How to build a Media Center?

[Mier]

Where did you get your case from? and what price, my current system is a little big (Coolermaster Stacker II) but I need something with plenty space for HDD's

I bought it in Pretoria at a place called Centurion Technologies. I think the price was around R3200. Remember though that unlike the Antec cases, you must buy a PSU seperate on the Thermaltake case. But it does support microATX and Full ATX mobos.
http://uk.thermaltake.eu/product_ga...id=C_00000176&name=DH101&ov=&ovid=&parent_cp=

It's got three dedicated 3.5" HDD slots, but below the DVD drive is mounting space for two more 5.25" devices. So, with a few spacers you could installed HDDs in them.

 

[quovadis]

I'm tring to do as much research as I can before I go out and buy the equipment... Remember, I don't want a mouse and keyboard... Will I be able to control the entire thing with the Hauppauge remote?

Most HTPC cases come with their own remotes (They're usually nicer than the stock standard hauppauge ones - Alternatively you can also use an XBOX media center remote) however a Hauppauge remote can function the same. ie. you can control everything with one remote. Also if you want to watch one and record another you'd need 1 more Hauppauge 150 however obviously 2 decoders or a dual view.

 

[quovadis]

But it's not a PVR, is it ?

Correct... Out of the box a PS3 can be a media player though - You can also set up MythTV to work with the PS3 but generally you still need a PC of sorts with the TV Tuner etc.

However, if you had to go the Windows Media Center route then you can link any XBOX to your HTPC using a wired/wireless (prefer wired) network and then watch live TV and have all the PVR functionality where any XBOX is and any content which is on the HTPC.

 

[Velenoso]

Thanks for all the input guys. I'm going to start this project up as soon as I can....

 

[Ou grote]

There is absolutely no way I can have a full sized PC case in living room. It would look like ****, I'm already having issues with a PS3 being there. I would preferably like it to be the same size or smaller than a PS3.

I'm tring to do as much research as I can before I go out and buy the equipment... Remember, I don't want a mouse and keyboard... Will I be able to control the entire thing with the Hauppauge remote?

You can try a 24" iMac, or a mac mini with Apple cinema display if you have plenty money.

 

[Velenoso]

You can try a 24" iMac, or a mac mini with Apple cinema display if you have plenty money.

Will that do PVR? I'd love to build something though. I'm a DIY kinda guy.

 

[ColinR]

Put the case in the room behind your TV. Bliss.