Building a multimedia centre PC vs buying a complete unit

[jaqu]

So whats the story? I'm upgrading my 3 year old PC, and pretty soon I'll be left with enough components to build a second PC.

So now I want to build a mulimedia PC (for watching movies and playing music).
This is an area I've not ventured before, though I've built many PC's before, this specific project left me with some questions.

Basicly my plan to build a completely noiseless PC is to buy a multimedia pc-box, throw in a micro-atx mobo with a less-than-adequate CPU and some RAM, slap on a decent fanless CPU cooler, a fanless low profile graphics card with at least a HDMI port, a decent 5.1 channel sound card, blue-ray dvd ROM and a noiseless (?) PSU (not too sure about this).
Then I just get a normal 30 inch LCD (1920x1080) with a HDMI port at least, and I am set, or aren't I?

What am I missing or not taking into account?

Also what about an OS? Windows should work fine I guess, but I have heard there are some Linux-based OS's aimed at multimedia application out there. Any ideas? I do have some decent Linux experience so these shouldn't be a problem for me to handle.

Or should I just buy a complete unit? Though to build one will be fun, unless it gets too expensive.

Anyone here done this before? All suggestions are welcome

[bigBonehead]

What's yer budget? As far as the Linux goes, their multimedia distro leaves a lot to desire IMO... Ive tried Ubantu Studio: Top 10 Linux Distributions for Audio Production - Linux Multimedia Stations! - Softpedia, and dumped it in favor of XP Pro x86...

Also, a 30" LCD is gonna want a decent GPU to run it with any quality, so I think the fan-less idea there won't work. You can do a lot with a basic case and some foam insulation placed strategically on the interior panels... as long as the case has good ventilation... ie: in/out 120mm fans... Of course YMMV!

[JPMiller]

I've built several...
I suggest dropping the whole fanless idea, and simply use large quiet fans...
ATI has the cheapest HDMI output option with low heat and built in sound native...
3xxx series from the 3450 up is what I use...
Newegg.com - POWERCOLOR AX3450 512MD2-H Radeon HD 3450 512MB 64-bit DDR2 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFireX Support Low Profile Ready Video Card - Desktop Graphics / Video Cards
You didnt mention a TV input/capture card... is that not something you want this to do?
A good case can be hard to find...
I have used both of these, with the Antec being the slightly better of the 2, but also almost triple the price...
Newegg.com - Antec New Solution NSK2480 Black/Silver 0.8mm cold-rolled steel MicroATX Desktop Computer Case 380W Power Supply - Computer Cases

Newegg.com - COOLER MASTER Elite 360 RC-360-KKN1-GP Black Steel / Plastic ATX Mini Tower Computer Case - Computer Cases

120mm silent low speed fans for all the airflow...
Cooler Master R4-S2S-124K-GP 4-Pack 120mm Low Noise Case Fans 44.73CFM 19.3dBA*at SVC.com

I REALLY like the windows 7 media center...
I've basically used them all, and nothing else is as polished

[bigBonehead]

Good call JP... I'm kinda partial to this case though: Newegg.com - APEX Vortex 3620 SGCC / ABS ATX Mid Tower Gaming Computer Case - Computer Cases

I like the fan setup... and as I mentioned, foam can do allot to quiet a case: YouTube - #1032 - Cooler Master Sileo 500 Case Video Review

[jaqu]

Thanks for all the suggestions.

@bigBonehead, It's hard to say what my budget is. I guess about R2,000 which is $275(US), though generally stuff is more expensive here in SA, so there in the US it will be the equivalent of about $220. I may even go up to $300, but at that price I can buy a quality complete unit. So I want to keep the cost low.

@JP, I am still deciding if I should put in a TV card. I don't generally watch a lot of TV, so I'm guessing I'm not going with it. I may however save a few online tv channels in whatever app I will be using...

I think I will worry about the OS later, I will probably experiment with a few different ones anyways, so I will sort out the hardware first. I will start looking for a case, then sort mobo and go on like that, since I don't have the forementioned budget all at once, this will take a couple of months.

Thanks for all the help. If you have any other thoughts I will appreciate.

[Atlantix]

I contemplated the same a while back, but decided it's too much hassle...

So I purchased a Western Digital HD media player and solved all my problems. I was in the process of transferring all media I have to hard drives anyway... now I just attach my small portable hard drives to the player and I'm done. Can play pretty much any format, has HDMI and composit video out, stereo and optical audio out. What more can a poor media lover ask for?

All of the above for only $100US.

[jaqu]

Hmmm seems very nice Atlantix. I didn't realize they come that cheap. Though the limitations of the WD media player is obviously no blue-ray dvd's, a feature I would like.
Then I don't see much on the audio specs. Does it have 2.1? Maybe 5.1?
And lastly it seems it's got no internal storage. So you will always have clutter in the shape of a USB drive that always needs to be connected (when you want to play something).

I guess there are work around's for all of the above mentioned. I can get the player from $128US equivalent, which is not a bad price. I guess I need to figure out what exactly I want from this device.

[RicheemxX]

If you go the media player route you might look into one of these bad boys. They are a little more expensive but come with choice of a 1 or 2 tb drive internal drive

screenplay-director ScreenPlay Pro HD Multimedia Drive

here's the older verison Newegg.com - iomega ScreenPlay Plus 1TB USB 2.0 HD Media Player 34499

or something like this
Newegg.com - LACIE LaCinema Classic HD 1TB USB 2.0 / Ethernet Network Media Player 301864KUA

[GroundZero3]

Hey Rich that is pretty neat! Ive been looking for a replacement for XBMC as it lacks the ability to play HD (silly xbox celeron). The one thing I really like about XBMC is its ability to pretty much play everything/anything and the interface. Ill need to do some more research on it, but that looks pretty solid. I thought about building a media pc or hacking up an appletv but this seems to be exactly what im looking for.

[Atlantix]

Then I don't see much on the audio specs... Does it have 2.1? Maybe 5.1? And lastly it seems it's got no internal storage.

Yes, it supports audio all the way up to Dolby Digital on the HDMI output and DTS on the optical out (I think... don't have the specs with me).

As far as storage... well... it's really a matter of preference. It is exactly the fact that this player doesn't have internal storage, what sold it to me. I keep my media on small 500GB WD portable drives I can take to my PC to manage that media and then back to play it. One caveat: use WD drives, otherwise you will have to manually unplug them when you turn the player off - WD drives will go off automatically.

The newer model (I have the first one) has network support - keep your media anywhere on your home network and play it with this baby on any tv... just connect the WD to your network and enjoy.

[xslavic]

GET AN HD SAT RECeIVER, i have SKY ITALIA HD 39 euro/month and an AV RECEIVER,bye

[ShyguyXPC]

GET AN HD SAT RECeIVER, i have SKY ITALIA HD 39 euro/month and an AV RECEIVER,bye

You sir are a COMPLETE Idiot.

(for anyone that doesn't believe me, look up all of their Prior posts, all posted today, half of them are just quick and retarded comments.)

[bigBonehead]

I agree... I've been guilty of hastily posted responses here, and sometimes I'm flat-out wrong... but, at least I try.

I think we're dealing with a thirteen Y/O