HDMI Cases (1 Viewer)

[agayton]

I have my tv server up and running and have my computers set up with Media Portal. Works Great! Now I am looking for the best way to bring Media Portal into the living room. I want to future proof my set up as much as I can and have been researching various cases and setups. My needs are simple for theses machines since they won't be housing any content just providing playback. I want a slim case with motherboard that offers HDMI output.

I found this one http://www.msicomputer.com/product/p_spec.asp?model=Media_Live&class=npc but it is not yet available (looks to list around $450). Are there any others that would be good alternatives?

What other features should I consider to future proof as much as possible?

thanks

ag

 

[mzemina]

Looked at the spec and I am a little concerned about the Proprietary CPU Fan (26 Db at idle mode).

That seems a little loud for a HTPC. Doesn't it?

 

[agayton]

Yeah, I was somewhat concerned about that. That is one of the reasons I was interested to see if there were some other, better cases out there that had a simular setup as far as outputs go. I see many folks suggesting 12Db fans (or better) or fanless configs so I figured this was a good place to get some alternative ideas. The only issue that I face is a lack of funds so I must try to optimize ability even if it means a sacrifice to things like noise-to a point. I can deal with some noise as the unit will be in a cabinet but I don't now how much is too much.

found this guide that I'll take a look at it seems to have some good info on quite pcs http://www.silentpcreview.com/article121-page1.html

Funny, I come from the opposite end of things as I used to run sound for some rock bands. We thought a noise floor of 40-45 Db was pretty good

ag

 

[SMa]

I'd buy a Silverstone-htpc case and install my own mainboard in it.

About that MSI,
the specs say it supports HDMI,
but I can't see it on the pics

 

[agayton]

I have looked at the Silverstone line. Nice stuff. I am open to all options at this point and I am still trying to narrow down what I really need. I want to build two of these boxes as frontend only machines.

here's what I think I want,

Quiet system with that entertainment system look
video card good enough to handle high def (don't intend to play many games so high end not needed)
component and s video outs to support current stuff
composite and HDMI for next tv (or other suggestions)
7.1 audio outs and digital audio outs
blue ray (since it looks like it just won the battle)
AMD proc with enough memory
remote control
all this as cheap as possible (of course)

SMa, scroll down to the back view; port 6 is labeled HDMI

 

[ZeroX]

I'd buy a Silverstone-htpc case and install my own mainboard in it.

About that MSI,
the specs say it supports HDMI,
but I can't see it on the pics

Look at the sytem rear view at no. 6 Digital Video out (HDMI)

 

[milhouse]

Why the push for HDMI? As I recall, DVI and HDMI map pin-for-pin (except audio, of course). And I would be willing to bet that MB doesn't support the audio anyway (esp. since it's labelled "digital video out" in the diagram).

Seems to me you get a LOT more MB options if you just look for a MB with DVI out and pony up the 20 bucks for a DVI-HDMI cable. That's what I did to connect my Mac Mini to my LCD panel. You want future proof? Buy 2 DVI-to-HDMI cables.

(And on that note - you want a slim design for a living room HTPC? I've got an nMedia 280BAV case in the living room - see specs in my profile - and a Mac Mini in the bedroom. If I was doing it all over again, I'd go MacMini all through the house. You get DVI out for the video, and optical out to run to the surround sound. And it's darn near silent. Since you said your storage is elsewhere, this is really a great option.)

Milhouse