Spec me a ITX HTPC + PVR + Gaming Rig

[pumaz]

I'm new to ITX so could do with a little help, I'm looking at either buying something like a ASROCK 330 or building a system to serv all my media needs.

I want something that will be able to cope with playing 1080p mkv's (won't be using Blu Ray) I would also like it to take the place of my Sky+ box by being able to receive Digital freeview and be able to record 2 channels at the same time.

I've not really got a budget but i was thinking tops £500. Would also like to be able to use a 2TB hard drive to put all my mkv's on. So there must be room inside for a 3.5" HD. I don't think i really need a optical drive at all and i guess i'll need windows if i want to run games otherwise i would have just used ubuntu.

Thanks

 

[pumaz]

Can you clarify this:



Do you want it to accept DVB-S (from your satellite dish, like Sky+) or DVB-T (which comes from you ariel).

To record 2 channels then you'll need a dual tuner (dual DVB-T cards are common - I've never seen a dual DVB-S card).

I basicly want to get rid of my Sky+ and replace it with freeview but i would like the functions and ease of use of Sky+ so i think i will be needing "dual DVB-T cards"

I've tried to get my head around it, Linux and XBMC looks to do most of what i need except for gaming and TV/PVR so i'm probably better off going for windows 7 but then XBMC won't play back HD in windows on a ION ITX system so basicly i'll be looking at a MATX build so i can use a video card and a better CPU.

Why is it never easy? I saw these new ION & ATOM systems like the Revo and ASRock and thought i could just bung in a bigger drive a TV card and i would have myself the ultimate entertainment system. Sadly NOT unless anyone knows any different?

 

[pumaz]

Thanks for the info. chaps, Scrub gaming from my list of wants, I think it was a big ask really and tbh i don't really need another gaming machine.

I guess if gaming isn't in the mix i'll be ok with Linux, I quite fancy a ASRock ION 330HT, I don't want or need the optical drive, if i removed it would a 3.5 HD fit?

I'm also thinking now i won't be gaming on it i won't need MATX and a ATOM+ION combo will be enough although i would need to find Linux compatible USB HD Dual DVB-T receiver.

 

[pumaz]

You know what i've spent a few days researching now and i have come to the conclusion that as nice as those ITX boxes are they're not as easy to setup and use as i thought they would be.

So i'm going to scrap the idea and for media I'll carry on streaming Movies etc from my main rig to my 360(bedroom) and PS3(Lounge) using PS3 media server which works great. I'm also going to wait for a Decent Freeview HD PVR to come out then i'm going to dump the Sky+ box.

Thanks for all the help