HTPC build... Functional for as Cheap as possible?

[Gimpymoo]

Anything will be considered, even a Raspberry Pi

Not allergic to tinkering if needed if when setup, is stable and does the job.

Requirements:

• 1080p only is needed, nothing higher.

• Terrestrial TV streams and VOD services (I have a TV licence)

• Youtube

• A digital audio Interface or good quality DAC or the ability to add dedicated soundcard/USB soundcard. Need to be able to drive bookshelf monitors.

• Stream video and audio files across network natively

• Ethernet Network controller

• Must be in a case

• HDMI

• PSU

• Operating System

No peripherals are needed.

Many thanks for any pointers and advice.

 

[mid_gen]

Intel Compute Stick + USB DAC? Only thing it lets you down on is Ethernet, and it's definitely convenient.

 

[ScottyJKB]

Have you had a look at the Intel NUCs? I'm considering one myself, I have basically the same requirements as you.

 

[Gimpymoo]

Have you had a look at the Intel NUCs? I'm considering one myself, I have basically the same requirements as you.

As cheap as possible?

 

[ScottyJKB]

As cheap as possible?

Cheap meaning? Under £100, under £200?

 

[Gimpymoo]

Cheap meaning? Under £100, under £200?

As cheap as possible to do the tasks in the op.

How much would a NUC be?

 

[DarkMatter]

I've been really pleased with Kodi using KodiLauncher to change the windows shell to Kodi. Found it more stable etc than using Linux but it could be down to my limited experience with Linux...

 

[ScottyJKB]

As cheap as possible to do the tasks in the op.

How much would a NUC be?

Certainly more than the Compute Stick that mid_gen suggested, as last time I looked into them you can get a Compute Stick for £150.

NUCs vary massively in price depending on the specs you want. ASUS and Gigabyte make similar compact PCs, which I believe are slightly cheaper. Might be worth having a look around

 

[FatRakoon]

I bought an Intel NUC a short while ago.
All I needed to do, was add RAM and a HD and I got those spare.

I got a Celeron jobbie and quite honestly I wasted my money.

I bought an 8GB DDR3 stick to plop into it and also a new SSD in the hope that it would be a tad quicker, but I was wrong.

I have now given it to a mate.

Similarly, I also got an intel Stick and for its size, I was quite chuffed, but again... Speed is almost useless to me.

Setup as simply a media PC, they are not too bad, and they do the job just fine, but Im a little fussy I will admit.

The NUC cost me £69 but it was in a sale because no one was buying them at the original price - Not surprised ) and the stick cost me £79

The stick is much better value, but the NUX is upgradeable more.