Cheap "HTPC"

[brucedlx]

I need a cheap PC which I can hook up to my HDTV and watch movies/shows/videos on. I want to be able to watch any and all files (mkv, ogm, x.264, hd) so I will need a semi-powerful processor and at least 2gb ram. I will also need a video card w/ HDMI out (that carries sound) so I can hook it up to the TV easily.

I have a PS3, but I've heard TVersity will do on the fly conversion for unsupported files, so I'm worried about quality loss on bluray rips etc. And converting files every time I want to watch something is a pain in and of itself especially when dealing with something like .ogm w/ multiple audio streams and subtitles.

Please don't recommend the media-playing hard drives as they are restricted as to which file-formats they accept.

Looking for something under $500. I can put a computer together myself, except for putting the processor on the motherboard, I don't trust myself enough to do that properly.

Any help is appreciated.

[Haz]

A budget of $500 can certainly get you a pretty decent HTPC, maybe even one that will do light gaming. You can start in thread (http://www.redflagdeals.com/forums/showthread.php?t=670466&highlight=htpc) though some of the parts may be dated now but there's some good ideas.

[darren22]

Have you looked into a Networked Media Tank (http://www.networkedmediatank.com) like the Popcorn Hour or HDX-1000? Most people seem really happy with their ability to play just about any file type they're given (not necessarily so easy with a cheap HTPC), and they can be had for around $300, plus whatever hard drive you want to add.

[brucedlx]

The thing with an HTPC is if a new file format comes out tomorrow you can just download new codecs onto your PC. Also, turning subtitles on/off and switching between audio tracks on mkv and ogm is a breeze.

[brucedlx]

A budget of $500 can certainly get you a pretty decent HTPC, maybe even one that will do light gaming. You can start in thread (http://www.redflagdeals.com/forums/showthread.php?t=670466&highlight=htpc) though some of the parts may be dated now but there's some good ideas.

As I stated, I don't want to put the CPU/Mobo together myself, unless you have a guide for that somewhere too. Also, Mobo/CPU compatability is an issue I don't want to deal w/, which is why I'd rather have it built for me, or at least a cheap bare-bones PC w/ just the CPU/Mobo/Case. Hard drive I don't care about since I will probably be using an external one, even 40GB will do, the RAM, video card, hard drive, optical drive etc. I can just snap into place on the mobo.

[Shiznacka]

Not really an HTPC but worth a look...

http://www.onlybestrated.com/multimedia-centers-high-definition-media-centers-c-24_39.html

[Fire]

WDTV. WestenDigital TV. 119.xx at tigerdirect

should be good for u.

[Haz]

As I stated, I don't want to put the CPU/Mobo together myself, unless you have a guide for that somewhere too. Also, Mobo/CPU compatability is an issue I don't want to deal w/, which is why I'd rather have it built for me, or at least a cheap bare-bones PC w/ just the CPU/Mobo/Case. Hard drive I don't care about since I will probably be using an external one, even 40GB will do, the RAM, video card, hard drive, optical drive etc. I can just snap into place on the mobo.Most barebones combos don't come with the part put together. It's really not all that hard to pop a CPU in, apply thermal paste and install a heatsink fan. I went with a Shuttle system for my HTPC but many others just took a regular full size PC and tossed in a decent video card.

[Chris V]

looking at something like this as well....
http://www.canadacomputers.com/index.php?do=ShowProduct&cmd=pd&pid=021525&cid=170.45