Benefits of MVP

[pbackiel]

I plan on running GB-PVR on a PC next to my TV. Is there any benefit of using a MVP in this situation? I was planning to connect the PC directly to the TV, then ran across this forum and it caught my curiousity.

[psycik]

I would say if you've got a system working and it's not too loud then I don't see how an MVP would be of advantage.

The advantages of your PC is is it's flexibility of video types (codecs and the like, with a PC you can just add then really easy) and you could add upscaling for DVD, HD video etc.

The MVP is limited to natively handling MPEG2 video and other formats must be streamed to it, but it's advantage is it can give a really nice picture, and it's small (really small). So if noise and looks are an issue then the MVP may be for you.

Personally I have a PC in the lounge as my may GBPVR machine with digital coax out to a receiver, and I'm intending to drive a HD TV set later on.

I have an MVP in the bedroom for watching, mostly, recorded content (Mpeg2), which it handles very well.

I know some users that do use MVPs exclusively, but for me, I need the sound to come through, and at the time of buying, MVP's could not support and digital coax, or digital optical connection to a receiver.

[David]

The MVP is a small fanless device that can sit next to your TV. You can control it with it's own remote. Most PC's will have some kind of noise during operation, while the MVP is silent.

You can also have many MVP's connected to your one media server so that your programming is available in multiple rooms. They each operate independantly.

It is recommended that you use the MVP hardwired, but you may find it works OK wireless. So a down side may be running wire.

There are also UPnP media adapters available to do the same type of thing. I have a MVP and a DSM-320 to deliver content to my Home Theater system.

[pbackiel]

I built my HTPC with low noise as a priority. It is very quiet but not silent. A lot quieter than my wife after I told her I just bought a HDTV. Anyway, really isn't a problem. I think my wife would appreciate the HTPC hidden somewhere instead of in the livivng room. As for cabling, my brother's an electrician and he rewired my house. He must have run a mile of CAT5. I have 2 or 3 drops in each room so connections aren't a problem. I like the idea of using the MVP to stream to other TVs in the house. I guess I could hook the main TV up directly and use the MVP to stream to the other TVs in the house? Thanks for everyones input, much appreciated.

[jksmurf]

A lot quieter than my wife after I told her I just bought a HDTV.

ROTLMAO

k.

[Knobby]

I think my wife would appreciate the HTPC hidden somewhere instead of in the livivng room.

I'm using one of these cases - fits in quite well and doesn't really look like a PC. Even my other half likes the look of it:

[groover km]

That's a nice looking case - any specs?

[Knobby]

Here's a link to the manufacturers website:

http://uk.enlightcorp.com/Product/Produc...spx?ID=131

It was quite cheap too, for a media centre style case - here in the UK it was approx. £40 including delivery. No doubt you lucky people in the USA would be able to get it for less