[cosmicvibes]

Hi people,

First post - and I'm sure you get asked this all the time, but I'm looking at putting together a box for the tv and so I'm looking for hardware suggestions. I keep all media on a networked server, which is stored out the way. I want a little box to go under the telly to make use of this. I have tried various cheap streaming boxes and they do not please. As such I currently run XBMC on my main PC - but this is overkill, and so I want a separate device for the job.

My specific requirements are:

* Cheap. As cheap as possible really!
* Quiet. It has to be passively cooled. My experience with fans is that though they may be quiet - my hearing is very good, and after a while they get dusty and more noisy.
* 1080p HDMI output.
* Sound wise - doesn't have to be too fancy, I'll be running it into amp. Optical output would be nice but not required.
* Doesn't need memory installed as I have that kicking around in various forms.
* Storage - I keep all my files on aforementioned server, so ideally I'd like to forgo a hard drive and boot off USB or SD card.

I was thinking of maybe a Shuttle XS35 - but I read conflicting info as to whether or not it has a fan?

Of course now is probably the wrong time to do this - AMD's 2011 Bobcat line of processors look REALLY interesting. But I'm impatient!

Also I'm live in the UK if anyone as any specific input on that side (e.g pricing).

Thanks for your help,

Charlie

[Roelio]

The Shuttle Barebone XS35 is fan less and a awesome machine!

I would buy one if I didn't already have the R3610. Go for it !

[Flomaster]

Zotac Ion BOX or Acer Revo

for the Acer I hear there is an ebay seller selling them, for Zotac look round the net for good deals.

-=Jason=-

[cosmicvibes]

Only two points holding me back from that- from the specs here:
http://www.shuttle.eu/fileadmin/resource...XS35_e.pdf

The video output is only a VGA connector - I was really looking for HDMI. Also from at least one review it seems that this may not be up to decoding blu-ray quality video at 1080p?

[craigd]

there are several versions of the xs53, spolit ibnto to main groups ion & non ion.

You need the one of the ion versions for xbmc.

[cosmicvibes]

Oh man that's confusing. Anyone know any good sites that compare the shuttle XS's?

I was looking at the Zotac Ion Box - equally confusing. At my usual supplier they have:

http://www.scan.co.uk/Products/Zotac-Z-B...HDD-RAM-OS

and

http://www.scan.co.uk/Products/Zotac-Z-B...-see-specs

While this has all the right connectors - the speces on the first model say it only pushes 720p, the second model is unclear to me. Anyone know a bit more about these?

I'm a geek, and regularly build my own machines - but the companies seem to have done a damn good job at confusing me with the specs. Heaven help the less tech-savvy.

Thanks for all the help.

[cosmicvibes]

I seem to have answered my own question - and I think I'm settling on the Shuttle XS35GT: http://www.shuttle.eu/fileadmin/resource...35GT_e.pdf - this seems to do the job and is available around the £200 mark. Shame no digital audio connector though. The Zotec and Revo are off the table for me though as they seem to all have fans.

[poofyhairguy]

Here is your digital out:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.as...-_-Product

Works even with Linux.