Off Topic Thread V2.0

frozenfrozen · 30-12-2015 04:25PM

speaking of that box ^ does anyone have a htpc type setup with satellite and saorview / live tv stuff working nicely? I'm looking to get rid of sky+. already have a sonarr + couchpotato nzbget type setup at the moment just missing live tv

Johnboy1951 · 30-12-2015 04:48PM

frozenfrozen wrote: »

speaking of that box ^ does anyone have a htpc type setup with satellite and saorview / live tv stuff working nicely? I'm looking to get rid of sky+. already have a sonarr + couchpotato nzbget type setup at the moment just missing live tv

Yes quite a few do, including myself.
I have separate boxes now ..... one old PC with the tuners streaming on the LAN and client devices at the TVs (R-Pi; NUC or similar) to manage selection and display of the TV channel and stored videos.
Recently added a couple of home plugs for the streams.
Working very well.

frozenfrozen · 30-12-2015 05:37PM

Johnboy1951 wrote: »

Yes quite a few do, including myself.
I have separate boxes now ..... one old PC with the tuners streaming on the LAN and client devices at the TVs (R-Pi; NUC or similar) to manage selection and display of the TV channel and stored videos.
Recently added a couple of home plugs for the streams.
Working very well.

just out of simplicity for switching everyone in the house over from sky is there a way to get this sort of skin

(look around 48 seconds) while doing it over R-pi's around the house? I'd obviously have no issue adapting to kodi but it would be handy being able to do make it just look and act like sky+ for the sake of others.

Ideally I'll probably end up with a setup like yours with it running on one pc with the tuner cards and then just rPi's in the other rooms.

Johnboy1951 · 30-12-2015 06:07PM

frozenfrozen wrote: »

just out of simplicity for switching everyone in the house over from sky is there a way to get this sort of skin
(look around 48 seconds) while doing it over R-pi's around the house? I'd obviously have no issue adapting to kodi but it would be handy being able to do make it just look and act like sky+ for the sake of others.

Ideally I'll probably end up with a setup like yours with it running on one pc with the tuner cards and then just rPi's in the other rooms.

I use Kodi for the backend (with tvheadend controlling the tuners) and also for the client devices at the TVs.
PCs/Laptops connecting can use either Kodi or VLC (with HTSP plugin) to access the Live TV channels.

Regarding the 'look', this is determined by the Kodi skin used.
I have kept mine simple - default Confluence skin - which others have no problem adapting to.
I guess there are probably other skins which are closer to what you want.
Not something that has held a lot of interest for me.

People can easily get used to different UIs in phones and tablets etc, so it should be no problem doing the same for TV watching.

My only tip would be to suss out the different skins and decide what suits best and use that one only for all the devices.

EDIT:

Something like this might suit

http://linuxsat-support.com/showthread.php?t=81741&p=295568&viewfull=1#post295568

.G. · 30-12-2015 06:53PM

frozenfrozen wrote: »

speaking of that box ^ does anyone have a htpc type setup with satellite and saorview / live tv stuff working nicely? I'm looking to get rid of sky+. already have a sonarr + couchpotato nzbget type setup at the moment just missing live tv

I've a satellite box (Edision Optimus OS3+) running enigma2 which can stream to any PC or tablet/phone over the home network so somebody can be watching TV on the box itself in the living room and somebody else can be watching live tv with a stream. I have a HTPC in the living room too running KODI for our own home media library( stored on a NAS) which is also accessible via the tablets, phones and pc's.

The enigma 2 receivers can be set up to look like Sky too if you want but other skins are far better.

TheDoc · 31-12-2015 12:53AM

I use an Alien 2+ running Enigma, like that youtube video. Basically a linux box. Pretty brilliant, one or two minor niggles, but won't be renewing my sky sub

ShadowHearth · 31-12-2015 03:01AM

Well, got my little present for myself delivered today. Logitech G930.
Only managed to faff around with it for a bit as got late from work and need to go back to bed for work tomorow..

I have mixed emotions with it. I love it's build quality, the looks, the feel. The sound is great and surround actually works.
The issues I have with it and by the looks of it a lot of people do:
Logitech software does not detecting headset, so needed so faff to sort it out. I am not sure it will work after restart again though.
The second issue I have is very low mic sound. Lads have manually put my voice up on vent. No options to put boost up at all for some weird reason. Not in software not in Windows itself. Got it now a bit better after some playing with settings, but still an issue.
All in all I still love it. My arma exile became a lot better.

.G. · 31-12-2015 02:37PM

ShadowHearth wrote: »

Well, got my little present for myself delivered today. Logitech G930.
Only managed to faff around with it for a bit as got late from work and need to go back to bed for work tomorow..

I have mixed emotions with it. I love it's build quality, the looks, the feel. The sound is great and surround actually works.
The issues I have with it and by the looks of it a lot of people do:
Logitech software does not detecting headset, so needed so faff to sort it out. I am not sure it will work after restart again though.
The second issue I have is very low mic sound. Lads have manually put my voice up on vent. No options to put boost up at all for some weird reason. Not in software not in Windows itself. Got it now a bit better after some playing with settings, but still an issue.
All in all I still love it. My arma exile became a lot better.

I had issues with a mic being very low recently, different headset but might work for you. Right click on the speaker icon in the taskbar and click sounds. Then click communication and then for the options relating to "When windows detects communications activity" set it to " do nothing". That sorted my mic volume out. I boosted its volume in recording devices too.

MarkAnthony · 31-12-2015 08:09PM

Can anyone suggest a really, REALLY, quiet 200mm fan that will ramp up and down with a fan profile in the BIOS please? The thermaltake one I have seems to go from about 750RPM to 875RPM and is the loudest thing in my PC bar the mechanical HDD.

Edit: Is the insider program now over for win 10 - if not seems a very nice way of getting a freebie OS!

MarkAnthony · 01-01-2016 03:52PM

Also - sound proofing - I see the stuff pre cut on OC.co.uk but does anyone know a cheapo ghetto version I can buy and cut for my own custom design?

Jacovs · 01-01-2016 08:11PM

Maybe someone here can help/explain it to me. I used to work in the engineering sector using programs like AutoCad and Inventor.
When looking on the Autodesk website, they only recommend GPU's such as the Nvidia Quadro and AMD Firepro ranges.
What specification do these cards have that regular gaming cards dont, which makes them the preferred cards for 3D modelling and makes them cost so much?

If I was to compare my HD7870 with a similar Firepro card, it would be the V7900.
Both have 2GB GDDR5, 1280 stream processors, 256-bit interface, 150-160GB/s bandwidth.
HD7870 supports OpenCL 1.2, OpenGL 4.2, DX11.2
V7900 supports OpenCL 1.1, OpenGL 4.1, DX11.0

The HD7870 can be bought new (used amazon uk just for comparison) for about £200, but the V7900 comes in at £500 for the cheapest one on there.

Which important spec am I missing?

papu · 01-01-2016 08:34PM

Jacovs wrote: »

Maybe someone here can help/explain it to me. I used to work in the engineering sector using programs like AutoCad and Inventor.
When looking on the Autodesk website, they only recommend GPU's such as the Nvidia Quadro and AMD Firepro ranges.
What specification do these cards have that regular gaming cards dont, which makes them the preferred cards for 3D modelling and makes them cost so much?

If I was to compare my HD7870 with a similar Firepro card, it would be the V7900.
Both have 2GB GDDR5, 1280 stream processors, 256-bit interface, 150-160GB/s bandwidth.
HD7870 supports OpenCL 1.2, OpenGL 4.2, DX11.2
V7900 supports OpenCL 1.1, OpenGL 4.1, DX11.0

The HD7870 can be bought new (used amazon uk just for comparison) for about £200, but the V7900 comes in at £500 for the cheapest one on there.

Which important spec am I missing?

Expensive professional apps certification procedures and driver optimizations, as well as the fact that they can charge more for professional uses.

Jacovs · 01-01-2016 08:41PM

papu wrote: »

Expensive professional apps certification procedures and driver optimizations, as well as the fact that they can charge more for professional uses.

What would that translate to in performance differences?
Using my example, if the V7900 is rated 100% performance, how would the HD7870 compare to it in such applications?
Or alternatively, could you use an inferior card like say the W4100, which has 512 stream processors, 128-bit interface, 72GB/s bandwidth (more or less half the specs of the other 2 cards), but in 3D design applications you could get the same performance or even better than using a gaming card like the HD7870? Even though its about the same price as a HD7870.

MarkAnthony · 01-01-2016 09:16PM

papu · 01-01-2016 09:17PM

Jacovs wrote: »

What would that translate to in performance differences?
Using my example, if the V7900 is rated 100% performance, how would the HD7870 compare to it in such applications?
Or alternatively, could you use an inferior card like say the W4100, which has 512 stream processors, 128-bit interface, 72GB/s bandwidth (more or less half the specs of the other 2 cards), but in 3D design applications you could get the same performance or even better than using a gaming card like the HD7870? Even though its about the same price as a HD7870.

It means they can't guarantee the same level of performance on the non pro cards. You buy the consumer card, maybe it'll work maybe it wont. You're at the mercy of the OPENGL support and performance, with no specific driver optimizations for those programs.
I wouldn't be able to translate those specs into performance values. You'd have to ask someone who has the same set up. v7900 vs w4100 , of course the v7900 is going to be able to handle more . As with gaming cards there's a wide range, it really depends on the scale of what you want to do.

_Tombstone_ · 02-01-2016 01:00AM

http://www.biosflash.de/e/index.htm

Is that place legit? They'll put a BIOS on it for ya. Could it be dodgy.

Doge · 02-01-2016 01:31AM

_Tombstone_ wrote: »

http://www.biosflash.de/e/index.htm

Is that place legit? They'll put a BIOS on it for ya. Could it be dodgy.

I ordered from those guys before and had no problems.

You really do need to know the correct bios you need though.

ShadowHearth · 02-01-2016 12:03PM

Is it me or gpu prices on adverts are just completely bonkers? Stuff like 670, 680, r290 amd even old 7970 have crazy price tags.

I always knew adverts live in lialia land, but not that deep.

Lu Tze · 02-01-2016 12:32PM

ShadowHearth wrote: »

Is it me or gpu prices on adverts are just completely bonkers? Stuff like 670, 680, r290 amd even old 7970 have crazy price tags.

I always knew adverts live in lialia land, but not that deep.

I doubt many sell at those prices. I saw an advert for a 7970 (which still holds it own at 1080p easily) for 95 i think a few weeks before christmas. You wouldnt get a second hand 750ti for that most of the time. I guess the problem is that some of these were bought for 300-400 only 2-3 years ago, most will find it hard to accept that they have depreciated 50-70% in the meantime.

Im holding onto a HD7770 that im not even using, as it is worth more as a back up if my graphics card fails than what i would get on adverts for it (maybe 40-50 if i was very optimistic, but realistically probably looking at 30). Still does fine the odd time i want to fire something up for some local multiplayer on the telly which is only 720p.

MarkAnthony · 02-01-2016 02:48PM

ShadowHearth wrote: »

Is it me or gpu prices on adverts are just completely bonkers? Stuff like 670, 680, r290 amd even old 7970 have crazy price tags.

I always knew adverts live in lialia land, but not that deep.

R9 290 went at €150 a week before Xmas. Freaking bargain of the year that. You've just got to keep an eye. However it works the other way too sometimes. I sold a 840 evo for €75, two others went at €80. That's a marginal saving on a brand new 850 but sometimes people just want something slightly cheaper.

The only thing that gets me is rude asshats on adverts. How difficult is it to simply say no thanks, or not answer at all. Okay it's slightly annoying to be offered a half eaten 4 day old bag of chips and the exhaust from a Montego estate for a 980ti but I find it more amusing than anything else.

The only other thing is people that are clearly fecking commercial, Bits-N-Bobs for example, rude in his ads, clearly buying stuff and selling it on. That said you then get honest people like Terrorfirmer selling some great stuff for decent money.

All in all I like adverts

ShadowHearth · 02-01-2016 04:52PM

Like I sold myself a few things on adverts, but I always would have fair price for my items. So far I was lucky with all buyers.
I was thinking of picking up second hand 680 and use it for now to run wide screen 1080p, until new gpus come out as buying 390 right now just screams of "bad idea, Bro".

I presume 680 would still be a solid 100-120eu?

Lu Tze · 02-01-2016 05:45PM

ShadowHearth wrote: »

Like I sold myself a few things on adverts, but I always would have fair price for my items. So far I was lucky with all buyers.
I was thinking of picking up second hand 680 and use it for now to run wide screen 1080p, until new gpus come out as buying 390 right now just screams of "bad idea, Bro".

I presume 680 would still be a solid 100-120eu?

Check out the sold 680s on adverts, the last 4-5 sold between €125 - €180.

http://www.adverts.ie/for-sale/q_gtx680/status_sold/

BloodBath · 02-01-2016 05:53PM

7970 kicks the crap out of the 680. Should get it at the same price. I sold mine to terror there for €130.

Lu Tze · 02-01-2016 07:03PM

BloodBath wrote: »

7970 kicks the crap out of the 680. Should get it at the same price. I sold mine to terror there for €130.

Im presuming he is looking to sli with his existing 680 if he can find one cheap enough.

BloodBath · 02-01-2016 07:28PM

Oh right. I missed that part.

ShadowHearth · 02-01-2016 09:38PM

Lu Tze wrote: »

Check out the sold 680s on adverts, the last 4-5 sold between €125 - €180.

http://www.adverts.ie/for-sale/q_gtx680/status_sold/

Tues still kind of hanging in there... Would be better way of just selling my one and adding the rest for 390, instead of buying second 680.

Even with one 680, I would still get a massive performance in 2560x1080? 1080p 680 stoll holds its ground.

MarkAnthony · 02-01-2016 09:51PM

ShadowHearth wrote: »

Tues still kind of hanging in there... Would be better way of just selling my one and adding the rest for 390, instead of buying second 680.

Even with one 680, I would still get a massive performance in 2560x1080? 1080p 680 stoll holds its ground.

Wait until a 290 come along at a decent price and offer to swap it - be canny enough and someone might go for a straight swap. If not offer to throw in three hub caps from a 1985 Maestro.

Jacovs · 02-01-2016 11:01PM

Itching for an upgrade. Seen Bloodbath posted this http://www.mindfactory.de/product_info.php/2048MB-Asus-Radeon-R9-380-Strix-DirectCU-II-Aktiv-PCIe-3-0-x16--Retail-_1006697.html in a thread and its tempting me.
I noticed they also have special offers, and for that particular card it is a e20 cashback offer. So when it comes to payment, and using paypal, it should work out to about 188 including delivery and paypal fee? Is the e20 cashback just applied as a discount when checking out? Or do they slip a 20 in with the card when sending it? :pac:

Mr Blobby · 02-01-2016 11:31PM

Didn't want to start a new thread for one question so i thought i'd just ask it here.

I was looking at prices for a R9 390 and found this one - http://www.mindfactory.de/product_info.php/8192MB-Sapphire-Radeon-R9-390-Nitro-inkl--Backplate-Aktiv-PCIe-3-0-x16--_1012937.html
Its €340 so a decent price.

But then i spotted a R9 390X for only €349 - http://www.mindfactory.de/product_info.php/8192MB-VTX3D-Radeon-R9-390X-Triple-Fan-Aktiv-PCIe-3-0-x16--Retail-_1019918.html

Is that 390X manufacturer just really poor compared to the others? Or is it a really good deal?

Digital Solitude · 02-01-2016 11:33PM

VTX3D are fairly poor

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