Does anyone sell complete HTPC's?

[Flake]

When I mean complete I mean with a copy of Windows 7 already installed and everything.  I've never put a computer together before and am interested in seeing if there are completed systems out there.  I'm not opposed to putting together a system but would like to explore the already built option first.

[one2three]

Acer AspireRevo AR3700-U3002

http://www.amazon.com/Acer-AspireRevo-AR3700-U3002-Compact-Desktop/dp/B00433SP6G/ref=sr_1_8?ie=UTF8&qid=1287075177&sr=8-8

[stace]

Agreed Acer Aspire with XBMC.  Easy install and everything you need.

[Flake]

Well that unit seems a bit scaled down?  I guess I'm trying to model my unit according to some of the specs seen off this guide http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?p=18816470#post18816470

Is this too much?

I want to be able to surf the net on my TV, listen to my MP3's through my soundbar, playback ripped DVD's, possibly watch Blue Ray movies, stream Netflix movies, watch digital home movies, digital photo slide shows, etc.

I have found some on Ebay but to add all the stuff the AVS forum guide suggests = $1000  http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=350404120170&refid=store

[one2three]

I've been looking for an HTPC for some time, just haven't pulled the trigger yet due to too many bills. I keep searching for options and have read over the AVS forum recommendations. My requirements are similar to yours and I keep coming back to the Revo.

For cost to capability ratio, it looks like Revo is the best option. It will do everything you list including HD. I'm sure there are other higher end options, but if your not gaming, then why bother (IMO).

[Flake]

Well as I look at this thing, it only has one ethernet port.  I want to incorporate this thing into a windows home server unit in the basement.  How does one connect this thing to the internet AND to my server?  Can access to both go through one ethernet cable? 

If so how would that work? 

For instance, lets say I have AT&T uverse internet coming into the basement.  All my ethernet ports (2 for each room) are running from each room down to the basement where the internet services comes in.  If I were to place my server in the basement next to the centralized ethernet ports and internet service, what would be the recommended connections/setup for all rooms to have access to both the internet and server via wired connection and have the best possible speed to each?

[BobA]

You connect to your internet through a router.   The router connects to your cable modem or other provider device.  All devices in your home connect via the router either wired or wireless.  Thus you only need one ethernet cable connection.

[Benevolance]

I have an Acer Revo as my HTPC in the great room. I am very happy with it. I also picked up a couple Xbox 360 PC controllers, so the HTPC doubles as my retro-gaming console, as well. It also runs Sins of a Solar Empire very well. Not that the required specs on that game are uber high, but it's a newish game and the Revo runs it perfectly.

I want to be able to surf the net on my TV, listen to my MP3's through my soundbar, playback ripped DVD's, possibly watch Blue Ray movies, stream Netflix movies, watch digital home movies, digital photo slide shows, etc

The Acer Revo will do all of that very well. Just so it's clear: it doesn't have an optical drive. You could always buy an external DVD/CD drive if that's important. A free option is to map a network drive to another computer's cd/dvd drive in the house. We stream HD content on the local network wirelessly to the HTPC and the playback is pretty much flawless.

[pinballwizard79]

Plug the GPU to the MB, plug the HD to the MB, pop the ram into the MB, plug in the BRD player, plug in all the PS wires to the MB....power it up, load the OS, DL the drivers & BAM you have your HTPC

www.newegg.com

I am horrible with computers though

[Flake]

I also picked up a couple Xbox 360 PC controllers, so the HTPC doubles as my retro-gaming console, as well.

So you run Mame off this thing?  Are you streaming it or are you running the games locally?

BTW - thanks to PBW79 for the detailed computer building instructions 

[Benevolance]

I know of no reason why you couldn't play the games across the network. I haven't tried to do that. I run the games locally, simply because until recently my mame cabinet was not part of the wireless network. And I'm mostly playing NES and SNES games, and we're not talking large file sizes there. It's easier just to transfer the files to the htpc hdd.

[Howard_Casto]

So you want to stream movies and play games. 

(*cough* xbox 360, *cough* ps3, *cough cough* tversity)

that is all.

[CCM]

So you want to stream movies and play games. 

(*cough* xbox 360, *cough* ps3, *cough cough* tversity)

that is all.

+1

[Benevolance]

$40 to stream content isn't bad. How is the 360 at running retro-emulators, though?

I have a 360 and an HTPC in my great room, connected by an HDMI hub to the projector, so I currently use both systems for what they're best at, but I'm still curious about how far you could push a 360 to being a media center.

[Flake]

So you want to stream movies and play games. 

(*cough* xbox 360, *cough* ps3, *cough cough* tversity)

that is all.

Not big on playing Xbox/PS3 games.  I'm pretty much exclusively into retro gaming so buying an Xbox just seems like a waste of hardware to me  

However, I would love the idea of copying over my NES games to my HTPC, buying a wireless controller of some kind and playing them on this computer.  I wonder though could you access those games through XBMC?  Or would I have to access them through the emulator?  I would prefer to be able to access the games without using a keyboard?

[boykster]

Agreed Acer Aspire with XBMC.  Easy install and everything you need.

+1.  Only shortcoming is no Netflix streaming.  You can setup XBMC to launch games / emulators / etc as well.  I prefer XBMC Live edition (installed though) over the windoze version, but to each their own.  The one advantage of the windows version is that it is possible with some scripting gymnastics to launch a browser to view netflix streaming.  Not an elegant integrated solution, but it does work.

I use my TivoHD to stream Netflix...

[Mikezilla]

Ok... Color me retarded, but what is a HTPC?

[smalltownguy]

HTPC = Home Theater Personal Computer.

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?p=18816470#post18816470

[Mikezilla]

Ahhh thank you for that. I could have done a google search but I figured I would be a part of this thread and show how behind I am in terms of technology. 

[stace]

Agreed Acer Aspire with XBMC.  Easy install and everything you need.

+1.  Only shortcoming is no Netflix streaming.  You can setup XBMC to launch games / emulators / etc as well.  I prefer XBMC Live edition (installed though) over the windoze version, but to each their own.  The one advantage of the windows version is that it is possible with some scripting gymnastics to launch a browser to view netflix streaming.  Not an elegant integrated solution, but it does work.

I use my TivoHD to stream Netflix...

I'm using XBNC Live, its the only way forward    For Movies, Music, Emulators etc, it beats the 360 hands down (regardless of TVersity) the UI is very slick.