PC Client replacement advice for HD300

[Dargason]

Well, a storm last week managed to take out my server, router, and the NIC on both of my HD300s.

I replaced the MB and CPU on the server, as well as the router, and things are running fine using the HD200 I had sitting in the closet. But I need some help on where to go from here.

The HD300s work fine as long as you don't want to use the ethernet port. Is there any way to salvage them using a USB NIC? (I doubt it, but thought I would ask.)

Assuming they can't be salvaged, I need some advice on building a replacement client. I already have a couple of unused SageTV client licenses for windows.

I recall a thread in which someone build and configured a client based on a barebones mini computer (Foxconn?) but I haven't been able to locate the thread. I thought I'd take a look at it and see if it is still useful.

I've looked at some other threads, and it seems that a typical budget for one of these would be close to $500 (including the windows license). This seems to be comparable to a laptop computer, so I wonder why not just buy a laptop? What are the pro's and con's for this approach?

[wayner]

You can use USB Wifi adapters with the HD300, Sage even sold such a device, look for some threads on that as that may be a good solution. Perhaps there are also wired NICs that would also work especially if they used a similar chipset.

There are now lots of options for small, quiet PCs suitable for HTPCs that should be under $500. Look for Intel NUC or gigabyte Brix PCs.

[Dargason]

I looks like the USB dongle thing was tried in the past, unsuccessfully.

http://forums.sagetv.com/forums/show...=USB+interface

[nyplayer]

This definitely works. I use it. They are expensive but you might be able to find some in Amazon used.
http://www.bootic.com/belkin/electro...ss-usb-adapter

[Dargason]

You use that on an HD300? That's great news!

I might have to stop by Best Buy this afternoon and pick one up for testing.

[nyplayer]

Originally Posted by Dargason

You use that on an HD300? That's great news!

I might have to stop by Best Buy this afternoon and pick one up for testing.

Yes I do there are others that use it.

[wayner]

Do some more searching on threads here as you might come up with other cheaper USB devices. Here is one such thread: http://forums.sagetv.com/forums/show...s+usb+extender

[nyplayer]

You can get some on EBAY quite cheap.

[Dargason]

Best Buy has these on sale for $15:

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/belkin-ieee-802-11n-usb-wi-fi-adapter/2089316.p?id=1218309070178&skuId=2089316&st=categoryid$abcat0503007&cp=1&lp=1

[nyplayer]

Originally Posted by Dargason

Best Buy has these on sale for $15:

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/belkin-ieee-802-11n-usb-wi-fi-adapter/2089316.p?id=1218309070178&skuId=2089316&st=categoryid$abcat0503007&cp=1&lp=1

If you have a best buy by you it might be worth a try... If you can return it if it doesn't work. Or keep it as a spare for other equipment.

[Dargason]

Hmm... I can't seem to get it to work. It doesn't connect. When I give up and start into the standalone mode, it lists 'wired' as the only option in the network configuration screen. And there's no IP address.

I assume that when I find a USB wifi stick that works, there will be a "Wireless" option and mac address.

I already tried reseting the HD300. Anything else I can try before I take this back?

Any suggestions for other devices that are known to work?

[nyplayer]

Originally Posted by Dargason

Hmm... I can't seem to get it to work. It doesn't connect. When I give up and start into the standalone mode, it lists 'wired' as the only option in the network configuration screen. And there's no IP address.

I assume that when I find a USB wifi stick that works, there will be a "Wireless" option and mac address.

I already tried reseting the HD300. Anything else I can try before I take this back?

Any suggestions for other devices that are known to work?

The one I quoted above is the one I know that works. Yes you should see wireless.

You might want to look at this thread.
http://forums.sagetv.com/forums/show...0&postcount=67

[Dargason]

When I was at Best Buy returning the USB sticks, I took a look at the laptops. They had a Dell for only $229 that looked like it might work. I didn't look at the model number, unfortunately, but I think it might have been this one:

Dell Inspiron

Would this device have enough processing power to output 1080p video? What other software does a typically client need to run (all comskip and transcoding are done on the server.) I don't typically need to watch DVD/Blue rays, and I don't play games; this would pretty much just need to replicate the functions of the HD300. (Though if this opens new options, I'd be interested in hearing about them.)

Having never run a PC client, I'm not quite sure what is needed.

[poto]

Don't give up on your HD300s yet - Encore ENUWI-N Wireless 802.11n USB adapter will work. A forum member suggested this model to me last year after a lightning strike damaged some gear.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Encore-ENUWI...item5d4ddbcc63

I'm also using the Belkin model F5D8051 on a HD200.

http://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_saca...c&LH_PrefLoc=1

JP

[mikejaner]

Originally Posted by Dargason

When I was at Best Buy returning the USB sticks, I took a look at the laptops. They had a Dell for only $229 that looked like it might work. I didn't look at the model number, unfortunately, but I think it might have been this one:

Dell Inspiron

Would this device have enough processing power to output 1080p video? What other software does a typically client need to run (all comskip and transcoding are done on the server.) I don't typically need to watch DVD/Blue rays, and I don't play games; this would pretty much just need to replicate the functions of the HD300. (Though if this opens new options, I'd be interested in hearing about them.)

Having never run a PC client, I'm not quite sure what is needed.

I got one of these for my mom last year for around the same price ($250).
http://www.dell.com/us/p/inspiron-15...15-3531-laptop
I tested it out before I gave it to her to use, and with Windows and XBMC it ran through all of my 1080P content without breaking a sweat. I don't think it ever went over 20%.

[Dargason]

Thanks Mike. That's what I was wondering about -- if it had enough power to handle all the necessary stuff.

[junkieofreality]

Well the dreaded happened for me as well, lightening struck our house. It came in through the unprotected line frying our cable modem then traveling to both the hardwired hd300's, HTPC server, and Stereo Amp. The amp is getting repaired and luckily only the Ethernet port on the server was damaged but I'm having no luck with either of the hd300's. I bought 3 different usb dongles from Best buy before ordering http://www.ebay.com/itm/291177070163 from Ebay. Neither HD300 finds the adapter I only see a choice for wired. Ver 2000 is stamped on the back of this adapter. Did I receive a incompatible model or perhaps they are really toast?

[Dargason]

This is tempting:

http://www.microcenter.com/product/4...mputer_-_Black

[mikejaner]

Originally Posted by Dargason

This is tempting:

http://www.microcenter.com/product/4...mputer_-_Black

Picking mine up today.

[mikejaner]

Got it home, uninstalled extra software, installed PLEX, played a full 1080p mkv, and it averaged around 20%