RAMChYLD Wrote:Noted. I'd suggest using Lily for the MCPC instead (the HD3000 graphics can only take you so far. On the other hand, Audrey has not yet reached her full potential yet- you've yet to get her a compatible card to do CrossfireX/Dual Graphics). Slap on an Elgato USB tuner or two and a cheap USB DVD-RW drive, and XBMC/Kodi, and she'll be a serviceable MCPC. Especially since she already has a built-in IR sensor and a reasonably large hard drive. And well, with a wireless USB keyboard and mouse, you can still do video editing on her (which will work out too since you will then have a large screen for viewing).
And yes, there's a Mac-native version of XBMC/Kodi.
It's a win-win solution that way. Lily gets used for video editing and MCPC, Audrey keeps her audio duties (and possibly gaming), and Jasper gets put back to use as a retro box.
In regards to Audrey being an MCPC, it appears Gateway had that in mind. She has an HDMI output which fits Anna-Lena perfectly as well as a remote control program called Acer Remote. However, I tested it last night and it's far too limited for my uses. Only basic playback functions for PowerDVD/WMP are present and no access to a real Menu button. I'm going to have to acquire an inexpensive MCPC remote off eBay, such as the one below:
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I ran some test DVDs last night also, and video playback is smooth and fluid. Color reproduction seems far better than Lilly for some reason, though I used the basic Apple DVD player when Lilly was tried as an MCPC. Perhaps PowerDVD has better processing or something. If I wanted PowerDVD on Lilly I would have to purchase it, even if I wanted to use WMP for playback. VLC would work for DVDs too, and it's free, but I find it's video processing is not as smooth as PowerDVD/WMP. However, I shall use VLC for R2 DVDs that don't have Macrovision.
I appreciate the ideas, and maybe if Audrey doesn't work out in the end maybe I'll consider it. As of now though I'm arranging the setup the way I feel comfortable. I prefer video and audio editing at a desk, and while Anna-Lena would provide me a massive screen for video editing, doing that on a couch or anything but a desk seems uncomfortable to me.
Oh, and Greta is the gaming PC, since all I play are casual games and she has the Nvidia GeForce 610m.
I love foxes, especially the one in my avatar.