theHTPC.net

Not a whole lot been going on for me lately on the HTPC front.  Since I’m not so much of a news-worthy guy either, I know I’m not much good for that on this site either.  I’ve pretty much just been updating things to accommodate my transition to the Video Browser plugin.  Everything worked out fine and I have very little regret.  However, I have been refreshing all the (now dead) links in MyMovies.  I don’t want to be left out in the cold when the MCML interface is put out to those with enough contribution points to give it a try.  I’m sure that will leave me with plenty of room for regret, so I want to be prepared.  Even if the database is a pain to keep up with, I have too much time invested in it to give it up.  It’s export ability may also provide useful if other plugins become more attractive.

I do get to upgrade my primary system though.  I decided not to get the 26″ KDS monitor.  I just don’t need it and my 20.5″ Dell is still a great monitor.  I figured I’d be better off getting a newer motherboard, memory and a new case.  That old Antec full tower is close to 10 years old.  I will be getting my first black case…sad, eh?  I plan  on going for a Gigabyte GA-EP45-DS3R motherboard, 2GB of G. SKILL PC2-8500 DDR2 and some decent case.  The case I’ll buy locally to save on shipping.  I’m probably going to grab a power supply as well.  Not sure what yet, but my Blue Storm is close to 3 years old.  It still works perfectly, but my bedroom HTPC PSU blew a couple of weeks ago and I think it would do well to be retired to that light duty.  I’d like to save a few bucks in the PSU department if I can, but I don’t want to shortchange my quad either.  I’ll have to see what I have and what I can do with it.

I’m probably going to end up getting an Antec Three Hundred case.  It’s only $60 at MicroCenter and is fine for me.   I’m probably going to go to Fry’s today and see what they have it for.  If I can’t get it for the same or better, I’ll head out to MicroCenter tomorrow or Friday.  I’ll be sure to post here when I figure things out (maybe this afternoon, so check back!).

Donavon West of Home Server Hacks is giving away a free copy of Windows Home Server via a special drawing to attract more visitors to his blog.  Pretty good idea and I’m in for an entry or two.

You can read about the contest here.

It’s a slow process starting a blog that’s destined to be more than what you can sign up for at MySpace or the like. I didn’t realize it until now. However, I’m slowly making headway towards getting the information on here, and in the way I want it. There has been a Project Galleries link added to the top menu. Aside from my blog entries, there will be a condensed ‘gallerized’ version of my projects placed there. I have completed the unRAID Server gallery and posted it. The second part is still in the works.

Welcome to theHTPC.net!
I find myself visiting quite a few sites on a daily basis that deal with home theater, computers, encoding, movies, and home theater PCs in general. My biggest issue is remembering where I saw that new tip or trick, plugin, or hack that I want to try on my Media Center at home. That’s where the idea for theHTPC.net came from. My own ’somewhat’ daily account of everything HTPC related.
So, if you’re the least bit interested in anything I’ve mentioned, please register and help make theHTPC.net your own resource for everything HTPC!