HTPC help?

[Edge]

So apparently we're having the lounge re-done, and getting a nice surround system put in, so I thought it would be a good time to consider a HTPC.

I've heard a lot about them, some kind of centralised media facility to sit under your TV and be your source of much entertainment.

I'm not concerned about putting one together (although any spec advise would be awesome).

So, what are they all about? What should I load it with OS wise? Is it a streaming solution, or do you whack a HDD in it and store things locally? What software is ideal (Plex, XBMC?) How do remotes tie into it. What are the pitfalls and must-knows, basically.

I'll be using probably the Silverstone ML03B or ML04B case.

Appreciate the help folks, thanks as usual!

 

[Wraith]

I've been considering this avenue for our living room for a while now, my option is either use an old Dell C521 Low profile machine with Ubuntu and SSD it or the pricey option and get the Gigabyte Brix purely because I like the idea of having it hidden from view.

 

[Davva2004]

My Sony bluray 5.1 system is my home media system too, it streams any content stored on my PC or NAS box. Any DNLA compliant system will do the same, so you may not need a dedicated HTPC if you're going to buy a bluray home theatre system.

 

[Zoot]

I've my HTPC posted here. It really does need a HTPC case, and I was actually considering the Silverstone ML04 too.
http://forum.overclock3d.net/showthread.php?t=60061

Hardware wise, I'd say the best thing is a mini ITX setup with either a low end dual-core AMD APU like the A6-6400k I have, or an Intel Celeron. Processing power isn't exactly needed so pretty much anything will do. Sometimes you can get motherboards with the CPU soldered to them, they'll work fine aswell and probably be cheaper.

For software, you'll want something like XBMC. I configure it to start after Windows loads so I don't really ever see Windows once I turn the rig on at all.

For the OS, Windows will work fine, but you could just as easily setup a Linux distro since you can get software like XBMC on linux too. Ubuntu is probably the best one to try, but there's no reason any other distro wouldn't work either. I'd be using Debian on mine were it not for the spare copy of Windows 7 I have.

 

[Edge]

I've my HTPC posted here. It really does need a HTPC case, and I was actually considering the Silverstone ML04 too.
http://forum.overclock3d.net/showthread.php?t=60061

Hardware wise, I'd say the best thing is a mini ITX setup with either a low end dual-core AMD APU like the A6-6400k I have, or an Intel Celeron. Processing power isn't exactly needed so pretty much anything will do. Sometimes you can get motherboards with the CPU soldered to them, they'll work fine aswell and probably be cheaper.

For software, you'll want something like XBMC. I configure it to start after Windows loads so I don't really ever see Windows once I turn the rig on at all.

For the OS, Windows will work fine, but you could just as easily setup a Linux distro since you can get software like XBMC on linux too. Ubuntu is probably the best one to try, but there's no reason any other distro wouldn't work either. I'd be using Debian on mine were it not for the spare copy of Windows 7 I have.

I'm a total Linux noob, never even tried it, so I might go for Ubuntu just for the experience. Good info, an A6-6400k is a great price. How does it do for RAM? 2-4GB of budget RAM enough? And do you recommend a small SSD (128GB ish) or a chunky hard drive (1-2TB)?

Might even pinch the VS350 idea. Guessing that will be plenty, although I'm not sure if it fits in the ML04B. Do you use a remote with yours, or just the keyboard? Guessing XBMC/Plex can operate with either.

 

[Zoot]

4GB of DDR3 1333MHz is fine, it's what I have paired with my AMD A6-6400k. It's no powerhouse but it gets the job done. It runs pretty cool too; the fan never really spins up.

For the hard drive, I don't think you really need an SSD. If you want the extra speed then get it. I've a 1TB laptop drive in mine which is enough for a rake of movies and TV series. Laptop drives are better I reckon because they tend to be quieter.

I use a Logitech K400r wireless keyboard that has a touchpad integrated into it. It does the job really well, don't really need a remote with it. ^_^
http://www.logitech.com/en-hk/product/wireless-touch-keyboard-k400r2?wt.ac=ps|11080|k400wh|hp

 

[Edge]

Hey that's pretty sweet! Thanks for all the information.

I'll take a look at the ML04 and see how everything is mounted, then look into getting it built. Thanks for your help bud.

 

[Zoot]

No problem!

If you get the ML04 be sure to post how you get on with it, I'd be quite interested since I was thinking of getting it aswell.