HTPC set up for €500

bobk

HI All,

Looking to see if one can get a decent PC to attach to the TV via HDMI for around the €500 mark.

My current set up is:
42" HD plasma
XBox 360
Wii
Sky HD Box
Panasonic DVD surround sound.


Thinking about a laptop with HDMI output, but want to consider all options first.

THanks in advance

Bob

kaisersose77

An acer revo is the best option.

Cheap, low wattage and plays HD stuff no problem.

http://cgi.ebay.ie/ACER-Aspire-R3600-REVO-Atom-330-320G-2G-Mini-Desktop_W0QQitemZ310187853635QQcmdZViewItemQQptZUK_Computing_Laptops_EH?hash=item4838a30743#ht_3480wt_1307

If you want extra storage get one of these usb external hardddrives

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Samsung-Story-Station-1-5TB-External/dp/B002C3S6V8/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1262969604&sr=8-1

cormike

if you could stretch it I would advise the Asrock Ion 330 Bd, blu ray drive included and can output full 1080p hd, oh and I think theres room to fit an extra internal 2.5" hard drive in there.

http://www.mt-electronics.com/details_test.asp?p_type=-1&theid=1625&q_search=b20&style=grid&page=1

sells on amazon for 412 euros. Its what im gettin once i get a bit of money in my pocket!

http://www.amazon.com/Asrock-Intel-Wireless-Barebone-330HT-BD/dp/B002ZG7SBG/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1263919249&sr=8-1

Mediator

I have a HTPC built on the base of this one I've been thinking of parting with since I'm moving out of Ireland soon:

http://www.zalman.co.kr/eng/product/Product_Read.asp?idx=192

I haven't got the full specs here (I'm in the office) nor have I thought of a price, but it wouldn't be too far off the mark you're looking at.

Unless you're set on one of these teenytiny thingies, this one is surefire to play full HD (even in Flash, which no ION is capable of) as well as sporting a 7" touchscreen for control i addition to the remote. If there is interrest I'll put up the full specs.

//L

sfag31

http://www.komplett.ie/k/ki.aspx?sku=512823
looks good.

or http://www.komplett.ie/k/ki.aspx?sku=579560

haven't tried them.

The acer will powerful to transcode .wtv (mce format) to popular formats. The 'net' pc's will not.

The acer will take pci tv cards.
The net pcs will only take usb devices.

I dont rate the expensive additon of bluray worth having as I consider any disposable spinning media to be redundant.

Note HD & blu ray is already last years thing as 3D will rule the roost some time soon.

The win 7 media center is the way to go with all content downloadable or streamed.
Watching sky player streamed content thru the mce is on a 40" samsung is as good as dvd quality.


PS the one thing your setup will have to be is quiet. Dells are quiet.