[Ishmayl]

Netflix is a windows thing...
forget Linux if u cant live without Netflix...

I can probably live without netflix on this, especially since we have it on the Wii!

[eskro]

well, like i said, i'd use OpenELEC version of XBMC instead of XBMC live.

as long as you dont need to browse the full web,
like on a normal computer,
then, OpenELEC is the way to go for Linux users!!

[Ishmayl]

well, like i said, i'd use OpenELEC version of XBMC instead of XBMC live.

as long as you dont need to browse the full web,
like on a normal computer,
then, OpenELEC is the way to go for Linux users!!

Oh right, somehow I missed the second part of your post up above!

So the ZBOXHD-ND02-U will allow me to use OpenELEC pretty much out of the box? And my idea of an external USB HD will work fine?

Sorry if these are elementary questions, this is my first attempt at really going for a HTPC. I was tempted by boxee, but a lot of the recent changes they've made have changed my mind.

[eskro]

read up on OpenELEC -->http://goo.gl/GTe4u

but to answer on your questions, answers are YES!

[eskro]

oh and, if your somewhat patient --> http://www.raspbmc.com/

[Ishmayl]

oh and, if your somewhat patient --> http://www.raspbmc.com/

Now that's pretty sweet... So that site is creating an XBMC distribution for the Pi? Any ETA on it's finalization?

[eskro]

best place to know is over there http://www.raspbmc.com/

[Ishmayl]

So, one last question about the ZBOX HD-ND02-U - and I apologize for bugging you on this, but I don't want to find out later I wasted money by buying the wrong product, or not buying the right components - I'll be able to just install a flash version of that OpenELEC by plugging straight into the back and it'll be ready to go - no need to buy extra RAM or anything like that? I ask because according to amazon, people have paired this item with more RAM. Thanks again for all your help!

[eskro]

the Zotac ZBOX HD-ND02-U is 'barebone'

barebone = u need to buy a hard drive and some ram

if u go with openelec, u only need a basic flash drive to run it on
and of course, u need some ram.

[Memes11]

I would add the ARCTIC MC001, frankly speaking, more than enough to play movies up to 1080p, a small Form Factor and cost wise, still OK. most importantly, it is really silent.

[bluray]

I can probably live without netflix on this, especially since we have it on the Wii!

If you are still thinking of surfing the net and streaming Netflix, this little guy should do all of that and more- Asus EeeBox PC EB1021 AMD Dual-Core E-450 1.65GHz/ 2GB/ 320GB/ NO ODD/ W7HP Desktop PC(Black) - EB1021-B028E. It's ready for XBMC out of the box!

[dirtycookie]

Hi eskro,
first of all a big big thanks for this post, it cleared up a lot of questions.
But here are some for you.
We were thinking to use the following mBoard from intel:
http://downloadmirror.intel.com/17597/en...nglish.pdf
The board has 2GB of Ram with it.

With a DVB-S Card from Mystique:
http://www.dvbshop.net/product_info.php/...emote.html

The operating system will be a linux distro, still didn't make my choice yet but I'm prepared to use gentoo for efficiency purposes.

My questions are the following:
1) Is that board able to watch channels on sat? And what about recording?
2) I don't think recording and watching sat channels simultaniously would not work but I
want to know for sure. Is it possible?
3) What about playing blueray movies or even 1080p movies on the harddisk?

[dirtycookie]

Hi,
first of all a big thanks to u eskro for this thread.
I have a few questions:
I wanted to use the following intel board: (2GB Ram included)
http://ark.intel.com/products/39942/Inte...-D945GSEJT

along with DVB-S card, did't make my choice yet.

1. Is it possible to watch/record sat channels on this board?
2. I plan also to use this board along with a blueray drive, will that be possible or is the
board too weak for it?


thanks in advance.

[eskro]

your board and cpu combination is too weak.

[cadis12]

Long time XBMC user from the old XBOX1 days. I still run a few XBOX's with XBMC on them primarily for the kids DVD's streamed from my home media server. I have always been a fan.

Anyway, it's time for an upgrade and I want to build a new XBMC system. I need to move forward and ditch the old XBOX on our primary TV.

I took the advice from this thread and want to build the same exact system. Sounds like it will do everything I want. The only problem is the power supply that was recommend is sold out. What do you guys think of my power supply selection?
Also, can't I just get away with a 64GB solid state drive if I stream all my content over the network anyway? Do I really need a bigger drive?

Thanks for all the info guys. I'm looking forward to spending time around here with my new hobby!

Here is the system I was going to purchase. I plan on streaming bluray mkv's and DVD iso's primarily.

Crucial 64 GB m4 2.5-Inch Solid State Drive SATA 6Gb/s CT064M4SSD2 - Crucial Technology
$96.87

Antec EA-380D Power Supply EA-380D - Antec
$44.99

Kingston Technology HyperX 8 GB (2x4 GB Modules) 1600 MHz DDR3 Dual Channel Kit (PC3 12800) 240-Pin SDRAM KHX1600C9D3K2/8GX - Kingston H. Corporation
$43.25

SilverStone Aluminum/Steel Micro ATX Media Center/HTPC Case ML03B (Black) - Silverstone
$70.00

ASRock MB-A75M Socket FM1/ AMD A75 FCH/ SATA3&USB3.0/ A&GbE/ Micro ATX Motherboard - ASRock
$74.99

AMD A8-3850 APU Quad-Core Processor (AD3850WNGXBOX) - AMD
$129.99

Subtotal: $460.09