Media pc...?

[Epid3mic]

I am interested in building a media pc for my living room so that I can watch netflix and stream movies that I have on my other pc in the bedroom. I am looking for advice on what components I should get for what I am intending it to do. I don't want it to play games. I just want it for netflix, movies and browsing the internet in my living room instead of spending all my time in my bedroom. Any and all suggestions and advice would be greatly appreciated. Thank you.

Or would I be better off buying a PS3 for this purpose?

 

[fralexandr]

the ps3 is okay, but web browsing on it isn't that great
if you're going to do any significant web browsing, a cheap computer will probably be better

why not hook up your current computer to your living room TV ?

 

[Binky]

Check out the discussion of the WDTV box here: http://forums.anandtech.com/showthread.php?t=2215917

I have a full HTPC in the living room, and I find web browsing on the TV to be somewhat useless (for me at least). The other service you mention might be well served by something like the WDTV, and it costs a lot less than a full computer.

 

[Zap]

What is your budget? Does the case have to match any equipment (surround receiver, DVR, etc.)? Here's one possible setup.

Celeron G530 CPU $52
stock cooler
4GB DDR3 $20
mini ITX socket 1155 motherboard $60-90
small SSD $50-80
Windows 7 $100
case/PSU $40-80

 

[Emulex]

i got a used asus essentio (core 2 quad 2.5ghz,8gb ram, win7 ultimate x64, 1TB) for $184 then added $75 htpc case and threw in a cheap 40gb ssd for boot. rocks. swapped someone the Geforce 220 (dual dv-link) for a gt430 for hdmi 1.4 (4K video over hdmi) for the 3D and future proof. can soft-decode avatar 3D no problem. should be good for 4K video when panels become cheap enough. gotta love used pc's - not worth a squat and comes with oem licensing so you can change up hardware (except mobo) endlessly

 

[Soulkeeper]

Will something like the Roku 2 media player fit all your needs ?
They can be had for about $60-$80
I just noticed this earlier today, The only bad thing is you can't customize it and install your own OS
I dunno if it'll stream from your other pc's.

 

[PlastikSpork]

I got a free HP Pavilion desktop from somebody who said it was broken... The HP didn't boot up since there was no OS on it. Went online and found recovery discs for $20 and re-installed Windows XP Media Center Edition.

Specs:
Intel Core2 6300 @ 1.86GHz
2 GB of RAM
Radeon X1650 GPU
300 GB Main Drive
2TB Secondary Drive
500 GB USB external drive

This Media Center PC also runs an FTP server so I can access my files from anywhere even my Android.

This PC runs 1080p movies in MKV format with out any issues...

Also...If you build a Media PC be sure the check out the Android APP "WinRemote"
https://market.android.com/details?id=banamalon.remote.win.lite&hl=en
With this app you can use your smartphone as a remote control eliminating the need for a wireless mouse and keyboard.