[kevinturcotte]

I'm looking to create a HTPC, but I'm lost as to what to get. I need it to pull as little wattage as possible (Under 50 during playback would be ideal if possible). I have all of my media stored on a NAS, so the only thing the HTPC needs to do is act as a client. I rip my DVDs and Blu-Rays to my NAS, and need it to be able to play those back using VLC without any problems, including the high resolution audio. I do NOT need it to be able to rip the discs-my main PC will handle this. I JUST need it to playback content. Obviously it should have an HDMI out, but it should also have a built in GB ethernet port (Not interested in wireless at all). If I could COMPLETELY control it with a remote, that would be great! Pre configured is fine, but I'm also comfortable building it myself, just need component recommendations.
Thanks!

 

[Herdfan]

Mac Mini.

http://www.macworld.com/article/1140182/macmini_mediacenter_remotecontrol.html

This article is from 2009 and the new Mini's don't have DVD drives. But you should be able to get a pre-July 2011 Mini on the Apple refurb store. None right now though.

 

[kevinturcotte]

Mac Mini.

http://www.macworld.com/article/1140182/macmini_mediacenter_remotecontrol.html

This article is from 2009 and the new Mini's don't have DVD drives. But you should be able to get a pre-July 2011 Mini on the Apple refurb store. None right now though.

What do they usually go for? Wattage?
Also, not opposed to a "Media Box" like a Roku, but haven't found one yet that works great and can handle everything I want to throw at it. I've got a Western Digital Live Tv Hub and a Netgear NeoTv. When I'm ripping a movie, sometimes I rip just the movie itself, and these can handle that fine, but sometimes I rip the entire disc, and want to be able to play it back like I have the disc in a player. The Netgear claims to handle this, but it doesn't do a very good job (Plus there are other problems with it). However, another requirement that I have of a set top box is that it MUST allow me to playback all VIDEO files in a folder in a shuffle/random order.

 

[Herdfan]

Wattage: http://support.apple.com/kb/HT3468

Refurbs usually go for $499 depending on processor/ram etc. You might be able to find one on CL locally as well.

To get a refurb from Apple, you just need to check this page often: http://store.apple.com/us/browse/home/specialdeals/mac/mac_mini

Only have a mid-2011 available now. No DVD drive and more processor than you would need.

 

[RasputinAXP]

I use a $99 AppleTV with FireCore aTV Black as a DLNA client. If you want something with a touch more juice you could get a Zotac that would run WIn7 nicely.

 

[kevinturcotte]

I use a $99 AppleTV with FireCore aTV Black as a DLNA client. If you want something with a touch more juice you could get a Zotac that would run WIn7 nicely.

I liked that Zotac until I saw it could only output 720p. Not sure if it would handle Blu Ray playback either.

 

[harsh]

I can't imagine any computer-based HTPC that is going to burn at or under 50W.

I'd suggest you go with a NAS and some clients like the Patriot Box Office that can operate without a transcoder. Transcoding is an enormous waste of energy.

 

[BAHitman]

Have you considered upgrading your WD TV with something like this: http://b-rad.cc/

 

[kevinturcotte]

Have you considered upgrading your WD TV with something like this: http://b-rad.cc/

Thanks for that! Looking into it. Posted a comment on the board asking if it can do what I need it to do.

 

[RasputinAXP]

I liked that Zotac until I saw it could only output 720p. Not sure if it would handle Blu Ray playback either.

The Apple TV does handle BR rips. That was just the bottom line Zotac. They have many models:

http://www.zotacusa.com/zbox-hd-ad01.html

 

[kevinturcotte]

The Apple TV does handle BR rips. That was just the bottom line Zotac. They have many models:

http://www.zotacusa.com/zbox-hd-ad01.html

I'm looking at this one: http://www.zotacusa.com/zbox-nano-xs-ad11-plus.html. Like that it has a remote and as SSD (Should cut down some on power consumption). Any idea about what wattage this would draw?

 

[RasputinAXP]

Apparently under full load draws 31.4W.

http://www.anandtech.com/show/5738/...11-plus-redefining-the-small-form-factor-pc/6

 

[kevinturcotte]

I'm looking around at reviews and stuff. Wifi streaming isn't that great, but I plan to use wired anyway. Throw a free version of Linux on this, along with VLC, and I think I have what I want! Would putting Windows 7 on it make ANY difference as far as playback or anything?

 

[RasputinAXP]

Not as far as I know, hardware acceleration should be supported in Linux.

 

[Marlin Guy]

I have all of my media stored on a NAS, so the only thing the HTPC needs to do is act as a client.

You don't need a computer at all. WD-TV Live will take care of all of that nicely. I did extensive research on them before I bought mine a couple of years ago, and I still love it.
And it looks like you can use your smartphone as a remote now too.

http://wdc.com/en/products/products.aspx?id=330

 

[kevinturcotte]

You don't need a computer at all. WD-TV Live will take care of all of that nicely.

I have a Live Tv Hub, and it doesn't work on all files, and it doesn't give me Blu-Ray playback like if I had put an actual disc into a player.

 

[Marlin Guy]

I have a Live Tv Hub, and it doesn't work on all files, and it doesn't give me Blu-Ray playback like if I had put an actual disc into a player.

I guess I missed that in the original post. I thought you were ripping Blu-rays to the NAS.
My WD-TV plays BR rips all day long.

What software are you using to rip?

 

[P Smith]

I'm looking at this one: http://www.zotacusa.com/zbox-nano-xs-ad11-plus.html. Like that it has a remote and as SSD (Should cut down some on power consumption). Any idea about what wattage this would draw?

Stubborn description: in 6 phrases they insert five times an awful name of the box - 6 ugly 'words' ! Man

 

[neomaine]

I guess I missed that in the original post. I thought you were ripping Blu-rays to the NAS.
My WD-TV plays BR rips all day long.

What software are you using to rip?

Ditto. Do you have the latest firmware? I've got the WDTV Live (not even the Live+, w/ addtl Netflix) and not even close to your Live Hub.

Don't have a DVD (.iso) or BluRay (.m2ts) that it can't handle.

 

[kevinturcotte]

I have the latest firmware. Is it that with "Full disc" DVDs and Blu Rays, I HAVE to make them into an .iso? I've just left them in there regular folder setup.