all in one system, a year late!

zuroph

So a year ago or more I started speccing to build a system here, but then I lost my job and it got put on the long finger.

The redundancy has finally arrived, and I fancy telling sky where to stick it, so can I get some help please?

The very first thing I've picked up is the Blackgold 3600 to get the tv input for dvbt and dvbs

after that, I'm an open book. I was think MITX, but I'm open to all options. it will be used for downloading and HD tv, with the occasional old emulator running on it. it'll have a wired net connection at the tv, and budget is the key.

Has tech moved on a lot in the year, what do I need to get? total noob when it comes to this, I know just what I've read here and elsewhere.
I was thinking about HDD, doesnt need to be massive, I've all my media on two externals at present.
HDMI necessary on MOBO


so,

MOBO
CASE
RAM
HDD
??

tipperary

Hi

I recently updated my HTPC and purchased the following items from Dabs.ie:

Antec EA-380 Green EarthWatts 380W PSU ATX 12V 80 Plus
Asus S1155 Intel H61 DDR3 mATX
Intel Pentium Dual Core G640 2.80GHz S1155 3MB 65W
Silverstone GD04B Grandia HTPC MATX Black
Best Value Hypertec 2GB DDR3 PC3-10600 1333MHz 240PIN

I already had HDD's, an SSD, CD drive and TV tuners.

I would prefer to go the mATX route as it gives greater scope for future updates (e.g. adding more tuners). If you have external hard drives, an SSD is a worthwhile investment for the operating system hard drive.

I went with the asus MB because this one also has an optical out for connecting to to my amp.

zuroph

why would I need to add more tuners?

tipperary

If you are using media centre, extenders can be added to other rooms using an xbox, or the forthcoming ceton q. You may want additional tuners to cater for this. Alternatively if you want to record two channels while watching something else, you may want a third tuner.

I recently added a second dual dvb-s tuner to my system as I found that often in the evening with soaps being recorded (for herself, honest) and maybe something else being recorded too, I cannot watch satellite tv.

You may never be in this position, but at least with matx you have the option in the future.

subway

get an android stick for 50eu and install xbmc on it.
sell the rest of the components.

honestly, I'm considering jacking in the whole lot, broadcast TV just isnt the primary content source for me anymore. if I'm advising anyone these days, i tend to push them towards an online box, and keep the tv device separate (i.e. never turned on)

I'll be doing the same with my own setup soon enough if i get some time

zuroph

If I could I would, but for now I'd like to have the freeview option as the GF will need coaxing towards online only, and the stepdaughter needs her kids tv to keep us sane in the mornings

the android boxes will be going in in the upstairs tvs, linked to downstairs main box

Access

subway wrote: »

get an android stick for 50eu and install xbmc on it.
sell the rest of the components.

honestly, I'm considering jacking in the whole lot, broadcast TV just isnt the primary content source for me anymore. if I'm advising anyone these days, i tend to push them towards an online box, and keep the tv device separate (i.e. never turned on)

I'll be doing the same with my own setup soon enough if i get some time

I agree with you zuroph... that sounds like to job i want for the bedroom tv (have HTPC in living room so sorted there)... would you have a link for what android stick to get and also, what way does XBMC on it get its content (movies, shows etc.), does it just stream content to it from a NAS or attached external hard drive or is it as simple as streaming from HTPC in living room?

subway

http://www.theverge.com/2012/5/18/3028202/mk802-android-usb-hdmi-stick

Xbmc can connect to a nas, server, etc.
But thats only one aspect, it has apps for all major (and minor) streaming services.
I have it launch from 7mc menu but spend moe time in xbmc than 7mc.

You can instantly stream hindreds of thousands of tv and movies directly from the menu and there are plenty of plugins for live tv and sports too.
The same goes for streaming music services too.

subway

zuroph wrote: »

If I could I would, but for now I'd like to have the freeview option as the GF will need coaxing towards online only, and the stepdaughter needs her kids tv to keep us sane in the mornings

the android boxes will be going in in the upstairs tvs, linked to downstairs main box

Dont knock it until youve tried it, almost anything you can access on tv is available to stream via xbmc. Im planning to use a freesat box i have lying around so that i can still get tv if needed, but expect the xbmc box to be the primary source for 90% of stuff (as it currently is in my setup, except it runs on a quad core pc instead of a low power arm device)

Easily keeps the niece entertained with a barney playlist for hours if needed

zuroph

Article No. HV1131RNDE
ASRock H61M-HVS (B3), Sockel 1155, mATX
ready for dispatch
41,99 €

41,99 €
Article No. HV20KI17DE
4GB Kingston ValueRAM PC3-10667U CL9
ready for dispatch
18,57 €

37,14 €
Article No. HV20I354DE
Intel Core i3-540 Box 4096Kb, LGA1156
ready for dispatch
76,50 €

76,50 €
Article No. HV0457914701DE
Special item: Compucase 7KJCBS-FE30U, Micro-ATX, 300Watt-Netzteil
Single piece
62,10 €

62,10 €
Article No. HV13WG1ZDE
WD Caviar Green 1TB, SATA 6Gb/s (WD10EZRX)
ready for dispatch
78,11 €

€295 total, what you think?

The CPU is socket 1156, you need socket 1155.