Paul D
Prominent Member
After what seems like an eternity, i've finally found a HTPC case that will fit on my floating shelves
Most other HTPC cases are too "deep". (depth wise etc)
Other cases can also be too big overall.
This one is only slighty taller than the original SKY+ box.(same width and depth etc)
Even the current low profile prebuilt systems are too deep and expensive for decent spec, meaning i've had to wait.
Shuttle finally came out with one that would fit(M1000), but that costs around £1250
So without harping on any further...!
Here it is..."Aopen EPC945-m8"
430(W)x89(H)x325(D)
It is silver and black, but they will also be releasing an all black version.
This one uses normal PC processors, and the black GT will use mobile processors etc.
I couldn't find a GT, and thought it would be cheaper to stick with the P4 930 Dual processor route.
It is a barebone system, and all you need to add is CPU/Mem/HDD/DVD of your choosing.
The EPC945-m8 is available from various places, but i found it for £282.53 inc VAT from:
www.pcnextday.co.uk
Next up i will start giving details of what makes this so good!
Ok here we go.
It has a scart socket pre installed for those who wish to connect to normal TVs.
It also has DVI/VGA for those wanting to use a LCD/Plasma.
But if you want to use your own PCIe graphics card(low profile), then you lose the scart facility.(the scart connects to the pre-installed add on card etc)
I don't think this will bother most, as Higher definition/resolution will be the goal etc.
It comes with a MCE remote, and this hints at its intentions.
It is intel ViiV enabled, and needs MCE2005(UP) to run.
It has a VFD display pre-installed(Blue dot matrix), and this turns into a clock when the PC is in standby or off.
It has a MCE "eHome" infrared receiver built in, meaning no need to have the seperate(Ugly) USB module.
It has two sockets at the rear to add IR transmitter(one included), so MCE can control your SKY box etc.
It has two of SPDIF out connections...optical(front) and Coaxial(Rear)
It also has SPDIF in(optical?) i assume for use with recording MP3 etc.
It uses the INTEL High definition Audio chipset for sound.(Azalia 7.1ch)
The front panel consists of:
Spring loaded drop down panel for the DVD drive.
Drop down panel for the muti card reader.(Pre built in!)
Lower drop down panel, giving access to media transport buttons(Play FF/RR etc), and USB/Firewire(inc mini)/SPDIF/MIC headphones.
Most other HTPC cases are too "deep". (depth wise etc)
Other cases can also be too big overall.
This one is only slighty taller than the original SKY+ box.(same width and depth etc)
Even the current low profile prebuilt systems are too deep and expensive for decent spec, meaning i've had to wait.
Shuttle finally came out with one that would fit(M1000), but that costs around £1250
So without harping on any further...!
Here it is..."Aopen EPC945-m8"
430(W)x89(H)x325(D)
It is silver and black, but they will also be releasing an all black version.
This one uses normal PC processors, and the black GT will use mobile processors etc.
I couldn't find a GT, and thought it would be cheaper to stick with the P4 930 Dual processor route.
It is a barebone system, and all you need to add is CPU/Mem/HDD/DVD of your choosing.
The EPC945-m8 is available from various places, but i found it for £282.53 inc VAT from:
www.pcnextday.co.uk
Next up i will start giving details of what makes this so good!
Ok here we go.
It has a scart socket pre installed for those who wish to connect to normal TVs.
It also has DVI/VGA for those wanting to use a LCD/Plasma.
But if you want to use your own PCIe graphics card(low profile), then you lose the scart facility.(the scart connects to the pre-installed add on card etc)
I don't think this will bother most, as Higher definition/resolution will be the goal etc.
It comes with a MCE remote, and this hints at its intentions.
It is intel ViiV enabled, and needs MCE2005(UP) to run.
It has a VFD display pre-installed(Blue dot matrix), and this turns into a clock when the PC is in standby or off.
It has a MCE "eHome" infrared receiver built in, meaning no need to have the seperate(Ugly) USB module.
It has two sockets at the rear to add IR transmitter(one included), so MCE can control your SKY box etc.
It has two of SPDIF out connections...optical(front) and Coaxial(Rear)
It also has SPDIF in(optical?) i assume for use with recording MP3 etc.
It uses the INTEL High definition Audio chipset for sound.(Azalia 7.1ch)
The front panel consists of:
Spring loaded drop down panel for the DVD drive.
Drop down panel for the muti card reader.(Pre built in!)
Lower drop down panel, giving access to media transport buttons(Play FF/RR etc), and USB/Firewire(inc mini)/SPDIF/MIC headphones.