Cheap "HTPC"

[brucedlx]

I need a cheap PC which I can hook up to my HDTV and watch movies/shows/videos on. I want to be able to watch any and all files (mkv, ogm, x.264, hd) so I will need a semi-powerful processor and at least 2gb ram. I will also need a video card w/ HDMI out (that carries sound) so I can hook it up to the TV easily.

I have a PS3, but I've heard TVersity will do on the fly conversion for unsupported files, so I'm worried about quality loss on bluray rips etc. And converting files every time I want to watch something is a pain in and of itself especially when dealing with something like .ogm w/ multiple audio streams and subtitles.

Please don't recommend the media-playing hard drives as they are restricted as to which file-formats they accept.

Looking for something under $500. I can put a computer together myself, except for putting the processor on the motherboard, I don't trust myself enough to do that properly.

Any help is appreciated.

[Haz]

A budget of $500 can certainly get you a pretty decent HTPC, maybe even one that will do light gaming. You can start in thread though some of the parts may be dated now but there's some good ideas.

[darren22]

Have you looked into a Networked Media Tank like the Popcorn Hour or HDX-1000? Most people seem really happy with their ability to play just about any file type they're given (not necessarily so easy with a cheap HTPC), and they can be had for around $300, plus whatever hard drive you want to add.

[brucedlx]

The thing with an HTPC is if a new file format comes out tomorrow you can just download new codecs onto your PC. Also, turning subtitles on/off and switching between audio tracks on mkv and ogm is a breeze.

[brucedlx]

A budget of $500 can certainly get you a pretty decent HTPC, maybe even one that will do light gaming. You can start in thread though some of the parts may be dated now but there's some good ideas.

As I stated, I don't want to put the CPU/Mobo together myself, unless you have a guide for that somewhere too. Also, Mobo/CPU compatability is an issue I don't want to deal w/, which is why I'd rather have it built for me, or at least a cheap bare-bones PC w/ just the CPU/Mobo/Case. Hard drive I don't care about since I will probably be using an external one, even 40GB will do, the RAM, video card, hard drive, optical drive etc. I can just snap into place on the mobo.

[Shiznacka]

Not really an HTPC but worth a look...

http://www.onlybestrated.com/multime...s-c-24_39.html

[Fire]

WDTV. WestenDigital TV. 119.xx at tigerdirect

should be good for u.

[Haz]

As I stated, I don't want to put the CPU/Mobo together myself, unless you have a guide for that somewhere too. Also, Mobo/CPU compatability is an issue I don't want to deal w/, which is why I'd rather have it built for me, or at least a cheap bare-bones PC w/ just the CPU/Mobo/Case. Hard drive I don't care about since I will probably be using an external one, even 40GB will do, the RAM, video card, hard drive, optical drive etc. I can just snap into place on the mobo.

Most barebones combos don't come with the part put together. It's really not all that hard to pop a CPU in, apply thermal paste and install a heatsink fan. I went with a Shuttle system for my HTPC but many others just took a regular full size PC and tossed in a decent video card.

[Chris V]

looking at something like this as well....
http://www.canadacomputers.com/index...525&cid=170.45