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

If Netflix, Hulu or some other flash/browser based video content is a requirement for you, then this barebone is not for you. If you want to record TV signal off the air or from the cable card or have any sort of DVR functionality, then this DVR is not for you.

What this particular barebone should do great is playback high-def downloaded movies.

If you want something that will satisfy the former requirements, your only choice would be an i3/5/7-based Windows MCE system for DVR/Hulu/Netflix and the mediabrowser plugin for downloaded content.

Quote from las2ams : Keep checking Lenovo Outlet. I purchased a pair of IdeaCentre Q180 that were Atom D2700 / 2GB / 320GB / Win7 / DVDRW and included the multimedia remote (popular among the HTPC crowd, and sells for $30-$40 by itself) for $130 shipped. One system actually shipped upgraded to 4GB / 750GB. These systems have been in & out of stock for at least a month now.

thanks for the tip. I'll be checking that out in the future.

Quote from netanderthal : If Netflix, Hulu or some other flash/browser based video content is a requirement for you, then this barebone is not for you. If you want to record TV signal off the air or from the cable card or have any sort of DVR functionality, then this DVR is not for you. What this particular barebone should do great is playback high-def downloaded movies. If you want something that will satisfy the former requirements, your only choice would be an i3/5/7-based Windows MCE system for DVR/Hulu/Netflix and the mediabrowser plugin for downloaded content.

If you think you need an i3 or greater for DVR and hulu/netflix, you are clearly deluded. I'm running an Athlon XII 4050e and it works fine -- even recording three channels simultaneously and streaming to another computer.

Quote from demn : I am not sure why you think this could not run netflix. It is barebones, but should handle Windows great. Win7 and you could run netflix from a browser (wouldn't handle HD since silverlight is dumb). Win8 and you could run Netflix HD, as the Netflix app uses better API.

I thought this box was designed to run linux and it was not clear to me that windows and netflix via windows would run well on this system. Can anyone confirm windows will run flawlessly on this?

Buy a 25 dollar Raspberry Pi and load raspbmc on it. there ya go, cheapest way to get xbmc for your tv.
your tv remote will control xbmc and it will stream everything you want. i was running 1080p mkv with 5.1 DD last night with it.

Quote from netanderthal : If Netflix, Hulu or some other flash/browser based video content is a requirement for you, then this barebone is not for you. If you want to record TV signal off the air or from the cable card or have any sort of DVR functionality, then this DVR is not for you. What this particular barebone should do great is playback high-def downloaded movies. If you want something that will satisfy the former requirements, your only choice would be an i3/5/7-based Windows MCE system for DVR/Hulu/Netflix and the mediabrowser plugin for downloaded content.

Not trying to TC but exactly whats the point of this then?
I have a 50 dollar bluray player that i can play bluray rips on in 1080p.
If your gonna spend 100 plus bucks, just catch a ps3 on special. Edit: i know ps3s are more than 100, just giving an example
Sry im just not understanding he appeal.

Quote from neo6488 : Not trying to TC but exactly whats the point of this then? I have a 50 dollar bluray player that i can play bluray rips on in 1080p. If your gonna spend 100 plus bucks, just catch a ps3 on special. Edit: i know ps3s are more than 100, just giving an example Sry im just not understanding he appeal.

You can sometimes find excellent condition used PS3 under $100. Cowboom had the 80GB for $89.

Quote from neo6488 : Not trying to TC but exactly whats the point of this then? I have a 50 dollar bluray player that i can play bluray rips on in 1080p. If your gonna spend 100 plus bucks, just catch a ps3 on special. Edit: i know ps3s are more than 100, just giving an example Sry im just not understanding he appeal.

don't believe everything you hear on the internets.

guys, does this come with power adapter? i think there is no memory at all included right?

ok nvm, it does come with power adapter, and no RAM or HDD included, turns out we can use SD card, just RAM is needed, HDD can be optional.

Quote from WuBanga : 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.

This would fix your wired cable issue - much better than wifi in most circumstances.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Pro...6833166086

Quote from nrg : Buy a 25 dollar Raspberry Pi and load raspbmc on it. there ya go, cheapest way to get xbmc for your tv. your tv remote will control xbmc and it will stream everything you want. i was running 1080p mkv with 5.1 DD last night with it.

How smoothly is XBMC when going thru your movies on Rasp?. I have over 500 movies and scrolling needs to be fast.

These guys have it for $90 shipped. Never heard of them and there are no Reseller Ratings reviews on them...........

http://www.aaawave.com/p-14700-ar...enter.aspx

I don't think this has a TV Tuner. If it did I would definitely consider purchasing it.

30gb SSD for an HTPC!? I can only rip one blu ray. Try adding a 2TB hard drive and now we are talking.