[adamrut]

Hi All,

I’ve been a long time lurker and since the release of October’s update that includes the PVR/DVR functionality I have decided to take the plunge to build my first XBMC and would like advice on the hardware. This box will mainly be used to watch and record live TV from an OTA antenna, since I have a NAS I wouldn't need a lot of storage inside the box.

Requirements:
• Supper Low power consumption since this box will be on 24x7
• As quiet as possible
• DVR/PVR
• Bitstream DOLBY TRUE-HD & DTS-HD MASTER audio
• Stream 1080p files from NAS – 2D Only
• Bitstream hi-rez audio files (192kHz) from NAS
• Stream 1080P Hulu content
• Stream 1080P Netflix movies

DVR – I’m debating on HDHomerun (out of box) vs Hauppauge (in box) solutions. Any thoughts on each?

Any advice is appreciated, thank you in advance!

[wsume99]

I'd go HDHomerun so you can make the HTPC as small as possible. Also keeping the tuner out of the case will help lower your temps and allow your fan to run as quiet as possible. So I'd go with a mITX MB and case paired with a 64GB SSD, 120w picoPSU, and 4GB of RAM. Just about any CPU will handle your needs except for an Atom or Zacate. If you go Intel get a G860. If you go AMD then an A6-5400k would probably be the best value.

[Gustovier]

Is the pvr functionality even primetime yet? Don't want ya to jump in to early

[adamrut]

Ok, so this is what I came up with. Since I wanted to keep the CPU wattage down I went with the two CPU's below, do you think i can get away with the G630T? It is $60.00 cheaper?

Option 1 - Mini ITX (slower CPU)
• PVR HDHomeRun $129.00
• CPU Intel Pentium G630T 2.3GHz LGA 1155 Dual-Core Desktop Processor - 35W $74.99
• Motherboard ASRock Z77E-ITX $149.99
• HD SAMSUNG EcoGreen F4 ST2000DL004 2TB $129.99
• RAM G.SKILL Ripjaws X Series 8GB (2 x 4GB)DDR3 2133 (PC3 17000) $49.99
• Case hec ITX ITX200B Mini ITX Media Center $49.99
Total $583.95

Option 2 - Micro ATX (faster CPU)
• PVR HDHomeRun $129.00
• CPU Intel Core i3-2120T 2.6GHz LGA 1155 Dual-Core Desktop Processor - 35W $134.99
• Motherboard ASRock Z77M $89.99
• HD SAMSUNG EcoGreen F4 ST2000DL004 2TB $129.99
• RAM G.SKILL Ripjaws X Series 8GB (2 x 4GB)DDR3 2133 (PC3 17000) $49.99
• Case hec 7K09BBA30FNRX Micro ATX Media Center 300W $59.99
Total $593.95

Please let me know which option you think is best and any other changes, thanks in advance!