htpc case and media center advice

[DEN MONKEY]

Just putting together a basic htpc for the bedroom that run locally stored HD content and probably blue ray stuff down the track if I get a reader.
Although I'm quite happy to locate HD media from other sources so that isn't a big concern.


Anyway a couple of questions.

Right now it's set up in an old desk top tower but will be looking to transfer it over to a proper htpc case in the next few weeks.
So am after any opinions on some cases.
Not really looking to spend much considering there appears to be a few options sub 200.

These caught my eye
https://www.pc-store.gr/images/super/X-QPACK2-BK.jpg

but not sure of the sizes and if I should go for something larger like this

https://www.kustompcs.co.uk/acatalog/1293.jpg

Other than the basics the only other thing I will want to keep in there is the TV card.

There is space in the smaller case for 2 HDDs and 1 TB should keep me going for a while .
It's networked to my desk top which has 2 TB of space available.



On the media center front I ran into media portal when flicking through youtube stuff and downloaded it.
I'm yet to install it but thus far reviews appear to be promising and it is freeware.
Anyone have experience with this or recommend another alternative.
I would like it to handle vids, music and HDTV (watch and record) with options of skins/plugins etc.

I know there is media center on vista but would prefer to avoid MS stuff due to the sources of the content I will be using.
____________________
meh

[t121anf]

i use meedio, great user support and plugins available.

top case is crap imo for a media pc, personally i just painted a desktop case black as it suits by tv setup. (hate this silver stuff its so 2000, black ftw)

hardware wise, you'll need something powerful to play 1080p, i run a p4 something or other with 1.5gb and it can't cope with 1080p, fine with 720p, mainly the graphics letting it down as its all onboard.

from experience its sond thats the hardest to over come as windows xp is crap at 5.1 and above, vista is said to be better but my pc won't like vista, new one i plan to build will be fine though.

look into meedio,

[DEN MONKEY]