[maxgeo]

Hi All,
I am in the process of building my HTPC to for my Sony Bravia via HDMI and would like to run Linux. The requirements are:

1. Work with Linux
2. Play movies and Music: mpeg,divx,avi,mp3 ect
3. Torrents(downloading for long periods)
4. Browsing the Internet & reading emails
5. Low power consumption
6. Remote control (if possible)
7. 1TB drive capacity (if possible)
8. Compact and appealing design for WAF (wife acceptance factor)

I am driving myself crazy trying to find the best hardware setup to suit my requirements.

I have considered installing Ubuntu and running XBMC as it appears to be the easiest setup. I am however also considering SUSE or CentOS, does anyone know if there are any issue running XBMC on these?

I really need help deciding what hardware will be compatible with Linux. Can anyone recommend a HTPC build? - Just bare in mind it will need to be compact with low power consumption. (not a big fan of the Intel Atom processor)

Are there any apps that can be used to tap my iPad/iPhone in to XBMC via wireless?

Thanks in advance.

[eskro]

Here's what i suggest to you:


[CPU] Intel Pentium E5700 3.0GHz Dual-Core LGA-775 65W ($66 + $0)
[MOBO+iGPU] ZOTAC GF9300-K-E LGA-775 WiFi Mini-ITX ($100 + $0)
[CASE+PSU] Apex MI-008 Black mini-ITX 250W ($40 + $0)
[FAN] SilenX IXP-74-09 120mm 800RPM 38CFM 9dBA ($13 + $0)
[SSD] Kingston SSDNow 16GB 2.5" SATAII Trim Read:230MB/s Write:75MB/s ($50 + $0)
[RAM] CORSAIR 2GB 240-Pin DDR3 DDR3 1333 ($22 + $0)
[HDD] Western Digital 2TB Caviar Green 5400RPM ($74 + $0)
TOTAL: ($365)

Now use XBMC Live (Linux) with it and your set!!
it'll do everything you want!!

oh yeah, regarding the remote,
theres an XBMC Remote for Android powered phones but,
for iPhones, have a read Here!

and if not, you can use a typical remote control
like the AVS Gear GP-IR02BK ($24 + Free Shipping)
which would be more WAF & Works great with LIRC and XBMC on Linux....

As remote, I personnally use the Rii mini, and wouldnt trade it for nothing else!
it controls XBMC like a champ!!

[jhyland]

How would we set this up to also stream cable video? Is that possible at all?