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eq_shadimar

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Posts posted by eq_shadimar

  1. If you are running a HTPC and you are just looking for a frontend take a look at Xbox Media Center for PC's ( http://www.xbmc.org/ ). Yes this software started out for modded Xbox's but there is a version for PC's now. It is free and it is considered one of the best frontend's around. I have that running on a older notebook. Other than that I have given up on having HTPC's and I now use my Xbox 360 and Popcorn Hour media streamers to access all of my stored content on a 4 TB Network Attached Storage device (Promise SmartStor).

    Laters,

    Jeff

  2. This diagram should help you out. I run the Main Out of the H/K to the AUX/Tape input on the Fisher 500B. I leave the Fisher at a set volume level and use the volume control on the H/K to control the volume (unless I am listing to LP's). All of the speakers are balanced to the same level using the adjustments in the H/K.

    It is a tad outdated in terms of the equipment I am actually using today but you should be able to get the general idea:

    Amphookup3.jpg

    I hope this helps!

    Laters,

    Jeff

  3. Okies I will bite. Here are my answers:

    How many here have converted their music collection to digital format and are employing some type of media streaming device to play that digital library on the home audio system?

    I have done this

    How large is your collection?

    Around 50,000 songs

    What streaming devices do you use?

    Xbox 360, Popcorn Hour (NMT Device), a couple of notebooks, a couple of desktops, Verizon Media Manager to Verizon FiOS Cable Box, Kenwood VRS-N8100

    What file format do you prefer and why?

    FLAC because it is losses, MP3 VBR@128 because it is compatible with everything. I burn to FLAC and then have the software side convert or transcode to MP3. This gives me a complete FLAC and MP3 library that I store in separate directories (Y:\FLAC and Y:\MP3 believe it or not [:)] )

    What metadata tagging is valuable to you and why (is it required for you streaming devices cataloging or does it just help you personally manage your library)?

    Genre, Artist, Album Title, and Album Art. All the rest, recorded date, history, etc is nice to have but I never sort the music using that stuff

    What equipment, methods and software did you use to rip your collection?

    Windows XP Professional using MediaMonkey Pro to my 4TB Promise 4300 NAS

    How did you verify the accuracy of the audio extraction?

    I didn't. If it ripped fine with no errors and I could hear it, I assumed all was good.

    How did you tag the files with the metadata?

    MediaMonkey script functions and automatic lookup using the various online services (Amazon, FreeDB, Gracenote). If setup correctly MediaMonkey queries several of these sources and I can chose what I want to use.

    For Dave (Mallette) Kenwood NV8100 digital reciever with networking built in.

    Dave did you mean the Kenwood VRS-N8100? If so that is a nice piece with some limitations. I have had one for several years and it is a solid performer. I enjoy the sound and it has a mind boggling amount of features. If you ask nice I will tell you how to interface nice banana plugs to the little speaker output clips [:)]

    Laters,

    Jeff

  4. Dave -

    My attendance is looking iffy now due to some projects at work but I am still going to try my best to attend. I was toying with the idea of bringing my NAS and Popcornhour (PCH) to the event to demonstrate the current state of digital media archiving and streaming media players. Do you have a DAC or amp with a COAX digital input that you feel can do justice on your setup? If not I don't know if I will bother bringing it since the analog section is nothing to write home about. Of course if we were not going to be interested in judging the sound quality and people would still like to see it all work then the analog section is fine. I would also need a TV for the navigation (HD widescreen preferred otherwise I would have to redo all the skins in SD 4:3 ick lol). If you are interested in seeing how it streams media (YouTube, Vuze, internet radio, etc) from the internet a wired high speed internet connection would be required.

    Let me know if you have any interest in this.

    Laters,

    Jeff

  5. I run two all Heritge 5.1 systems. One is an all Cornwall setup with a vertical Cornwall as the center channel and the other one is an all Heresy system. The Cornwall system also doubles as a fairly decent 2 channel setup. This diagram is a bit outdated (5 years old!) but it shows you how I managed to get it all hooked up.

    Amphookup3.jpgAmphookup3.jpg

    Both systems use SVS Woofers for the bottom end. I love em both. I say go for it!

    Laters,

    Jeff

  6. Dave -

    From the Logitech site select Remotes, then universal remotes, then click on the check compatibility link right below the picture of the receiver on the right side of the web page. Once there select the AV Receiver category and go from there. I think there device database works across all of their remotes. I have 3 of them the 510, 520, and 550. I like the layout of them and for $99 (or less if you look around) you can't beat them for universal remotes. I have them controlling everything from my audio equipment to fans and portable air conditioners. You can poke around on www.remotecentral.com as well.

    Laters,

    Jeff

  7. According the Logitech website all the Harmony remote controls should support 4BX. I have several of their remotes but no DBX 4BX to test with. DBX is listed under the AV Receiver section and I selected DBX for the Manufacturer and then 4BX as the model and it came back with a green check which means there is "something" in their database.

    Laters,

    Jeff

  8. Well the short answer is yes use HDMI.

    The slightly longer answer is that the analog component standard will support 1080p but realistically not many pieces of equipment will allow you to do 1080p via component. If 1080p is your requirement plan on using HDMI.

    Laters,

    Jeff

  9. Okies I will play along [;)] No Klipsch speakers yet but I got a Yamaha 7.1 complete speaker set from Craigslist for $35 so there ya go [:P]. Also there is a Kenwood Digital Amp 8100N, Toshiba VCR/DVD Combo, Toshiba A3 HD-DVD Player, Popcorn Hour Media Streamer, and a Xbox 360 which was not present in that picture. The TV is a 50" 1080p plasma from Hitachi. The bookcases (Besta) and shelving (Jarpen) under the TV are from IKEA.

    P1010026_web.jpg

    P1010023_web.jpg

    and of course the doggie picture [:D]

    P1010022_web.jpg

    Laters,

    Jeff

  10. Hmmm... I tried SlimServer and had nothing but trouble. There were really no instructions and it has a strange interface. Also seemed to crash a lot. That's been maybe a year. Is SqueezeCenter something new? Have you tried it? It would be nice to have something like SlimServer that worked.

    Dave

    Dave -

    SqueezeCenter is the current version of SlimServer and it is much improved over SlimServer. I looked at it briefly but I do not use it currently. Once I got my NAS I simply use direct connection to the data on the NAS either via SMB (Windows Networking) or UPnP/DLNA. The NAS also supports NFS and TCP/IP connections. For playback I use a notebook running XBMC (Xbox Media Center for Windows XP) or my Popcorn Hour. The NAS and the end use device are the only pieces of equipment needed to make this all work. If anyone is looking for front end software for their HTPC I strongly suggest that you look at the XBMC program.

    Laters,

    Jeff

  11. There are also the old standbys of Slimdevices ( http://www.slimdevices.com ) now owned by Logitech and Sonos ( http://www.sonos.com ) for people looking for more out of the box solutions. The Slimdevices Transport is a high end streamer for those willing to pay. They both offer niffty remotes and whole house audio solutions if that is what you require. The open source SqueezeCenter from Slimdevices is really a neat an powerful FREE program that works with lots of devices.

    Laters,

    Jeff

  12. I am not sure how much money you want to spend but this is the setup I am currently running:

    Promise NAS (Network Attached Storage) with 4TB HDD Space (purchased separately from the NAS):

    http://www.promise.com/product/product_detail_eng.asp?product_id=177

    Popcorn Hour A-100 Media Streamer:

    http://www.popcornhour.com/onlinestore/

    Windows XP Notebook with XBMC installed:

    http://xbmc.org/

    AnyDVD for ripping the DVD's:

    http://www.slysoft.com/en/anydvd.html

    MediaMonkey for music management:

    http://www.mediamonkey.com/

    The Popcorn Hour and XP Notebook with XBMC installed do the same thing. They play video and music files stored on the NAS. Everything is connected to each other via the wired ethernet network in my house. So this is basically how it works. I use my PC to rip all my CD's and DVD's to my NAS using MediaMonkey and AnyDVD and use the notebook or Popcorn Hour to access the media on the NAS and perform the playback function. The notebook with XBMC is connected to my projector via VGA and the Popcorn Hour is connected to a plasma using HDMI (component is possible too). I use the notebook with XBMC in the theater with the projector so I can also surf the web etc.

    Laters,

    Jeff

  13. Dave -

    I am glad to hear that you made it ok! I hope the other forum members in the affect areas are safe as well.

    It sounds like things are coming back online quickly for you. Here are some "borrowed" images from the New York Times of Seabrook.

    seabrook1.jpg

    seabrook2.jpg

    seabrook3.jpgseabrook3.jpg

    Let me know if there is anything I can do to assist.

    Laters,

    Jeff

  14. Jeff,

    Are you sure about aiming the surround Heresy pair toward the corners like that?

    Nope I am not sure [;)] That is an old picture. They are no longer aimed in the corners as a result of many listening parties. I am single BTW so the fault is all mine. [:)]

    Laters,

    Jeff

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