What's the best HTPC under $3,000?

We had a lively Ask Engadget HD this week, so figured we'd point our dear readers in the direction of Engadget Classic for another HD-related inquiry. This week's question is about HTPCs, particularly ones that won't absolutely shatter the bank. We know you've got some creative thoughts as to how to get a robust system without blowing north of three large, so head on over and chime in, won't you?

[(Unverified) Posted Nov 14th 2008 12:50AM]

The one you build on your own, without a doubt. Check AVS Forums, there are tons of threads there filled with posters that would love to help you. The link at the bottom is to user renethx's guide (dated in August) to multiple builds, as well as performance standards. renethx is an amazing guy, and if you post in that same thread your proposed build he and other very capable members will point out where you could improve, save money etc.

I know it's daunting to build your own machine but seriously, it's well worth it. Read up about it online -- it's incredibly simple to do now-a-days. If you're really scared, I bet you know someone geeky enough to help. You should know living in the HD world that "high end" pre-build components cost a hojillion dollars. This is one area where you can absolutely tackle it yourself, learn a little bit and really be proud of your result. That's the route I took and I'm extremely glad I did!

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=940972&page=85

[(Unverified) Posted Nov 14th 2008 9:36AM]

I guess I was thinking that a true HTPC is one that includes the ability to tune premium digital cable.

[(Unverified) Posted Nov 14th 2008 9:59AM]

There isn't a difference. Any pre-fabbed HTPC that any manufacturer churns out can be cloned in a build-it-yourself setting. You can add your own tuners (for "premium cable" the cable company will have to send the cable over ClearQAM or provide CableCard), often many more than the pre-fabbed folks offer.

[(Unverified) Posted Nov 14th 2008 2:35PM]

You can't view premium digital channels on a DIY machine. Maybe you didn't get the memo, but cable card decoders only work on cablelabs certified bios/mainboards.

[(Unverified) Posted Nov 14th 2008 12:54AM]

The one you build yourself? Seriously, it's like putting lego's together, it's not hard. I was upgrading the ram in the family PC when I was seven.

My HTPC is less than a grand for: X38 chipset motherboard, Quad core Q6600, 2 gig of midrange ram, 8800GT vid card, LIteon Blu ray drive and a functional but stylish Cooler Master Centurion case (granted, it's a mid tower and doesn't blend with A/V equipment, but I don't care. Add in maybe a couple hundred for XP MCE 2005 oem and Arcsoft TMT for Bluray playback.

[(Unverified) Posted Nov 14th 2008 2:12AM]

$3,000 crap i live in the U.S. how about under $300? and don't say ps3 or 360 (unless you know where to find one that wasn't hit with the ugly stick)

[(Unverified) Posted Nov 15th 2008 5:43PM]

appleTV with boxee/xbmc
That is close as you can get at this point. Not really a HTPC but you sure can do a lot with XBMC.

If you don't need HD (or boxee) just buy a old xbox ($50) and put XBMC on it. I used that for years and it hasn't done me wrong until I bought my HDTV.

[(Unverified) Posted Nov 14th 2008 4:38AM]

Build your own. Just built one for under $700 w/ Blu Ray/HD DVD drive. Whisper quiet, plays back all my streaming HD mkvs without a hitch

[(Unverified) Posted Nov 14th 2008 8:30AM]

XBMC anything... or Mediastream... Or Boxee...

3000 is a bit of a stretch... Esp since Bluray drives are tanking in price

[(Unverified) Posted Nov 14th 2008 9:53AM]

I built mine for around $1000. 4gb ram, 4.8 core 2 quad, 2 x 500gb HDD, Multi card reader, HDMI, and optical 7.1, Blu-ray + hd-dvd drive + DVD burner, HTPC case with from LCD display with built in IR. The only thing missing is cablecard compatible, but you can only get that with OEM HTPC. Stupid cablecards.

[(Unverified) Posted Nov 14th 2008 11:11AM]

Ok... My assumption is that someone is looking for a REAL HTPC (meaning, can be used for viewing HD television.. and not by means of QAM, but by means of a Cablecard).

Now that we have that established, you can't currently build your own HTPC with cablecard turners, so through all the DIY solutions out the window. The cheapest HTPC that includes cablecard tuners is the Dell XPS 420 (i think) which you can get for around $1000 with the right coupon code. However this uses a tower form factor and isn't very attractive in a living room setting. I have one that i got from S1digital that has been amazing!! I highly recommend it. Its quiet, attractive, and the S1digital support is great. With two cablecard tuners i think is comes out to about $2500, which is within the budget.

[(Unverified) Posted Nov 14th 2008 11:24AM]

An HTPC for $3000!!!! Holy crap. I just priced one out the other day on newegg for around $500.

Well, technically that doesn't include stuff I already have sitting around the house like a case, drives, optical drives, etc. So bump that up to $1000 after all that.

[(Unverified) Posted Nov 14th 2008 12:32PM]

http://reviews.cnet.com/desktops/asus-essentio/4505-3118_7-33350933.html?autoplay=true&tag=TOCmoreStories.0

[daaper Posted Nov 14th 2008 1:56PM]

I'm guessing that since that review says "Slower performance than less expensive slim tower PCs.", it's not going to work as a gaming/video-editing machine. Keep trying I guess...

[(Unverified) Posted Nov 15th 2008 12:52PM]

I agree that you can build your own for a fraction of the cost listed above. However, HTPCs are still inferior for playing HD content due to audio limitations.

Too bad the HTPC (holy grail) Asus Xonar HDAV1.3 sound card was essentially all marketing and no substance. So far, that card does not bit-stream DD-True-HD (and cannot bit-stream anything in Vista), and it does not support 24p video. Not to mention, the Dolby formats are not processed correctly in TMT.

I'm *still* waiting for plug-and-play non-downrezzed HD DIGITAL audio on an HTPC. Oh well, maybe the Auzen X-Fi HomeTheater HD will actually deliver on the promise of an HTPC soundcard that is HDMI v1.3a compliant, has non-downsampled audio with support for 24p video.

[(Unverified) Posted Nov 15th 2008 2:30PM]

I could take or leave the audio comments, but your avatar is just awesome.

[(Unverified) Posted Nov 15th 2008 5:43PM]

I just bought a AOpen MP965-dr to use with mythtv/boxee but if you are looking for something running windows Vista I would highly suggest the MP45-BDR. Updated system with blue ray drive included.
Max it out with 4 GB ram, 1.5 TB external eSATA drive, Core 2 duo and you are probably around $1000.
Add a few tuners (internal, usb, HDHR) and you might be at $1500.

That would be my recommendations at the moment.

Just be careful because this setup won't let you use cable cards or STB's via firewire.

[(Unverified) Posted Nov 17th 2008 10:54AM]

The one you build yourself. OTA HD looks better than your CableCompression (I mean Card). and you won't tell the difference between HD-PVR recordings and CableCard.

PF