Help with a multimedia centre pc

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roddyp

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Hi,

I want to build (or buy) a multi-media centre PC to replace my MVIX. i.e something small and compact with an HDI port to attached directly to my 37" TV.

I can't seem to find anything out there. I've tried a number of PC stores, but to no avail.

In particular i am looking for a remote contol of some sort to to drive the PC (probably using XP Media Centre), otherwise its pointless. I am happy to buy a pre-built one or even build it myself.

If anyone out there can point me in the right direction i would be most appreciative.

Kind regards

Roddy
 
There are a couple of threads on this topic around here, they may be of help.
 
I've got a Mvix myself, and was wondering why you want to replace your Mvix?

If you are in Jhb, contact PC International in Randburg, ComputersOnly in Midrand and PC Pro Shop.
 
I needed to play HD content (mkv files with h.264), so I replaced my Mvix with a Popcorn Hour. Great Media player, plays everything the Mvix could and more.
 
Just get an itx case and motherboard. Some boards come with hdmi on board.

You can get a tv card with a media centre remote.
 
HBee,

Where did you get the popcorn hour from?

Thanks for all the other replys btw
 
HBee said:
I needed to play HD content (mkv files with h.264), so I replaced my Mvix with a Popcorn Hour. Great Media player, plays everything the Mvix could and more.
Click to expand...

how much did u pay for this "popcorn hour" ???
 
I've been building HTPCs for a while now, they are the best as you can also view all the content that are downloaded off the internet including rmvb, vp7 and even youtube.

Best of all they keep up with new technologies, as long as the cpu is up to the challenge that is.

Just get a nice case from esquire, they have a lot of really good looking and cheap cases, then get either a microsoft remote or some logitech remotes, then use mediaportal, free software that runs on windows with loads of powerful features, I use their TV server to time shift, record and watch multiple channels on DSTV, coolest part is a 2 channel multiview can act like a 4 or even 8 channel multiview as long as all the channels you're viewing sits on the same freqency.
 
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thanx Kayvee, so for 3K u get what the MVIX can do and more ...i assume the MVIX comes in a lot cheaper then than this PopcornHR unit.
 
I must admit the MVIX was awesome. The only thing it couldn't pay were RMVB files and of course MKV.

I bought the iomega screenplay HD pro and it turned out not to be what i expected. it can play MKV files, but only if networked to a PC running a transcode server.

Hence i thought, let me just go the full hog and get a media PC
 
Hi. If you like, you can give me a shout ... I have built a few HTPC's for customers.
 
go buy a shuttle pc and make sure you buy the ati radeon hd4550 which has a buit in 7.2 sound and and hdcp hdmi port which will run 1080p 24/50/60 you then need to go and buy a mce approved tv tuner rectron sells them at a good price after that go buy yourself ether windows vista premium or ultimate or even ver 7 which has mce on it once done u need to buy a haappage mce remote reciever and control for the pc you then have a full htpc all in all myne cost +- with bluray 6 grand
 
6 Grand?

i'd rather get a popcorn hour, with a PC bluray drive and perhaps a 1TB. much better.
 
Keeper said:
6 Grand?

i'd rather get a popcorn hour, with a PC bluray drive and perhaps a 1TB. much better.
Click to expand...

How much do you think that 200 series is going to cost?

If you're looking at Blu-ray and not wanting to spend more than R5k then get a PS3.
 
problem is i want to be able to play MKV and RMVB files. Seems the best way is to go for media PC route for 6grand or so
 
roddyp said:
problem is i want to be able to play MKV and RMVB files. Seems the best way is to go for media PC route for 6grand or so
Click to expand...

If you've got another PC at your disposal there's an app called mkv2vob which re-packages mkv files. As for RMVBs, I'm not too sure. At the end of the day, if money is no object then a proper HTPC is the best solution, unfortunately money is always a factor (to most of us anyway) so you have to weigh up what system suits your needs best for the budget.

EDIT: FWIW, I bought my HTPC about 2 years ago, cost me about R7k with the Antec HTPC case etc. If I was in the market now, I'd probably buy a Popcorn hour.
 
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