What do I need to make a cheap Media centre/server?

Basically I'm looking to turn a cheap Netbook or a old laptop into a media center/server that would do the following:

connect to the TV at minimum 720p
Be able to play video's on my laptop's drive at full rez (720p)
Possibly synchronize videos to it`s hd
Be able to act as a printer server for all computers in the house
act as a file server that the computers in the house can use as a backup drive
can access the internet for web browsing, youtube, eta.
be able to play dvd`s even if from an external drive.
be able to be run by a remote for most stuff

following this, what would you say would be the minimum specs needed and would This one work?
Model Eee PC 1001P
Microsoft Windows 7 Starter
Intel Atom N450 Processor (1.66GHz)
1GB DDR2 SO-DIMM
WLAN 802.11 b/g
160GB
Audio Hi-Definition Audio CODEC
Stereo speaker
Digital Mic
1 x Mini VGA Connector
3 x USB 2.0
1 x LAN RJ-45
2 x Audio Jack (Head Phone / Mic-in)

Zepher said:

Entire machine will cost at least $250 with no OS and a small Hard drive.

I can get a dedicated system for under $300?


That'll work


Truth be told I never built a system. Is there a specific build to order site or does one just pick up parts at newegg eta?

And technically I'm not looking for something that does DVR but will act as a light duty intranet server, and also will be connected to a tv so I can watch shows on other computer's hard drives via homegroup (or a workaround if it's running XP)

IceFire said:

Basically I'm looking to turn a cheap Netbook or a old laptop into a media center/server that would do the following:

connect to the TV at minimum 720p
Be able to play video's on my laptop's drive at full rez (720p)
Possibly synchronize videos to it`s hd
Be able to act as a printer server for all computers in the house
act as a file server that the computers in the house can use as a backup drive
can access the internet for web browsing, youtube, eta.
be able to play dvd`s even if from an external drive.
be able to be run by a remote for most stuff

following this, what would you say would be the minimum specs needed and would This one work?
Model Eee PC 1001P
Microsoft Windows 7 Starter
Intel Atom N450 Processor (1.66GHz)
1GB DDR2 SO-DIMM
WLAN 802.11 b/g
160GB
Audio Hi-Definition Audio CODEC
Stereo speaker
Digital Mic
1 x Mini VGA Connector
3 x USB 2.0
1 x LAN RJ-45
2 x Audio Jack (Head Phone / Mic-in)

I have a Samsung N210 which is an atom N450 of a similar spec to the one above and it just doesn't have the power to be used as a media center.

Asrock 330 ION highly recommended !
- low power
- great graphics performance (1080p) thanks to Cuda technology
- built in DVD drive , even BD if you wish
- $350 ish


See ASRock ION 330 as Media Center for a review

My solution to above is a Windows Home Server. With Windows 7 you can configure WMC to archive your recorded TV to it, and your other home PC's and extenders can stream that content. It does backup quite well inluding full images of XP Pro, and Vista and W7 pro/Ultimate.

The system requirements are not extreme and hard drive prices have dropped significantly. Before proceeding with this or any of the above make ure all technologies involved are licensed and available for your region.

My first WHS was a Compaq 5012US, added a SATA/IDE card and two 320GB HDD's. The PC was leftover after upgrades and unused. I have since upgraded my WHS as I do more with it now. The WHS OS can be purchased from MS. My net cost using my oldest PC was less than $200. Also WHS is a headless system so all you need is a decent mobo in a case and some large Hard Drives. Why everyone does not have one is beyond me...It was easy to install and configure and did not break the bank.

There are also many OEM's who make WHS's.