[RYCeT]

Hi guys, I'm thinking of building a htpc to accomodate me seeing my anime on my tv. I guess I won't need the latest bell & whistle. I won't need a dvd-rom either. Can I get away with composite video/audio output? It will be nice to be able to record some tv show too.

 

[Aevum]

using a miniATX board, a cheap sampron or single core athlon64, 1gb of ram, a 80-120gb harddrive, single DVD drive, and a 30 buck case, might be cutting it close, it migth be a bit short with high def content,

 

[mtkversion]

Used Xbox with XBMC is the best bet.

 

[Edwood]

Quote:

Originally Posted by mtkversion /img/forum/go_quote.gif Used Xbox with XBMC is the best bet.

Only if you hack it. Otherwise, the codec choices are very limited.

If you aren't going to play games and already have an OS, then $400 is most definitely doable.

IF you don't care how big and ugly the case will be, that is...

 

[RYCeT]

I need it to be able to play .mkv or .ogg
I won't need it to play games or any other computer stuff.
Btw Ed, do you have any case recommendation?

 

[MoxMonkey]

used xbox $100 or less
hard drive $100 or less
mod of choice should be no more than $50

theres a media pc for $250

 

[Aevum]

i modded my old Xbox for 15 euros, the chip was a press on, didnt even need soldering,

put in a spare 120gb IBM drive in it, it played most video and audio codecs, gut shoutcast radio support, played mame, nes, snes, n64, genesis, master system, atari 2600, playstation 1 games, the shortcommings ? no DVR,

but i could manage the the drive as a samba share or trough a FTP server on the xbox, there are several "ready to load" DVD images which basicly in 30mins leave a XBOX ready to do more or less alot of the functions of a HTPC, the only problem is that i think that the original XBOX was limited to 480P, but it was nice, i could even store my xbox games on the harddrive, so i wouldnt have to change disks when playing,

 

[gritzcolin]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Aevum /img/forum/go_quote.gif i modded my old Xbox for 15 euros, the chip was a press on, didnt even need soldering, put in a spare 120gb IBM drive in it, it played most video and audio codecs, gut shoutcast radio support, played mame, nes, snes, n64, genesis, master system, atari 2600, playstation 1 games, the shortcommings ? no DVR, but i could manage the the drive as a samba share or trough a FTP server on the xbox, there are several "ready to load" DVD images which basicly in 30mins leave a XBOX ready to do more or less alot of the functions of a HTPC, the only problem is that i think that the original XBOX was limited to 480P, but it was nice, i could even store my xbox games on the harddrive, so i wouldnt have to change disks when playing,

It was capable of 720p output, but the only thing ive heard of 720p on the xbox was Steel Battalion, i dont know if you could manage 720p video, i suppose where there is a will there is a way.

 

[nysulli]

with a restricted budget and no supply of aging pc parts to make up the bulk of your build, a network media device might be a good option for you, just one example would be this one from d-link, under 200 bucks, and i'm sure there are tons of other options available

http://www.dlink.com/products/?sec=0&pid=318

 

[pat1006]

Quote:

Originally Posted by gritzcolin /img/forum/go_quote.gif It was capable of 720p output, but the only thing ive heard of 720p on the xbox was Steel Battalion, i dont know if you could manage 720p video, i suppose where there is a will there is a way.

If you get the component cables you can output to 720p. The stock cables do 420p.

 

[infinitesymphony]

It's definitely possible... Just determine where you can skimp. Almost any setup will work as long as the video card has a TV output.

 

[gritzcolin]

Quote:

Originally Posted by pat1006 /img/forum/go_quote.gif If you get the component cables you can output to 720p. The stock cables do 420p.

Well why would you use anything else?

 

[Redo]

Just to give you a rough idea of how possible this is:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...2E16856110061R
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16819103639
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820146118
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16822136074
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16815116620


$373


You can save more by going for 1gig instead of 2gigs, and a smaller HD (though 320gb's and 2x1gb's are the current sweet spot for pricing).

You may need to grab a $50 nVidia 6200/7300 if you need different TV outputs, or maybe a different barebone case would work.

 

[n_maher]

Quote:

Originally Posted by nysulli /img/forum/go_quote.gif with a restricted budget and no supply of aging pc parts to make up the bulk of your build, a network media device might be a good option for you, just one example would be this one from d-link, under 200 bucks, and i'm sure there are tons of other options available http://www.dlink.com/products/?sec=0&pid=318

Great suggestion, I use a DSM-520 and it's worked great for me. Paid under $150 for it used and haven't looked back.