Mini home theater client PC

[ChadTower]

So, having this big LCD monitor in my bedroom has gotten me thinking.  It would be very useful to me to have a small client PC next to it that I could use to stream content from the main PC downstairs.  I don't need to store anything locally, except maybe presumably what I'm actually watching and one or two other things.  Don't need DVR or any tuners, just players for stuff like DivX/DVD/other digital formats.  The monitor has a VGA in (used it last night, it's brilliant) so I don't need a video card with TV out.  There is a network jack 3 feet from the LCD.

I'm thinking that something with a stripped down Linux kernel would need the least amount of horsepower.  A smallish hard drive, moderate RAM, and a DVD drive.  Probably a wireless keyboard/mouse combo so they can be put in a drawer when not needed.  PC powered down unless in actual use.  That, or maybe a laptop with a broken screen, so that it's all integrated and small.

Anyone have any thoughts/recommendations?

[SNAAKE]

two words - modded xbox
Plays pretty much any format videos,dvds,music. get a wireless control or a remote control which works for xbox media center 360.

(I mod xboxes like everyday and I can hook you up too)

[ChadTower]

I have an Xbox and thought about that... but the real advantage to the Xbox for that is that it has an integrated TV out, yes?  I'd like to take advantage of the VGA capability of the LCD.  If I used an Xbox for that it would be translated to 15khz and then I'd have to convert it back to VGA.

Or am I missing something?  An app like XBMC that runs on a linux kernel would be enough.

[ChadTower]

VideoLAN.

Worth a look. 

[SNAAKE]

xbox outputs vga www.x2vga.com

problem solved and looks great. you can stream media through network too.

[ChadTower]

Do you have one of those?  How would you compare it with Xbox component quality?

EDIT:  Oh, yeah, one reason I was thinking away from the Xbox is that we want to be able to use it as a local DVD player, too.  The Xbox is very sensitive to burned DVDs.  A PC DVD drive is very very forgiving.

EDIT2:  Though, the Xbox obviously gives me the gaming abilities... natively and well.  So maybe the compromise to move down to component and use the Xbox is the best compromise of all worlds.  Worth considering.

[SNAAKE]

HD component ?? I tried HD component and VGA on an LCD monitor and vga was little sharper..somewhat noticable.

[ChadTower]

On the plus side for the Xbox as well, I already have one (barely ever have used it), and the only cost would be HD component accessories, modchip, and hard drive. 

[J_K_M_A_N]

The reason I use an XBOX is because of the short boot time and the quietness of it. (I replaced the stock fan and run the new one at 50% and it is very quiet.) I have run into a problem with burned discs but only a few. Now I always buy memorex discs and I haven't really had a problem since. I rip almost everything though so it isn't a big problem anyway.

I bought the extended remote for mine also. It has more buttons and a mute button so it is pretty nice. You can reprogram the other remotes buttons in XBMC but is a little harder for the wife to figure out. (Honey, the clear button is mute. How many times do I have to tell you. )

I picked up a component out cable from gamestop for $10 and it looks great on my 50" Panasonic LCD projection tv. I upconvert everything to 1080i. No problems at all.

J_K_M_A_N

[ChadTower]

How are you upconverting to 1080i?

Gotta say, the (relative) ease of modding an Xbox, combined with the added native advantages of the platform, are starting to convince me you guys are right.  Time to choose a modchip and pick up a component cable.

[crashwg]

http://www.xbox-scene.com/articles/vga-cable.php

I'm sure there are more tuts out there that get you to the same place too...  But you'll have to look for yourself.

[edit]
I changed my mind...
http://www.xbox-linux.org/wiki/Xbox_VGA_HOWTO
[/edit]

[ChadTower]

Niiiice.  That's the solution, best of everything.  That is what I will do.  Thanks for all the advice.  Native VGA out gives me the input I wanted to use, doesn't need that external device, the Xbox is quiet and streams very well, gives the gaming platform.  And it won't look all funky sitting there.

And since I'm building this to be much more multipurpose than when I was thinking of it before I won't mind dropping cash for the Xecuter in case I want to use the external addons later.

[ChadTower]

Xecutor 3 ordered.

[J_K_M_A_N]

Great call on the Xecutor 3 chip. I have one and a friend of mine has one also. It is a great chip.

The VGA cable seems like a lot of work. I would try the $10 cable first and see if it is acceptable before attempting something like that. But of course, that is your call. Either way, I think you will love XBMC once you get it set up how you want it and get used to using it. It is a VERY cool program.

Good luck.

J_K_M_A_N

[ChadTower]

I picked up a component cable on the way home at Gamestop... $15, but works on 360 and PS2, apparently.

The VGA cable does seem like some work at second glance... still, doable.