Small HD client wanted (1 Viewer)

[alexeix]

Hi,

I'm planning ahead and want to build a small, quiet client machine, which can stream HD TV (1080i) from my server.

Does anyone have any recommendations for components?

From other posts I've read here, I may have to wait a while for the technology to improve, but any advice would be appreciated.
Thanks.

 

[Spragleknas]

Hi!
Define "small", please.
"Shuttle size" OK, or are you thinking ITX?

 

[alexeix]

I currently have a Shuttle (SN95G5v2) and I don't find it a good shape as a HTPC.

I was thinking along the lines of the Noah 3988 or the Koolu client. I don't know what would be required for handling HD streamed from a TV server.

 

[Spragleknas]

Well, I think ITX and/or Atom based computers will suffer from to weak CPU considering lack of DXVA.

This might be an alternative: ASUSTeK Computer Inc. - not to sure about the X3000, though... (or use a laptop)

EDIT:
Also found this (no picture) - X3100 GPU ---> http://www.gigabyte.com.tw/Products...ec.aspx?ProductID=2909&ProductName=GS-A21S-RH
and http://global.aopen.com/products_spec.aspx (x4500?)

EDIT2: W/nVidia 7050 --> http://global.aopen.com/products_detail.aspx?ctgr=83&Auno=2650&mdstl=306#

 

[tsamb.]

How is the 1080i you are planning on streaming encoded? MPEG-2? Over here they're broadcasting HDTV in H.264 and decoding that on any Mini-ITX platform has been hard in the past.

I am actually looking at putting together a small package either low profile Micro-ATX or Mini-ITX in the next little while. Intel has recently released a Mini-ITX board with the G45 chipset onboard and an HDMI output.

http://www.intel.com/products/desktop/motherboards/DG45FC/DG45FC-overview.htm

Pair that up with a 45nm Core 2, e.g. the E7200. This would be powerful enough to decode your 1080i stream whether it be MPEG-2 or H.264.

Have a look at Silverstone's offerings in both Micro-ATX and Mini-ITX. SilverStone Technology Co., Ltd - Designing Inspiration

 

[DJBlu]

Just thought I'd throw this in for you.

Fudzilla - J&W has a mini-ITX 780G

That will accelerate 1080i HD and 1080p H264.

 

[wyzazz]

Jetway has 2 suitable Mini-ITX solutions
Newegg.com - JetWay JNC62K AM2+/AM2 NVIDIA GeForce 8200 Mini ITX AMD Motherboard - AMD Motherboards

OR

Newegg.com - JetWay JNC81-LF AM2+/AM2 AMD 780G HDMI Mini ITX AMD Motherboard - AMD Motherboards

 

[ryan20021982]

Jetway has 2 suitable Mini-ITX solutions
Newegg.com - JetWay JNC62K AM2+/AM2 NVIDIA GeForce 8200 Mini ITX AMD Motherboard - AMD Motherboards

OR

Newegg.com - JetWay JNC81-LF AM2+/AM2 AMD 780G HDMI Mini ITX AMD Motherboard - AMD Motherboards

Those are looking very nice I was just looking at them yesterday, thinking that would be great for
my bedroom, did you see how small the footprint is 8.27" x 10.12" x 2.56" thats tiny
And the nvidia 8200 plays any HD movie I have, use a 17mb/s bitrate movie to test and it plays perfect

 

[wyzazz]

Yep, they look very nice! It's either that or an Acer Aspire x1200 for me.

Acer Aspire X1200 Desktop PC (Refurbished) - Athlon X2 Dual Core 2.5GHz, 4GB DDR2, 320GB, DVDRW, Vista Home Premium RB-PT.SAR0X.001 at TigerDirect.com