Go ahead: you spec out an HD WMCE
by Kevin C. Tofel 
posted Feb 21st 2006 at 3:24PM
This might only apply to the "hands-on"
crowd, but I think even the non-DIY readers could benefit. We posted earlier today that PC Mag just built an HD WMCE box for a shade
over two-grand and it's very easy to spend more or less depending on what features you're looking for. HDBeat reader Buzzcut commented on that story: "I'd also be more interested in a story about the CHEAPEST HD MCE box possible. Can it be done for less than $800 with a HD tuner card and a reasonable hard drive (at least 250 GB)?"
To basically answer that question, we'd say yes. Our sub-grand machine does the trick for us and you should now find the same parts for less than we paid in December. Our total cost was around $950 back then, so $800 isn't a stretch, but we'll research that one for sure. While we do that, how about a little high-def homework?
Let's open up the comments for you to spec out an HD WMCE machine. If you want to go all out and spend several grand, that's up to you. If you want to tackle Buzzcut's requirements, that's fine too. Who's up for a little PC spec'ing?
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Bassam @ Feb 21st 2006 3:54PM
Here's another request: I have an XBox 360 that I want to stream content to, so I don't need to connect the MCE PC directly to my HDTV, so no expensive video cards necessary. I don't want to record OTA HD content either, I just want to stream video/pictures/music to my 360.
How would you spec that at the lowest price possible?
Buzzcut @ Feb 21st 2006 3:59PM
Prices from Newegg.com
CPU Celeron D 310 $56
MB PC CHIPS P25G $40
Memory 2 x 512 GSkill $70
HD Western Digital Caviar 250MB $94
Video XGI V3XT 128MB $44
HD KWORDL ASTC 110 $73
Case Chenming MATX-118 300W PS $76
OS MS MCE $115
KBD MS MC ZV1 $80
Remote MS A90 $40
DVD-R Liteon SOHN 5236 $29
Total $717 (plus shipping)
I assume that you use the hack so you don't need an analog capture card (useless to me). I'd also have to do something about hooking it to the Internet (probably can't do ethernet from my TV's location).
This is totally skimping. The Celeron and motherboard aren't the latest LGA connector and don't have PCIe slots. There is no upgrade path for this choice beyond throwing them out and getting a new motherboard/ cpu combo.
Using better components causes the price to escallate quite quickly. Most Pentiums and AMD chips are well over $100.
Kevin C. Tofel @ Feb 21st 2006 3:59PM
Bassam, can you clarify a little? Using any Windows XP SP2 machine you should be able to send pics and music to your 360. See: http://www.xbox.com/en-US/pcsetup If you want to watch TV (which it sounds like you don't), you would need a WMCE machine. Let me know if I'm offbase with your question. Thanks!
Buzzcut @ Feb 21st 2006 4:01PM
Also, isn't it ironic (don't you think) that the most expensive component by far is MCE? F-ing Microsoft! Use some of the 30 billion dollars you have sitting around to lower the price of the OS! If it were $20 dollars instead of $115, there wouldn't be any OS piracy.
Bassam @ Feb 21st 2006 4:11PM
Kevin,
Thanks for the reply. I am aware that I can stream pictures and music using Windows XP SP2. I would just like to stream video as well.
The video I want to stream to the 360 isn't live or recorded TV. It's primarily video content that I either ripped from DVDs, or downloaded from the Internet (legally, of course).
I believe that I need Windows XP MCE to do this, but since I won't be using any other media-type features, I figure that I don't need a top of the line machine to do this.
morlab @ Feb 21st 2006 4:16PM
How about posting a review of frontend software that is an alternative to Windows Media Center? There are handful of decent ones out there and I'm trying to figure out which one I am going to use. So far I'm leaning towards Meedio. Thanks.
rothgar @ Feb 21st 2006 4:16PM
buy a hp D530 from ebay ($400 shipped I'm sure you can find them cheaper but I am making sure anyone could fit this in their budget)
Fusionhdtv gold plus card comes with remote and is half height ($163 shipped)
Seagate 250 gig hd (~$100)
Turtle beach micro soundcard (~$30 trust me this works with the digital output VERY well. I was impressed)
buy a halfheight pci mx 4000 (~$50)
use a free alternative for hd (got all media, fusionHDTV, mediaportal, mythtv, gbpvr...)
total cost $743
this still leaves you with 2 open pci slots for 2 extra tuners (analog or digital)
This is similar to my setup now but I got a D510 (which is not fast enough for the HD) but I only paid $62 for the computer.
Dillon Bussert @ Feb 21st 2006 4:27PM
You don't need a keybord or mce remote if you plan to stream to an Xbox 360
Kevin C. Tofel @ Feb 21st 2006 5:22PM
Morlab, we have Beyond TV 4 currently under review. Have you been reading our draft posts? Just kidding. Watch for the full review soon.
matt @ Feb 22nd 2006 7:59AM
I have an HP with an AMD 64 4200 + X2
One gig of ram
an ATI HDTV wonder card
An OEM Analog TV tuner card
A lightscribe HP dvd burner
a second DVD drive
and an oem 5.1 sound card.
I have a USB HDTV tuner on order now
as well as an All in wonder X1800 by ATI
Seems to run great and I like WMCE better than the controls that ship with ATI's stuff.
Grand total is around 1300 dollars
Adam @ Feb 22nd 2006 10:47AM
Also, I'd like to know the performance/recording quality differences between analog capture cards, or HD cards for that matter.
I have a Hauppauge MCE-150 and I'm not entirely happy with the recording quality. It might be because I'm blowing the video up like crazy on my Dell 2405 FPW at 1920x1200, but I just imagine I could have better.
Buzzcut @ Feb 22nd 2006 4:59PM
Can anybody do it for less than $500 with all new components?
Ya gotta use Linux, right? Knocks $115 bucks off right there.