Where to buy a pre-built HTPC?

[originalnutta]

Infonec has some, but not really what i'm looking for. Of course you can modiy the bundle, but i'd like to shop around for a better deal and different components.

If there options aren't very good, i'll just end up building my own. Of course that would only cost me time.

[Silver Bullet]

I doubt you'll find a good pre-built HTPC. Probably best to do some research and come up with your own config and build it.

[lisiuping]

http://www.redflagdeals.com/forums/showthread.php?t=588016&highlight=HTPC

[Evil Techie]

BB has HP mediacentres on sale currently
they have tv tuners in them and runs on vista so its pretty much straight out of the box an HTPC

u just need to look into the spec to see what sort of video and audio outputs are on the comp and get the proper cables

[originalnutta]

This is my current situation.

I download HD files (x.264, h.264, etc.) onto my desktop from newsgroups.

But it seems my system can't cut the mustard and chugs when i try to play a 1080p file.

I'd like to build a HTPC that can play all media and codecs flawlessly.

I don't need a Blu Ray drive, because i have a PS3.

I would like a sound card that will output to a 5.1 or higher receiver.

I would need a DVD-drive to transfer my HD files onto the HTPC.

Is there anything else i'm overlooking?

[willy]

Maybe you can specify a budget ...

Sound card may not be required as certain motherboards have digital audio output built-in.

You may need to network (or with an external HD) to transfer those HD files ... Most 1080p movies are 9GB or bigger ...

[originalnutta]

Maybe you can specify a budget ...

Sound card may not be required as certain motherboards have digital audio output built-in.

You may need to network (or with an external HD) to transfer those HD files ... Most 1080p movies are 9GB or bigger ...

Willing to spend $1000.

So onboard on a decent mobo will output 7.1?

And i got a bunch of external HDDs lying around here.


Where should i put more of money in building this HTPC? The cpu/mobo/RAM, or the vid card?

[IoannI]

Try ETC Computer they have some pretty good stuff

[originalnutta]

Try ETC Computer they have some pretty good stuff

not bad.

But it says onboard video.

How can onboard video be capable of encoding and processing a huge HD file?

I dont think i'd need the Hauppage TV tuner.

[brucedlx]

you could save the 1000$ and convert your HD files to be playable on the PS3 if you're interested. But if you have your heart set on HTPC then so be it, PS3 is a cheap and dirty sol'n though.

[shutterbug]

http://www.onlybestrated.com/tvix-m6500a-network-multimedia-player-with-hdmisata-smp8635-p-172.html?osCsid=42789cad502b00adb6e030f54b5d145f

[willy]

seriously, is this a joke?

for $420 u get no optical drive or included hdd, a 300mhz processor and 256 of ram. come on!

i wouldn't be surprised if it can't even play vga quality video. my pda had better specs then this thing.

and on top of that they've already had issues with all 1st rev. components. LOL
But it doesn't look like an ordinary 300MHz processor ... http://www.sigmadesigns.com/public/Products/SMP8630/SMP8630_series.html

[Silver Bullet]

Try this as a good starting point ...

http://img530.imageshack.us/img530/3112/779ns6.gif

CASE: Antec Fusion - Basic, comes with power supply and quiet.
CPU: E7200 - 45nm, cheap, more then enough for HTPC
CPU COOLING: Njnja Mini - works great with Antec Fusion, good chance will run no problem without a fan (uses side fan of case instead)
RAM: OCZ, basic, cheap .. 2GB is really all u need for HTPC
HD: 640GB WD - good capacity, only two platters so keeps the noise and heat down
ROM: LG Blu-ray - Take out if you don't need it otherwise should be good drive
MOBO: G35 chipset, good enough for blu-ray and HD content, HDMI out with sound, keeps the cable count down.

--

This setup should be very quiet and run quite well, if you feel you want more gfx power for light gaming and such then I would go with a Palit 9600GT with HDMI out and audio pass through.

If you need someone to put it together for you I can do that for you also (PM me).

--

As always check pricecanada.com for best prices (the above are good, but probably not the best)

[Hybrid88]

Here is something I've been wanting to build for my raid/htpc. Any comments guys?

http://img137.imageshack.us/img137/8413/htpcta6.th.jpg (http://img137.imageshack.us/my.php?image=htpcta6.jpg)

[Silver Bullet]

Here is something I've been wanting to build for my raid/htpc. Any comments guys?

http://img137.imageshack.us/img137/8413/htpcta6.th.jpg (http://img137.imageshack.us/my.php?image=htpcta6.jpg)

Changes:

ROM: Samsung or Pioneer DVD-RW - Save a couple bucks
HD:Change 500GB for 640GB (faster, quieter and less power) drop the 80GB
CPU: Q9300 seems a little over kill for HTPC, but i guess depends what you're planning on doing with it.