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Newbe to HTPC

  • 23-05-2007 4:03pm
    #1
    voodoo
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 786 ✭✭✭


    Hi all,

    Am simply looking for a good system that I can link upto my 40" Samsung LCD so that I can get access to internet via tv, view photos, video etc. I will probably do a little video downloading via the internet that I would be looking to view via tv also.

    Jsut not sure where to even start when looking for this system. I would want a small form factor of a device and would be required to have wireless connections. Oh, and very important, would need to be black :) to fit in with tv and stand...

    Any recommendations?


Comments

  • #2
    8T8
    Closed Accounts Posts: 4,757 ✭✭✭8T8


    Are you looking for something pre-built or build yourself as pre-built HTPC's aren't too common & most self build the box.


  • #3
    subway
    Closed Accounts Posts: 6,131 ✭✭✭subway


    acer's new boxes are nice
    http://www.acer.co.uk/acereuro/page4.do?sp=page3&dau22.oid=20752&UserCtxParam=0&GroupCtxParam=0&dctx1=17&CountryISOCtxParam=UK&LanguageISOCtxParam=en&ctx3=-1&ctx4=United+Kingdom&crc=1996670743


  • #4
    mathias
    Closed Accounts Posts: 2,174 ✭✭✭mathias


    I have to say that Acer looks very nice indeed , impressive enough spec too.
    At £ 899 ( approx € 1350 ) thats not a bad price but if you have the knowhow then building yourself with that budget would give you a real killer system with a lot more storage !! 250GB is small for a Media Center and you wont be long filling it up .


  • #5
    silverside
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,372 ✭✭✭silverside


    i built up a system based on the Elonex Artisan case which you can get pretty cheap at ebuyer

    cost about 700 euro all-in, the hardware was easy to put together.

    uses vista MCE which works really well.

    there were some teething issues (with the software/drivers) which i spent way too much time trying to sort out, but it's finally stable. the problems were with things like getting vista to play .flac files and getting the PC to standby correctly.

    the acers look good, if you have the time to sort out the software niggles i would recommend building your own as it will work out quite a bit cheaper. but be prepared for some problems.


  • #6
    voodoo
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 786 ✭✭✭voodoo


    Guys, I wouldnt be skilled enough to try and build my own... although I like gadgets and stuff I wouldnt be confident about building my own system...

    Will look at the Acer box anyway and see...


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  • #7
    8T8
    Closed Accounts Posts: 4,757 ✭✭✭8T8


    Somewhat unconventional but a Mac Mini might be worth considering as it is a small self contained PC and can run Windows, OSX doesn't really have any worth while competitors to Media Centres on Windows.

    All you need to get up & running is a USB tuner & USB MCE remote and your set of course you'll need a copy of Windows XP MCE or Windows Vista as well.

    Komplett sell a few (3) HTPC's as well, the Shuttle looks the nicest but isn't really all the upgradable.


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