2012-09-20, 23:17
Pivos XIOS DS is likely the best at $115, but I haven't personally used it yet.
From my own personal experience, the best box for under $100 would be a used ATV1 (wiki) + BCHD (wiki) + Crystalbuntu (wiki). Easily had for less than $100, plays everything I throw at it, is fast and snappy, and can even handle a USB TV tuner, torrents, browser, etc. Mine is my most used HTPC and I use it daily.
ATV2 isn't bad at all (I have one of those too), but won't play as many formats or be as snappy as an ATV1 + BCHD.
From my own personal experience, the best box for under $100 would be a used ATV1 (wiki) + BCHD (wiki) + Crystalbuntu (wiki). Easily had for less than $100, plays everything I throw at it, is fast and snappy, and can even handle a USB TV tuner, torrents, browser, etc. Mine is my most used HTPC and I use it daily.
ATV2 isn't bad at all (I have one of those too), but won't play as many formats or be as snappy as an ATV1 + BCHD.
