Hey everyone! Quick overview: Just purchased a brand new plasma TV, first TV I've ever owned larger than a 19" display (samsung e 7000 series). I am now trying to find stuff to make use of it. I have been exploring media servers but nothing seems to have everything I want. Roku would be great but Comcast blocks HBO GO on roku, and I can't use the samsung smart tv app either since that is blocked by Comcast as well.
I want to be able to watch downloaded videos, play bluray disks, and securely store media. In a perfect world I could use it to do roku-esque things too without needing to pick up a roku box.
So, here is what I have in mind:
SHUTTLE SH67H3 PC Barebone System
Intel Core i5-2500K Quad-Core Processor 3.3 GHz 6 MB Cache LGA 1155 - BX80623I52500K
Corsair XMS3 8 GB (2 x 4GB) 1333 MHz PC3-10666 240-Pin DDR3 Memory Kit CMX8GX3M2A1333C9
LG Electronics 14x SATA Blu-ray Internal Rewriter without Software, Black (WH14NS40)
2x Seagate Barracuda 2 TB HDD SATA 6 Gb/s NCQ 64MB Cache 3.5-Inch Internal Bare Drive ST2000DM001 (configured in Raid 1 for data protection)
Now, this is for a dedicated media-only computer. I don't need gaming graphics, just something that I can feed just about any video/audio format to and get it to display over HDMI on the nice new TV. Anything else that XBMC can do is gravy. Total cost is currently around 850$ for amazon, 980 on newegg.
The CPU includes Intel HD 3000 graphics. Is that powerful enough for what I want to do? I have seen mention of this particular processor and mobo together having issues with DXVA, but most of those posts are 2+ years old and no further mention. Does the issue still exist? Should I look at adding a standalone video card to the mix?
I'm already pressing Ms. msarro's buttons with this purchase, so low prices are good things![Smile]( "Smile")
Any advice on how to bring the price down would be appreciated - I'd like all the video bells and whistles, but most of the specs I'm seeing are significantly lower. The big requirement on my end is the storage RAID.
EDIT: Changed the 3TB disks to 2TB, as the mobo only supports RAID in BIOS mode.
I want to be able to watch downloaded videos, play bluray disks, and securely store media. In a perfect world I could use it to do roku-esque things too without needing to pick up a roku box.
So, here is what I have in mind:
SHUTTLE SH67H3 PC Barebone System
Intel Core i5-2500K Quad-Core Processor 3.3 GHz 6 MB Cache LGA 1155 - BX80623I52500K
Corsair XMS3 8 GB (2 x 4GB) 1333 MHz PC3-10666 240-Pin DDR3 Memory Kit CMX8GX3M2A1333C9
LG Electronics 14x SATA Blu-ray Internal Rewriter without Software, Black (WH14NS40)
2x Seagate Barracuda 2 TB HDD SATA 6 Gb/s NCQ 64MB Cache 3.5-Inch Internal Bare Drive ST2000DM001 (configured in Raid 1 for data protection)
Now, this is for a dedicated media-only computer. I don't need gaming graphics, just something that I can feed just about any video/audio format to and get it to display over HDMI on the nice new TV. Anything else that XBMC can do is gravy. Total cost is currently around 850$ for amazon, 980 on newegg.
The CPU includes Intel HD 3000 graphics. Is that powerful enough for what I want to do? I have seen mention of this particular processor and mobo together having issues with DXVA, but most of those posts are 2+ years old and no further mention. Does the issue still exist? Should I look at adding a standalone video card to the mix?
I'm already pressing Ms. msarro's buttons with this purchase, so low prices are good things
Any advice on how to bring the price down would be appreciated - I'd like all the video bells and whistles, but most of the specs I'm seeing are significantly lower. The big requirement on my end is the storage RAID.
EDIT: Changed the 3TB disks to 2TB, as the mobo only supports RAID in BIOS mode.