First HTPC - IONITX/Mini-box M350

12001 Views 17 Replies 7 Participants Last post by Roo2, Aug 24, 2009

Fogel

Discussion Starter · Jul 24, 2009

Hey guys,

First post in these forums but I've read a few things here in the past. Great informations all around.

So I'll be ordering in a few weeks my first HTPC. I was looking for for a silent media center that could play dvix, mp3 and photos, no tv. Pretty basic stuff.

I've read a few reviews and here's the setup (incomplete) I've made :

ZOTAC IONITX-C-U N230 with 90w power brick
Mini-box M350 ITX case
CORSAIR 2GB 5-5-5-18

**Missing : Remote control, hard drive type (32GB SSD or 320GB 2.5in SATA)

***I already have a shared storage (Dlink DNS-323 with 2TB drives)

I chose the single core Atom because it runs without a fan, so it would be really silent. I guess I could go with the dual core one if I can make sure it doesn't make too much noise.

I haven't decided if I would dish more money on a SSD drive. I would think a SSD would be faster to wake up from standby since there's no mechanical parts.

I have a few questions about my build so far :

Is there any way to fix an IR receiver on the Mini-box M350? I'd rather have an all-in-one box that having a stand-alone IR receiver. If not, is there any good, cheap itx case I could use? Since I'm getting the power brick version of the IONITX, no need for a PSU either.
Single or dual core Atom?
SSD or standard hard disk?
Remote. I've heard great things about an harmony remote but I think I still need a MCE-like remote to program the harmony. Which MCE remote would you guys suggest since the microsoft is not available anymore?

Any other comments on my build are very much welcome!

Thanks in advance for all your answers.

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1 - 18 of 18 Posts

protovision

· #2 · Jul 24, 2009

- dual core atom, if its possible, definitely helps with multitasking and keeping GUI responsive while recording, or other background tasks

- consider whether you'll have the pc out of line-of-sight (inside cabinet, or below eye level) for a remote receiver. Ext. IR receivers have the flexibility of being out while the PC is hidden.

- probably a standard HD until the SSD prices are reasonable and bigger, then upgrade

- I have the MCE remote & keyboard, and programmed all needed keys into my Harmony 880

Here's a thread I started with regards to my latest Media Center pc, ASRock ION 330, should take a look and consider it, approx $400 US:
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=1158378

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stoked

· #3 · Jul 24, 2009

I'm planning on building an Ion or mini-ITX 9300 with the same M350 case. I was checking out the prices for SSD's and I don't think they're worth the extra money. You can pickup a 80GB WD Scorpio Blue laptop drive for

Fogel

Discussion Starter · #4 · Jul 24, 2009

Quote:
Originally Posted by protovision /forum/post/16881941

- dual core atom, if its possible, definitely helps with multitasking and keeping GUI responsive while recording, or other background tasks

Since most of the task is handled by the GPU, is it really necessary?

Quote:
Originally Posted by protovision /forum/post/16881941

- consider whether you'll have the pc out of line-of-sight (inside cabinet, or below eye level) for a remote receiver. Ext. IR receivers have the flexibility of being out while the PC is hidden.

The pc will always be in line of sight, that's why I would prefer a all-in-one box.

Quote:
Originally Posted by protovision /forum/post/16881941

- probably a standard HD until the SSD prices are reasonable and bigger, then upgrade

Also, as I mentionned, I already have some shared storage so I didn't really mind the storage available on the local disk. Fast Speed from wake-up and low noise would be the reasons I'd go SSD. Unless someone tells me there's no wake-up speed difference between an ordinary HD and a SSD, I really believe I'd be better with a SSD. Plus there's some 32GB for a hundred bucks or so already available.

Quote:
Originally Posted by protovision /forum/post/16881941

- I have the MCE remote & keyboard, and programmed all needed keys into my Harmony 880

Which MCE remote and keyboard do you have? I didn't see anything remote-wise from Microsoft, maybe I missed a link somewhere?

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Roo2

· #5 · Aug 6, 2009

I'm really interested in finding a good looking case / remote control solution for a miniITX HTPC too. So far I have ordered the Zotac IONITX-A-U Atom N330 Dual Core and hope it will be OK. My wants:

1. Full height Blu ray drive preferred (Considering a slim drive).

2. A neat IR remote system.

3. 3.5" internal HDD

4. Looks OK as it will be on view

Can anyone suggest a few miniITX case and remote control options?

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gooki

· #6 · Aug 6, 2009

I got sick of hunting down a nice mini ITX HTPC case so I'll be dropping my Zotac IONITX into one of these:

Not really suitable for Roo2 (needs optical drive slot), but just putting it out there for others.

Fogel I'd still go with the dual core. There's about 5 watts difference between a single and dual core atom, which shouldn't translate to a big temp difference.

For the remote you should be able to program it with the harmony software. I'd be surprised if the didn't have MCE commands in their online database.

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ilovejedd

· #7 · Aug 6, 2009

Quote:
Originally Posted by gooki /forum/post/16951941

I got sick of hunting down a nice mini ITX HTPC case so I'll be dropping my Zotac IONITX into one of these:

That looks awesome. What case is that?

Quote:
Originally Posted by gooki /forum/post/16951941

For the remote you should be able to program it with the harmony software. I'd be surprised if the didn't have MCE commands in their online database.

They have MCE commands in their database.

gooki

· #8 · Aug 6, 2009

3

Quote:
That looks awesome. What case is that?

They're home audio electronic cases:

- 8mm brushed aluminum front panel

- 4.5mm extruded aluminum top/bottom panels

- 3mm aluminum back plate

- Available in black, silver, champagne.

After I do my first build I'll look into making them available to the wider community. I have a few things to sort:

- A backplate system that works, and is elegant.

- Making sure the IONITX boards don't overheat, which likely means coupling the heatsink to the case.

- Building a HDD mount.

For the case with the dial I've already retro fitted a Griffin Powermate to it, and the headphone socket could easily be switched out for a IR receiver (I'll be using a zigbee remote, so will keep the headphone socket, but I realize many users would prefer IR for use with harmony and other universal remotes).

For the other case, I'll experiment with an IR receiver in one of the LED holes to the right.

Some more pics:

In the interests of not going to far offtopic I'll leave the case talk there, and will start up a thread once my build is well underway.

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stoked

· #9 · Aug 6, 2009

Quote:
Originally Posted by gooki /forum/post/16956102

They're home audio electronic cases:

- 8mm brushed aluminum front panel

- 4.5mm extruded aluminum top/bottom panels

- 3mm aluminum back plate

- Available in black, silver, champagne.

After I do my first build I'll look into making them available to the wider community. I have a few things to sort:

- A backplate system that works, and is elegant.

- Making sure the IONITX boards don't overheat, which likely means coupling the heatsink to the case.

- Building a HDD mount.

I've seen those units before used for small Amp's and such. It'd be great to see an Ion system in one of these.

bjterry62

· #10 · Aug 7, 2009

Quote:
Originally Posted by gooki /forum/post/16951941

I got sick of hunting down a nice mini ITX HTPC case so I'll be dropping my Zotac IONITX into one of these:

Not really suitable for Roo2 (needs optical drive slot), but just putting it out there for others.

Fogel I'd still go with the dual core. There's about 5 watts difference between a single and dual core atom, which shouldn't translate to a big temp difference.

For the remote you should be able to program it with the harmony software. I'd be surprised if the didn't have MCE commands in their online database.

I like the Antec ISK 300-65 better.

BT

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Roo2

· #11 · Aug 7, 2009

I like the look of the Antec ISK 300-65 too but it doesn't take a 3.5" HDD. Other case options I'm considering are:

Apex MI-100 (looks OK)

Silverstone LC-12 (looks great but only has slim optical drive bay)

Any more suggestions anyone?

Fogel

Discussion Starter · #12 · Aug 10, 2009

Thanks for your answers. I guess the biggest problem lies currently with the remote control. Harmony having the MCE commands in their database is great but there's still no IR receiver sold with it.

I have to find one somewhere on the internet and it's not that easy, at least not cheap. Worse case scenario, i'll have a IR receiver next to my case but the idea would have been a complete solution in one case.

I'm also wondering if I'm gonna miss having a DVD drive... A rental or two still happen once in a while. Unless I rip it first that is

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Fogel

Discussion Starter · #13 · Aug 10, 2009

I do admit that the m350 is a sick case though , somes pics here http://www.avforums.com/forums/home-...otac-n330.html

In that post, there's a mention of a Gyration remote that use RF instead of IR, so the receiver could be inside the case. It does mean no Harmony remote though so I'm torn between the two.

Any opinions on it?

gooki

· #14 · Aug 10, 2009

If the case you choose comes without IR, a USB IR receiver should be pretty cheap. You may even find buying one bundled with a cheap remote is cheaper than buying the receiver alone (just throw away the remote and us a Harmony).

Alternatively as you realized there are RF remotes as well. If you hunt around there are even dual RF and IR remotes that use RF to control the PC and IR to control your other appliance. I believe the Gyration has such abilities.

Fogel

Discussion Starter · #15 · Aug 10, 2009

Well, if I was going with the m350, do you think I could fit the standard MCE receiver inside the case or maybe disassemble it and make it fit there? Considering it's IR, I'd have to cut a hole in the case to make an IR window I guess?

Thanks!

Roo2

· #16 · Aug 16, 2009

For a cheap IR receiver / MCE remote go to "Dealextreme" and use their search bar to find "mce remote". There are 3 low cost ($10) free postage solutions.

bjterry62

· #17 · Aug 16, 2009

Quote:
Originally Posted by Roo2 /forum/post/16958525

I like the look of the Antec ISK 300-65 too but it doesn't take a 3.5" HDD. Other case options I'm considering are:

Apex MI-100 (looks OK)

Silverstone LC-12 (looks great but only has slim optical drive bay)

Any more suggestions anyone?

You DO realize that 2.5" drives are cheap as dirt , the same SATA connections and use FAR less power than 3.5s. I use 2.5s for my OS in all of my media boxes. Storage is on the server.

But if you want one for storage also, then you can grab a 500gb for around $85.

BT

Roo2

· #18 · Aug 24, 2009

Agreed BT. My other desired criteria was a full size optical bay which ruled out a few options too.

Anyway, I've ordered an In Win BP655 which looks like it will fit my my criteria reasonably well.

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