[goldenmonkey]

Here's what I'm looking for... I'm looking for a system mostly to stream videos using XBMC Live. Most are in 720p, but I'd like to futureproof for 1080p as well. I looked into the Zotac IONITX D-E Intel Atom N330 mobo/proc combo, but am wary of the issues with flash, and the lack of wake on USB, and whether it will even play 1080p without stuttering.

I do however, what a small footprint (and hopefully low heat output), as for at least the next year or two, it'll be in a bedroom.

Basically, I want some semblance of power, but in a Mini-ITX case/mobo.

Here's what I came up with, can you let me know if it's even possible, or if there's a better solution? Price wise, I'd say max is $400, but I'd like to stay in the $300-$350 total range.

Case -
APEX MI-008 Black Steel Mini-ITX Tower Computer Case 250W Power Supply - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.as...6811154091 - $39.99
OR
Rosewill RC-SIX-01 BK Glossy & Hair-line brushed Black Steel Slim Mini-ITX Computer Case with 150W Power Supply and 1x 40mm Fan - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.as...6811147134 - $49.99

Mobo
Zotac GeForce 9300 HDMI Wi-Fi Mini ITX Intel Motherboard GF9300-D-E -
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.as...-_-Product
$140

Processor
Intel Pentium E5300 2.6GHZ 2MB L2 Cache LGA 775 65W Dual Core
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.as...6819116074 - $70

RAM
CORSAIR XMS2 2GB 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Desktop Memory Model CM2X2048-6400C5 -
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.as...6820145201 - $35

I'd also add in a DVD rom drive and flash drive to run XBMC off of, and have my own remote.

I actually somewhat prefer the Rosewill case, but am worried about the 150W power supply, will that be sufficient? The processor advice I got from a friend, but he paired it with a Gigabyte mobo. Is this TOO much? I want to make sure the Aeon skin runs smoothly and 1080p runs smoothly. Not sure what other processor I should go with if not the E5300.

I've never seen the E5300 paired with the Zotac Mini ITX board, so I'm hoping it's possible. Also, the wake on USB issues with the other Zotac board, do they apply here? If so, is there any other Mini ITX board I could use, or is this really the only one?

Sorry for all the questions, I've done a bit of research through reading threads already, but some just lead to more questions. Thanks!

[koadic]

As far as the wake on USB for the ION boards, I know the one I purchased on 8/31 works fine, but I picked up a GF9300 shortly after that for another project, and that one DOES NOT wake on usb.

As far as running XBMC Live, I am using an IONITX-B-E with no issues playing 1080p, and dont recall any issues playing flash either (not sure though).

Zotac IONITX-B-E + Apex MI-008 for $145 with a $20 rebate ($125 total) - http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealD...mbo.258497

or

IONITX-D-E for $45 more (no rebate) - http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealD...mbo.258498

That is much cheaper then the $250 that you list for the board, case, and processor, but if your gonna end up using it for more then XBMC Live, then that may not be the solution for you.

[infamous09]

Silly noob question--If I purchase the Zotac N230, do I still need to buy a processor or is the processor built into the motherboard?

[goldenmonkey]

As far as the wake on USB for the ION boards, I know the one I purchased on 8/31 works fine, but I picked up a GF9300 shortly after that for another project, and that one DOES NOT wake on usb.

As far as running XBMC Live, I am using an IONITX-B-E with no issues playing 1080p, and dont recall any issues playing flash either (not sure though).

Zotac IONITX-B-E + Apex MI-008 for $145 with a $20 rebate ($125 total) - http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealD...mbo.258497

or

IONITX-D-E for $45 more (no rebate) - http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealD...mbo.258498

That is much cheaper then the $250 that you list for the board, case, and processor, but if your gonna end up using it for more then XBMC Live, then that may not be the solution for you.

Yeah... I realize that the IONITX would probably suffice, and have looked at the D-E, but would prefer to spend a bit more money to 'futureproof' it in case i decide to do something more powerful with it.

The flash issue was with HD flash, like hulu, which can't use the GPU hardware acceleration currently. Which at this point, I don't even use, but would rather have the capability

Basically, I'm looking to see if the solution is viable (dual core processor in the Mini ITX case, and whether i need 250W, or if 150 would suffice)

[kbrookes]

If it helps, Adobe are making strides towards HD playback under flash:

http://www.engadget.com/2009/09/28/gpu-a...ook-smoot/

Not that it means it'll make it to Linux or XBMC anytime soon, but it seems closer.

I have the Zotac ION ITX N330 and it works like a dream.

The only problem is I now have a desire to replace all my content with HD!

[RookieLinux]

"I have the Zotac ION ITX N330 and it works like a dream. "

I just purchased this board, 4gb ram. I can not for the life of me get it to play x264 1080p in xbmc without it skipping or having a issue syncing audio to video. I tried it in Win 7. I then gave it to my buddy to try to get it to work on Ubuntu. We are still not getting it to run right. XBMC Live wont play em either. Anything I am missing?

[goldenmonkey]

there's another thread on here that was talking about some config you need to do to get it to work properly. also check your network if you're streaming.

but yeah, this is what i'm trying to avoid, i have no issues paying more for a beefier processor, i just want to make sure it'll work.

anyone?

[koadic]

I have no issues playing full 35Mbps+ BD rips on the IONITX-B-E, which has the single core chip.

I started with the altered Live iso with the nVidia 185 drivers (newer drivers cause issues with suspend/resume for me). First thing to do is make sure you go into the Settings->Video->Player and set it to use VDPAU. To get smooth playback, I did have to update to svn22528 though, as 9.04.1 (version included with XBMC Live) wouldn't play anything back at the proper framerate, was only getting about 20fps.