Nev
Part of things
Dugong fanclub member
Posts: 884
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Mar 28, 2014 19:49:49 GMT
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Having tried openelec and xbmcbunto i would go with openelec, however thats up to you! Both run fine off either a usb stick or a I'd to sd/cf adaptor which will save you having to buy a ssd for the operating system. don't forget to install mashup - sky sports 1-4, bt sport 1 & 2 and loads of other live feeds still working well as well as thousands of movies..... Well I already have an SSD so that isn't an issue. I know it's well documented elsewhere, but what's the main pros and cons in your opinion between Openelec and XBMCbuntu? Also, been playing again this evening and have pretty much fitted the DVD drive... Smooth!
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Maximum signature image height = 80 pixels
1967 Chevrolet El Camino
1984 Honda C50
1985 VW Polo 16v
1989 Ford Escort Popular Plus (Ex Hirst cabs)
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Mar 29, 2014 10:38:58 GMT
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i found that pretty much all the xbmc addons i need run on openelec, it runs better on a variety of hardware - i started using it because xbmcbunto wouldnt run on a system i built. openelec is also faster being a more stripped down version - for some of the older hardware I'm using this makes a considerable difference.
Another reason for using it is that pretty much everything is locked down meaning that the misuse cant break it!
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Last Edit: Mar 29, 2014 10:39:32 GMT by ax16vts
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Nev
Part of things
Dugong fanclub member
Posts: 884
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i found that pretty much all the xbmc addons i need run on openelec, it runs better on a variety of hardware - i started using it because xbmcbunto wouldnt run on a system i built. openelec is also faster being a more stripped down version - for some of the older hardware I'm using this makes a considerable difference. Another reason for using it is that pretty much everything is locked down meaning that the misuse cant break it! I've given openelec a go, seems nice and easy to use! Lets see how it is at running the PVR stuff in the background. There seems to be guides and stuff online so thats cool. More progress! Finally got through all the parts for the computer at the weekend, started fitting the teeny weeny mobo, PSU and 2nd HDD. Also made a cut out for 80mm fan in the rear case I also added a card reader and USB/SATA hub into the pull out drawer. This bit isn't finished yet, it was a SUPER tight fit to get it in there and involved trimming down the PCB. Think i'll make a panel to cover the bits round the edge but don't have the patience yet. Then put the screen in and loaded up Openelec! Boots up in about 15 seconds from off! And tonight I've made a rear panel for the Ariel in, RJ45 in and HDMI out ports. Also fitted a new quieter fan, 9db! AND made a nice curvy panel to cover up the old screen mountings, these little bits will be wrapped in wood grain. And that's how it sits now, proper birds nest! Everything is in there, just waiting for the vinyl to wrap some little bits then I can get the screen in and mounted. And then there's the next big task of setting up the OS and getting all that working! I'm hoping to have it finished(ish) by next week!
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Maximum signature image height = 80 pixels
1967 Chevrolet El Camino
1984 Honda C50
1985 VW Polo 16v
1989 Ford Escort Popular Plus (Ex Hirst cabs)
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Awesome project, will be very cool when finished. I must say it was a pretty cool design of TV to start with!
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Would it be worth making these cover bits: A bit thicker, to fill up the gap entirely that the screen leaves? Could potentially look better than just a plain flat filler section. Unless you're planning on fitting a speaker bar/etc in the gap?
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You're like a crazy backyard genius!
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don't know if you mentioned it, but what MoBo / Proc are you running? I've been running openElec on a RPi, and whilst it works it does struggle with some of the larger HD video files, so looking at building a higher spec HTPC at the moment.
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Apr 10, 2014 11:14:28 GMT
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Would love to have your skills mate! I can only just wire up a plug!
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96 E320 W210 Wafter - on 18" split Mono's - Sold :-( 10 Kia Ceed Sportwagon - Our new daily 03 Import Forester STi - Sold 98 W140 CL500 AMG - Brutal weekend bruiser! Sold :-( 99 E240 S210 Barge - Now sold 02 Accord 2.0SE - wife's old daily - gone in PX 88 P100 2.9efi Custom - Sold
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Nev
Part of things
Dugong fanclub member
Posts: 884
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Apr 14, 2014 21:36:54 GMT
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don't know if you mentioned it, but what MoBo / Proc are you running? I've been running openElec on a RPi, and whilst it works it does struggle with some of the larger HD video files, so looking at building a higher spec HTPC at the moment. It's not too bad- it's a 1.5(i think) dual core and i've had it running HD with no lag. Also had it running freeview HD with no issues too, so seems powerful enough. More progress: Nice little wood-grain wrapped panel for under the screen. Fits really snug with the screen in. Also spent some time tidying the cables and getting everything to fit And got the screen bezel back from being cut by WaterJetUK. Made it out of clear acrylic, painted the reverse side for a perfect finish. (also managed to paint a lot of the living room floor) I've also spent quite a lot of time fiddling round with the interface to get stuff working. Have sussed the live TV bit out and have sorted the remote too, which i'll update on the next installment.
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Maximum signature image height = 80 pixels
1967 Chevrolet El Camino
1984 Honda C50
1985 VW Polo 16v
1989 Ford Escort Popular Plus (Ex Hirst cabs)
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Nev
Part of things
Dugong fanclub member
Posts: 884
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Apr 15, 2014 18:14:54 GMT
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Screen looks way better than expected. Just a few teething troubles with the coaxial extension cable now.
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Maximum signature image height = 80 pixels
1967 Chevrolet El Camino
1984 Honda C50
1985 VW Polo 16v
1989 Ford Escort Popular Plus (Ex Hirst cabs)
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Apr 15, 2014 18:36:43 GMT
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Thats awesome
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Apr 15, 2014 18:38:14 GMT
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Love this epic work
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Apr 16, 2014 19:37:44 GMT
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now that looks lovely
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You're like a crazy backyard genius!
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Nev
Part of things
Dugong fanclub member
Posts: 884
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Apr 16, 2014 20:53:37 GMT
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Few better pics, here is the inside of the TV with the screen mounted. And in its little hidey hole: Here is a short video I made this afternoon showing how it all works, excuse the poor filming. I've really enjoyed making this and it looks way better than i thought it was going to do. Painting the bezel from behind has really given it a super glossy, clear finish and i'm really happy with it. Still a bit of fiddling to do with the live TV bit to get it perfect but it works! IT WORKS!
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Maximum signature image height = 80 pixels
1967 Chevrolet El Camino
1984 Honda C50
1985 VW Polo 16v
1989 Ford Escort Popular Plus (Ex Hirst cabs)
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Looks good mate! Also liking the painted brickwork and the tv shelf. What addons did you end up using?
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Apr 18, 2014 10:02:28 GMT
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Fantastic project! I'm currently working on something very similar but I have retained the built in audio to make it a 1 piece unit using a small 4x50w amplifier and car audio speakers running from the atx psu.
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Like it, the different format screen isn't really noticeable at all, think we get used to black lines top and bottom on a lot of stuff now.
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smellyferret
Posted a lot
Back in a retro after 7 years!
Posts: 1,121
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Apr 23, 2014 18:34:33 GMT
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Awesome! Thanks for taking the time to post!
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Nev
Part of things
Dugong fanclub member
Posts: 884
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Jul 14, 2014 21:03:32 GMT
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Thread from the dead batman! I've just seen this in my favourites so thought i'd give it a bit of an update; I've had the TV running for about 3 months now and I have to say, it's totally sweet. If you've used XBMC, it takes a little while to get familiar with it and get it set up how you like it. I have managed to get the live TV part (I used tvheadend client) working fully with the assistance of a signal booster (turns out my reception is poor) and some fiddling with the back end, using the guide on the openelec wiki page for reference. Hardware wise, I haven't had any issues at all. No overheating issues despite the really quiet, low flow fan in the back it stays at a constant 45 degrees most of the time. One thing I've found that makes things easier is the XBMC remote app, i'm on Windows Phone but i'm sure there is an equivalent on iOS and Android. Works great over WiFi with no noticeable lag at all. Other issues have only really been with OpenElec itself, one update made the volume really quiet for no reason but that was rectified after a week or so, I suppose that's the advantage of auto updates (or disadvantage depending on how you look at it). Add-ons wise, i'm running iPlayer, Youtube, TEDTalks, IceFilms and Mashup (it can be a bit of a pain finding a decent stream sometimes) for my day-to-day watching. In the last few days i've started messing around with the Emulator add on so I can start some retro gaming action directly from the TV. After trying a few different themes, i've stuck with the standard Confluence theme as it's pretty much built to what OpenElec needs and looks pretty too. Would I do anything different if I built another? Not really no- I'm really really happy with the performance of the hardware, It's quiet, quick and so far, reliable. I guess the only thing i'd do differently is the pop-out panel. I still haven't finished it and really, it's too big for the hole its going in to. Hmm. I'm not sure what i'll do with it, maybe i'll take it out and see what else I can do with it. I did have the idea of fitting a LCD/VFD in there displaying temperature or something. Future plans? Other than the pop-out drawer, I'd like to fit some internal speakers at some point and maybe a Bluray drive when XBMC gets proper support. But for now, i'm happy. Oh, and i'd get some vinyl that more closely matched the wood frame or wrap the current frame with the same stuff, which I might do, but it's easy to forget these things when you see it all the time! EDIT: Like it, the different format screen isn't really noticeable at all, think we get used to black lines top and bottom on a lot of stuff now. I agree, it doesn't look strange at all. I thought it would look a bit odd but it really doesn't!
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Last Edit: Jul 14, 2014 21:09:41 GMT by Nev
Maximum signature image height = 80 pixels
1967 Chevrolet El Camino
1984 Honda C50
1985 VW Polo 16v
1989 Ford Escort Popular Plus (Ex Hirst cabs)
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Thanks for the update, and good idea on the LCD for temperature. Should be easily achievable. I'm still collecting parts but I'll upload mine when I get a few minutes.
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Jul 19, 2014 19:48:50 GMT
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like the progress so far. I would question the use of a 4:3 monitor though, i know a 16:9 would look a bit odd fitted but when it comes to displaying your media, most films are now in a 16:9 format (ie 33% wider than 4:3) and trying to squeeze them onto a 4:3 display would cause either distortion of the image, loss of both edges of the image or black lines to the left and right of the image... Also, with regard to xbmc if you havent already then check out openelec - its a linux operating system that runs xbmc only, its really fast with no windows or other stuff eating up resources in the background. It'll also install to a usb drive to save you buying a ssd drive... I have no idea what any of that means ........
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