Need A Simple Pc With Hdmi As Media Player

[st11x]

G'day,

I am looking to hook up to the TV via HDMI to play rmb, mkv, avi files. While in Singapore, I looked at some of those dedicated devices but was advised to build/buy a PC instead.

I only need to play those media files and use the machine for batch jobs like downloading. There was a PC of an unknown brand going for around 12K THB in Carrefour Chiang Mai. Would that kind do the job?

Besides a decent graphics card, does the processor play a part?

If I had to build one, I would appreciate some advice on where to start. There are tons of graphics cards and motherboards, too confusing especially the graphics card. Will anyone with HDMI do? I'm not gaming on it.

Also would a mini PC casing cut it? Or will it get too hot?

thanks

Matt

[Morien]

If you are only going to be playing standard definition stuff than pretty much anything these days will do it. I use my Xbox 1 for all of that.

If you are going to be playing high definition content, than a core 2 duo cpu is preferable.

The graphics doesn't play that much of a part (besides outputting via HDMI) unless it has onboard decoding. But even if it does have the decoding you'd have to make sure the programs you use can make use of that decoding, otherwise it's all down to the CPU.

My recommendation is just get the cheapest graphics you can that has HDMI output, and put the rest of the money on a good CPU. All the good software that I use haven't supported the onboard decoding of some graphics cards.

If you know what resolution you will be playing, I'd be able to suggest a CPU range to go by.

[st11x]

If you know what resolution you will be playing, I'd be able to suggest a CPU range to go by.

According to my friend who gave them to me, the HD rmb files are 720p. There is a mkv file (300), but I'm not sure of the resolution.

I would like to plan for a BluRay drive later on, and hence, 1080p.

thanks

Matt

[Morien]

There are some things to think about then.

I'd get a graphics card with hardware decoding. The cheaper the better since you won't be playing games. Your looking for h264 decoding for Bluray.

For the CPU, go a Intel Core 2 Duo. 2ghz should be a minimum, but don't quote me on the exact speed you need (I'm going off the top of my head here).

There are some Motherboards that have onboard HDMI. Maybe even onboard h264 decoding also. Nvidia cards are what you are looking for. See this link: http://www.nvidia.com/page/purevideo.html

Depending on what operating system you decide to use, 1-2gig of ram is enough.

[dave_boo]

Another thing to consider would be getting a Via solution. Onboard acceleration of mpeg-2, low power requirements, and enough 'ummph' to play back the files you have listed. Comes on a mini-itx board, which if you use a case such as this which could be mounted on the back of a TV that has the VESA mounting system. Granted, using that would restrict you to a 2,5" hdd, but you could always put your media on an external drive. Otherwise, take a look at these other cases some of which offer the 3,5" option. Assuming you used the two options I gave, you're looking at ~10 000 THB before shipping. Grab a 40 pin flash drive to install your OS on, and the system will be essentially silent.

[st11x]

Another thing to consider would be getting a Via solution. Onboard acceleration of mpeg-2, low power requirements, and enough 'ummph' to play back the files you have listed. Comes on a mini-itx board, which if you use a case such as this which could be mounted on the back of a TV that has the VESA mounting system. Granted, using that would restrict you to a 2,5" hdd, but you could always put your media on an external drive. Otherwise, take a look at these other cases some of which offer the 3,5" option. Assuming you used the two options I gave, you're looking at ~10 000 THB before shipping. Grab a 40 pin flash drive to install your OS on, and the system will be essentially silent.

Do they have the Via solution here in Thailand or do I have to order it from that site? The 40 pin flash drive solution looks interesting, I didn't know it existed.

Thanks

Matt