Turn TV into pc

robert_harper_2000

I would like to be able to use my TV as a computer so that I could watch iplayer 4OD check emails etc, it's a modern TV so has most the ports but I imagine I would need a v.quiet PC to run as a media centre http://www.linutop.com this one seemed ideal but could I have some other opinions?

Cheers

This is quite good reading for anyone else also wanting to know abit about this
http://www.buildyourown.org.uk/forums/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=7977

-TangleFoot-

How 'bout the Acer Aspire Revo?

ABH_3

AOpen Mini PC
http://www.pcnextday.co.uk/products/ProductDetail.asp?ProductCode=3332-3218
Littlepc.com
http://www.littlepc.com/
Asus Eee Box
http://www.trustedreviews.com/pcs/review/2008/09/24/Asus-Eee-Box-First-Look/p1
MPC-L
http://www.viglen.co.uk/viglen/Products_Services/Product_Range/Product_file.aspx?Type_Info=Description&eCode=XUBUMPCL&Type=Desktops&GUID=
mini pc
http://www.worldssmallestpc.com/

This is the new base for Media Center PCs
http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=FS-188-OK

I personally have got a
gigabyte 780G motherboard
Blueray Drive
socket am2 processor
4gb of ram
2 TB of western digital green harddrives
(additional 4TB of firewired storage in a case at the back)
Antec NSK240 Black. Cost a little over £300 to put together.

The computer is whisper quiet, infact I've not heard it doing anything in all the time I've owned it, it runs on MCE2005 though I'm waiting to move to Windows 7 in time. There's lots of system builders hanging around and talking about our builds here: http://www.avforums.com/forums/home-cinema-pcs/ there's lots of information and 'show us yours' type information if you're into building quiet pcs fit for the living room.

HTH

-TangleFoot-

ABH wrote: »

Asus Eee Box
http://www.trustedreviews.com/pcs/review/2008/09/24/Asus-Eee-Box-First-Look/p1

Can that actually cope with 1080p video without choking on it? As far as I am aware, the only Eee Box with a decent GPU in it is the B206, and that costs £300!

The Revo on the other hand can be had for a measly £160.

ABH_3

-TangleFoot- wrote: »

Can that actually cope with 1080p video without choking on it? As far as I am aware, the only Eee Box with a decent GPU in it is the B206, and that costs £300!

You are correct I only provided the url I did as it should link to the 'family' of Asus Boxes featuring the 204\206 which are atom based featuring HDMI connections and of course are more than capable.

The Revo on the other hand can be had for a measly £160.

Wow, I would go for that one over and above anything I've posted at that price point it would be difficult to beat. With the exception of course of my home built system, which is better IMO as it has longevity built in and storage too. Well that's what I tell myself these days

-TangleFoot-

ABH wrote: »

...at that price point it would be difficult to beat.

At this point I feel I should point out that since that version of the Revo comes with Linux, certain catch-up TV services will be unavailable because they're still using something that isn't Flash. :rolleyes:

Until recently, 4oD was one of them.

Forgetful

i use my tv a a monitor and a tv to watch my downloaded films. its a 32 inch

RobertoMoir

Not exactly the cheapest option but I got a Mac Mini to drive my TV and I'm very glad I did. You can install a free media centre program (Plex or Boxee) that is fantastic and of course it's very powerful and flexible by almost any standard. Oh yes, as near to silent as makes no difference in operation, and very small neat and tidy underneath the telly.

Out of the list I've seen here though I'd go for the Acer Aspire Revo.

Joe_Bloggs

From this thread and examining the links I have found out about Nettops.
The wikipedia link that referers to Nettops is here. The low power consumption figures are amazing.
One on the very latest is the ASRock ION 330. I have not been able to find one with a blue ray disk in the UK. Not that I have any blue ray disks at this time. This item can be bought with an operating system (windows XP,Vista) at extra cost. It can just as easily run freely available linux distributions. Many users run Windows 7 RC1, also for nothing.
J_B.

-TangleFoot-

Joe_Bloggs wrote: »

I have not been able to find one with a blue ray disk in the UK.

Not a problem if you opt for an external drive...

ABH_3

it's thanks to this thread that I've just remembered I've got a Mac Mini Media Center at the end of the bed. I should also say it used to run Mythtv http://www.parker1.co.uk/mythtv_ubuntu.php

Having looked at youtube presentations of the other mac media centers however, I have to say I am quite impressed. They have come along way in such a short amount of time. I ended up just using vlcplayer on mine, but it was as I remember it, whisper quiet.

HTH