All in one HTPC, is it possible?

kirbz · 8 Mar 2011 at 13:39

Hi All,

Just got a quick question.

Looking in the future to build/buy a htpc that does everything, by this I mean does the following:

Plays movies/music through an AV receiver (5.1)

Use it as a Freesat/Freeview HD box

Records tv (either Freeview HD or Freesat HD would need to get dish/aerial installed)

Media Server (stream to phone, laptop or XBOX 360)

Low power so the bills stay cheap

Very small, I don't want a chunky case taking up a load of space

Quiet

So guys it possible to build something that covers all of the above?

kirbz · 8 Mar 2011 at 15:07

Was looking at sticking movies on the hd and using xbmc to play movies, music, etc. I was looking into the tiny ion systems and getting a big hd and an external bluray drive. What about the freesat hd tuner bit?

kirbz · 10 Mar 2011 at 14:20

Thanks for the input guys.

I've got another question.

In a htpc would you need a graphics card and a tv card? or would the tv card process movies that are being played from the computer?

kirbz · 11 Mar 2011 at 11:21

Ahhh I thought that was the case. The mac mini probably will be a bit steep so will be looking at a normal pc of some sort. The reason I say freesat is because our aerial has had it and I was thinking of installing a freesat dish myself (if that's possible) so that can be installed on the wall not too high up.