2008-09-25, 03:45
calvinandh0bbes Wrote:i don't know if i would call the ITX MB footprint "pretty close." Popcorn hour is basically a "wide router", no fan, (albeit crappy) remote, ~10 W of power running, for $200. If you go for the IStar mini which doesn't support internal hard drive, it's even smaller, with a small optional fan for cooling. As much as I rail on their UI being crappy, I do think their footprint is in a league of it's own.Agreed. I dont see how a small plastic and metal case can cost in the high $100 range! I think for this to happen a custom made case would be a must. (As in made by us)
Everytime I start looking at building a cheap, compact HTPC, the case and power supply alone puts me in the ball park of the NMTs. Small cases seem to be ridiculously priced. I can build a full size computer on the cheap that will do 1080p, but not something set top and low power.
And after all that, I still see XBMC winning the race given the NMT UI and the haphazzard updates they make.