Smallest MPC

lopkinfop · 16 Dec 2007 at 02:26

What is the smallest media PC people have come accross that can play high def video? preferably under £1k, low noise and reasonable processor

Hxc · 16 Dec 2007 at 13:59

Smallest would be a custom built Mini-ITX system with one of the pricy mobile core 2 duo procs. I should expect that a good C2D would be able to decode HD....

craptakular · 16 Dec 2007 at 14:24

y not get a micro-atx with an 8600Gt/2600XT with an 2180/e6300 plays HD-DVD's no problem

I say go with Sugo Sg02

craptakular · 16 Dec 2007 at 14:25

micro atx allows u to use dual tuners as well

JediFragger · 16 Dec 2007 at 17:36

Tiny

craptakular · 16 Dec 2007 at 17:53

JediFragger said:
Tiny

Small yes, expandable no.

JediFragger · 16 Dec 2007 at 18:02

Oxy said:
Small yes, expandable no.

Wasn't specified as a requirement

lsg1r · 16 Dec 2007 at 18:43

I'd say a mac mini or an itx type pc, depending on whether you need a hd drive or if its media from a hard drive/mem stick.

Even a low end cpu should be able to mange high def if they have a low end ati hd xxxx or nvidia gf 8xxx series card (some matx have good decoding abilities too).

To the op - what type of hi def content, some formats require more cpu usage than others, for example h264 seems to use more cpu than wmv hd on my system.

lopkinfop · 16 Dec 2007 at 21:09

lsg1r said:
To the op - what type of hi def content, some formats require more cpu usage than others, for example h264 seems to use more cpu than wmv hd on my system.

h264 will be the format they will be turned into but also from sky HD etc then convert to h264

JediFragger said:
Tiny

does it have a flash slot or something to install an OS onto, the media will be streamed from a server so the box will be connected through a gig switch

lsg1r · 16 Dec 2007 at 23:08

lopkinfop said:
h264 will be the format they will be turned into but also from sky HD etc then convert to h264

- well a mac mini should be able to do this quite well in my opinion, apple seems to be able to run it better than a pc without a dedicated graphics card.

does it have a flash slot or something to install an OS onto, the media will be streamed from a server so the box will be connected through a gig switch

Thats like the mac mini, it has a small hard drive from a laptop fitted.