L3P Posted July 3, 2008 Share Posted July 3, 2008 I want to replace my old macmini G4 with something that has a bit more horsepower. I am looking for a machine/ hardware that must be: *Able to play 1080p video without the fans going to 11 *quite *small * optical audio out (so I can hook it up to a surround sound system down the road) Would be nice if these would be built in / but I know I can get USB adapters/ PCIe: *IR *bluetooth *Wireless G/N From my research it seems like a lot of folks are picking up the shuttle SG30G2B. This looks like a pretty good option that would fit what I am looking for. However, I am open to all recommendations. I am specifically interested in processor, video card and audio card recommendations. I don't plan on playing any super intense video games on this machine... Pretty much just want it to play videos and watch tv (via el gato's software / hardware). I don't have a suround sound system at the moment so the optical audio could be on the back burner if I could add that later. Thanks in advance! L3P Link to comment https://www.insanelymac.com/forum/topic/113673-want-to-build-a-osx-mediacenter-hardware-recommendations/ Share on other sites More sharing options...
L3P Posted July 4, 2008 Author Share Posted July 4, 2008 Anyone happen to have any experience with the shuttle SG33G5B it has a better video card and the ability to handle more ram. Anyone tried using the optical audio out or the HDMI port on one of these guys? Thanks L3P Link to comment https://www.insanelymac.com/forum/topic/113673-want-to-build-a-osx-mediacenter-hardware-recommendations/#findComment-806375 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Synaesthesia Posted July 4, 2008 Share Posted July 4, 2008 It's simple, just search the forum As you can see this guy says it's working flawlessly. Just get a compatible graphics card.... Link to comment https://www.insanelymac.com/forum/topic/113673-want-to-build-a-osx-mediacenter-hardware-recommendations/#findComment-807536 Share on other sites More sharing options...
L3P Posted July 15, 2008 Author Share Posted July 15, 2008 I switched shuttle boxes I was looking at. Can you guys take a peak at the below hardware choices below and tell me what you think: Shuttle SG31G2 Intel Socket T(LGA775) Intel Core 2 Quad / Core 2 Duo / Dual-Core / Celeron 400 serial support Intel G31 Barebone - Retail Intel Core 2 Quad Q6600 Kentsfield 2.4GHz LGA 775 Quad-Core Processor Model HH80562PH0568M - OEM Seagate Barracuda 7200.11 ST31000340AS 1TB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive - OEM SAMSUNG 20X DVD±R DVD Burner with LightScribe Black SATA Model SH-S203N - OEM TRENDnet TEW-623PI 32-Bit PCI Rev. 2.1/2.2/2.3 Wireless N-Draft Adapter - Retail ASUS EN7200GS/HTD/256M GeForce 7200GS 256MB 64-bit GDDR2 PCI Express x16 Video Card - Retail pqi POWER Series 2GB 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Desktop Memory Model MAD42GUOE - Retail x2 (4gb) IOGEAR GBU221 USB 1.1 Enhanced Data Rate Wireless USB Adapter - Retail (Bluetooth USB) Shuttle PC17 Digital Audio Upgrade - Retail (Allows for Optical in and Optical out -Not sure if this will be supported) Okay so I'm also going to get: Mantra TR1 (USB IR) Extra SATA cables Thermal paste So I figure that this setup will cost no more than 950 shipped. I am trying to figure out if the quad core is going to be overkill for simply playing back HD video? Can you guys comment on that? Thanks a bunch in advance. L3P Link to comment https://www.insanelymac.com/forum/topic/113673-want-to-build-a-osx-mediacenter-hardware-recommendations/#findComment-820737 Share on other sites More sharing options...
drvr8 Posted July 16, 2008 Share Posted July 16, 2008 if you are trying to make a media center, why aren't you adding a blu-ray drive? Link to comment https://www.insanelymac.com/forum/topic/113673-want-to-build-a-osx-mediacenter-hardware-recommendations/#findComment-820932 Share on other sites More sharing options...
L3P Posted July 16, 2008 Author Share Posted July 16, 2008 I was not aware that OSX supported blueray playback at the moment... Am I totally wrong? If so what drives do people like and how are they playing the movies (what app?) I heard that Toast will allow for some blueray support but I was under the impression this was just for burning and reading blueray data discs? Link to comment https://www.insanelymac.com/forum/topic/113673-want-to-build-a-osx-mediacenter-hardware-recommendations/#findComment-821476 Share on other sites More sharing options...
(MoC) Posted July 16, 2008 Share Posted July 16, 2008 HD Apple TV.... Better than having a giant tower next to the TV... Link to comment https://www.insanelymac.com/forum/topic/113673-want-to-build-a-osx-mediacenter-hardware-recommendations/#findComment-821604 Share on other sites More sharing options...
L3P Posted July 16, 2008 Author Share Posted July 16, 2008 Indeed... I don;t want a large/loud machine in the living room. I have a G4 macmini in the living room now and have become accustom to having a full blown machine out there. Can someone address the blueray comment above? Link to comment https://www.insanelymac.com/forum/topic/113673-want-to-build-a-osx-mediacenter-hardware-recommendations/#findComment-821629 Share on other sites More sharing options...
(MoC) Posted July 17, 2008 Share Posted July 17, 2008 Indeed... I don;t want a large/loud machine in the living room. I have a G4 macmini in the living room now and have become accustom to having a full blown machine out there. Can someone address the blueray comment above? Yeah OS X does support Blu-Ray. And so does toast Link to comment https://www.insanelymac.com/forum/topic/113673-want-to-build-a-osx-mediacenter-hardware-recommendations/#findComment-822678 Share on other sites More sharing options...
L3P Posted July 17, 2008 Author Share Posted July 17, 2008 So what drives are people using? Do you need a special video card to play blueray videos? Link to comment https://www.insanelymac.com/forum/topic/113673-want-to-build-a-osx-mediacenter-hardware-recommendations/#findComment-822836 Share on other sites More sharing options...
L3P Posted July 22, 2008 Author Share Posted July 22, 2008 Okay, so I pulled the trigger on this system: 1 x VGA ASUS EN7200GS/HTD/256M RT - Retail $31.99 1 x CPU INTEL|C2Q Q6600 2.4G 775 65N % - OEM $184.99 1 x WL ADPT TRENDNET|TEW-623PI 300M RTL (PCI wifi -b/g/n) - Retail $49.99 1 x HD 750G|ST 7K 16M SATA2 ST3750640AS - OEM $119.99 2 x CABLE OKGEAR|GC18ABM SATA RTL - Retail $3.98 2 x MEM 2G|PQI MAD42GUOE R (4GB of ram) - Retail $73.98 1 x DVD BURN SAMSUNG|SH-S203N SATA LS % - OEM $26.49 1 x BLUTOTH ADPT AZIO|BTD603-132 CLS1 R - Retail $16.99 1 x CPU THERMPASTE|ARCTIC SILVER5 3.5G% - OEM $5.99 1 x BRBN SHUTTLE SG31G2 G31 ICH7 RTL - Retail $224.99 1 x XPC ACC SHUTTLE PC17 AUDIOUPGRADE R - Retail $9.99 1 x Mantra TR1 (USR IR) - $20 $769.37 Tax: $0.00 Shipping and Handling: $47.28 Total Amount: $816.65 I am going to use the Kalyway 10.5.2 install disk. All hardware should be supported with minimal hacking. I'll keep updating this thread once the hardware arrives. L3P Link to comment https://www.insanelymac.com/forum/topic/113673-want-to-build-a-osx-mediacenter-hardware-recommendations/#findComment-829504 Share on other sites More sharing options...
L3P Posted July 29, 2008 Author Share Posted July 29, 2008 So the hardware came this weekend and everything went together pretty quick. I installed with Kalyway 10.5.2 - vanilla kernel, Time machine fix, generic PC USB (don't know if I needed it but I took it anyways) and most of the other default driver/patch selections.... Once this guy was all put together and all the kinks worked out I rocked a Geekbench score of 4702 roughly 5.8X faster than my G4 Mac Mini!!! I have everything working except the restart function. Read below for detials on everything! So this goes for anyone who may build one of these guys down the road. Works out of the box: DVD/ CD SATA, SAMSUNG|SH-S203N* Hard drive, 750G| SATA2 ST3750640AS* - be sure to remove the jumper to unlock SATA2 compatibility Bluetooth AZIO|BTD603 - USB - It took a few restarts for OSX to pick this up, but I haven't had any issues since. I am using the apple BT keyboard. Intel Q6600 2.4G - recognized as "2.39Ghz Unknown"... does not report core temperatures to OSX. 4GB of PQI Ram LAN Logitech MX Revolution (wireless USB mouse). Be sure to install logitech control center to program all of the buttons. *Several places that stated you MUST use SATA drives for this setup or the OSX installer disk will not work properly. I haven't tested this, just wanted to pass the note along. Components that needed to be patched: Audio Realtek ALC888 TRENDNET|TEW-623PI hardware v2.0 (need Ralink drivers) UPDATE: USB WiFi B/G/N ASUS EN7200GS|256M (needs nvinject 256) Manta TR1 (USB-IR) - won't work unless you use sofa control or Mira.Only annoying thing about the TR1 is that there is this red LED that lights up anytime it receives an IR command. I'm thinking about putting a little tape over it. Anyone know how to turn the LED off? For sleep to work adjust the following settings in the BIOS: In the power management area: ACPI Suspend Type [s3(STR)] Run VGABIOS if S3 resume [NO] I haven't tested FireWire or the optical audio add-on. I have seen a few options for optical output so my guess is that the system will rock audio out on the optical port... I just don't have the equipment to test this at the moment. I updated to 10.5.3 via the Kalyway combo update. This messed up the nvida card as I lost QE/CI. Luckily, there is a pretty easy fix out there that worked perfectly.. Initially I had issues with the shutdown and restart functions. After I repaired the permissions shutdown worked perfectly. Strange enough I am still having problems with the restart function. Anyone have any ideas on possible solutions? The other annoyance with this setup is that the BIOS requires that a USB (or I am assuming PS2) keyboard be installed before it will boot up. Is there any way around this? I was thinking about getting a cheap keyboard and plugging it in and hiding it behind my home theater equipment. This would be a pretty ugly hack but I am pretty sure it would work. Link to comment https://www.insanelymac.com/forum/topic/113673-want-to-build-a-osx-mediacenter-hardware-recommendations/#findComment-837985 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zaap Posted July 30, 2008 Share Posted July 30, 2008 The other annoyance with this setup is that the BIOS requires that a USB (or I am assuming PS2) keyboard be installed before it will boot up. Is there any way around this? I was thinking about getting a cheap keyboard and plugging it in and hiding it behind my home theater equipment. This would be a pretty ugly hack but I am pretty sure it would work. In your BIOS, I'd make sure any lines like HALT ON ___ is set to 'none', rather than 'all errors' or anything else. Sometimes a "missing keyboard" might be considered an error. Try toggling USB keyboard support on/off, and turn off any power on functions controlled by keyboard- certainly turn off any function that seems to require a PS2 keyboard be present. Link to comment https://www.insanelymac.com/forum/topic/113673-want-to-build-a-osx-mediacenter-hardware-recommendations/#findComment-838924 Share on other sites More sharing options...
vbetts Posted July 30, 2008 Share Posted July 30, 2008 The best thing about a media center PC, is you don't need high end parts for it. The E2 Pentium Dual core series will work for HD content just fine, or the E7200 would too. Link to comment https://www.insanelymac.com/forum/topic/113673-want-to-build-a-osx-mediacenter-hardware-recommendations/#findComment-839048 Share on other sites More sharing options...
L3P Posted July 31, 2008 Author Share Posted July 31, 2008 In your BIOS, I'd make sure any lines like HALT ON ___ is set to 'none', rather than 'all errors' or anything else. Sometimes a "missing keyboard" might be considered an error. Try toggling USB keyboard support on/off, and turn off any power on functions controlled by keyboard- certainly turn off any function that seems to require a PS2 keyboard be present. Zapp, thanks buddy! That fixed it. There is a setting in the BIOS that was set, by default, to (EDIT:) halt on all errors. I turned this off and now I am not having any issues with a keyboard not being present during startup. I am still having issues with restart. OSX looks like it shuts down, closes all the apps, the doc quits and then the monitor shuts off. After that the the system just hangs the fans are running and the LEDs stay on. Only way to get out of this is to press the restart button on the front of the machine. Any ideas on this??? Thanks, L3P Link to comment https://www.insanelymac.com/forum/topic/113673-want-to-build-a-osx-mediacenter-hardware-recommendations/#findComment-840236 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zaap Posted August 1, 2008 Share Posted August 1, 2008 I've had that same problem with my EP35-DS4 board- it was fixed using CHUD from the developer tools, and Poweroff bugfix. I think the theory is, at shutdown, these disable all but one core of a multi-core system. Then Leopard can shut down fully from just the one core. I have NO IDEA if it will work with your specific hardware, however. There's a tutorial Software Package with both tools in this thread if you want to give it a try. Link to comment https://www.insanelymac.com/forum/topic/113673-want-to-build-a-osx-mediacenter-hardware-recommendations/#findComment-841441 Share on other sites More sharing options...
L3P Posted August 4, 2008 Author Share Posted August 4, 2008 I've had that same problem with my EP35-DS4 board- it was fixed using CHUD from the developer tools, and Poweroff bugfix. I think the theory is, at shutdown, these disable all but one core of a multi-core system. Then Leopard can shut down fully from just the one core. I have NO IDEA if it will work with your specific hardware, however. There's a tutorial Software Package with both tools in this thread if you want to give it a try. Hey Zapp, Can you walk me through how you used CHUD? I can't seem to figure out what is needed to fix the restart issue. Thanks, L3P Link to comment https://www.insanelymac.com/forum/topic/113673-want-to-build-a-osx-mediacenter-hardware-recommendations/#findComment-844745 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zaap Posted August 5, 2008 Share Posted August 5, 2008 Hey Zapp, Can you walk me through how you used CHUD? I can't seem to figure out what is needed to fix the restart issue. Thanks, L3P 3. Install "CHUD.pkg" from the Vanilla folder in the tutorial package4. Open Finder and click on your boot drive. From there, navigate to the following folders: Developer > Extras > PreferencesPanes and install "Processor.prefPane" (for all users) 5. Install "PowerOff bug fix" from the Vanilla folder in the tutorial package When you go to System Preferences, you should see a Processor category under Hardware. I like to have mine show control in menu bar. Mine also reads Intel Xeon 51XX Processor, even though it's a Q6600. I believe the PowerOff fix switches to a single CPU at shutdown, and then the shutdown occurs properly. Keep in mind, I only suggest this as it worked for me and the EP35-DS4 mobo I'm using. I have no idea if it's a generic enough fix for your shutdown issues as well, but it's worth a try. If nothing else, the pref pane and processor palette provides useful info. Link to comment https://www.insanelymac.com/forum/topic/113673-want-to-build-a-osx-mediacenter-hardware-recommendations/#findComment-845307 Share on other sites More sharing options...
L3P Posted August 5, 2008 Author Share Posted August 5, 2008 When you go to System Preferences, you should see a Processor category under Hardware. I like to have mine show control in menu bar. Mine also reads Intel Xeon 51XX Processor, even though it's a Q6600. I believe the PowerOff fix switches to a single CPU at shutdown, and then the shutdown occurs properly. Keep in mind, I only suggest this as it worked for me and the EP35-DS4 mobo I'm using. I have no idea if it's a generic enough fix for your shutdown issues as well, but it's worth a try. If nothing else, the pref pane and processor palette provides useful info. Thanks for the detailed steps. Unfortunately the restart issues has not been resolved. Post patches my machine is having issues with shutdown again. Do you or anyone else happen to know anything about an un-install for the shutdown patch? Any other shuttle users out there having issues with shutdown or restart? Thanks Link to comment https://www.insanelymac.com/forum/topic/113673-want-to-build-a-osx-mediacenter-hardware-recommendations/#findComment-846129 Share on other sites More sharing options...
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