Ask Engadget HD: What's the best pre-fab HTPC?
by Darren Murph 
posted Oct 22nd 2008 at 12:00PM
"I'm tired of looking at media streaming options and I've decided I just want a dedicated HTPC connected to my HDTV. I'm not much into PC building, so I was hoping to buy a pre-fabricated unit from a company that sells media PCs. Which is my best option? CableCARD support would be preferred. Thanks for any advice."
Time to drop the gloves and speak your minds, people. What HTPC should this fellow splurge on? One of Dell's boxes? What about Okoro Media Systems? Niveus for the ballers? Sound off below!
Got a burning question that you'd love to toss out for Engadget HD (or its readers) to take a look at? Tired of Google's blank stares when you ask for real-world experiences? Hit us up at ask at engadgethd dawt com and keep an eye on this space -- your inquiry could be next.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
dmccall @ Oct 22nd 2008 12:33PM
I am eager to see the comments below because I am in the same boat as the person mentioned above. However in my case, I have a closet behind my TV, so a full, noisy tower is fine with me. Please feel free to mention noisy systems that run Vista Media Center with CableCard, as well!
dbone1026 @ Oct 22nd 2008 12:54PM
I built my own HTPC, but was seriously considering this one from Acer:
http://us.acer.com/public/page4.do?link=oln56.redirect&dau22.oid=41979&UserCtxParam=0&GroupCtxParam=0&dctx1=25&CountryISOCtxParam=US&LanguageISOCtxParam=en&ctx3=-1&ctx4=United+States&crc=488621093
You can't beat the price on this, has HDMI, etc...
rothgar @ Oct 22nd 2008 11:03PM
That machine is actually quite big in person. I was looking at it for a while until I saw it in person.
Inimical @ Oct 22nd 2008 12:59PM
How long does it really take to build one? An hour? Considering the money that would be saved, it's well worth it.
Damian @ Oct 22nd 2008 2:08PM
My first build took me about 2 horus or so on teh hardware side and another 2-3 hours on the software side. Definitely saved money and it was a good learning experience. The key is to do the research on the components beforehand to make sure you get exactky what you want. Got all the parts through Newegg.com
hexer611 @ Oct 22nd 2008 1:01PM
original XBOX running XBMC cannot be beat.
$60 for used xbox
maybe another $20 -30 for materials to help softmod
It really doesn't do HD because of processor speed and memory limitations but c'mon a basic HTPC that does pretty much everything else you need to do for under $100
Just as my father always said, "It's a sore d*ck, it can't be beat!"
Rob @ Oct 22nd 2008 1:34PM
Damn Skippy. I have three of these puppies throughout my house. They stream from WHS without an issue and more compatibility than my PS3 or Xbox 360. Yes, the only weak side to it is its inability to do HD. But, that's understood considering the design of the units. In order for my 360 and PS3 to stream h.264 content, I had to install Tversity.
glenn s @ Oct 22nd 2008 2:02PM
I really like my xbox w/ xbmc too. But if the questioner does not want to build a PC, I doubt he wants to mod an xbox either. My xbox is now relegated to the old TV, since I build my HTPC running Ubuntu MythTV back end for PVR and XBMC for Linux as the front end - the Myth front end is not to my liking :)
I agree with other comments that there is no 'best' solution. All of the pre-fab offerings are limited if one way or another, and the DIY solutions are limitted mainly by 1) lack of cablecard or satellite tuners, 2) Lack of good HD capture cards for recording from external tuners, 3) if you are building on Linux, lack of blu-ray playback, 4) if you are building on windows...well, windows.
Loban @ Oct 22nd 2008 5:30PM
Um, I'm sorry but no HD is basically a show stopper for just about everyone considering this is engadgetHD after all. Now if only they could get XBMC running on the 360, then we'd have something.
Jeff Hodges @ Oct 22nd 2008 1:00PM
Dell XPS 420 is the cheapest media center computer you can get right now that has cablecard slots.
David S @ Oct 22nd 2008 3:51PM
Once you go cablecard, you can't get away from it. Every channel available anywhere you want to put an extender. Add whatever else you want since Vista will take it, but if your media habits mean that the critical feature of a HTPC is a DVR, then you need cablecard.
That means pre-built and Vista
And the cheapest is Dell, especially with multiple tuners. HP is close in price, but the 1 tuner limit sucks.
Raptor @ Oct 22nd 2008 1:23PM
If pirce were no object i would say S1Digital, very nice looking units with Cablecard.
https://www.s1digital.com/
However, they are expensive.
A cheaper solution i am going for is a HP m9400t(mATX) with cablecard in an ANTEC fusion case which works out cheaper!
check out www.thegreenbutton.com for more info
just my .02 cents
Raptor
HeHaw @ Oct 22nd 2008 1:04PM
I built my own and run Mythubuntu. A prefab solution is great, but how many come with anything but Windows?
JMGNYC @ Oct 22nd 2008 2:07PM
I have one of the small form factor HP Slimlines with Blu-Ray/HD-DVD options. It works great.
dstrack @ Oct 22nd 2008 1:16PM
I have been using Niveus Media Centers for quite some time. Pricey, but quiet, reliable and awesome customer service. Amazing machines!
Kevin @ Oct 22nd 2008 3:55PM
The best way to go is HP if you want cablecard. Wait for their 400 off coupon. You will have to buy a second digital tuner from someplace else (like canon pc,which offers internal digital tuners). HP is ATX-based so you can drop the whole thing in an attractive case if you want.
Brent @ Oct 22nd 2008 1:28PM
Short answer - there isn't a "best one" out there yet - at least not a reasonably priced one.
Long answer - I'm definitely a fan of the DIY route as many above have mentioned. Looking at the possibilities out there I don't think we have an all-around winner yet... I say yet because I think the time is coming soon when a Tivo-esque CE device that works like an HTPC will come in time. If Apple or Microsoft doesn't do it (or do it right), one of the smaller HTPC software shops will. It's only a matter of time.
Needs to be mostly plug-n-play, relatively inexpensive, hard drive expandable, USB-ready, work with most formats and HD-tuning. yeah, its a tall order - but I think it will happen.
Travis @ Oct 22nd 2008 8:18PM
DIY = No CableCard
seanbperiod @ Oct 22nd 2008 1:53PM
I really like the look of the Alienware Hangar17
I'm also disappointed that HP did away with their Zseries Media Centers..
I'm waiting for a manufacturer to create a case design similar to those- something that will integrate nicely with a home theater unit, without being too bulky like those antec cases.. I wish someone would create something in a slimmer form factor, similar to a dvd player.
benderhatesyou @ Nov 11th 2008 4:41PM
check out Lian-Li's HTPC cases. The pc36 or pc37. Pretty much look like a bluray player
Godfail @ Oct 22nd 2008 2:23PM
http://moneual.com/us/ make not only some of the best HTPC cases but full on HTPC's as well. They do have cable card slots as well as touch screens, raid arrays, etc. etc.
I would certainly prefer to build my own but if I were to buy one, this would be it. They've won best of CES just about every year thus far.
h0mi @ Oct 22nd 2008 2:40PM
I'm in a similar situation except my needs are slightly less demanding. I own a Tivo HD so I have no need for cablecards. What I want is an HTPC to extract videos from the Tivo via the Hauppauge Win PVR HD device. (Modding the tivo is not an option). I also want to use the HTPC to watch matroska files. I've no need for any other functions. A Mac Mini would probably be an ideal solution if it worked with the hauppaue device (isn't it also quiet?) but at $600 and lacking some useful hardware, I'd prefer either for a refresh for that platform, or I'd rather pursue a less expensive PC.
James @ Oct 23rd 2008 3:49PM
Why would you need the WinTV PVR HD to extract shows from the TiVo HD?
You can download them via TiVo Desktop directly and decrypt them with third-party tools.
h0mi @ Oct 24th 2008 1:15AM
@James- CCI byte is set to not allow that on every channel except for broadcast channels on my cable company. The alternative is don't use cable cards but that means losing a bunch of HD channels and because the Tivo HD doesn't do guide data for QAM channels, I lose pretty much all of the functionality of the tivo.
Phate @ Oct 25th 2008 7:43PM
I think signs point to Apple killing off Mac Mini, so don't wait for that.
Killersaurus @ Oct 22nd 2008 3:20PM
I ended up building mine with everything bought from newegg. OTA is good enough for me, so no cablecard. You don't need an extra video card sucking up power and putting out heat with all of the new motherboard chipsets that can handle HD video decoding using the integrated video. It was my first PC building experience and afterwards I realized it's practically an art. It's hard to achieve that perfect balance of performance, silence, and looks, but worth it once it's set up. You never have to think about what video stream is compatible with what player ever again. Beware the WAF.
Eric @ Oct 22nd 2008 6:29PM
SageTV may not be a pre-fab unit, but it is by far, the best PVR system out there for DIY setups.
rothgar @ Oct 22nd 2008 11:03PM
I would recommend the Aopen mp45-DR http://usa.aopen.com/products_detail.aspx?Auno=2661 (or the mp965-dr if you need firewire)
You can get these pre-configured from a few different stores and they will build/test it for you.
It is crazy small, very fast for it's size, and can be set up with wireless, blutooth, or a internal HD tuner. It also comes with a remote.
I just bought the mp965-dr myself and returned my MacMini because it would not detect my 1 TB eSATA hard drive.
I Plan on installing MythTV but the pre-configure builds here http://lib.store.yahoo.net/lib/myaopen/MP45.html can install Windows Vista with vista media center for you.
Only thing it would really be lacking for you is cable card support. You can find my build progress at my site 1n73r.net
JGWhite @ Oct 23rd 2008 8:05AM
Build it your self and start here http://us.shuttle.com/barebone/
Ivan @ Oct 23rd 2008 10:55AM
I know it has no cable card slot, but the new Dell Studio Hybrids seem nice for a HTPC. It's small you can upgrade to a blu ray player, and it has HDMI for HD.
PaulF @ Oct 23rd 2008 12:26PM
The question was pre-built, so I'd ask how much you got to spend?
Then I'd say Niveus, Okoro, S1, Vida box, or PC Alchemy...a non DIY'er WILL need hand-hold support and I don't think Dell offers that.
Cablecard is a maybe ...Upscaled SD from an S-Video connected Dish receiver looks pretty darn good. Most of the HD that people watch (save for the movie channels) is available via Clear QAM or OTA...and the movie channels get stuff AFTER Blu-ray (except original serirs). You're stuck with VMC (the good *and* the bad), are paying through the nose for Cablecard, and are limited to the number of Cablecards.
I'd tell Chester to find a buddy to build him a DIY SageTV server using HDHomeRuns, HD-PVR's and HD-100 Extenders. He can then switch to whatever provider he wants...whenever he wants.
Mike48236 @ Oct 23rd 2008 2:02PM
I'm a bit surprised nobody has mentioned Sony's hockey puck shown above. Granted, most people here are hardcore about specs, and the Sony is a bit lacking. But, for an out of box setup with two CableCards and a small form factor, it's really not all that bad. Sony's are notoriously overpriced, yet $2,500 for the VGX -TP25 with two CableCards, 4GB RAM and Blu-ray isn't too, too far off. Given the question at hand, I think it is worth mentioning. For playback and PVR abilities alone, it would probably hold up. Pair it with a NAS or Home Server and you are good to go. I'm hoping their next offering has a bit more power, though.
At roughly the same price point there is also the Velocity Micro units - they come in a bit cheaper than the S1Digital's.
I personally will probably end up buying the HP and switching the case. I really want the CableCard. Whatever I use, I will probably run XBMC for Windows on it. I love my original xbox w/ xbmc.
Aflat @ Oct 27th 2008 10:02AM
I use Tivo and a beefier backend server/nas setup. Tivo handle recordings, live TV buffering, a UI my wife likes, and understands. I stick Pytivo on the backend, and I can stream anything to the Tivo, even Blu-ray MKV rips. I've taken to backing up my blu-ray disks to mkv, so now I don't have to buy a blu-ray player for each TV, just 1 $119 internal drive for the backend. Since all my TV's already have Tivo's, they can play any video file on the server. Even the 5 year old series2 Tivo can play the blu-ray rips, and they still look great. The Xbox 360 can't do that(you can't stream a non-WMV file greater then 4gigs to a Xbox360) Transcode 360 isn't wife/kid friendly. The PS3 could handle it, using Tversity, but the bluetooth remote made me( and the wife) not want to use that(There is no IR port on the PS3, who's stupid idea was that????)
Tivo can also stream music and photos, has a few games I never use, but I guess you could. Now if it could stream netflix, I'd be happy, but for now, I guess I'll just have to deal with streaming h264 content ripped from a bluray.
Cking @ Nov 3rd 2008 9:42PM
I have been looking into this for a year or so. There are good changes coming with the Tru2way HDTVs, When the TV card makers start supporting it there will be no need for cable card as we know it , The cities that Comcast is supporting this in, have been very positive with the Panasonic PZ80Q HDTVs. I have not seen any complaints like I did with the first cable cards on the market. Most TV don't even support cable card because to were to much of a problem. I am willing to wait a while longer for fully cable ready TVs and DVRs