Best small form factor computer for streaming media

Marty_J

Just as the title says, I'm looking for a small form factor computer mainly to stream Hulu, BBC iPlayer (naughty of me, I know), etc. It'll be hooked up to my TV in the living room, preferably with HDMI.

The options I'm currently considering are:

1. The Acer Aspire Revo. It's very cheap, small and quiet. The model I would get would be the dual core Atom 330 unit, with Windows 7 and a wireless keyboard and mouse. It seems to have no problem streaming HD Flash content with the latest Flash beta (which uses hardware acceleration). Total cost: $329.

2. The Dell Zino HD. Looks better than the above, and has a "real" processor (though it's a low end one of course), as opposed to an Atom. It also has an optical drive (with the option of Blu-ray) that the Aspire Revo lacks. I'd probably have more faith in the build quality of a Dell, though I suppose in this price range, you get what you pay for. It's also available in pink, which would score brownie points with the wife. I've read conflicting reports about it's Flash HD playback ability, though if the Revo Aspire can do it, the Zino HD should be able to as well. I'm still unsure what options to go for (processor speed, integrated GPU vs descrete, etc). Total cost: $320 - $500 depending on the spec.

3. Just buy a regular old desktop. This is the least ideal solution aesthetically; it'd be big, I'd have to hide it somewhere, and it might be noisier. However, I'd get more computer for my money, and it would be much more upgradable.

4. If I can't make my mind up, I might just get a Mac Mini. I know it'll work perfectly for what I want it to do, but I'm not sure if I fancy spending $600 to watch Hulu.

So, any advice would be very welcome. I'm leaning towards the Zino HD at the minute, I'm just not sure what the lowest spec I can get away with is.

Anyone else have a little computer parked under their TV?

Fifer

I'm using an Atom 300 (with Ion chipset) Zotac mobo based miniITX system with Windows 7 to do just that (the dual core Revo wasn't available at the time) and it works just fine Marty. No issues whatsoever.

I'd have bought the dula core version of the Revo, had it ben available.

Scrilla

Do you have a PS3/XBox/Wii?

If so, PlayOn may be an option. It works on other devices other than the above too. You do need a PC (or Mac under virtualisation) to stream from though. 14 day free trial, then you'd have to cough up some cash, but a convenient option if you have the hardware already.

Alternatively, buying the Wii/XBox/PS3 + PlayOn may be a cheaper option with added benefit of whatever you may use on those machines.

jaydeeuk1

The dual core acer would get my vote too. Don't bother waiting for the new atoms to come out in the next month or so, the performance is no better than the dual core 330. Considering the price, they are very well built.
I don't think they have wireless N built in, despite whatever spec Acer listed.

Fifer

The Zotac mobo does.

Marty_J

Fifer wrote: »

I'm using an Atom 300 (with Ion chipset) Zotac mobo based miniITX system with Windows 7 to do just that (the dual core Revo wasn't available at the time) and it works just fine Marty. No issues whatsoever.

I'd have bought the dula core version of the Revo, had it ben available.

It's good to know the little Atom can keep up with everything. I guess the Ion platform is a different beast than that found in netbooks.

Are you using the beta Flash drivers?

Scrilla wrote: »

Do you have a PS3/XBox/Wii?

If so, PlayOn may be an option. It works on other devices other than the above too. You do need a PC (or Mac under virtualisation) to stream from though. 14 day free trial, then you'd have to cough up some cash, but a convenient option if you have the hardware already.

Alternatively, buying the Wii/XBox/PS3 + PlayOn may be a cheaper option with added benefit of whatever you may use on those machines.

I've tried PlayOn before, and while the performance is OK, I'd rather switch to a dedicated solution. I'd also like to give my Xbox 360 a break; we play a lot of games and stream a lot of Netflix to it, and I don't want to push my luck. A computer would also be a lot more flexible.

jaydeeuk1 wrote: »

The dual core acer would get my vote too. Don't bother waiting for the new atoms to come out in the next month or so, the performance is no better than the dual core 330. Considering the price, they are very well built.
I don't think they have wireless N built in, despite whatever spec Acer listed.

Thanks, I'm not bothered about wifi; I ran ethernet cable all over the house a few weeks ago, so I'm all set.

I got talking today to someone who actually works for Dell, and he told me I shouldn't buy one, and I should get the Acer instead. He said Dells are horribly unreliable, and their technical support sucks. Then he said if it were him, he would just buy a Mac Mini.

custardy

have you considered adding a PS3 to the superior 360?
gigabit ethernet plus PS3 media server covers everything i need
i stream pretty much all formats right up to HD files,well in excess of 10GB without problems

Marty_J

custardy wrote: »

have you considered adding a PS3 to the superior 360?
gigabit ethernet plus PS3 media server covers everything i need
i stream pretty much all formats right up to HD files,well in excess of 10GB without problems

I already use my superior Xbox 360 to stream media from my Mac.

I had considered getting a PS3, but unfortunately, Hulu have blocked access on the PS3.

If it could play Hulu natively (i.e. without using something like PlayOn), I would have gone for the PS3 as I want one anyway.

custardy

i just um (cough)source my TV shows i need/want to see
then stream them in HD from the PC

Fifer

Marty_J wrote: »

It's good to know the little Atom can keep up with everything. I guess the Ion platform is a different beast than that found in netbooks.

Are you using the beta Flash drivers?

I honestly can't remember. I'll check.

Scrilla

Since today is US iPad day - national holiday I hear - it would be wrong not to mention the iPad as an alternative.

It supports a 720i output to your TV - with correct connectors of course. Rumour has it a Hulu App is coming which would meet your needs. It's a wait and see option, but may be worth considering given it's price point in comparison to the Mac Mini. Food for thought