Mike W Posted April 11, 2006 Share Posted April 11, 2006 Hi, I'm new here, but I have been watching the osx86 compatibility page for awhile. I would like to make a box to run 10.4.5 that plays video and audio, ideally off my wireless network, for as cheap as possible. It doesn't need TV-in or even DVD really. Wireless is a high priority, and a remote would be good. I was thinking of starting with the Asus P5GD1 mother board ( http://usa.asus.com/prog/spec.asp?m=P5GD1-VM&langs=09 ) but I'm not sure if that is the best/cheapest any more. Sorry if this is too newb-like, but any comments (even jsut a pointer to the thread I already should have read) are appreciated. Mike Link to comment https://www.insanelymac.com/forum/topic/14687-cheap-media-player-build/ Share on other sites More sharing options...
dponmac Posted April 11, 2006 Share Posted April 11, 2006 why not just get a mac mini?? less hassle and it'll probably cost you almost the same Link to comment https://www.insanelymac.com/forum/topic/14687-cheap-media-player-build/#findComment-94150 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mike W Posted April 11, 2006 Author Share Posted April 11, 2006 Thanks for your comment, A mac mini is $700 CAD (and only has a 80GB HD) It seems like I should be able to make what I want for half that, or less depending on how you count the 200GB SATA drive I already have. Even if I only saved $100 it would be worth it, since I really cannot afford it to begin with. Link to comment https://www.insanelymac.com/forum/topic/14687-cheap-media-player-build/#findComment-94162 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Veeoh Posted April 11, 2006 Share Posted April 11, 2006 still get a mini and get an external firewire drive - as per my screenshot.... works great, is quiet and is above all legal Just because OSx86 is available as a hacked OS doesnt mean you have to use it when you can get something that is MUCH more suited for the job. Oh and excuse the picture crappy phone camera. =V= Link to comment https://www.insanelymac.com/forum/topic/14687-cheap-media-player-build/#findComment-94203 Share on other sites More sharing options...
nathansvt Posted April 11, 2006 Share Posted April 11, 2006 a sub-$50 915-based motherboard and a cheap celeron processor are adequate for video playback under most operating systems and if you already have a case and cheap IDE hard drive you can build a media center PC for much less than the price of a mini. add a cheap CRT monitor and an eyeTV 500 and you've got a budget HDPVR. Link to comment https://www.insanelymac.com/forum/topic/14687-cheap-media-player-build/#findComment-94262 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mike W Posted April 11, 2006 Author Share Posted April 11, 2006 As I already explained, I cannot afford a Mac Mini, so it is logical conclusion that I cannot afford a mac mini plus an external firewire drive. If you are not interested in offering an opinion on the question as stated, please do not bother posting irrelevent comments (especially if they were already posted and addressed). Good things to post: Cheap components that work without custom kext's; motherboards, wireless cards, remotes. Link to comment https://www.insanelymac.com/forum/topic/14687-cheap-media-player-build/#findComment-94315 Share on other sites More sharing options...
staticuxo Posted April 21, 2006 Share Posted April 21, 2006 my wireless card, the netgear g311t works great out of the box. Link to comment https://www.insanelymac.com/forum/topic/14687-cheap-media-player-build/#findComment-100285 Share on other sites More sharing options...
bigboss Posted April 21, 2006 Share Posted April 21, 2006 As I already explained, I cannot afford a Mac Mini, so it is logical conclusion that I cannot afford a mac mini plus an external firewire drive. If you are not interested in offering an opinion on the question as stated, please do not bother posting irrelevent comments (especially if they were already posted and addressed). Good things to post: Cheap components that work without custom kext's; motherboards, wireless cards, remotes. umm.. mike that comment was a bit rude (remember, its a friendly forum ). veooh was just saying that you should get a mini for full compatibility. however, if you are strapped on cash, a celeron with a gma 900/950 will do your video playback for you and will be a fraction of the mini's price. its not going to be a super computer but it should run osx86 fairly well. just make sure you have enough ram otherwise that will start to be a bottleneck (given how memory intensive os x is). if you want a working remote, you will need a fully supported ir sensor and most bluetooth phones should be able to perfomr the duties of an apple remote (i dont know which phones otherwise id tell you but ask around ) Link to comment https://www.insanelymac.com/forum/topic/14687-cheap-media-player-build/#findComment-100300 Share on other sites More sharing options...
snackole Posted April 21, 2006 Share Posted April 21, 2006 Not sure what your budget is but check out an emachines 5010. It comes with a 200GB HD, Intel-900GMA graphics, a 16x dual layer DVD/CD recorder, an Intel-Pentium4 @ 2.93GHz, 512 MB of ram, 1 FireWire port, 7 USB ports, 3 PCI slots, Intel-HD audio (Realtek-860), and a 7 card digital media reader for $450 US. Add a cheap compatable wireless and TV card, you should be set. I have the same machine and everything works great. Link to comment https://www.insanelymac.com/forum/topic/14687-cheap-media-player-build/#findComment-100307 Share on other sites More sharing options...
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