Arctic MC001-N HTPC (XBMC & OpenElec Compatible) Barebones - $99 Shipped

Same price through Amazon
http://www.amazon.com/Arctic-MC00...B009Z8VWL4

On the fence between MC001-N & the MC001-XBMC and trying to debate value. Intent is to add the HTPC to my HK AVR 1700 receiver upstairs. No easy way to run ethernet cable upstairs so will be using the WiFi in the HTPC.

So if I get the barebone system (MC001-N) from eBay, then I need to add a hard drive (SSD ideally) and then the RAM, right? Then obviously I need to install an OS. Then I connect an external HD to store/access all the media files. Is that about it to make the PC operational (peripherals aside)? Also, for a hardware noob like me, what's the difficulty level of opening this baby up and installing the hard drive? Max RAM capacity looks like 8GB; think I need more than 4GB if all I primarily want to do is play movies from XBMC accessed from the external HD?

If I get the MC001-XBMC, then I give up having a SSD but I get a 1TB HD installed with 2GB of RAM, but I still need to install an OS?

Been looking for an HTPC for a while. Was thinking of trying to find a cheap Micro ATX case, mobo, etc off places like tigerdirect, but how would this do with the following?

1. Netflix (I have seen MS Silverlight be too taxing for lower systems)
2. Hulu (Also concerned about how demanding it is, and do not want to pay for Hulu Plus)
3. Playing ISO dvds videos, most likely from my NAS
4. Playing HD movies

Also, how customizable is it? Such as if I wanted to change video card or CPU, is that even possible?

Thanks!

OK so I have a Giada Cube N3. I just installed frodo and my 1080pMKV's and all myBLu Ray Rips don't play back with DD master or DTS HD. Will this give me flawless playback? Cause my western digital live plays 50MB streams without breaking a sweat. I want a XBMC that can do the same.

Quote from Husk3rPow3r : Been looking for an HTPC for a while. Was thinking of trying to find a cheap Micro ATX case, mobo, etc off places like tigerdirect, but how would this do with the following? 1. Netflix (I have seen MS Silverlight be too taxing for lower systems) 2. Hulu (Also concerned about how demanding it is, and do not want to pay for Hulu Plus) 3. Playing ISO dvds videos, most likely from my NAS 4. Playing HD movies Also, how customizable is it? Such as if I wanted to change video card or CPU, is that even possible? Thanks!

XBMC does not do netflix.

If you want XBMC and Netflix you need to use windows and have XBMC as an application you can't use a direct boot XBMClive (XBMCBUNTU).

If you get this and want to do everything in points 1-4 you need to load windows.

boot from sdcard -- don't need ssd if you're using openelec or one of the other live distros.

Quote from comp1demon : XBMC does not do netflix. If you want XBMC and Netflix you need to use windows and have XBMC as an application you can't use a direct boot XBMClive (XBMCBUNTU). If you get this and want to do everything in points 1-4 you need to load windows.

XBMC does netflix through plugins. I believe Hulu has a plugin as well. They aren't the fanciest, but they work.

ISO's and HD movie playback will work fine in XBMC. That's what it's made for. Openelec or XBMCBuntu should work great on this setup.

Quote from netanderthal : Same price through Amazon http://www.amazon.com/Arctic-MC00...B009Z8VWL4

Same Reseller... but with eBay, you get eBay Bucks which is why I posted that link instead.

Quote from tocheeba : XBMC does netflix through plugins. I believe Hulu has a plugin as well. They aren't the fanciest, but they work. ISO's and HD movie playback will work fine in XBMC. That's what it's made for. Openelec or XBMCBuntu should work great on this setup.

XBMC plug in is just a stream pass through, requires your PC for playback. Basically logs into the PC and the movie is played on a minimized windows and then streamed to the XBMC. IT does work well but it's can cut out if your bandwidth sucks.

Your better off playing netflix natively on the HTPC if your using windows and loading XBMC as an app from windows. Using XBMC netflix plugin though XBMC live is not worth it.

I would love for XBMC to get native netflix support.... maybe one day.

Quote from Husk3rPow3r : Been looking for an HTPC for a while. Was thinking of trying to find a cheap Micro ATX case, mobo, etc off places like tigerdirect, but how would this do with the following? 1. Netflix (I have seen MS Silverlight be too taxing for lower systems) 2. Hulu (Also concerned about how demanding it is, and do not want to pay for Hulu Plus) 3. Playing ISO dvds videos, most likely from my NAS 4. Playing HD movies Also, how customizable is it? Such as if I wanted to change video card or CPU, is that even possible? Thanks!

Personally, I do not use Netflix or Hulu so cannot say. I stream all my movies and music off a NAS in my office. I also use XBMC for Reddit Videos, Youtube, Trailers, etc... There are a ton of other addons that you can install by adding Repo's to the addon section.

What stands out about this media pc is the Infrared port (power on/off the media center by remote, built in Wifi, TV Tuner, and it is fanless).

If you need to run Windows, this probably is not the right computer for you. Running XBMC Live or OpenElec will run perfectly though.

Thanks guys!

So the Plug-in concept still needs another PC with windows to stream from?

If I do load windows, you think this PC has enough power to do all of that? I am concerned that it would have too much bogging it down.

At $129 from the Arctic website, is this really that big of a discount? Thanks again.

Quote from Husk3rPow3r : Thanks guys! So the Plug-in concept still needs another PC with windows to stream from? If I do load windows, you think this PC has enough power to do all of that? I am concerned that it would have too much bogging it down. At $129 from the Arctic website, is this really that big of a discount? Thanks again.

It's $129.99 on site / $99 on eBay. Then there is the $229 model on the site with the extras (which I might jump on).

If you load windows on the HDD you will be fine. Just don't load all the bloatware and such. No need for virus protection and spyware and such. Just load windows., XBMC, Netflix and Hulu and your set. Stream your media from another PC, or load your content directly on to the HDD.

The specs on this should be good.. But I am concerned how good. I have a Giada N3 now that played back 720p just fine and 1080P as well, but once I enable HD or Master audio it bogs down, also BLU RAY RIPS don't work on my N3 - SO I am wondering how powerful this is for MY OWN needs. The PC I have now is a 1.6Ghz Atom 330 this is an Atom 525 1.8ghz i believe. Also this has the ATI 5430 my N3 as a first generation ION. SO if tech gurus have an answer for me would be most appreciated.