Need help building a cheap HTPC
#1
Hey,
I'm thinking of buying a cheap HTPC, but I have no idea what kind of hardware I need.
It should be able to handle 720p h.264, 1080p isn't a must, but would be quite nice...
I would connect it to a 1680x1050-screen using dvi, all the media would be streamed via LAN. Any suggestions? My budget is quite tight, so help me with cheaap parts ;D

Sorry if this is the wrong forum to post this, I wasn't quite sure...
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#2
I like what I use, but it will cost you about $400
If 1080p isn't needed, and you don't need to play DVDs/Blu-ray I would suggest an Apple TV
At about $200, it is the best as your going to do for XBMC on the cheap for 720p. From what I know the ATV can't playback 1080, but that shouldn't be an issue just yet.
XBMC user since before that Music db hack.
Now with his 2nd DMCA Takedown
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#3
Could you post me what you use? Also, I'm situated in the E.U. (Austria), so I don't know if the appletv is that cheap for me (Maybe I could import one from UK, with the pound being so low atm...). Also, can I setup the ATV to autostart xbmc instead of its fugly interface? And it doesn't have any problems with 720p h264?
EDIT: I just read that the atv is too weak to play most 720p-vids, so this isn't really an option...
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#4
I actually just bought a new system to play 720 and 1080p movies... my old machine wasn't able to handle them. I bought all the parts from new egg:

1 x ($11.99) HDMI CABLES UNLIMITED|PCM-2295-06 R - Retail $11.99
1 x ($54.99) PSU ROSEWILL | RP550V2-D-SL 550W RT - Retail $54.99
1 x ($89.99) MB BIOSTAR TFORCE TF8200 A2+ RT - Retail $89.99
1 x ($33.99) MEM 1Gx2|GSK F2-8500CL5D-2GBPK R - Retail $33.99
1 x ($62.99) CPU AMD|A64 X2 5050E 2.6G AM2 RT - Retail $62.99

I had the rest of the hardware needed... a case, a hard drive, and windows XP. I have a lot of downloads going on in the background and play 1080p movies without a hitch. I really like my new system.
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