I would like some advice on getting a PC that I can connect to my TV and stream content from the web. The features I am looking for: - Enough processing power and graphics capability to display full screen flash/silverlight/other, from sources such as HULU, netflix, youtube, ESPN3 etc, and also 1080P divx/mkv files. - HDMI out - Quiet - Small form factor preferred but not mandatory - This will be connected to my large screen plasma I know some of you will suggest aple tv, roku etc, but those devices don't work for me. I subscribe to some services (such as Aussie Rules broadcast) that are only available on PCs. In the past, I experimented with a an Asus Eeepc with Intel Atom/Ion - despite the claims that it could handle the above, it never really did. I always had problems with it, specially full screen flash. Of course, it was one of the first generation Atom/Ion combos, so perhaps things have moved on. I am not averse to buying a barebones PC and building my own, but in order to use my internet subscription, it must be Windows or Mac - Linux/XBMC will not work. I know I can buy Core i3 laptop that will probably do the job, for around $400 so I guess that is the price ceiling. Any suggestions and help would be greatly appreciated - especially around the minimum processor/graphics combo I need to guarantee performance. davo
i'm the last guy to pretend like i know what i'm talking about, but isn't Apple TV new softward upgrading to basically allow you to AirPlay your entire desktop/Mac to your tv? That's what I hear. http://techcrunch.com/2012/03/14/the-new-apple-tv/
AMD A6-3500 on an A75 motherboard if it's strictly HTPC use only. That's probably the minimum nowadays for flawless 1080p viewing.
Thanks for your responses. JayZ - I think the airport needs the source to be an apple product, or I would need some 3rd party software/hardware to stream from my windows PC to the appletv. br0ken_shad0w - would that processor be ok for full screen flash? My understanding is that the flash can be more demanding than purely playing back a 1080p file? Cowboy - I don't think Xbox and Playstation will work for me, as some of the streaming sites need a PC to work.
Didn't know you have a desktop PC. You can take a look at this McTiVia. But you still have a problem. How are you planning on controlling your TV if it's away from your computer? The only solution is to built a cheap mini HTPC for around $500 or get an HTPC Asrock CoreHT Series for around $700 or better off a laptop. Lots of products out there can easily stream your contents from your PC but the real problem is accessing the web browser.
That's why I didn't recommend the e350 which seems to be popular among HTPC hardware. Apparently, that had issues with 1080p flash or silverlight (read that several had problems with Netflix HD). A6-3500 basically smokes it away and should be more than enough for what you're doing.
How about this laptop - seems to have everything I need, and pretty well priced too ($370 before tax). Lenovo G570 Laptop, 15.6" LED-Backlit Screen & 2nd Gen Intel® Core™ i3 Processor, Intel HD3000 graphics, 500GB HD, HDMI, 4G Ram, Windows 7 64 bit, http://www.officedepot.com/a/products/305869/Lenovo-G570-4334-9MU-Laptop-Computer/
WTF you talking about dude I have a Pentium quad core 2gig memory and only 500gig of HDD space and I can watch online streaming content fine. You don't need a super computer for this ****z just get the ****z you can afford and roll with it. Every body on here probably gonna recommend top of the line ****z but you don't need it. You just need to know where to find the content and that I possibly can or can't help you with depends. Good luck, hehhee.
