HTPC or Popcorn A-110?

[Jd31uk]

Hi is it possible to build a HTPC for around the same as it costs to buy a popcorn A-110??

If not how much could i build a HTPC for cheaper the better

If so would it be better than the popcorn?

Thxs

 

[Trollslayer]

Do you needs features like DTS decoding?

 

[Jd31uk]

Do you needs features like DTS decoding?

Sorry im all abit new to this ive come from a xbox using xbmc wich is great but really old and slow now and just want to get something new to replace it and thought about building one myself if i can on a budget also it need to have component connectors as i dont have a hdmi tv as of yet

 

[daviddekanter]

Depends on what you have to pay for the popcorn.
A popcorn A-110 will cost you 200 - 250 euros here in the Netherlands.

I came up with this list for a HTPC. Keep in mind that this is the cheap list so don't expect incredible results.

Case: NOX Media € 64,-
Mobo: Gigabyte GA-73PVM-S2H 60,-
PSU: Be Quiet Pure Power 300W 35,-
Memory: Corsair CM2X2048 - 6400C5 2GB 33,-
HDD: Seagate Baracuda ST3160813AS 160GB 29,-
CPU: Intel Celeron E1200 32,-

This makes a total of 253,-
So its in the range of the popcorn but will give you more fun I think. Install Mediaportal and you have a great looking machine with more features than a popcorn and you can always upgrade it.

I would go for the HTPC, and I would up the budget to € 300,- but that's just me.

Success!

David
Check out my custom HTPC
http://www.avforums.com/forums/home-cinema-pcs/971222-custom-build-htpc-inside-old-dvd-player.html

 

[Fe_man2000]

Its worth also considering that the Popcorn hour is tiny and fanless so silent, also it comes with a remote which I am unsure that your PC listing has - for me it was PCH all the way.

 

[Jd31uk]

Yeah i was going to build one for 250-300

I just like that u can upgrade with the htpc at any time

 

[daviddekanter]

Its worth also considering that the Popcorn hour is tiny and fanless so silent, also it comes with a remote which I am unsure that your PC listing has - for me it was PCH all the way.

You can build in a remote for € 30,- so no prob.
You could also use a wireless keyborad and surf the net and control the mediacenter and also play emulators

 

[Jd31uk]

Ok i think its the htpc

Now what parts do u guys recommend?

Thxs

 

[daviddekanter]

The list I made for you is a nice one.
It will play most things but most important part is the MOBO.
Get this right and your set for the future.
I would go for an intel 9300/9400 chipset.
I have one and my machine plays everything I want.

 

[Jd31uk]

The list I made for you is a nice one.
It will play most things but most important part is the MOBO.
Get this right and your set for the future.
I would go for an intel 9300/9400 chipset.
I have one and my machine plays everything I want.

Thxs David will this be able to cope withe 1080p?

Thxs

 

[lmaolmao]

The list I made for you is a nice one.
It will play most things but most important part is the MOBO.
Get this right and your set for the future.
I would go for an NVIDIA 9300/9400 chipset.
I have one and my machine plays everything I want.

hope you dont mind.

 

[daviddekanter]

Thxs David will this be able to cope withe 1080p?

Thxs

Absolutley!
I play lots of 1080P MKV's with DTS sound.
No HD-DTS just normal DTS but the sound is sharp and clear. Even normal stereo over surround sound good.

 

[daviddekanter]

hope you dont mind.

My bad!
I meant Nvidia

 

[Jd31uk]

My bad!
I meant Nvidia

So what mobo do u recommend with the NVIDIA 9400 chipset?

 

[daviddekanter]

So what mobo do u recommend with the NVIDIA 9400 chipset?

I can only comment on the one I have and that's the Asus P5N7A-VM witch is 9300. I believe there are cheaper ones from Gigabyte but I have never used them.
The Asus is absolutley great. It will boot in a fwe sec. Sounds good and video is excellent. You can up the graphics to 512MB so you can play C&C3 if you want to

 

[Jd31uk]

So u dont have a separate graphics card then?

Also can i use it with my component tv?

 

[daviddekanter]

No I just use the onboard video.
You could buy a HDMI to Component Cable

HDMI to 5 RCA RGB Audio Video AV Component Cable - eBay (item 180416335626 end time Oct-15-09 21:35:34 PDT)

Not the best option but again your set for the future. When you buy a new TV you already have the HDMI on your HTPC.

 

[Jd31uk]

No I just use the onboard video.
You could buy a HDMI to Component Cable

HDMI to 5 RCA RGB Audio Video AV Component Cable - eBay (item 180416335626 end time Oct-15-09 21:35:34 PDT)

Not the best option but again your set for the future. When you buy a new TV you already have the HDMI on your HTPC.

Chhers i forgot i have vga on my plasma i could use that

One more thing what processor do u use with your board?

THxs

 

[daviddekanter]

Chhers i forgot i have vga on my plasma i could use that

One more thing what processor do u use with your board?

THxs

Intel Core 2 Duo E8400
For more info on my system check out my build.

http://www.avforums.com/forums/home-cinema-pcs/971222-custom-build-htpc-inside-old-dvd-player-3.html

Cheers

 

[Jd31uk]

Nice build David

Thxs for the help