Barebone PC as an Extender alternative? (Bargain Alert)

Wheeker

From Bargain Alerts thread: http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=2056862121&page=12

HTPC Bargain? http://www.amazon.de/ARCTIC-MC001-N-Entertainment-Computer-Barebone/dp/B005AR1RT6/

I posted in Bargain Alerts but no one bit:

I'm intrigued by this. I already have a W7 HTPC & am considering setting-up an Extender. Not 100% sold on using an X-Box (too loud?) so was waiting on the Ceton Echo to be released in Europe ($179 = €130 + Rip-off Ireland Tax?). Then I saw this thread.....

I understand I won't be able to use this as an actual extender, so no integrated TV guide, but I should still be able to view Recorded TV stored on my main HTPC shouldn't I? As regards recording TV on this- am I right in thinking that an SSD is great for an OS but not so great for actually recording & playing TV from? Also installing a 64Gb SSD, whilst v.quiet, would mean no room for actual TV Recordings so would then need to record/play from an external HDD. Would this be slow via USB 2? Anybody have any other thoughts on using this as a Media Center extender alternative?

Only thing is, cheap as it is, adding memory, SSD & W7 OS will push the price up considerably. FWIW, I don't fancy using anything other than MS W7. As regards the MC001-BD, I've no need for Blu-Ray. BTW, anyone know if there are any spare PCI/PCI-e slots?

PogMoThoin

Forget Windows, move over to XBMC

Calibos

I've been using my old Xbox 1's since 2005 and my last update was in 2007. Still played all my SD xvids perfectly though. I upgraded to these MC001's. Bought 4 of them. My poor old xboxs just could handle HD or H264's without major stuttering. So I've been out of the XBMC loop for years. However I always remember that even years ago, most WMC users said the only thing that was stopping them moving over from WMC to XBMC was LiveTV(Tuner Cards etc) and PVR support.

Thats built into XBMC now. I think you need to research XBMC.

Wheeker

Thanks Calibos. Yeah I was concerned re: XBox ability to handle h264 (Saorview), the other alternative, the Linksys DMA2100/2200, can't handle this either. I do think the Ceton Echo looks great though, but they're still not released in Europe & AFAIK don't have a web browser ATM.

So since you bought 4, I presume you are recommending the Arctic MC-001's?

TBH I didn't really want to get into W7 MC v XBMC or W7 v Openelec debates. I have spent a long time perfecting my W7 MC (Mediabrowser, Media Master, My Channel Logos, Guide Tool etc) & am very happy with it. As you mention for a long time XBMC didn't even do Live & Recorded TV which made it a total non-starter for me. Anyhow, the extender/barebone PC i want to set-up is for the kid's room so don't really want to over-complicate it. Though the price of a new W7 Licence does indeed stick in the craw a bit

I suppose my main query was how an additional PC functions as a MC Extender.

PogMoThoin

It's time for change, M$ are killing the Media Extender idea, no support for it in Win8. They'll insist on you buying a console or other Win licence for it in future. XBMC is free, open, completely customisable and has an amazing community contributing to it.

ArthurG

PogMoThoin wrote: »

Forget Windows, move over to XBMC

Seriously considering dumping my ageing Boxee and moving to something like OpenELEC.

However.....

As far as I can make out, there's no Netflix support?. Am I correct or misinformed??.

I know a lot of you will poo-poo my need for Netflix, however i've become rather addicted to it

pug_

As far as I know Netflix is only supported on the windows version of XBMC as it requires Silverlight to run.

Which means if you want to use OpenELEC you are correct and NetFlix it's not supported. I have heard that it may be possible to get it working possibly using a windows emulator (Probably WINE) but unless you're technically minded I'd imagine it'd be a bit of a struggle.

ArthurG

Bah I thought as much. I want something quiet and low power to replace the Boxee, mainly for iPlayer, Netflix and of course streaming the stuff from the NAS.

I'm thinking of going for a WD Live box, at least that can stream the Netflix SuperHD or whatever its called......