TR Forums

Well, I'm marching on to OTA nirvana (hopefully). I'm exploring an HTPC.

Here are the mainstays I am looking at:

WD 2 GB Green - $69.99 ($10 cheaper than Samsungs F4)

G.Skill 4GB (2x2GB) - $25.99 (I don't forsee needing more RAM)

Windows 7 Home OEM - $94.99 (I do not want to go to one of the free options, my wife needs to see something familiar)

Here are the things I am good to swap for something else:

Zotax E-350 w/ PCI-E 1x - $144.99 (I'm spending a bit more, but I need the 1x PCI-E)

hec Mini-itx Case with a 200w PSU - $49.99

Hauppauge 2250 $128.99 - I need 1x PCI-E in case I go back to cable so I can use a CETON cable card. This seems like the best option.

Total - $514.94

My rationale for the choices:

I'm looking as low power as is feasible. It looks to me like the E-350 is going to do everything I need and playback 1080p with not be an issue. I looked at an i3, but the price was almost $100 more. I just don't see myself using this computer for video conversions. I've got my big PC for that. And for something that will be on 24/7, the lower power is attractive. As for the Hauppauge card, I dual-tuner card just makes sense. Moreover, it can handle the entire spectrum I'm looking at without issue.

Input is welcome.

I would consider getting a nicer case + psu. I have an Atom 330 that came in a kit from Foxconn that has an eerily similar case. After about a year of fairly heavy usage the fan on the PSU makes an extremely irritating buzzing noise. It's also a proprietary form factor, or at least a form factor I'm not familiar with, so it's replacement is an ATX PSU that sits on top of the case. The case itself isn't bad, but you may want to look into something that will allow you to get a higher quality power supply.

I'd consider a HDHomeRun. I love mine and keeping it out of the case and accessible to every PC on the network is nice. I'm still debating over getting a Prime but I think I'll stick with my HD-PVR for now...

Since you're price constrained, using an ITX form factor and you have the Windows requirement I don't see it getting too much better than this.

I'm using the AVerTVHD Duet for this purpose.