Video Asylum

TVs, VCRs, DVD players, Home Theater systems and more.

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Specs are important for streaming HTPC

Posted by rl1856 on November 14, 2009 at 09:07:42:
I have been playing around with a HTPC setup for a few months.

Based upon my experience and poking around the net, processing power, RAM, and graphics cards are important.

If you want to stream HD or Blue Ray without spiking CPU usage, you need a duo core processor, at least 2gb RAM and a graphics card with its own processor and at least 512mb RAM.

With my setup (P4 2.6ghz, 1gb RAM, XPSP3, 2yr old graphics card), I can stream normal rez video most of the time. Full screen sometimes causes buffering issues. Forget 720p in anything but a small box on the screen.

For content software, I have tried Media Portal and Boxee. Boxee works, but is resource intensive.

We have found it to be a very convenient way to keep up with TV episodes we have missed. Interface is easy- my non tech wife was able to turn on the PC, navigate, then stream episodes of her favorite shows. We have also watched Saturday football games on ESPN360.

Best,

Ross