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Pre-built or self-build ?

Ponster · 2013-02-19 18:15:58

So, I've decided that it's time my wife got some independence and time to get a HTPC so she can watch whatever she likes without having to ask me to play it from our PC. I'd like a system that's of course small and quiet, which will run XMBC and which I'll be able to view UK content through. I have a VPN for this last…

19-02-2013 6:15pm

#1

Ponster

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So, I've decided that it's time my wife got some independence and time to get a HTPC so she can watch whatever she likes without having to ask me to play it from our PC.

I'd like a system that's of course small and quiet, which will run XMBC and which I'll be able to view UK content through. I have a VPN for this last part. Today I connect to the VPN on my PC and then extend the Iplayer browser screen to my TV, connected via HDMI. The goal is that I'll be able to watch the same content without needing the PC and in a way that's easy to operate (such as using an Iplayer add-on for XMBC). I just need to make the VPN connection process transparant.

I don't today have a NAS but I'll soon have one up and running.

I won't be gaming, won't be watching 3D but will be streaming 1080p content. There's also no need for digital audio.

I had presumed that I'd just go and get a box which would do everything for me but looking at lots of forums out there is seems that building a mini-pc from scratch seems to be a popular way to go.

So what I'd like to know is if people build their own solutions so that they have full control over the final design and cost, much like why I build my own PCs, or are there very few or poor pre-built solutions out there?

If I don't want to do anything 'fancy' such as gaming then is there any point in considering a self-build ?

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Comments

#2 19-02-2013 6:28pm

PogMoThoin

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Seen this http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=2056862121

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#3 21-02-2013 4:54pm

Ponster

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Seen it but it's over twice as expensive in the US as it is in Europe

edit : found it

http://www.arctic.ac/en/p/living/entertainment-center/447/mc001-n.html?c=2296

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#4 21-02-2013 5:06pm

PogMoThoin

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€95 is an amazing price, all you need is a stick DDR3 and usb key and your good to go.

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#5 21-02-2013 5:43pm

[Deleted User]
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Yeah you won't beat that price with a self-build. I spent nearly that just on the case+psu for my HTPC :pac: although in fairness its a nice Lian Li but still....

I prefer self-build from an aesthetic point of view, and an upgradeability point of view...plus its just a lot more fun. But for pure value for money that Arctic is amazing. Im guessing that they are worried about the likes of Ouya and various other ARM boxes that run XBMC so they are dumping their entire stock at cost. Because what you get for €99 is unreal.

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