nVidia Ion - want!

[geeman]

Yes, but, can I make a PC that has HDMI output, digital audio, a nice interface, wireless networking, and a remote for less than $250?
I've tried, and the answer is "not very well".

Well, obviously if you just want to play videos then PCH is fine for you...

[jensked]

Yes, and when a new codec comes along after 2 years, I want to NOT be able to play it!

Lies!

PCH didn't support DTS encoding when I bought it...2 months later the updated firmware added support for DTS encoding...

It's so cheap for what it is...it can only play videos (although you can also view pics and play music), but it does that so well and for that money you just can't go anywhere else.

TechZ, Derek, Cruzz, Chris & myself = l33t users of the forum/chat. We can't be wrong. Unpossible!

[Dogbert]

Well, that's not what I'm saying. What I'm saying is I could just throw some widgets into a shiny box but:

a) it won't be under $250
or
b) it won't play high-def a/v / it won't be wireless / I'll have to do a lot of coding

You'd have to drop at least another $100 for (b) to be satisfied... and, eh. I have a lot of other shiny machines to do... whatever else I want to do with shiny machines. None has HDMI, though.

[Hercules286]

They release firmware updates often and everything it currently plays is going to be around for at least 2yrs. What device do you buy that is future proofed by more than 2yrs anyway?

I'm my PC for the fourth year now. It struggles a bit with 720p, but still feels snappy and looks pretty.

I think an HTPC that can decode 1080p would be futureproof for at least 4 years, until they come up with H.265 or something. I just don't see higher-definition media coming along soon, but advances in codecs/decoding/postprocessing are made all the time.