HTPC (I think!) Build...

WetDaddy

Not actually sure if this qualifies as a HTPC in the strictest sense (may just be an extender!), but I'm looking to build a small machine to playback movies, downloaded programmes, etc. I'm not interested at all in recording TV, so tuner cards aren't necessary (hence me not being sure if this thread is in the correct place or not )

Anyway, what I'm thinking of getting is:

• a decent-enough looking HTPC case (such as the Antec Fusion) with IR
• Digital Audio Out (preferably optical, but could survive with coax)
• Composite / S-Video Out (HDMI not neccessary, but wouldn't hurt)
• 2 x IDE support (master/slave set up is fine if I'm using 3 devices)
• Quiet enough PSU
• Onboard Ethernet (wireless would be nice too, but not essential)

My provisional plan is to cannibalise 1 or 1.5GB RAM along with my Athlon 64 3200+ (Socket 754) and 2 x IDE drives I have from an existing machine to help cut down on costs.

Since this doesn't have to be cutting edge (only really has to be able to play xvids, etc. and not rumble the foundations with noise!), I'm happy going with "affordable" hardware and running MythTV or something similar.

Don't worry, I'm not asking anyone to go "make me a shopping list" or anything like that! Just wondering if anyone's done something similar... I don't have me now Xbox 360, so I've to find another way around it (although a 360 would probably be cheaper now that I think about it!).

Any suggestions? Cheers in advance, guys!

8T8

Something like a Netgear EVA8000 might be more fitting. Plays MPEG-4 ASP in AVI containers (XviD) and also MPEG-4 AVC (H.264) in MP4 containers.

Along with AAC/MP3/WMA etc, there is also talk in their forums about adding DVD support in a future firmware update so it could play a DVD stored on a HD over the network.

As for the HTPC that is the more flexible solution nothing wrong with the hardware though you need to have a mATX motherboard for the Antec Fusion case.

Some motherboards have everything you need like SPDIF, S-video, HDMI outputs but those are usually based around the latest hardware for S754 such boards may be hard to come by so you would have to restort to standalone graphics cards and sound cards to get those outputs.

SouperComputer

Theres all kinds of options for what you want. Harware like the netgear unit that 8T8 pointed out, an original Xbox or perhaps some M-ATX hardware.

The parts that you have, to be honest would be better off being sold and the funds put towards your unit. For storage, either buy a NAS or build a file server from a PII / PIII.

Personally I think Geexbox running on a mac mini or an iMac would be really cool. Geexbox is great, it boots like lightning and is dead easy to install and upgrade. I dont think it has been ported to intel mac yet, which is a double bonus as you could pickup a G4 Mac Mini pretty cheap there days.

sound_wave

Personally I think Geexbox running on a mac mini or an iMac would be really cool. Geexbox is great, it boots like lightning and is dead easy to install and upgrade. I dont think it has been ported to intel mac yet, which is a double bonus as you could pickup a G4 Mac Mini pretty cheap there days.

I was looking for something to do with my Mac Mini and I think I have found it. I'll report back when I get it up and running...