Htpc
http://www.ebuyer.com/267867-emachine-er1401-desktop-pt-nbzec-004 for ?120 (?80 off).
I think these have been mentioned before and I picked one up from eBuyer last time around. They're brilliant for connecting to a plasma/lcd via the built-in HDMI and using as a Home Theatre PC. Built in WLAN too.
I got rid of Linpus Linux as it's supposedly a bit crap and put Win 7 64bit (purely as I'm used to the interface), then the essential XBMC. It runs 720p files great but most of mine are SD anyway and it's so quiet you won't even know it's on. Warning: it will be a slideshow with 1080p files though.
It's great value. Looks like for an extra fiver you get a keyboard/mouse.
I think these have been mentioned before and I picked one up from eBuyer last time around. They're brilliant for connecting to a plasma/lcd via the built-in HDMI and using as a Home Theatre PC. Built in WLAN too.
I got rid of Linpus Linux as it's supposedly a bit crap and put Win 7 64bit (purely as I'm used to the interface), then the essential XBMC. It runs 720p files great but most of mine are SD anyway and it's so quiet you won't even know it's on. Warning: it will be a slideshow with 1080p files though.
It's great value. Looks like for an extra fiver you get a keyboard/mouse.
Post edited by Vampyre on
Comments
Nah..I used to work for Compaq...Presarios win that one. Faulty Bigfoot hard drives (but dont tell the customer) and Power supplies that often attempted to burn your house down.
What's wrong with the build? - mine's sturdy, whisper-quiet and I've not had a single blue screen. In fact it's quite probably been the stablest PC I've used in years. A PC for under your telly you can't beat it IMO.
EDIT: @ADJB Are you referring more to the big desktops than these mini-pc's? I've no idea what the other desktops are like, but these tiny PC's are awesome.
Have you tried any 1080p vids?
Assuming the onboard graphics have x264 acceleration they should play fine. My Acer Revo plays 1080p without any trouble (15-20% CPU usage). It's only a single core Atom so I think the eMachines processor should be a bit better.
I'm on the lookout for a new HTPC as the battery in my Acer has died. Dunno if there's a new Revo on the way but stocks on the 3700 seem low so I may opt for an ER1401 instead (also had a bad experience with Acer support)
May also look at building one as I would like something with a built in IR receiver so I can power on the PC via remote and possibly a SSD hard drive.
You're right about XBMC - it's great
Dave
I use an old single core desktop with a GeForce GT220 for my HTPC at the moment but if I was to get a new machine I'd be tempted by the Acer Revo RL100; a bit more expensive than the eMachines one but it should handle 1080p with ease.
I have tried a 1080p file which was the last Star Trek movie. That weighed in at 14Gb which shouldn't really make any difference but it was unviewable.
BUT - I've just learned that the offer I posted is for the dual-core version, mine is the single (which I got for ?99 in the last ebuyer sale) which accounts for a bit. PLUS I've just figured out that W7 hasn't recognised the co-processor so I've got to get the driver for it. PLUS I don't think I'm off loading the video to the gfx card so it's no wonder it's stuttering!
The reviews for this dual core version all state that 1080p viewing is perfect. I only have the one file, the rest of my 1080p stuff is on bluray which I have the PS3 for, so it's no big deal for me!
I've been delighted with the version I have so I would thoroughly recommend this more powerful version.
They are very far from being a POS. It's not a desktop replacement (although for internet and office use it is more than sufficient), or a gaming pc (Portal 1 plays fine on it though), what it is absolutely perfect for is what this thread is about - a HTPC. I for one don't want a laptop underneath the TV or a desktop with fans blowing at ridiculous volumes. This thing is absolutely silent, and it's power consumption is next to nothing. Install XMBC and it's a great bit of kit for just over 100 notes.
Every e-machine I have ever had the misfortune not to be able to avoid has had a long list of faults that have been there by design.
Generally poor finish on the cases, you might not be able to see it but every case has had a lot of burrs and sharp edges as soon as you take the cover off, poor quality pressings as well as low quality metal, assuming they have used metal, otherwise age fragile plastic.
Invariably underpowered PSU's.
The lowest quality components from as many non main stream suppliers as they can find.
BIOS implementations that look and feel as if they were written using the infinite monkey principle.
Internal wiring with the logical layout of a spag bol - including the unidentifiable lumps.
The use of glue that goes fragile due to exposure to air.
Cooling systems about as effective as a Japanese nuclear plant after an earthquake and tsunami except the e-machine doesn't need the earthquake and tsunami.
Of course I could have just been unlucky with the few hundred machines I have had the misfortune to play with.
C'mon, don't fanny around with the reasons ;-)