My HTPC decision, revoke, decision

[bdlee420]

I wrote a review of the WD TV Live Media Player a couple days ago and I wanted to give an update on what I am doing. I have decided that it doesn't meet my needs, and for that matter, no streamer will meet my needs.

My next decision was to build a BTV Link machine. I came across the Acer Aspire Revo AR1600 with a single core Atom 230. Newegg has them for $200. So I started thinking for an extra $150 (BTV Link, Firefly, Acer), I can get exactly what I want.

So last night I purchased the Acer from NewEgg.

Today I started having second thoughts. The more I reviewed the box, the more I think it might have problems streaming HD. It seems like it has a hard time streaming uncompressed .MPG files as well. I realized that once I open the box, I can't return it. I panicked so I canceled the order.

Now I have decided to "do it right". I am building essentially a HTPC just for BTV Link and probably HULU Desktop. I just finished purchasing it on NewEgg. Here it is:

case: APEVIA X-QPACK-NW-BK/420 Black Aluminum 1.0
motherboard: JetWay JPA78VM5-H-LF AM2+ (mini ATX with HDMI output)
cpu: AMD Athlon X2 5000+
memory: Crucial 2GB 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1066
hard drive: Seagate Barracuda 7200.12 ST3250318AS 250GB
dvd drive: sony
PRICE: $288

I ended up spending only $50 more than I did with the Acer (it was $235 with shipping and tax). This is pretty much the same config I have for my main HTPC where BTV is running and recording shows, so I know it will be able to handle anything I throw at it. Plus it will give me flexibility in the future for expansion.

I bought BTV Link and they threw in the FF Mini Remote for Free.

So in a few days I will be ready to roll with my new "Streamer".

[Zogg]

I would probably have gone with a 785G chipset board like the Biostar A785GE with the onboard Radeon 4200 gpu instead of the JetWay with the 780V chipset and Radeon 3100 gpu, but that's just me.

I like that case, may have to pick one up.

Nice config!

[Rich A]

I have one of those X-QPACK cases myself. It's really made from some very light-weight aluminum. (read cheap) It's very flimsy. But once you button it all up it's not too bad. When I first opened it up I almost sent it back. But found that after mounting the main board and putting the drives etc. in, those items seemed to strengthen the case.

The only other aluminum cases I've ever used were the LanLi things. (high end stuff and very solid)

I was a little weary of the pop out carry handle because it was so cheap. But I've hauled it around using that handle quite a bit and so far it hasn't broken off.

All in all, it was aesthetically a nice case and once you have all the screws socked down is not too bad.

[bdlee420]

I definitely won't be moving it around once it is complete, so the structural strength isn't too important to me. It will be hidden as well, so the look isn't important either. Really I just needed something small enough to fit inside a compartment and big enough to fit all my gear into it.

I am getting all my components in the mail today but the case doesn't arrive till Monday

Oh well, I guess I can wait a little longer.