HTPC: Is this good enough to play BDs ?

[Zetti]

Hi Folks,

I am willing to buy a HTPC, I am lazy to build it myself so finding a finished product would be useful. It doesn't need to be up to the ultimate standard but must be powerful enough to play Blu-Ray discs and HD media files over a network; I don't care about 3D.

I have just seen this,

http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16883229441

Please, what do you think ? Price wise it sounds OK for my budget;

Thanks,

[jagabo]

That should have no problems playing blu-ray rips. Does the optical drive read Blu-ray? You're paying a price premium for the itx form factor.

[Zetti]

That should have no problems playing blu-ray rips. Does the optical drive read Blu-ray? You're paying a price premium for the itx form factor.

Thanks, ah yes, it is only a DVD player....I have to reconsider....

[redwudz]

Zetti, in the future please use a more descriptive subject title in your posts to allow others to search for similar topics. I will change yours this time. From our rules:

Try to choose a subject that describes your topic.
Please do not use topic subjects like Help me!!! or Problems.

Thanks,
Moderator redwudz

[Zetti]

zetti, in the future please use a more descriptive subject title in your posts to allow others to search for similar topics. I will change yours this time. From our rules:

try to choose a subject that describes your topic.
Please do not use topic subjects like help me!!! Or problems.

thanks,
moderator redwudz

ok !

[usually_quiet]

That should have no problems playing blu-ray rips. Does the optical drive read Blu-ray? You're paying a price premium for the itx form factor.

Thanks, ah yes, it is only a DVD player....I have to reconsider....

Few moderately priced pre-built systems come with a BD drive installed, and replacing the drive in that mini-PC would be difficult and expensive. Slot-loading slim optical drives, especially BD-ROM or BD-RW are hard to find, and cost significantly more than either a standard drive or slim tray-load drive. You will probably need to look for a larger pre-built PC which would allow you to replace the DVD drive with a BD drive more easily and for a lower cost.

[redwudz]

I've put together a couple of ITX and very small form HTPCs. You really have to pay attention if you want to substitute or change an optical drive. It took me a while to find one short enough to fit. I ended up with about a 1/4" clearance to the heat sink from the back of the drive. Fortunately I was able to use a 90 degree data connector. I have four or five BD drives and had to go to the manufacturer specs to find one short enough.

If you really, really need a ITX HTPC, shop around. But a small form Micro-ATX PC will work as well. I put this one together a while back: https://forum.videohelp.com/threads/320109-HTPC-from-used-parts? It's not much larger than an ITX, but a lot more versatile.

[Zetti]

I've put together a couple of ITX and very small form HTPCs. You really have to pay attention if you want to substitute or change an optical drive. It took me a while to find one short enough to fit. I ended up with about a 1/4" clearance to the heat sink from the back of the drive. Fortunately I was able to use a 90 degree data connector. I have four or five BD drives and had to go to the manufacturer specs to find one short enough.

If you really, really need a ITX HTPC, shop around. But a small form Micro-ATX PC will work as well. I put this one together a while back: https://forum.videohelp.com/threads/320109-HTPC-from-used-parts? It's not much larger than an ITX, but a lot more versatile.

Thanks, actually I gave up buying the link I mentioned; I don't need ITX or even Micro ATX, but I need a horizontal case. I have been trying to avoid building myself, but if I don't find any it'll be the way to go;

Thanks,

Zetti

[usually_quiet]

Thanks, actually I gave up buying the link I mentioned; I don't need ITX or even Micro ATX, but I need a horizontal case. I have been trying to avoid building myself, but if I don't find any it'll be the way to go;

Thanks,

Zetti

Silverstone and nMEDIAPC make larger horizontal MATX and ATX HTPC cases that will take a standard PSU, but you must buy the PSU separately. These are among their least expensive cases:
ATX--- http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811204035
MATX- http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811204030
MATX- http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811163174
MATX- http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811163205

They make other models too which are more expensive.

[Zetti]

Thanks, actually I gave up buying the link I mentioned; I don't need ITX or even Micro ATX, but I need a horizontal case. I have been trying to avoid building myself, but if I don't find any it'll be the way to go;

Thanks,

Zetti

Silverstone and nMEDIAPC make larger horizontal MATX and ATX HTPC cases that will take a standard PSU, but you must buy the PSU separately. These are among their least expensive cases:
ATX--- http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811204035
MATX- http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811204030
MATX- http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811163174
MATX- http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811163205

They make other models too which are more expensive.

Thanks, I'll bookmark the links for future purchase,

Thanmks,

Zetti

[usually_quiet]

Thanks, actually I gave up buying the link I mentioned; I don't need ITX or even Micro ATX, but I need a horizontal case. I have been trying to avoid building myself, but if I don't find any it'll be the way to go;

Thanks,

Zetti

Silverstone and nMEDIAPC make larger horizontal MATX and ATX HTPC cases that will take a standard PSU, but you must buy the PSU separately. These are among their least expensive cases:
ATX--- http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811204035
MATX- http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811204030
MATX- http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811163174
MATX- http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811163205

They make other models too which are more expensive.

Thanks, I'll bookmark the links for future purchase,

Thanmks,

Zetti

I just noticed that I made a mistake, and posted the wrong link for the nMEDIAPC ATX case. This is the right link http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811204037 The other is for a MATX case.