Perfect HTPC "Streamer" Build / Boxee Box - Xbox 1 Replacement - 2013 Edition

Hi,

Looking to build a perfect "Streamer" HTPC / Boxee Box / Xbox 1 XBMC replacement. Cost is not primary concern but functionality and cosmetic feel is. Would like to use standardized components. Ability to run Windows, Linux (variants), and potentially OSX if desired. All media would be streamed and local playback. Blu-ray capabilities would likely be supplemented with external USB BD Drive. The idea is to have a strong streamer box that "fits right in" in a home theater environment (both in power and preferably "ease of use").

Costs a bit more than Boxee Box but ideally should last longer than 2 years (software agnostic) and hardware should likely be able to handle next 5-7 years of media. Options like Boxee Box and Roku still handle the "raw" playback of media well but the UI is getting sluggish, software support is starting to die out (on purpose or simply upgrading the hardware and only supporting newer versions). Options like Raspberry Pi are cheaper but the hardware is getting pushed to the limits today.

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= Desired features
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Functionality:
-- Able to ON from Powered off state (Requires: CIR header - activated via proper remote control)
-- HDMI CEC support (Requires: HTPC Header on mobo - activated via Pulse Eight's Internal CEC adapter)
-- Able to stream a full fatass uncompressed 50GB 1-1 blu ray (Requires: Decent CPU/GPU. Preference to Intel HD4000 GPU or better)
-- HDMI out, Gigabit Ethernet, USB 3.0 (Requires: newer mobo)

Cosmetic:
-- Smallest functional form factor we can get without getting into completely custom/proprietary - (Requires: Mini-ITX, and likely a PicoPSU or similar)
-- Able to fit full size SSD / full size RAM / standard desktop CPU for sake of price and "standardized" feel (Requires: A small thin case, something similar to Apple Mac Mini)
-- Prefer to have the "horsepower" to be "buttery smooth"
-- Fairly quiet - will attempt using stock CPU cooler

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= The Hardware
= PC Part Picker URL: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/BJsB
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Chassis: Realan E-i3 mini-ITX HTPC case w/ 120watt PSU (At $115 about $20-$30 more than Minibox M350 + 150watt psu)
>> CPU fan/Heatsink: Gelid Solutions CC-SSilence-iplus 25.8 CFM Ball Bearing CPU Cooler (add to prices about $30 but running stock cooler is kinda asking for it in this small form factor and essentially required with the thin cases)

Motherboard: Intel BOXDH77DF Mini ITX LGA1155 Motherboard (Has CIR header and HTPC Header)
CPU: Intel Core i3-3225 3.3GHz Dual-Core
RAM: Corsair Vengeance 8GB Low Profile (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory (Dual channel as GPU relies on the memory here)
SSD: Intel 520 Series 60GB (Any SSD would do here, preference to Intel/Samsung for reliability) - Link for list of currently cheapest Intel/Samsung SSDs SATA 6gb/s sorted by priced

HDMI-CEC: Pulse Eight - Internal HDMI-CEC Adapter
Intel CIR Module: CIR Receiver w/Cable and Mounting Bracket for Intel Motherboards + 4 in 1 Backlit Remote
Remote Control: URC R40 Remote Control (At $150 - About $70 more than Logitech Harmony 650 but makes more sense as 650 holds 5 devices this can handle bit more and seems much more independent from everything else.

Approx. Total Cost: ~ $750 = $600 (HTPC) + $150 for the Remote (budgeting around $500-$700)

EDIT: Things to note:
1. Apparently the Pulse Eight Internal CEC adapter supports power on from S5 (cold boot). In theory you could get away with either the CEC or CIR module (the CIR module provides you a IR receiver in any case).

~v

--Decided to not build this for the time being, running a long hdmi cable to the TV from a old computer - dont feel strongly enough about TV to purchase this over a mountain bike or something like that and old computer had enough juice. Did order the URC-R40 remote though. For $600 I maintain this would like be the most ideal HTPC streamer build of 2013 until Intel's new platform comes out.
Edited by vhyvenom - 2/6/13 at 12:50am

Thank you for the reply lockdown571!
Regarding Hackintosh, ehh it was somewhat a "nice to have" if ever wanted to tinker in that direction. However CIR is of more paramount importance.
Regarding size: No upgrades in the hardware outside of possibly adding RAM/maybe maybe upping SSD capacity but thats it. This is meant to be set it and forget it hardware-wise. I WANT it to be small, compact, and most importantly feel as close as i can get it to a "hockey puck" feel you get with Apple TV/Mac Mini/Boxee Box. I am interested in feedback/suggestions on DVD player like chassis that will be also somewhat acceptable - my biggest beef with those those chassis is that they also use custom PSUs and the costs are 2-3 times of the Mini Box M350 with powersupply kit (about $100 for it all)
No intention to run PC games or Plex server on this machine (ever!) - this will be streamer box only. Primary concern with the UI over the years taking over and slowing the machine down. I mention in beginning that hardware today (like BoxeeBox) exists that very well handles 1080p but its the UI/experience that gets sluggish with the latest fancy effects and updates.

The future wife-acceptance factor will be greatly affected by the "experience" vs how well it plays back 1080p - my current Raspberry Pi and Boxee Box have gotten rather slow with the latest - I feel like I'm using one of the cable companies's sluggish DVR boxes, even though 2 years ago my BoxeeBox seemed much slicker. This is my biggest beef with the way things are today - I am getting sick of the technology never ending tinkering (dont get me wrong I ENJOY it immensely but i also enjoy getting out more). My GOAL with this build is to not have to tinker with getting another streamer box for another 4-7 years cause each time it requires massive amounts of research and planning - which I prefer to not do on a bi-yearly basis for an ever expanding collection of devices in our digital lives.

Anyone have great experience with DVD player like chassis that didnt cost an arm and a leg?

~v

Made some changes. Switched to Intel mobo (for HTPC and CIR headers), Dropped to i3-3225 from i5-3570k ($100 savings) - i rather buy a pair of designer jeans on sale for that $100 than have the extra processing power sit there never to be used, removed CPU cooler (will attempt with stock - saving $25), dropped wifi/bluetooth support as those can be added on later no problem (about $35-40 savings today), added HDMI CEC internal dongle, add Inteset Intel CIR Module+Remote

1. POWER!! Will 60watt work? will 80watt work? 102 watt? Dropping the i5-3570k cpu to i3-3225 means i will no longer need the 150watt brick. Seems like the picoPSU-120 + 102W Adapter Power Kit ($55) + the Minibox M350 chassis ($40) will give a cost savings of $6 dollars and a smaller brick. Side perk would be the option to get silver vs black for the build.

2. Which REMOTE Control for CIR? - Based on the current build what is best suggested remote for Power on (CIR) support?
--For now removed the Motorola Nxyboard and Rii Mini 6 and just will the cheapo remote that is bundled with the CIR module from Inteset.

(non-priority question) 3. How does the Intel stock cooler perform in the Minibox M350? Unbearable or acceptable? Anyone have good experiences that would recommend in the Minibox M350 case?
Edited by vhyvenom - 1/11/13 at 12:55pm

I think have finalized the build to the below (first post updated of course). The only possibly change would be bumping the CPU to i5-3570k (but it is unneeded in my scenario) and adding a wifi/BT card+pigtails+antenna (can be easily added as needed).

The below would be what I would call the boxee box/streamer box replacement for 2013+.

Thanks for all the feedback guys.

Let me start with RAM: As will be relying on the intel GPU that uses the system RAM it makes very good performance sense to go DUAL CHANNEL on the RAM. Some folks did the tests and it comes out 10-30% increase in performance. Will need to update the build to reflect this (most like 2x4gb modules is most sensible with the i3-3225 and these scenarios).

Having the option to run OSX Linux or Windows is nice. At the same time the mac mini costs a bit more and is a bit too locked down for my tastes - in short I am not sold into buying into apple eco system/hardware but I do have many kudo points for their OS - if you ever tried playing TF2 on steam on OSX vs a Windows machine - the experience on OSX is a lot better especially the tab-in and tab-out is just magically smooth. Plus I can get more juice and faster components without having to buy the mac first and then replace the components on top of that. Been there already with a iMac 2010 (upgraded the SSD, the RAM, etc).


StardogChampion, thats a pretty slick case - I have not seen the Realan E-K3 mini-ITX HTPC case before and its definitely looks to be a worthy candidate. It does seem a little taller than the m350 and mac mini (not sure if thats my eyes playing tricks on me). Pricing is very similar to the M350+psu.

As for stock cooler, back to the drawing board for me on that one. I did some more research and there are several fitting concerns with the stock cooler (amongst the potential noisier concerns). Will have to decide on that (the Gelid or the Dynatron were both options i looked to in the past)

As for the g645 I feel the i3-3225 offers quite a bit more future proofing with later OSes etc. I kinda want the thing to last a good 3+ years without getting sluggish.

As for power on from S5 savings - it never was about the power. I found PCs just work better when shut off and on properly, and sleep has been hit or miss for some folks in the past. I prefer off to be off and ON to be on - dont really care for sleep.

The Thin Mini-ITX platform is looking interesting but I havent seen a system board with the CIR/HTPC headers and a chassis that was just tiny vs thin. The Intel NUC is ultimately what I really want but its missing the CIR/HTPC headers and maybe could use a little more oomph. That said the NUC looks great pre assembled package.

~v

Looking into some changes:

Chassis: Strongly considering switching to the Realan E-i3 - What are the options to mounting the IR receiver? suggestions?
CPU Fan/Heatsink: Readding the Gelid Solutions CC-SSilence-iplus 25.8 CFM Ball Bearing CPU Cooler
RAM: 2x4gb ram to give a dual channel memory boost to the integrated Intel GPU

Remote Control: More research seems to lead that Logitech Harmony 650 is not the ideal choice. The URC R50 or R40 seem like strong candidates, dont require online configuration, support more devices, macros, and fit a more "traditional" remote model i am looking for etc.

I have updated the first post with latest parts listing. This appears to be the most ideal config i have found so far.

The only thing that i would imagine better than this would be a Intel NUC-like device with the CIR receiver built in, and if CEC made it into the pool that would be a +1.

~v