Typical Xlobby hardware setup?

by **Letsallgotothexlobby** on Sat Oct 28, 2006 8:01 pm

Typical hardware setup?

Does anyone have a recommend hardware setup for Xlobby?

Such as:

1. Computer case
2. Sound cards(for multiple zones setup)
3. Video cards
4. IR receiver
5. processor and memory, etc..
6. Software and players( besides xlobby of course)

I was thinking of getting one of those micro computer cases(like shuttle) so I could fit it in my cabinet with audio equipment. Does anyone know if those shuttle cases have the space to be upgraded with regular PCI sound cards, and video cards, etc… or if they needed a special smaller form factory cards?

Thanks.

by **P3rv3rt B3ar** on Sat Oct 28, 2006 8:42 pm

There are as many setups as there are people... however... few pieces of equibment have some kind of "de facto" standard status... Ull be able to identify those fast by reading some posts... but instead id like to suggest something for your two first points...

for case Origen AE's X15. Its a bit pricey, but worth every penny. This case qurantees u dont have to try hiding it in closet but can put it on rack with rest of your hifi equibment. Comes with quality IR module (IRtrans).

For soundcards that old awful live!-audigy family, which u wasted your money 5 years ago. With kX driver tool those cards become HTPC-hackers wet dream. With luck u can score one cheap from ebay cause gamers are getting those crabby X-fis. try to get premium model with 5.25" panel for extra connectivity.

by **Letsallgotothexlobby** on Sat Oct 28, 2006 10:05 pm

Hi.

How am I supposed to get stereo RCA output from my PC to my music system?

Don’t these computer sound cards have output for computer speakers? Is there an adaptor that I would have to purchase that can give me left and right stereo output?

Thanks.

by **Colby** on Sat Oct 28, 2006 10:28 pm

by **Letsallgotothexlobby** on Sat Oct 28, 2006 10:30 pm

Look good. Can you give me a make or model of the item you show in the picture?

Thanks.

by **rembetis** on Sat Oct 28, 2006 11:02 pm

Letsallgotothexlobby wrote:Look good. Can you give me a make or model of the item you show in the picture?

I'm sure Colby was just using that picture for an example -- those cables would be way overpriced. You can get what you need for under $2 here.

by **buymeapc** on Sun Oct 29, 2006 2:08 am

Even still, your local Radio Shack would have them. :wink:

by **P3rv3rt B3ar** on Sun Oct 29, 2006 9:22 am

buymeapc wrote:Even still, your local Radio Shack would have them.

We do not all live in united tortur... states though.

On the subject though... if u plan to spend lot of money on that cable... take a careful look at size of 3.5 mm (1/8 inch) plug to make sure that its not too big... afterall if we take avarage soundcard with 5-6 of those and game port, space between jacks is not large enough for huge plugs to fit. And unfortunately better (read more expensive) cables generally come with bigger plug. Im shamed to admit that im speaking with experience here :oops:

take a guess how stupid i felt...

by **defrag** on Sun Oct 29, 2006 12:02 pm

You may also want to look at sound cards that have spdif output. The Auzentech X-Plosion and X-Mistique cards (http://www.auzentech.com/site/products/feature.php) both do 5.1 out via spdif if your amp supports it. With these babies you only have 1 lead to worry about and get the benefit of 5.1 upmixing of stereo signals via harware plus of course stright through 5.1 and DTS from your dvd's.

by **Letsallgotothexlobby** on Sun Oct 29, 2006 4:56 pm

What would you guys recommend for an IR receiver?

IRtrans
USB-UIRT
Microsoft media center remote and IR receiver
Generic IR receiver( if any exist? Please recommend)

Which ones of these would be the easiest or most likely to work with Xlobby with least number of complications or problems?

Do you know which one would be the most economical?

Thanks.

by **rembetis** on Sun Oct 29, 2006 5:35 pm

Letsallgotothexlobby wrote:Which ones of these would be the easiest or most likely to work with Xlobby with least number of complications or problems?

USB-UIRT. No question. It's not the most economical, but support is built in to Xlobby and it allows use to use whatever (IR) remote you want.

by **P3rv3rt B3ar** on Sun Oct 29, 2006 6:25 pm

Most economical is MCE remote... and if receiver functionality is all you are looking for its hard to imagine any reason (well, any other than direct integration mentioned by our friend Rembetis here) to go after more expensive solutions (IRtrans / USB-UIRT). It doesnt have direct support in Xlobby but with girder 3.2, badubo's excellent Xremote plugin and enchanted replacement drivers for MCE-remote (all free) u can achieve seamless integration with Xlobby and ability to use any remote together with receiver.

However if u r after transceiver, or ability to turn computer on from remote more expensive solution (USB-UIRT / IRTrans) is prolly what u r looking for.

by **dalanik** on Mon Oct 30, 2006 9:32 am

I wouldn't recommend IR at all :-)

I'd recommend FireFly RF control. You can hide receiving unit anywhere and don't have to point RC at the receiving unit, works through walls etc.

D.

by **P3rv3rt B3ar** on Mon Oct 30, 2006 11:49 am

Very good point. If u just plan to receive, do as Dalanik says.

by **bmblank** on Mon Oct 30, 2006 1:23 pm

What do you use with the rf controller to make it control xlobby? I guess I'd assume it comes with the right drivers and you can use girder to translate it into the right commands and junk...
What kind of range do you get with that controller? I'm intrigued.