HTPC vs Popcorn Player

Simpic

Simpic

Simpic

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Joined
3 Sep 2009
Posts
167
Hi,

I currently have a Popcorn Hour A100 that I use for streaming video files from a Synology DS211 NAS. I run YAMJ with various mods which I am very happy with.

All works fine apart from 1080p BD files in an MKV container. It won't read them due to the processing power required. The solution is to remux the file into a TS container. All great as long as you don't mind losing the chapters and subtitles. This has proved to be a pain recently on a few movies I have wanted to watch.

So....

I am thinking about moving to a HTPC.

The spec will need to be something like this: -

  • Hifi sized case to sit on top of my AV AMP
  • HDMI 1.4a output to staisfy the 3D requirement if I choose to use it in the future
  • Space for 4 HDD as I would like to lose the NAS and use this instead
  • Low power draw as possible
  • As quiet as possible!
  • Looks sexy >>> Wife's requirement!
  • Remote control by handset and wireless keyboard / mouse
  • OS - Not really too fussed, Linux or WIN, although I would like to run SABnzbd, Sickbeard and Couchpotato somewhere

That's all I can think of at the moment. Can someone recommend a case, PSU, MoBo, GPU and OS to suit?

Thank you as always for your comments.

Regards,

Simpic
 
theres lots of cases about for HTPC's depending on how much you want to spend on one
they are usually the most expensive part of a HTPC

for the mobo/cpu/gpu, i would go with either a fusion, or ion
both are all in one, small, quiet (often silent) and draw tiny amounts of power.

i think your main problem would be the 4 hard drives, most smallish HTPC cases dont have room for many drives, u tend to need the full size ones for that.

if your looking for silence, and dont mind spending abit, the silverstone ml02 is a nice case. The LCD version also has a remote and built in reciver for it
only room for 1 drive, so u'll still need your nas, or a media server for your drives

For the OS, i currently use mythbuntu on mine, does everything i need and even does live tv
 
Your basketProduct Name Qty Price Line Total
Antec Fusion Remote HTPC Case - Black £129.98
(£108.32) £129.98
(£108.32)
Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium SP1 64-Bit - OEM (GFC-00599) £79.99
(£66.66) £79.99
(£66.66)
Sapphire ATI Radeon HD 6570 HM 1024MB GDDR3 PCI-Express Graphics Card (11191-01-20G) £59.99
(£49.99) £59.99
(£49.99)
AMD Athlon II X3 Tri Core 450 3.20GHz (Socket AM3) - Retail £59.99
(£49.99) £59.99
(£49.99)
Gigabyte GA-M68MT-S2 (AM3) Motherboard - Retail £39.98
(£33.32) £39.98
(£33.32)
Corsair Builder Series CX 430W ATX Power Supply (CMPSU-430CXUK) £35.99
(£29.99) £35.99
(£29.99)
OCZ Special OPS 4GB (2x2GB) DDR3 PC3-12800C8 1600MHz Dual Channel Kit (OCZ3SOE1600LV4GK) £34.99
(£29.16) £34.99
(£29.16)
Sony Optiarc AD-5260S 24x DVD±RW SATA ReWriter (Black) - OEM £15.98
(£13.32) £15.98
(£13.32)
Sub Total : £380.75
Shipping cost assumes delivery to UK Mainland with:
DPD Next Day Parcel
(This can be changed during checkout) Shipping : £12.50
VAT is being charged at 20.00% VAT : £78.65
Total : £471.90

But the case like most of these only has two internal bays.

Didnt include a HDD, i presume you got one? to run the OS
 
Last edited:
I'll check out that case Cycrow.

Losing the NAS is not a hard and fast requirement. I was thinking of doing that to fund part of the project that is all. I like the Synology setup I have and love the ability to put whatever I like on it as it runs Linux. But costs are costs!
 
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