I have tried all the different media server options and everything just points back to using tiny PCs with Movie software.

They have DVI out so HD video is possible but only Digital audio. That is okay with me.

Silent, very small form factor, Networking, cover art for VOBs and just easy setup has me going back to them, using my Samsung Q1s ( I have 3 used as touch screens for my full house video system) recently pointed me back to this type of setup......Anyone else doing this??

There is a whole forum here that is dediccated to HT computers.

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/forumdisplay.php?s=&daysprune=&f=26

Also, there are computer soundcards capable of outputting analog audio that rival traditional players/receiver/pre-pros. Although Bass management has continued to be the biggest issue. The “Lynx 2B” is/was one of the old default suggestions whenever someone was looking for audiophile computer soundcard output.

-Suntan

I know there is a HTPC forum but this too me is a media streaming device.

I have been looking for a tiny, low power, playback device for a long time.

Well of course a HTPC is a type of media streaming device BUT a media streaming device is in no way a HTPC. :) The only crossover device that even gets discussed here is XBMC and that is only because it started out only working on the original Xbox and it has morphed to support PC OS'es.

Seriously you will get much more interest in your post in the HTPC section where they always discuss options like this including the new Ion and Atom devices.

Laters,
Jeff

Others have pointed out that the nVidia ION platform running XBMC and Linux and the VDPAU video GPU accelerator thingy is going to be some disruptive technology in this area. And by disruptive I mean in a good way.

This might be the project that actually gets out from under windows and starts me dabbling in linux. XBMC front end with all the horsepower needed for the most demanding video sounds too good to pass up.

Throw in integration with my SageTV back-end (via a script) and I can see one of these boxes replacing an HD-200 in my house. It actually has a chance to be my one box to rule to them all, which is what got me started with Sage in the first place. But Sage is not a very good media center front end. It's tops for TV.

USB-UIRT integration might be an issue. So blue tooth mouse and keyboard it may be. Although I'm hoping there will be a way to use the old xbox controller too. It is surprisingly good paired with xbmc.

P.S. I miss my Samsung Q1. It was a handy device. Video controller got wonky - had to sell it for parts.

I know there is a HTPC forum but this too me is a media streaming device.

I have been looking for a tiny, low power, playback device for a long time.

You don't have to build a full ATX case mini tower with 5 TB of storage before you call it a HTPC. You can build it slim and single purpose.

Both topics (and everything in between) are discussed in the HTPC forum.

-Suntan

I have tried all the different media server options and everything just points back to using tiny PCs with Movie software.

They have DVI out so HD video is possible but only Digital audio. That is okay with me.

Silent, very small form factor


The latest Mini-ITX ION boards from Zotac have HDMI and it is possible
to build a PC no bigger than the Mini-ITX board itself

The ION and 945GCSE support chips still consume too much power and
produce enough heat such that passive cooling without expensive
heatpipes is currently not possible.

I think we are still one or two generations out, and I hope by then the
morass that is Protected Audio/Video gets resolved.