Replace Apple TV with custom build.

[Davegod75]

The Nvidia ION platform has got me thinking that I would like to replace my Apple TV with something that doesn't lock me into itunes and mp4/m4v files.

I was thinking of a custom Mini-itx build but can seem to come up with something that has everything the apple tv* does and is a decent price.

Here is what i'm aiming for.

1. HDMI
2. Optical audio (do i need this?) I have a Panasonic digital receiver with no HDMI
3. Wi-fi
*4. TV tuner card.
5. Smaller the better, slim 5.25 drive or no cd drive, etc.


I would probably run boxee, XBMC, or WMCE.

Thanks!

 

[GaryJohnson]

ION isn't available yet

I think you could get everything you want in an ITX case (except for #2, which your not sure you need), but you'd have to go AMD 780G based as I think that's the only way to get HDMI AND have a free slot for a TV-TUNER.

 

[Davegod75]

optical audio is for my receiver which does not have hdmi. hdmi would be for my future tv/receiver

 

[Davegod75]

Originally posted by: GaryJohnson
ION isn't available yet

I think you could get everything you want in an ITX case (except for #2, which your not sure you need), but you'd have to go AMD 780G based as I think that's the only way to get HDMI AND have a free slot for a TV-TUNER.

what about this mobo Intel BOXDG45FC

 

[GaryJohnson]

Hey that would work. Also not ATOM based, but I guess you take what you can get.

 

[Davegod75]

Hmm, I could replace my apple tv, tivo, and dvd player with this for probably 0 cost (selling the old stuff)

LITE-ON Black 20X DVD+R
Western Digital Caviar Black WD5001AALS 500GB 7200 RPM 32MB
GIGABYTE GA-MA78GM-US2H AM2+/AM2 AMD 780G HDMI Micro ATX AMD Motherboard
Hauppauge WinTV-HVR 1800 MCE Kit 1128 PCI-Express x1 Interface
CORSAIR XMS2 2GB (2 x 1GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800
AMD Athlon X2 4850e 2.5GHz 2 x 512KB L2 Cache Socket AM2 45W Dual-Core Processor
APEVIA Black SECC Steel / Aluminum X-MASTER-BK/500 ATX Media Center / HTPC Case