SFF network media player

[zylander]

Im looking for a computer with a small footprint that I can stream video files to over a wireless network. I wont be streaming any HD files and I dont need an optical drive. Computer must have Wi-Fi and the capabilities to run a media library/playing program such as Media Center or something similar. This is going to act basically as a mini HTPC. I want to be able to stick it in the back of a cabinet and run a wired IR receiver to the front so it can be controlled using a remote. I basically want something like these, low power, little to no noise and Wi-Fi.

 

[mpilchfamily]

Build your own system using a Mini-itx board. Newegg has several options in the way of Mini-ITX baords and cases.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/...H&Description=mini-itx

This site is full of people's Mini-ITX projects adn products. Most people use this form fact for just the type of thing your wanting. You may be able to find a link at this site to a place where you can find a pre-assembled unit that fits your needs.
http://www.mini-itx.com/

The pico-ITX featured above may suit your needs even better but may be harder to get. They aren't readly availible here in the states. Heck the adition of Mini-ITX on Newegg is fairly recent. Where before you had to get them shipped in from the UK.

 

[zylander]

Thanks, that site is perfect. I was looking around newegg a little bit at Mini-ITX stuff but didnt really like any of the cases they had. The store on that mini-itx website has some great mini cases.

 

[Zap]

You can also try Mini-Box and Logic Supply. Logic Supply has some cool cases including the Chenbro units (great for WHS). Mini-Box manufactures the picoPSU and various slim, aluminum enclosures.

Zotac makes an $80 mini ITX board that comes with a WiFi adapter. Don't know if the integrated video is up to snuff on playing back stuff, but they also make a $150 mini ITX board using the GeForce 9300 chipset which should be fine.

For a remote, how about an RF instead of IR? That way you won't have a receiver dongle sticking out the front of your cabinet. I've had a chance to use the Gyration Air Music Remote. It uses RF and has a USB dongle that does not need line-of-sight and indeed can function from a room away (or more). The base function is that of an MCE remote, complete with "green button." Additionally, it has two functions over normal MCE remotes (besides RF wireless). It has the Gyration mouse built-in. I've used a Logitech MX Air and the Air Music Remote is much easier and precise to use as a mouse. The final function is an LCD screen on the remote. Basically you can use your computer "headless" meaning your big-screen TV doesn't even have to be on. This means if you are just going to play some music and not video, you can use the LCD on the screen to browse your media collection without having to turn on your TV. You can even do this from another room in your house thanks to the RF instead of IR. It is interesting that this gets Media Player to play in the background with no console. I tested with Vista 64 Ultimate.

 

[razor2025]

If you want to go pre-built, there's some Ion-platform based mini-boxes coming soon in Summer. The first Acer one was a bit disappointing, but I'm sure their performance can improve with faster Atom pair.

 

[Brainonska511]

Originally posted by: razor2025
If you want to go pre-built, there's some Ion-platform based mini-boxes coming soon in Summer. The first Acer one was a bit disappointing, but I'm sure their performance can improve with faster Atom pair.

If you want good HD decoding/encoding, you're better off going with a non-Atom/Geode processor. If I remember the Ion review that Anandtech had posted, it mentioned that there was some stuttering in playing HD video with the Ion + Atom combo.

 

[zylander]

This box most likely will not be decoding any HD at the most it may get some 720p content streamed to it but most likely not.