. Hope this helps!

XBMC desperately needs a Games library. unfortunately, i don't think much progress has been made on it.

That would be awesome... and if the emulators could be baked into the program as well, that would be GREAT. :)

This looks like the most awesome thing on the planet but, waaay to much seems to have to go into this. Having to set everything just right is still like being on a PC. IMO the whole point of console game was to avoid the hassle of a PC.

It's true - it's a tradeoff and the amount of enjoyment you get out of setting things up is what would make the difference for someone trying to decide whether to do this or not.

I do have to say, though, once it's all set up, and you don't have to worry about finding game or movie discs, it's really really nice.

[Raoh]

Maybe the wrong thread but I am planning to re-install my os/apps/games/etc..

What is the best way to back up all my steam game saves/settings etc?

[Barkley's Justice]

Sharing here also, since it's definitely gaming related: --- After lots of work, I’m finally able to share my HTPC setup. I initially thought this was going to be a weekend project, but it turned into about 4-5 weekends' worth of ripping media, tinkering with settings, redoing things, and so on to get everything working seamlessly. So here’s my setup, and all of the things I learned along the way. I hope it helps anyone else trying to do the same thing. Note: I own pretty much all the content contained here. Specs / Hardware: ------------------------------------------------ * CPU: Core i5 3750k overclocked to 4.2Ghz * GPU: GeForce GTX 560 * Storage: - 60GB HDD for the OS and main programs - Four 2TB External HDDs (1 for movies, 1 for TV shows, videogames, home movies, pictures, and music, and 2 drives as backups) - 8GB USB Thumbdrive to store fanart, videogame covers, etc. (The reason for this approach is to make it as easy as possible to move the setup to a new computer down the road) * Optical Disc Drives: - LG GDR-8164B 16x DVD-ROM Drive (for ripping GCN / Wii discs) - LG Super Multi Blue Bluray Drive (for BluRay ripping) Software: ------------------------------------------------ * OS: Windows 7 Home Premium * Media Program: XBMC * XBMC Skin: Aeon Nox * Emulators Used: Visual Boy Advanced, Jnes, ZSNES, ePSXe, Project 64, Dolphin * Blu Ray Ripping: DVDFab * DVD Ripping: DVD Decrypter * DVD Encoding: HandBrake Physical Controls: ------------------------------------------------ * General Navigation: Logitech Wireless Touch Keyboard K400 with Built-In Multi-Touch Touchpad * PC Gaming: HP Wireless Elite Keyboard v2, Logitech Wireless Mouse M310 Dark Aces * Non-Motion Console Gaming: Xbox 360 Wireless Controller for Windows * Motion Gaming: Regular Wiimote / Wii Motion Plus Controller * Bluetooth Adapter: cirago BTA-6210 Micro Bluetooth Dongle Demo Video (or click the links below to go to specific sections): ------------------------------------------------ HTPC DEMO VIDEO: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i1J-4...ature=youtu.be -- Weather portion of the demo video: http://youtu.be/i1J-4b9CPJI?t=19s -- Music portion: http://youtu.be/i1J-4b9CPJI?t=33s -- Movies portion: http://youtu.be/i1J-4b9CPJI?t=1m17s -- TV Shows: http://youtu.be/i1J-4b9CPJI?t=2m34s -- Games (took the most effort!): http://youtu.be/i1J-4b9CPJI?t=3m35s -- Apps: http://youtu.be/i1J-4b9CPJI?t=14m11s

ohw, this is legit. thanks for the post!

[Barkley's Justice]

PS - I recommend this remote:

[Raoh]

PS - I recommend this remote:

I've used the lenovo remote, it works well but I felt very cheaply made. The trackball was not as secure as say an old blackberry trackball or mouse trackball. It made noises as it would wobble in its holder.

Functionality wise it was ok but I liked the boxee remote better.

[mokeyjoe]

Maybe a bit random but seeing this thread made me think of this - I don't have a fancy PC or anything, just an old laptop I use for older RTS and FPS games, but the best thing I've found for non-desktop gaming is this:



http://www.amazon.co.uk/GMYLE-Handhe...2799412&sr=8-7

It took me a couple of days to get used to the trackball, but once I had I'm pretty much as good as with a mouse and it's so much better than a pad it's unreal. Be warned, the build quality is plasticky crap but the functionality is great and it's dirt cheap anyway. There's a wireless variant but I bought the wired one as I didn't really need the wireless and it was only a tenner. I bought another once it broke (after about 6 months). I'd love for some company to make a really nice version.