2010-01-01, 18:23
Hi.
Until september 2008, I used a modded Xbox as a media center. XBMC is great, but since the Xbox couldn't play x264-material, I bought a Popcorn Hour A-110 instead.
Now, the Popcorn Hour is great for video, and I've never had any problems with it, but for playing music, it really sucks.
I'm getting rid of the Popcorn Hour now, and I want a new media center that can run a Linux or Windows of my choice, so I can use the applications I want (XBMC, among others).
I'll try to sum up my criteria:
- Very low noise or noise free (preferrably no fans at all, or at least fans that can be controlled).
- SSD drive or no drive. I don't want to pay for a mechanical harddrive that I won't use.
- Able to playback 1080p without hiccups
- Enough CPU/GPU power to upscale lower quality video (if that really makes any difference, I don't know).
- The HDMI output needs to be able to transport Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HD. As far as I know, S/PDIF is not able to do that. I guess you need HDMI 1.3 for that?
- A BD-ROM would be nice, as I buy BD-movies now and then. If I can get rid of my BD-player (Sony BDP-S550), that would contribute to my budget.
- No OS bundled
- Small chassis, I don't want a HTPC that's the same size as my Denon receiver.
- Remote control.
I can either buy a complete system, or I can build it myself. Whatever is the best solution related to price.
Until september 2008, I used a modded Xbox as a media center. XBMC is great, but since the Xbox couldn't play x264-material, I bought a Popcorn Hour A-110 instead.
Now, the Popcorn Hour is great for video, and I've never had any problems with it, but for playing music, it really sucks.
I'm getting rid of the Popcorn Hour now, and I want a new media center that can run a Linux or Windows of my choice, so I can use the applications I want (XBMC, among others).
I'll try to sum up my criteria:
- Very low noise or noise free (preferrably no fans at all, or at least fans that can be controlled).
- SSD drive or no drive. I don't want to pay for a mechanical harddrive that I won't use.
- Able to playback 1080p without hiccups
- Enough CPU/GPU power to upscale lower quality video (if that really makes any difference, I don't know).
- The HDMI output needs to be able to transport Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HD. As far as I know, S/PDIF is not able to do that. I guess you need HDMI 1.3 for that?
- A BD-ROM would be nice, as I buy BD-movies now and then. If I can get rid of my BD-player (Sony BDP-S550), that would contribute to my budget.
- No OS bundled
- Small chassis, I don't want a HTPC that's the same size as my Denon receiver.
- Remote control.
I can either buy a complete system, or I can build it myself. Whatever is the best solution related to price.
