I am wondering if it is time to jump into x64 Vista..
Besides more appropiate memory management with 4GB+ installed, what are the advantages of a HTPC running VMC x64 over x86?
Are there any VMC plug-ins / add-ons that are incompatible with VMC x64?
What are best practices for a myTV/My Movies setup?
Do you prefer the Vista 32Bit or 64bit version for Vista Media Center?
(SP1 of course...)
My myTV manages 127 shows, 276 seasons and 3514 episodes
Still running x86 on mine. Only my 2k8 server is running x64.
myTV Moderatorthetvdb.com Administrator
My PC has 8GB of RAM, so of course I first tried x64. Everything worked great in it, except my dual tuner analog card (it seems that absolutely no dual tuner analog cards work in x64 properly when 8GB RAM is installed). So, not knowing any better, I tried a newer dual tuner analog card, again, didn't work. I reverted back to x86 and its working fine, though it really bothers me that nobody can make a working card. And seriously, these companies need to not claim they're x64 compatible if they don't work with more RAM, considering that's the only reason to use x64.
Not the only reason surely. I've found that a machine running x674 of Vista is a lot faster than an identical one running x86.
Haha, must be the extra 3 bits doing it
If you're in a team, you'll be able to blame it on your team members, and that's one of the reasons for working in a team, but if you're working by yourself and your program has errors, all you can do is blame it on Microsoft.
Ok, so for you all running x64. I'm considering going back to 64bit on my VMC machine. I am curious though, What 64bit codecs do you use? The FFDShow tryout FAQ says there are 64bit versions, but there are none in the download section.
I haven't used them, but a lot of people reckon the stuff available from shark007.net is the best for x64.
There are ffdshow tryout builds for x64. The most recent is http://downloads.sourceforge.net/ffdshow-tryout/ffdshow_rev2084_20080825_x64_dbt.exe?modtime=1219691609&big_mirror=0
If you use mkv, you'll also want the matroska splitter from http://sourceforge.net/project/showfiles.php?group_id=205650&package_id=260619 and maybe a few of the others from there. Unfortunately, still no x64 haali splitter.
I must be blind cause I just went through all the downloads on their SF site and still don't see that. Actually see nothing x64. I must be going crazy or something.
Edit: your link to the x64 ffdshow tryout isn't working for me. but hat could be a SF problem.
Maybe this page
well crap! I am blind!! Thanks dgaust
One reason that I was considering moving to x64 was to improve the performance of the MyMovies/myTV database. As I continue to expand my collection, I am seeing the sqlserver process increasing its memory size. The CPU really gets hammered when rebooting the machine but I can live with that as it does its thing and then evens out.
Any comments??
As long as all your devices have x64 drivers, I'd say go for it. I notice a huge difference between 32/64 -bit running on the same machine and when I get around to getting a HTPC up and running again I'll definitely go x64.
I'd say SQL (even small databases like this) is an ideal candidate for 64bit computing.
I've been using x64 for a while now and it has worked well for me. I can't speak to any speed differences within Vista since I never tried the 32 bit version and it was a new PC build which flew compared to my replaced PIII.
I've found that now most of the apps are supporting 64, although I did run into more trouble with it at first. Definitely don't install it if you plan to transcode using My Movies using Transcode 360. The Transcode360 app runs on 32 bit only and My Movies will install on 64 bit and does not work with the transcoder. I posted several messages with Brian at My Movies and he has confirmed this won't work and will not work with the upcoming MCML release. On a positive note, I read that the developer is starting work on Transcode360 again so maybe that will be resolved at some point (although it has been over a year without support so we'll see).
Greg
Hmm
I'm almost certain there are one or two users here running myTV x64 and transcode to extenders. Anyone verify?
Sorry, I should be more explicit. My comment was directly related to My Movies... I personally had Transcode360 working with my x64 build and was able to stream movies to my XBOX using the Video Library. The issue seems to be in the way My Movies is written and calling the Transcode API within the x64 build.
Believe me, I have tried to convince Brian that it works with my other x64 VMC apps so it is possible. He just said outright that it will not work and he will not support it...so I guess that's it. Just checked the Transcode site and no updates from the developer since the last post in June about getting it going again...not holding my breath.