Recommendations on HTPC Hardware or post yours!

[rxloren]

hi guys, I'm looking to upgrade, rather get a new HTPC. Looking for something that will fit into an Antec Fusion box or similar. I need recommendations on specs that will allow me to watch 1080p movies, streaming wirelessly, on disc and in hard drive... Video editing and authoring, Bluray ripping and burning...the works. looking for good stuff where money is not an option (sorta), lol.. looking for great quality stuff at affordable prices... or perhaps you can post the specs of your HTPC setup if you are totally satisfied with it. I'm looking ofr power, space and esthetics....
Thanks all.

[redwudz]

I have a couple of HTPCs with Micro ATX motherboards. One detailed here: https://forum.videohelp.com/threads/305973-Post-pics-of-your-HTPC? (Scroll down) A smaller version using an older MB, but still has on board HDMI and will play Blu-rays with no problem, though I didn't install a BD drive: https://forum.videohelp.com/threads/320109-HTPC-from-used-parts?

Both use Gigabyte Micro-ATX MBs and quad core AMD CPUs. They work fine with a projector to a large screen and handle BDs and HD MKVs with no problems. And both use on board video. I can stream video to them over my LAN. Some Gigabyte Micro-ATX MBs with HDMI output:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductList.aspx?Submit=ENE&N=100007625+50001314+6000380...pe=&srchInDesc=

I'd probably suggest one of the newer 880 MBs listed towards the bottom. The Radeon 4250 GPU can handle HD video easily. A bit more expensive, but a lot more capabilities. If you want really good encoding performance, look to adding one of the six core AMD CPUs. Still fairly inexpensive for what it can do. http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103851

[rxloren]

Thank you VERY much for your recommendations Red... Looks like I can build a real good system for around $1000. Well worth it.