Of HTPCs, Graphics Cards and Windows MCE...

I've got a bit of a problem with my HTPC. Basically I was
given an Epia M10000 mini-itx motherboard that I put in
a Cubid 3688 case, DVDRW, 80Gb drive, etc etc. [1]

Now this has made a really nice little PC when I got it
all running, but the problem came with Windows Media
Center - this uses video overlay to accelerate the
graphics but the TV-out on the Epia doesn't work with
the overlay, so you end up with a black screen.

I've fished around for a low-profile (PCI) graphics
card but this doesn't fit into the case either, so
I'm a bit stuck. I've tried GBPVR, which works fine
through the TV-out, but the video output is so slow
that it is unwatchable... a better graphics card would
help but they don't fit in the case ... and round
we go again.

So any recommendations? I really don't want to junk
all this kit, but an XBox360 is looking more and more
tempting as I stumble through this!

I guess I could change the motherboard for a better
one, and hopefully one that works with MCE, so has
anyone got any recommendations?

TIA.

[1] http://mini-itx.com/store/

 

The built-in graphics processor is not good enough
and I cannot add an additional graphics card due
to the form size.

 

The case is only 65mm high, so not much space inside
once the mb is mounted; standard height cards don't
fit, and neither do low profile (half height) ones.

I think it'll be a mb upgrade to something more
beefy that will support MCE.

 

Or...does the current set up actually have an internal TV capture
card? If so he could (cheaply) have my Hauppauge PVR-350 card (the
same as yours) which includes the TV-OUT that works well with GBPVR.

 

See above ... cards don't fit :-(

I might just buy a 42" lcd tv with pc input instead...

 

http://linitx.com/product_info.php?products_id=1366

(or a left-handed one, depeneding on the motherboard layout).

 

Thanks, but there isn't any space inside for it
to fit. I may try a flexible PCI riser as there
is about a 2" gap along the edge which may work.

The inside is like this ... very tight for space!
http://mini-itx.com/reviews/3688/images/3688-0018L.jpg

 

At the very same establishment they have something called a "PCI riser
card". These basically translates into something like "an angled extension
card", that allows you to use a PCI-card mounted parallel to the
motherboard (http://mini-itx.com/store/?c=8).

For all (but the very slimmest/"vertically challenged"!) of cases, that
should solve the problem. (I even think they have some sort of table
listing which cases will allow PCI-cards etc...)

 

no cards whatsoever? That's some crappy case...the Hauppauge is PCI,
if that helps.

what, you mean you haven't got one already?

Pikey!

 

The case is 65mm high - that's the whole point.
This thing is tiny and that's the way I want it.

Meh. We've still got our £399 28" widescreen telly
we bought with gift vouchers from when we got married;
a Matsui branded box from Dixons/Currys that everyone
said wouldn't last more than a year. It has been pulled
off the stand by the kids twice (a drop of about 2 feet)
and is still going strong with just a couple of minor
dents in the speaker covers. We got married 8 years ago,
so it certainly has lasted well.

I'm still waiting for the technology to settle down,
as I don't want to shell out on old stuff or screw
myself within a couple of years. Plus prices are coming
down all the time. And I'm not allowed to watch much
on the thing as it is!