Point83.com Forum Index » Wrenches, Gears, and Routes » Media PC?
Page 1 of 1 |
|
|
| Chip McShoulder |
 Posted: Sun Apr 08, 2012 12:13 pm |
 |
|
paid in full
Joined: 11 Aug 2008
Posts: 2414
Location: Rainbow Road
|
I'm sick of watching Netflix on a 7-year-old laptop on my coffee table. Time to step up the game.
I've never built a computer in micro-ATX before, but otherwise have plenty of experience putting this kind of thing together. Before I start down the rabbit-hole of product comparisons that is Newegg however, I figured I'd consult the fates.
I'm looking for something that runs windows (shipping with it is optional), is small, quiet and has enough video card to handle 1080p or whatever. Maximum cost ~ $500 (NOT including monitor or other peripherals).
1) Pre-built vs. DIY. Is there much of a savings building it yourself?
2) If pre-built, any models to look at/avoid?
3) Anything else I'm probably not anticipating, but should be?
4) Do you have one of these/ parts for one of these you desperately want to get rid of? |
_________________
Free iPad 2 - As seen on CNN! |
|
|
 
|
| |
| lantius |
| Posted: Sun Apr 08, 2012 12:15 pm |
|
|
1337
Joined: 22 Jul 2005
Posts: 6565
Location: right over
|
| Rokus are $99 these days. |
|
|
|
|
| |
| Chip McShoulder |
| Posted: Sun Apr 08, 2012 1:48 pm |
|
|
|
paid in full
Joined: 11 Aug 2008
Posts: 2414
Location: Rainbow Road
|
Netflix is about 75% of the use, but I'd also like to be able to watch a DVD or something I download from time-to-time. I'll put the Roku on the list though, the pricetag is pretty appealing.
I just realized a game console could be an option also, right? I haven't owned one in a long time, but both the PS3 and XBOX have netflix these days, right? Can either of them play .avi / .mp4 movies? |
_________________
Free iPad 2 - As seen on CNN! |
|
|
|
| |
| Kyleen |
| Posted: Sun Apr 08, 2012 3:00 pm |
|
|
might have vagina, unconfirmed
Joined: 06 Jan 2010
Posts: 894
Location: Space pirate ship manned by dinosaurs
|
| I had an eee box that I got for 300$ about 3 yrs ago. It was pretty alright. They are reasonably priced but often don't come with enough ram. You can upgrade the ram pretty easily. I was meaning to upgrade the ram on mine because it would slow down rendering crazy action scenes but I ended up selling it to cass and john for hella cheap. |
|
|
|
|
| |
| lantius |
| Posted: Sun Apr 08, 2012 6:30 pm |
|
|
|
1337
Joined: 22 Jul 2005
Posts: 6565
Location: right over
|
| My Xbox might as well be branded "Netflix" for all I used it in the last year. It's been eclipsed now by the Boxee box though; no DVDs but a much wider range of supported downloaded content. |
|
|
|
|
| |
| tehschkott |
| Posted: Sun Apr 08, 2012 6:50 pm |
|
|
daywalker
Joined: 09 Nov 2007
Posts: 4969
Location: Hatertown
|
I have a MicroATX case for you for the price of... nothing - come and get it. Mobo needs replacing. I can help you find the right one.
As far as software - both Boxee and XBMC are free to install and run. Boxee is XBMC with a proprietary skin geared for commercial uses. I tried them both and got tired of Boxee's commercial goals getting in my way. Neither are perfect but I now run XBMC and am more or less happy with it.
XBMC will also run on Linux if you prefer. If running Linux you can also use MythTV. |
_________________
Find something you love and let it kill you. |
|
|
|
| |
| -jason |
| Posted: Sun Apr 08, 2012 7:50 pm |
|
|
Joined: 17 Feb 2009
Posts: 220
Location: The Internet
|
tehschkott wrote: XBMC will also run on Linux if you prefer. If running Linux you can also use MythTV. |
|
|
|
|
| |
| Alex |
| Posted: Mon Apr 09, 2012 5:28 am |
|
|
Joined: 18 May 2006
Posts: 2682
Location: Roosevelt
|
The XBox is our Netflix and DVD player. We have a HTPC too, but the XBox just works.
You can get tiny "nettop" PCs for around $200-$300 that just work.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16856107076 is an example.
We have an older Acer AspireRevo setup this way that records HDTV for us from cable (and works fine for Netflix, we just like the XBox Netflix and Hulu clients better than the Media Center one). It's tiny, takes almost no power, and is silent.
If you get an Xbox let me know, I think I still have a brand new XBox360 remote in the package that is free for the taking.
alex |
|
|
|
|
| |
| jsmg |
| Posted: Mon Apr 09, 2012 6:39 am |
|
|
baby bear
Joined: 23 Aug 2009
Posts: 769
Location: your mom
|
If you do decide to go Xbox, let me know. I'd sell you mine for $100. (And I'd toss in a download code for Halo Reach.)
Actually, I have a spare Kinect I need to figure out what to do with, too. |
_________________
I was a nice person, once. Then I met you guys. |
|
|
|
| |
| Chip McShoulder |
| Posted: Mon Apr 09, 2012 12:17 pm |
|
|
|
paid in full
Joined: 11 Aug 2008
Posts: 2414
Location: Rainbow Road
|
I'm avoiding linux in this case, precisely because of the netflix/silverlight issue. I recall reading cases of people getting it to work through WINE, but I'd rather not go there.
Priority is essentially: netflix > .avi/.mp4 > DVD > Blu-Ray. I'd be willing to forgo the DVD/Blu-Ray, but probably not .avi/.mp4
At this point, the XBOX seems to be the most appealing option - what are my options for playing .avi / .mp4 (either locally or over a network) on one of these? Possible with mods/ stock? |
_________________
Free iPad 2 - As seen on CNN! |
|
|
|
| |
| -jason |
| Posted: Mon Apr 09, 2012 12:25 pm |
|
|
|
Joined: 17 Feb 2009
Posts: 220
Location: The Internet
|
| Doesn't Netflix on Xbox require an Xbox Live Gold membership as well as a Netflix membership? |
|
|
|
|
| |
| Alex |
| Posted: Mon Apr 09, 2012 1:13 pm |
|
|
|
Joined: 18 May 2006
Posts: 2682
Location: Roosevelt
|
it does
xbox plays avi/mp4/divx over the network just fine out of the box.
if you use an xbox for this you want a second generation one (the smaller white case). the earlier ones are loud power hogs. The new ones are pretty quiet. |
|
|
|
|
| |
| Andrew_Squirrel |
| Posted: Mon Apr 09, 2012 1:20 pm |
|
|
Joined: 01 Mar 2010
Posts: 1096
Location: Ravenna
|
Alex wrote:
xbox plays avi/mp4/divx over the network just fine out of the box.
My roommates and I have had different experiences than Alex, I can't get any divx movies located on my windows machine to play through his Xbox. We've been able to do audio files and a few basic video files but it hates divx movies and TV shows for some reason.
Note: We also haven't tried this again in about a year so maybe they have upgraded the operating system to patch this issue recently. |
_________________
Andrew Squirrel's Flickr |
|
|
|
| |
| Chip McShoulder |
| Posted: Mon Apr 09, 2012 1:32 pm |
|
|
|
paid in full
Joined: 11 Aug 2008
Posts: 2414
Location: Rainbow Road
|
-jason wrote: Doesn't Netflix on Xbox require an Xbox Live Gold membership as well as a Netflix membership?
Good to know. I can't say I'm thrilled about that, but even factoring in the $60/year for the membership, I think the XBOX is still coming out ahead price-wise.
Jon, is yours the 2nd generation kind? |
_________________
Free iPad 2 - As seen on CNN! |
|
|
|
| |
| jsmg |
| Posted: Mon Apr 09, 2012 1:36 pm |
|
|
|
baby bear
Joined: 23 Aug 2009
Posts: 769
Location: your mom
|
DivX support was patched in a few years ago, Andrew. Not sure why it's not working for you, did you mod it?
The 360 is also supposed to support the MP4 format.
I had forgotten that the Xbox requires a Gold account for Netflix and Hulu, which pretty much sucks and may not make it worthwhile for you anymore. I would have one of those anyway so I never notice.
Please note that my Xbox sale offer is for an Elite, aka one of the "loud power hog" models. I am in fact only offering so that I may justify purchasing a new Slim. I feel it's only reasonable to be honest.
If you want all of that stuff PLUS Blu-ray, I think that building a HTPC or buying a PS3 are your two best bets. I'd probably go for the former personally, but the PS3 does play games I guess. If Blu-ray/discs are not a requirement, I think it's sort of a toss-up between Roku/Boxee boxes, and the 360 remains a good contender if you don't mind the Gold subscription. |
_________________
I was a nice person, once. Then I met you guys. |
|
|
|
| |
| caustic meatloaf |
| Posted: Mon Apr 09, 2012 3:47 pm |
|
|
|
All Paid Up
Joined: 06 Dec 2010
Posts: 2271
Location: A hammy melange
|
jsmg wrote: I feel it's only reasonable to be honest.
Obviously you are not a salesman. |
_________________
Primate. |
|
|
|
| |
| tehschkott |
| Posted: Mon Apr 09, 2012 5:15 pm |
|
|
|
daywalker
Joined: 09 Nov 2007
Posts: 4969
Location: Hatertown
|
Replace the mobo in mine, install Win 7 and XBMC or Boxee and call it a day. No subscription necessary - I think it even has a plugin for Netflix but can confirm.
Of course going Xbox might provide an excuse to pick up a game controller. I'm told boys in successful relationships need those kinds of excuses. |
_________________
Find something you love and let it kill you. |
|
|
|
| |
| tehschkott |
| Posted: Mon Apr 09, 2012 5:19 pm |
|
|
|
daywalker
Joined: 09 Nov 2007
Posts: 4969
Location: Hatertown
|
| In a pinch you can also bypass and play movies in VLC if you have to (are you people STILL playing with codecs? Divx? Ha! That is so 2002!). You can also torrent this way if that's your thing. |
_________________
Find something you love and let it kill you. |
|
|
|
| |
| MyNameIsJeff |
| Posted: Tue Apr 10, 2012 9:05 am |
|
|
BOOSH!
Joined: 17 Jul 2007
Posts: 1431
Location: Nearest bar.
|
PS3 + PS3 Media Server (Free) = Streaming HD video, all formats.
Easiest, cheapest solution. |
_________________
See you in Hell. |
|
|
|
| |
| fatasian |
| Posted: Wed Apr 18, 2012 4:09 pm |
|
|
Joined: 26 Aug 2008
Posts: 1596
Location: devenshire
|
|
|
|
| |
| Chip McShoulder |
| Posted: Thu Apr 19, 2012 10:54 am |
|
|
|
paid in full
Joined: 11 Aug 2008
Posts: 2414
Location: Rainbow Road
|
What I wound up doing in the end is taking a smallish (4"x12"x16") computer off Scott's hands.
I could have got a smaller computer if I paid for one, but hey. It's about the size of an XBOX/PS3, and it's silent.
I'm still trying to setup/get used to XBMC, but I don't love it yet.
I found an app for my phone that lets it work as a remote, which has been handy. Eventually, I'll probably get one of those logitech keyboard/trackball things, but for now, the phone works great for starting the next episode of BS:G without leaving the couch.
That little Sony box looks interesting, though. Only $70, huh? |
_________________
Free iPad 2 - As seen on CNN! |
|
|
|
| |
| MyNameIsJeff |
| Posted: Fri Apr 20, 2012 12:23 pm |
|
|
|
BOOSH!
Joined: 17 Jul 2007
Posts: 1431
Location: Nearest bar.
|
So I take it you are using Media Player's sharing service? Or did this pick up PS3 Media Server on your network? |
_________________
See you in Hell. |
|
|
|
| |
| fatasian |
| Posted: Sat Apr 21, 2012 9:06 am |
|
|
|
Joined: 26 Aug 2008
Posts: 1596
Location: devenshire
|
MyNameIsJeff wrote:
So I take it you are using Media Player's sharing service? Or did this pick up PS3 Media Server on your network?
Both!
All the hacks. |
|
|
|
|
| |
|
