DIY Media Centre
#1
DIY Media Centre
What sort of price are you looking at to make a PC/Media Centre with the following attributes:
HD Output
Look like a regular AV device
Quiet
Blu-ray drive (optional as not required immediatley)
I'm looking to purchase something AV related soon. Was considering a PS3 for the the BR drive and ability to surf the net and watch media files. But its just to big and bulky at the moment. I've not once considered the PS3 for gaming, as I am not a big gamer at all.
HD Output
Look like a regular AV device
Quiet
Blu-ray drive (optional as not required immediatley)
I'm looking to purchase something AV related soon. Was considering a PS3 for the the BR drive and ability to surf the net and watch media files. But its just to big and bulky at the moment. I've not once considered the PS3 for gaming, as I am not a big gamer at all.
#3
I'll be selling mine soon, only a few months old but hardly use it. It's in a Thermaltake Mozart SX case if you want to google it.
Will do HD from the OB gfx over vga otherwise you'll need a different gfx card.
Can provide full specs etc if you're interested..
Will do HD from the OB gfx over vga otherwise you'll need a different gfx card.
Can provide full specs etc if you're interested..
#7
was reading your original post again and a bit confused tbh - an HTPC is gonna be bigger and bulkier than a ps3 ?
Do you really want to browse the web on your TV ? If not and you just want to play media files you might want to consider one of those media hard drive units instead - smaller and cheaper..
post a few more details on what you want to use it for and maybe can help
Do you really want to browse the web on your TV ? If not and you just want to play media files you might want to consider one of those media hard drive units instead - smaller and cheaper..
post a few more details on what you want to use it for and maybe can help
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#8
I have seen slimmer cases that look close to a regular dvd player size.
Ok, the PS3 is not as big as I made out, perhaps its just its ugly shape that put me off. I already have a usb media player that I put a 2.5" HDD, but the only output is through RCA and its not very good resolution on my HDTV.
I'll still have my main PC for various things, so thought I could get the net on the main TV for my girl (I already have a laptop).
I have thought long an hard about a media pc , and seems the right choice, as its constantly upgradeable in terms of optical drives and updated formats.
So yes, I definately want one.
Ok, the PS3 is not as big as I made out, perhaps its just its ugly shape that put me off. I already have a usb media player that I put a 2.5" HDD, but the only output is through RCA and its not very good resolution on my HDTV.
I'll still have my main PC for various things, so thought I could get the net on the main TV for my girl (I already have a laptop).
I have thought long an hard about a media pc , and seems the right choice, as its constantly upgradeable in terms of optical drives and updated formats.
So yes, I definately want one.
#9
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Agree, getting a HTPC smaller than a PS3 is going to cost and trade off features.
Most stuff is based around a mATX platform, and to use a decent graphics card would need to have full height bays. Same with a TV/DVB card. But as you can guess, a mATX based HTPC will be the size of a mATX PC (i.e bigger than a PS3)
Aopen mini PC and mCubed HFX micro are two very small cases that spring to mind. Both use a mini-ITX platform, but due to the small size you will have to make do with the onboard intel GFX (also I think the Aopen mini has no rear expansion bay - so will have to use an external DVB tuner).
Most stuff is based around a mATX platform, and to use a decent graphics card would need to have full height bays. Same with a TV/DVB card. But as you can guess, a mATX based HTPC will be the size of a mATX PC (i.e bigger than a PS3)
Aopen mini PC and mCubed HFX micro are two very small cases that spring to mind. Both use a mini-ITX platform, but due to the small size you will have to make do with the onboard intel GFX (also I think the Aopen mini has no rear expansion bay - so will have to use an external DVB tuner).
Last edited by Shark Man; 13 August 2008 at 10:19 PM. Reason: helps if what I type makes sense
#10
Not wanting to push the point but have you seen these jobbies for example ?
LaCie LACINEMA PREMIER 500 GB USB 2.0 MULTIMEDIA HARD DRIVE review cheap prices LACINEMA PREMIER 500 GB USB 2.0 MULTIMEDIA HARD DRIVE LaCie best buy discount online uk shop
Will play HD through composite and a quarter of the price of an HTPC..
If you deffo want HTPC could also look at the shuttle which is a good example of SFF but looks more PC than AV
LaCie LACINEMA PREMIER 500 GB USB 2.0 MULTIMEDIA HARD DRIVE review cheap prices LACINEMA PREMIER 500 GB USB 2.0 MULTIMEDIA HARD DRIVE LaCie best buy discount online uk shop
Will play HD through composite and a quarter of the price of an HTPC..
If you deffo want HTPC could also look at the shuttle which is a good example of SFF but looks more PC than AV
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joey - by way of cost comparison, i have a philips lounge pc on vista with mce. bought it with a 32" philips lcd from pc world for £950 about a year ago.
(i use it with my networked mce server for music and tv distribution over the cat5e cable i installed in my house)
(i use it with my networked mce server for music and tv distribution over the cat5e cable i installed in my house)
#15
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Yes you are.
Not only will you be able to stream your pics, videos and music via Media Centre or third party media servers such as TVersity or TwonkyVision, you'll also have a decent blu-ray player and something that looks like it belongs in your living room.
Also, on 19th September Sony are releasing a DVB Tuner which will plug into your PS3 turning it into a DVR. I think the price of this will be £69.99
Not only will you be able to stream your pics, videos and music via Media Centre or third party media servers such as TVersity or TwonkyVision, you'll also have a decent blu-ray player and something that looks like it belongs in your living room.
Also, on 19th September Sony are releasing a DVB Tuner which will plug into your PS3 turning it into a DVR. I think the price of this will be £69.99
#16
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Agree, getting a HTPC smaller than a PS3 is going to cost and trade off features.
Most stuff is based around a mATX platform, and to use a decent graphics card would need to have full height bays. Same with a TV/DVB card. But as you can guess, a mATX based HTPC will be the size of a mATX PC (i.e bigger than a PS3)
Aopen mini PC and mCubed HFX micro are two very small cases that spring to mind. Both use a mini-ITX platform, but due to the small size you will have to make do with the onboard intel GFX (also I think the Aopen mini has no rear expansion bay - so will have to use an external DVB tuner).
Most stuff is based around a mATX platform, and to use a decent graphics card would need to have full height bays. Same with a TV/DVB card. But as you can guess, a mATX based HTPC will be the size of a mATX PC (i.e bigger than a PS3)
Aopen mini PC and mCubed HFX micro are two very small cases that spring to mind. Both use a mini-ITX platform, but due to the small size you will have to make do with the onboard intel GFX (also I think the Aopen mini has no rear expansion bay - so will have to use an external DVB tuner).
#17
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Not wanting to push the point but have you seen these jobbies for example ?
LaCie LACINEMA PREMIER 500 GB USB 2.0 MULTIMEDIA HARD DRIVE review cheap prices LACINEMA PREMIER 500 GB USB 2.0 MULTIMEDIA HARD DRIVE LaCie best buy discount online uk shop
Will play HD through composite and a quarter of the price of an HTPC..
If you deffo want HTPC could also look at the shuttle which is a good example of SFF but looks more PC than AV
LaCie LACINEMA PREMIER 500 GB USB 2.0 MULTIMEDIA HARD DRIVE review cheap prices LACINEMA PREMIER 500 GB USB 2.0 MULTIMEDIA HARD DRIVE LaCie best buy discount online uk shop
Will play HD through composite and a quarter of the price of an HTPC..
If you deffo want HTPC could also look at the shuttle which is a good example of SFF but looks more PC than AV
think it only upscales, it doesnt say that it will play any HD formates, x264 or blueray etc.
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