Win Need Advice Before Buying a HTPC
#1
I am shopping for a new computer. I have spent many hours reading many boards, but did not find any current answers so I decided to ask. We cut the cord a little while ago, and now I am expanding and upgrading my system
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For personal reasons, I do not want to build a HTPC, instead I am looking for a PC tower that will do the job adequetly. I do not know anything about building a PC, and though I think I could do it, I have yet to see any suggested builds that can do everything I want to that are in my price range (about $300).

What I want to do is this:
1. Use XBMC as my main home theater interface.
a. Stream live TV and video broadcasts through XBMC (it's easier for my wife).
b. Stream live radio w/ visualizations through XBMC.
c. Use XBMC via. an external player (PotPlayer) to watch movies/video from my library (if possible, see more below)
d. Launch an occasional browser window through XBMC to surf the web OR watch Netfilx and Hulu
2. Watch Hulu or Netflix through my browser
3. Watch 800p - 1080p HD movies with PotPlayer if not possible using XBMC (if workload is too much for PC using XBMC)
4. Play occasional Games (nothing complex, mainly Facebook games, Diamond Drop, Super Collapse! 3 [my wife's games] and Left4Dead 2 and Grand Theft Auto 4 Online [my games])
5. Listen to/ sync/ whatever with my music using whatever program I choose
6. Use various windows programs
While I think either PC I am considering would do most if not all of those things (and whatever else may come along) I am not sure. I do not want to have the problems I have with my old PC, which is why I'm asking. Let me explain...

My old PC is this:

eMachines ET1161-07

http://www.meetgadget.com/gadget/2781/eM...+ET1161-07

It's plugged in to a Vizio TV via. the monitor cable, the only choice I have.

While it will perform most of the functions on my list, it dosen't do 1. a or c very well. When I use it to view live streaming video or play my library through XBMC I get stuttering (I think that's what it's called, where the image speeds up and slows down, speeds and slows, in an endless cycle. People look like they are first moving fast, then slow, then fast, etc.; cars move in jerky fast/slow motions.) Even if I use PotPlayer through XBMC I get the same effect.

I also have the same problem with Hulu through my browser, but to a lesser extent. If I use XBMC to launch a browser and watch Hulu (or any Flash based player) the effect is even worse. I have turned off Hardware Accel. where possible (not possible on my Graphics card) and that helped, but not that much.

Another problem I've encountered with my old PC is that I can not watch HD movies (#3 on my list) no matter how I try. The video is jerky and drops lots of frames, even using the most simple video render PotPlayer has.

Through lot of reading, I've come to understand that the majority of my problems are caused by not having enough RAM (I think, maybe it's the processor. Show's how little I know). I Would add more RAM, but the computer is being put in a room where it will not be used much, so it won't matter.

As a final note, I do not have those problems using our laptop. Its specs are:

Toshiba Satellite L755-S5112

http://www.meetgadget.com/gadget/61533/T...L755-S5112

All and all, it's a more powerful computer. It has more RAM and a better processor. It handles all my HTPC needs nicely, but I do not want to lose it to a HTPC set up.

Sorry for the long preamble, but it leads into my main question:

I am considering buying

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/hp-refurbish...1306273259

OR

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/dell-inspiro...Id=9026151

from Best Buy. My price range is around $300 max. Those two computers are what I've found in that range that look like they'll do what I want. I just don't know. Will they meet my needs? The main thing is the stutter, but HD movies would be nice also. Will either one of those computers handle the stuff I throw at it? Are they powerful enough? The noise factor doesn't bother me, since it's been a part of our HTPC experience from the beginning (lots of people worry about it). I just don't want to waste money.

So, can someone please help. Let me know if either computer is a good choice, OR, if you know of anything else cheaper that will do what I want, please let me know. I'm new HTPCs and new to the internet, so I don't really know where to look. I've tried several ways of Googling the question, but haven't gotten any acceptable answers (usually price is the turn off). So I've come here for help.

Another question I just thought of (on a different topic) is: Is a cloud based external hard drive an acceptable way for extra storage? Will it output info. fast enough to watch HD movies? I was considering that as an option instead of a computer or server that would be turned on all the time. Which one uses less power and is more efficient in the long run, a computer or an external hard drive. Doesn't leaving a computer on 24/7 burn it out (wear down parts, etc.)

Thank You in advance
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#2
HI Blasty,
Here is what i followed to build mine. Pretty easy http://forum.xbmc.org/showthread.php?tid=138734 and http://forum.xbmc.org/showthread.php?tid=94199

Here is what i am following to build my PVR set uphttp://forum.xbmc.org/showthread.php?tid=173577&pid=1528828#pid1528828

What i will buy for my other TV's http://forum.xbmc.org/showthread.php?tid=157563 (The lenovo Q190)

Bitcasa for the cloud storage http://forum.xbmc.org/showthread.php?tid=140398
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#3
Sebjsan. I read through the first four pages of the first thread about building a HTPC and saw nothing about price. The second thread I had read before I posted this thread. Like most guides to build a HTPC the cost of an operating system does not seem to be included in the description. I would like to use Windows because I use the computer for more than entertainment.

I had briefly checked out the Lenovo thread right before I posted this thread and looked at the Lenovo website. Somehow I completely missed the Windows 8 mention. Does that mean it will do everything (excluding DVD) that a desktop PC will do?

Have to go now. Will check back later, and do more reading.
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