PC Tech Thread

raspberry pi definitely can do 1080p etc... running Xbmc. I swapped out a HP Microserver for the pi as it's a shit load smaller!

do remmeber the Pi does not run Windows! So not sure about some of the on-demand stuff

Well XBMC will run most on demand things which you can load on to the Raspberry Pi.

Then try out some plugin's for XBMC which allow you to watch sports for free + other channels for free and you're on to a winner.

raspberry pi definitely can do 1080p etc... running Xbmc.

You might need one of these: http://www.raspberrypi.com/mpeg-2-license-key/

If you have a smartphone there are plenty of remote apps which work very well with a big screen...

Fantastic thanks for the help guys.

So I can install xbmc on the raspberry pi - which will allow me to watch all on demand and sports/ other live bits.

Also XBMC can play DVD rips from the network - is that correct? How easy is it to set that up? Say my main computer upstairs is on and the rips are sitting in a drive could I play them? Or would I have to set up some kind of network storage (which I have no idea about)

Or would I be better buying an external HDD and moving it around from the main pc downstairs to plug in to the Raspberry Pi when I want to watch rips?

You can watch them over the network. My Pi will be network connected to my Synology device and I'll be streaming everything from there

But that would require the pc to be on?

hmmm... May have to buy an SSD now to boot pc up faster!

Right been looking on the old interweb for a Raspberry pi deal.

Is this a good price?

http://www.maplin.co.uk/raspberrypi

Full kit with loads of extras for £70 quid.

Not sure if it would be cheaper to buy separately?

I got mine from here

https://export.farnell.com/jsp/raspi/orderPad.jsp?COM=raspi-group&country=GB

Got mine from RS.

Thanks guys - just wondered if that kit makes it all cheaper though?

Dunno really, I had all the stuff I needed but went with a 16Gb Class 10 SDHC card (a bit over kill but hey)

Currently running a pi with xbmc on it - using Raspbmc. my thoughts -

Don't go with a kit, they use the cheapest options and it would be better to get the higher quality options.

I would go with a wired connection if possible. I run the power off of my TV via the USB slot, means it powers on and off with the TV. You can get cases that connect to the back of the TV in the screw holes that are used for wall-mounting. I use a NAS drive and it works of it really well, although don't over-stress it. If you want free sport look up sport-devil, works really well.

Another option would be to try and find a old Mac Mini from about 2005 (can be found for under £100) and run XBMC on that.

Before I go hunting all over the internet...

I've got the XBMC Frodo release on my Nexus 7, how do you get it to see a drive on my HP Proliant over Wi-Fi?

Dammit today's Ebuyer newsletter might be of some help to you;

http://www.ebuyer.com/intel-newsletter

just spotted this on a Cisco tutorial site - funny

£479 for the Surface RT+keyboard.

Yes, that's <£500.

I'm thinking about options for TV in our new house. I'm not really that fussed but would like good internet speeds (most probably fibre)

We used to have Sky before but I don't really want all that again - but as Mrs. Spenceey tends to watch it more I was thinking about alternatives that would allow us to watch programs on line.

What options do I have?

• Build a media centre (could be a good idea but may end up costing more than a Sky subscription)

• Raspberry Pi - can that be made in to a device to watch internet TV?

• Some other Android box?

It's also worth noting I've got my current PC but don't really want to drag that downstairs every time I fancy watching something on line.

uView or YouView or whatever it is.

Like a poor man's Tivo. Guy here rates it.

i have a budget of £500 and am looking to buy an all singing, all dancing PC
would like it for posting on lfgss.com, storage of photo's and music files needs to be quite a decent sized memory as i'm about to FLAC all of my CD's and scan / digitise all my old 35mm film from back in the day

less important would be the gaming side of things but if for that budget i could get something that would be half decent afor some on line gaming then all well and good
ideally intel processed ( not really sure why but they always seem to be the most trustworthy processors )
i am not sure what version of windows i should be going for do they still dow windows 95 ? or should i go for the most current one ( although I have heard some of MS products recently haven't been too high a standard and tend to crash cause problems )

i would be happy buying bits and pieces and trying to put it together myself. flat screen not essential as i have a CRT monitor at home and would be happy to use that

i got some advise here about a year back which mentioned a couple of computa's that had good write ups and did all i needed

if any you have a PC you are looking to get rid of a year or two old that cost you and arm and a leg, i would also be willing to contemplate a deal such as that

HELP please

upgradable .. would that be something i should look at to add extra memory / speed to the processor ?

You'll be able to get a lot of PC for £500.

This is built for gaming but would do everything you want no problem;

http://www.palicomp.co.uk/gaming-pcs/sniper-elite-2-amd-6core-gaming-pc.html

If you're not fussed about the gaming side and want Intel, something prebuilt like this could work:

http://www.ebuyer.com/395297-zoostorm-desktop-pc-7873-0436

Plenty of storage and computing power to do what you need. Tower is nowhere near as ugly either :)

If you go with Soul's spend the £100 left over and buy a dedicated graphics card.