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drawkcab
August 2nd, 2012, 02:27 AM
So here's the problem: I have an Ubuntu-based HTPC on an Acer Revo 3xxx nettop (Atom 330). I cless than $320 on the unit and have been completely happy with it for almost 3 years.

If you had $300 to spend on an HTPC, what would you buy or build?

The priorities are:

1. Video playback on Ubuntu.

2. Cost: I'd like to stay under $350.

3. Energy: a lower-wattage system like the Atom or AMD equivalent would be great.

Ideas?

CharlesA
August 2nd, 2012, 02:59 AM
Does a Raspberry Pi running XBMC count?

I tried the whole "HTPC" thing and it was more of a pain in the butt than having a normal dvd/bluray setup.

papibe
August 2nd, 2012, 03:59 AM
Hi drawkcab.

I setup a Zotac/Atom/Ion system for my brother a couple of years ago. Awesome stuff.

Although still a good alternative, things have changed. A lot I would say.

A Boxee Box (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16833127319) costs less than 200. Although not open source, it is based on XBMC so you can use your same network libraries.

Also, there are appearing Android set top devices, both very affordable and able to play 1080p.

The only piece missing was XBMC, but now it is in the near future (read here (http://xbmc.org/theuni/2012/07/13/xbmc-for-android/)).

I've recently learned about this device: Pivos Xios (http://www.pivosgroup.com/xios.html), currently at $114.99 at Newegg (here (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16815645003)).

Just a few thoughts.
Regards.

CharlesA
August 2nd, 2012, 04:21 AM
Boxee or Roku gets my vote.

An Atom would work too. ;)

drawkcab
August 2nd, 2012, 05:39 AM
Does a Raspberry Pi running XBMC count?

I tried the whole "HTPC" thing and it was more of a pain in the butt than having a normal dvd/bluray setup.

Thanks but no. Intriguing for the price but not enough horsepower. I guess XBMC crawls on the pi.

drawkcab
August 2nd, 2012, 05:44 AM
Hi drawkcab.

I setup a Zotac/Atom/Ion system for my brother a couple of years ago. Awesome stuff.

Although still a good alternative, things have changed. A lot I would say.

A Boxee Box (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16833127319) costs less than 200. Although not open source, it is based on XBMC so you can use your same network libraries.

Also, there are appearing Android set top devices, both very affordable and able to play 1080p.

The only piece missing was XBMC, but now it is in the near future (read here (http://xbmc.org/theuni/2012/07/13/xbmc-for-android/)).

I've recently learned about this device: Pivos Xios (http://www.pivosgroup.com/xios.html), currently at $114.99 at Newegg (here (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16815645003)).

Just a few thoughts.
Regards.

Yeah, I've set up a streamer for my parents which works well for them. This one looks really nice actually.

But that's not what he wants (just asked him). He can stream via his Xbox but wants better picture quality for his HD files, the ability to run torrents and operate a home server too.

Sorry, I guess I should have asked him that.

Paqman
August 2nd, 2012, 08:00 AM
Any old mini-ITX board off Ebay that has a proper graphics card in it will work nicely as an HTPC, and won't look (or sound!) out of place in your living room. You should get bulk change out of $300.

Try and get Nvidia graphics, that way you can use VDPAU in something like XBMC, that allows you to get excellent video playback from modest hardware. Keeping that CPU snoozing reduces noise and power consumption. I'd avoid Atom boards with Intel graphics, they'll have to work too hard on HD playback.

Grenage
August 2nd, 2012, 08:50 AM
Don't discount proprietary builds, such as AppleTV, etc; I believe you can install custom media centre software on them. Not for me, but always good to see the options.

I bought a small PC for about £200, which had a TV card/remote/Nvidia card. It works well, although Hardware decoding never seems to be 100%; it just spreads it across the GPU & CPU.

drawkcab
August 2nd, 2012, 10:01 AM
Try and get Nvidia graphics ... I'd avoid Atom boards with Intel graphics, they'll have to work too hard on HD playback.

Good point. I was wondering how an AMD e350 or e450 would run but sticking with Nvidia might be a good idea.

mips
August 2nd, 2012, 10:09 AM
HP ProLiant MicroServer + Silent nVidia GT520 is a winner!

http://mybroadband.co.za/vb/showthread.php/333460-HP-ProLiant-MicroServer
http://mybroadband.co.za/vb/showthread.php/376752-A-Complete-Guide-to-creating-the-Ultimate-TV-Experience
http://mybroadband.co.za/vb/showthread.php/418414-Milkman-s-Guide-to-the-Ultimate-Media-System

mamamia88
August 2nd, 2012, 03:16 PM
I would vote for a ps3. hulu, netflix, amazon vod, blu ray,replaceable harddrive, you can copy video files onto the internal drive off an external harddrive, plays a ton of different video files. i use mine for pretty much all my video watching

CharlesA
August 2nd, 2012, 03:42 PM
I would vote for a ps3. hulu, netflix, amazon vod, blu ray,replaceable harddrive, you can copy video files onto the internal drive off an external harddrive, plays a ton of different video files. i use mine for pretty much all my video watching
That pretty much scoots right around that $300 price point too.

mamamia88
August 2nd, 2012, 05:56 PM
That pretty much scoots right around that $300 price point too.

closer to $250 nowadays.

CharlesA
August 2nd, 2012, 07:32 PM
closer to $250 nowadays.
Ah. I was looking at the 320GB model, the 160GB one is 249.99.

Personally I'd pay the extra 50 bucks for twice the capacity, but if you aren't going to use it for games, a 160GB hard drive should be plenty.

mamamia88
August 2nd, 2012, 07:35 PM
Ah. I was looking at the 320GB model, the 160GB one is 249.99.

Personally I'd pay the extra 50 bucks for twice the capacity, but if you aren't going to use it for games, a 160GB hard drive should be plenty.

well i put a 650gb hd in mine for around $50-70 a few years ago. assuming prices have held steady on laptop harddrives i wouldn't worry about which model to get.

CharlesA
August 2nd, 2012, 07:45 PM
Good point. I wonder if hard drive prices have dropped since the flooding in Thailand a while ago.

Just looking at newegg showed the prices are still sky high. :|

mips
August 2nd, 2012, 09:51 PM
Good point. I wonder if hard drive prices have dropped since the flooding in Thailand a while ago.

Just looking at newegg showed the prices are still sky high. :|

Only suppose to drop around the end of the year or early next year according to the analysts.

drawkcab
August 2nd, 2012, 10:23 PM
HP ProLiant MicroServer + Silent nVidia GT520 is a winner!

http://mybroadband.co.za/vb/showthread.php/333460-HP-ProLiant-MicroServer
http://mybroadband.co.za/vb/showthread.php/376752-A-Complete-Guide-to-creating-the-Ultimate-TV-Experience
http://mybroadband.co.za/vb/showthread.php/418414-Milkman-s-Guide-to-the-Ultimate-Media-System

This is a very cool idea. Hadn't thought of that one before.