Looking for a new HTPC. Need some advice...

DJ...

DJ...

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I currently have an HP N40L Microserver which is great, and am now looking for a better looking machine to put in the lounge. I'd really prefer not to have to build it myself - I'd love something straight out of the box that looks good, doesn't cost a fortune, has internal drive slots, and can run Windows and XBMC as smoothly as the microserver does. It won't need to do anything other than run XBMC, and I'm not looking to change from XBMC to any other media centre.

So what are my options here on a budget of around R2k...?

If I have to, I don't mind buying another microserver, but I'd prefer something a little better looking if there is anything available.

BTW, I have tried a Raspberry Pi, and it is just too slow for a media centre setup. It's not really what I'm after...
 
R2k?

Your options are pretty much zero at that kind of money unless you want another microserver.

I'm personally using an Ouya at home for my XBMC setup.. its in a kind of setup stage atm, sicne I need to configure the MySQL db on one of my servers etc etc... but it does the job pretty well (no issues with any types of video), and the XBMC remote on my phone or tablet is just awesome.
 
Well what is the price-range I'm looking at for a somewhat better looking setup? I don't mind spending the cash - I simply used the pricing for the microserver as a guide...
 
o the only reason why you want a new HTPC is because the chassis looks crappy? Why not get a different chassis?
 
CamiKaze said:
o the only reason why you want a new HTPC is because the chassis looks crappy? Why not get a different chassis?
Click to expand...

Let's ignore my reasoning for the time being, as I'm getting a second box regardless.

All I'm interested in for now is whether or not there is something relatively affordable on the market that will run Windows and doesn't look like a big box? If not, then I guess I'll have to revert to the microserver again.

But hell's bells - why on earth are the new microservers so damn expensive? http://www8.hp.com/za/en/products/proliant-servers/product-detail.html?oid=4248009#!tab=features

I recall paying about a quarter of that for mine...:eek:
 
DJ... said:
Well what is the price-range I'm looking at for a somewhat better looking setup? I don't mind spending the cash - I simply used the pricing for the microserver as a guide...
Click to expand...

If you're looking for something better, that runs Windows and XBMC.. you're looking in the R6k+ range.. since you'll ahve to build a full PC in a specialised HTPC case.

I would say look at possibly moving the contents of the Microserver into an HTPC chassis, but I don't know how that will work.
 
Okay so let me redefine this a little bit:

I want something a little smaller than the microserver that can run XBMC without a hassle. Doesn't necessarily have to run Windows, but that would be the OS I'd like to standardise on.

So even if there's a cable that can run from a tablet to my Yamaha receiver, I'd consider it.

Really all I'm after is something small, can run XBMC, and can run HD video and audio over HDMI...
 
Maybe something like this?

=antec_fusion.jpg
 
DJ... said:
I currently have an HP N40L Microserver which is great, and am now looking for a better looking machine to put in the lounge. I'd really prefer not to have to build it myself - I'd love something straight out of the box that looks good, doesn't cost a fortune, has internal drive slots, and can run Windows and XBMC as smoothly as the microserver does. It won't need to do anything other than run XBMC, and I'm not looking to change from XBMC to any other media centre.

So what are my options here on a budget of around R2k...?

If I have to, I don't mind buying another microserver, but I'd prefer something a little better looking if there is anything available.

BTW, I have tried a Raspberry Pi, and it is just too slow for a media centre setup. It's not really what I'm after...
Click to expand...

Why dont you just move the Microserver to somewhere else and set it as a NAS,then plop an Android media stick into your telly and stream your content?
 
I bought an Intel Nuc, that sits next to my receiver. It looks the part, and more than enough Cpu power, running plex home theater and plex media server on it.

Two other subtle benefits, max power usage at 65W, and absolutely silent...
 
Sorry can't find it. But it's likely around R1,500.
 
requiem said:
I bought an Intel Nuc, that sits next to my receiver. It looks the part, and more than enough Cpu power, running plex home theater and plex media server on it.

Two other subtle benefits, max power usage at 65W, and absolutely silent...
Click to expand...

The NUC is awesome, really small. But you do need to add RAM and an mSATA SSD.
 
I moved my htpc to the hallway closet and will be getting a Roku 3 to plug in to the TV. And I will be using Plex.
 
I've got my NAS in my Study connected to some Eth-over-power adapters and a Mygica 510b and a AC Ryan Playon connected to the different tellies I have. Gonna replace that AC Ryan shortly with another Android player
 
biometrics said:
The NUC is awesome, really small. But you do need to add RAM and an mSATA SSD.
Click to expand...

It was about 6 or 7 k with 16GB RAM, a 60GB SSD, and separate power cable....


Best toy I've bought in a Looooong time
 
DJ... said:
Okay so let me redefine this a little bit:

I want something a little smaller than the microserver that can run XBMC without a hassle. Doesn't necessarily have to run Windows, but that would be the OS I'd like to standardise on.

So even if there's a cable that can run from a tablet to my Yamaha receiver, I'd consider it.

Really all I'm after is something small, can run XBMC, and can run HD video and audio over HDMI...
Click to expand...

If you want to run Windows, you're looking at lots of money...

If you get flexible on the OS, then you can easily come into your R2k price bracket.

Like I said, I run the OUYA at home, and while its primarily a tiny little Gaming Console, it runs XBMC beautifully...

ouya.jpg
 
ToxicBunny said:
If you want to run Windows, you're looking at lots of money...

If you get flexible on the OS, then you can easily come into your R2k price bracket.
Click to expand...




Save a bit more, run Windows.... You won't regret it
 
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