What HTPC to buy

SwampThing

Hey,

I'm looking for a quick route to a HTPC for a new LCD I'm about to buy.

A bit of background - where the TV is there's a Sky+ box, a linksys Powerline AV adapter, UPC broadband access and not much else. I have my main PC which will be networked to the HTPC via the powerline adapters - not that this makes much difference, but I thought it better to mention it.

I'm proficient enough at building PC's but I'm way behind the curve on HTPC and MCE. This will be primarily for watching movies - both Bluray discs and media files (MKV, AVI etc.). I'm also open to the idea of an off-the-shelf unit - whatever will get me up an running.

Ideally I'd like a very slim case - those units on hush technologies look the business but are way too expensive - but that's the general idea.

I like the simplicity of the MCE interface and I think my wife would appreciate that too.

Anyway, can someone point me in the right direction? Some sound advice appreciated.

Thanks.

StillBallygowan

Have a look at this site

I am very much considering options from here.

You can purchase directly from them or use Pixmania.ie as they seem to have better prices!

Wcool

If you are not scared of Linux and a bit of fiddling, try Acer Aspire Revo:

Aspire Revo Review1 or Review2

The cheapest version comes with 160Gb/1Gb RAM, no windows and is < 200 euro.
There is also a Windows Vista version for it + 1Gb extra but that is 100 euro more!

You can install Linux + XBMC on it and according to the reports, does 1080p
Because it's a "normal" computer you can also play games on it in your living room and it runs Windows 7 (but no full HD for that OS yet, no doubt the drivers/XBMC will support in the future). Windows 7 RC comes with MCE.
But also XBMC will work on it.

I bought one myself and I am still tinkering with it. To get full 1080p I need to add 1Gb RAM extra, and I am waiting on that. Also I am waiting on a remote. Only thing it doesn't do is TV recording.

All looks promising and when/if all full HD formats are working IMHO it outshines even the Popcorn Hour.

The box already made a good impression on XBMC forums and avsforum.

Some more links:
http://www.avforums.com/forums/home-cinema-pcs/999568-acer-aspire-revo-owners-thread.html

http://www.xbmc.org/forum/showthread.php?t=49963&highlight=aspire+revo

http://www.revouser.com/forum/viewforum.php?f=2

pug_

If you don't want to stream live TV then popcornhour is a good option, the c-200 comes with an optional blueray player, and in general you can throw anything at them bar the kitchen sink format wise and it'll play them.

http://www.popcornhour.com/onlinestore/index.php?pluginoption=catalog

SwampThing

Thanks for the advise lads.

I followed some of those review links and ended up reading about the Dell Studio Hybrid. I have to say it ticks a lot of the boxes I was loking for - quiet, full HD, built-in Blu-ray.

Any comments?

Wcool

Not so sure about that,

- it's expensive (550+?, Blueray probably a lot more)
- it does not have a good graphics card
- it does not have a remote

To me it seems that a popcorn hour + separate BlueRay = cheaper and better

It looks nice though

Scruff

here are 2 more options:

ASUS-P4-P5N9300 Barebones system add a cheap dual core processor, mem, hd and optical drive
Asrock Nettop ION 330 like the Revo but dual core Atom. has dvd drive, can be replaced with bluray if ye like

(just using those links cause was looking at them myself)

kaisersose77

got that asrock 330 yesterday, cool little thing. you need to upgrade the bios as the one it comes with seems very buggy plus the fan is a lot quiter with newer bios. Seems like the best value nettop. Gonna put xbmc on it with aeon skin which is the best interface out there!

example

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xXHy62bxoq8&feature=related

Scruff

where did ye buy if from?

kaisersose77

uk seller on ebay, envisage or something like that. Hong kong sellers are selling at a higher cost than uk sellers and dont include harddrive or ram to make them even more of a ripoff.

MysticalRain

I would just go for the Popcorn Hour or HDX 1000 if you want better hardware specs. I doubt if you would build a htpc for what they cost.

SwampThing

OK, I've been digging around, looking at some of options posted etc. I'm starting to think I'm better of building a machine to spec.

To start with, I've been loking at TV's and stands and ideally I'd like a fairly small PC to fit in a stand I was looking at. So, I saw this case on the web, seems to have a good review.

http://benchmarkreviews.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=243&Itemid=61


So, if this was the starting point, what components would you recommend for a fairlydecent HTPC build - fully HD capable - to go with this case?

I have access to a couple of components already - a logitech dinovo keyboard for example - so it's mainly the mobo, cpu, cpu fan and particularly the gfx card I'm looking for (especially seeing as this case only takes low profile cards)

Thanks again in advance for your help guys.

SwampThing

I came across this - now the price is ridiculous - but it's the general gist of what I'm after.

Can anyone put together a shopping list of components for this?

Thanks a mill.


http://www.okoromedia.com/model.asp?model=BX100#pcf

mrteabag

SwampThing wrote: »

I came across this - now the price is ridiculous - but it's the general gist of what I'm after.

Can anyone put together a shopping list of components for this?

Thanks a mill.


http://www.okoromedia.com/model.asp?model=BX100#pcf

I'll make you a windows 7 media center with bluray.Its smaller than a sliced pan and very quiet.It has a 1TB hard drive.Full hd via hdmi.845 euro including VAT.Comes with a wireless keyboard with a trackpad.

eddiem74

See if this thread helps.

SwampThing

mrteabag wrote: »

I'll make you a windows 7 media center with bluray.Its smaller than a sliced pan and very quiet.It has a 1TB hard drive.Full hd via hdmi.845 euro including VAT.Comes with a wireless keyboard with a trackpad.

What components are in it exactly?