Great article, Klamath, thanks for sharing. I'm extremely tempted to build one of these as a Win7 HTPC, and like the price and flexibility of the Asus board.

_________________
Alex Kuretz
Remote Notification: Monitoring and alerting for your Home Server via email, Twitter, text message, RSS, push notifications, and on your Mac desktop
Have you tried our Add-Ins?

Windows 7 RTM runs like a champ, the only thing i must say, run in dual channel ram, and overclock to 2.0ghz. Also without saying go with the N330

Just found out I'll be getting a bonus at the end of the month. Now I'm thinking of springing for an ASRock ION 330. NewEgg currently has for $359, regularly $379. Would still need to get wireless kb/mouse, Win7, IR receiver, so total would go up a bit.

After looking at things like the PopCorn Hour, Sage Media Extenders, PlayOn via the Wii...an HTPC just seems like the best option to ensure I can do all of the things I want.

Now to dig into Windows Media Center to figure out how to get Netflix & Hulu within that. Wife / kids won't want to have to exit WMC, go to another app etc.

Might have to spend some $$ when I get home tonight!

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Blair
EX485 + WD 1 TB & WD 2TB
HTPC: ASRock Ion 330, 4GB RAM, overclocked to 2.1GHz, Win7, WMC

That is great news Blair. Netflix should already be integrated into WMC so you shouldn't have to leave out of there. It is not working yet fo W7 but I would expect it to be up and running for the official release (see here for what is in store for W7 and Netflix - viewtopic.php?f=13&t=5259)

As for Hulu, there is a way you can launch the hulu desktop software from WMC (http://www.secondrun.tv/default.asp?act ... &pageid=77). There was also plans to deleop a plugin directly within WMC but it seems to be quiet of late (http://www.secondrun.tv/)

There are a few other options, I should have one posted on the MSS blog hopefully tomorrow

_________________
Cheers,
Damian

DIY WHS - 12.5TB and growing, too many gadgets to list

Did you read the MediaSmartServer blog today?
Blog - http://www.adigitalhomeblog.com
"Like a midget at a urinal, stay on your toes!" - Lieutenant Frank Drebin

Pulled the trigger on the ASRock box. Did not get the Blu-Ray drive. Ordered a 4GB memory upgrade, IR receiver, and wireless keyboard/mouse combo. I would've liked the DiNovo Mini, but $150? DANG!
Total Cost = $485.

Looking forward to delivery & playing around with & getting it working. I anticipate using Secondrun.TV, and maybe Media Browser.

_________________
Blair
EX485 + WD 1 TB & WD 2TB
HTPC: ASRock Ion 330, 4GB RAM, overclocked to 2.1GHz, Win7, WMC

NICE!!! Make sure you post once you get up and running. I am sure klamath is a wealth of knowledge with getting the Ion up and running and I can help out where needed.

_________________
Cheers,
Damian

DIY WHS - 12.5TB and growing, too many gadgets to list

Did you read the MediaSmartServer blog today?
Blog - http://www.adigitalhomeblog.com
"Like a midget at a urinal, stay on your toes!" - Lieutenant Frank Drebin

And I'm sure I'll get help from both of you!

Will start another thread for it.

_________________
Blair
EX485 + WD 1 TB & WD 2TB
HTPC: ASRock Ion 330, 4GB RAM, overclocked to 2.1GHz, Win7, WMC

This has a eSATA port, correct? Is it compatible with a port multiplier?

It does have esata port, as for it being multiport aware, i cannot confirm nor deny its awareness.

Hey guys, I was given a link today to pre-order Win7 at the student price of $30. Do I want to order the 32-bit version, or 64-bit?

A co-worker gave me a DVD with Win7 Home Ultimate to install this weekend where I'll need to go through the process & get a key for it. Have been told that when official release date comes (Oct 22), I might need to re-install with the version I bought & use that license key.

Advice?

Thanks,

_________________
Blair
EX485 + WD 1 TB & WD 2TB
HTPC: ASRock Ion 330, 4GB RAM, overclocked to 2.1GHz, Win7, WMC

I have Vista x64 running on my HTPCs but honestly I plan on going with W7 x32 when W7 comes out. I just don't see the benefit of x64 over x32 in an HTPC to justify the increased headache of finding proper driver/codec support that goes with an x64 OS.

_________________
Cheers,
Damian

DIY WHS - 12.5TB and growing, too many gadgets to list

Did you read the MediaSmartServer blog today?
Blog - http://www.adigitalhomeblog.com
"Like a midget at a urinal, stay on your toes!" - Lieutenant Frank Drebin

Acer Aspire dual core Ion model announced for $329 with W7 preinstalled:

http://www.crunchgear.com/2009/10/16/ac ... re-memory/

_________________
Cheers,
Damian

DIY WHS - 12.5TB and growing, too many gadgets to list

Did you read the MediaSmartServer blog today?
Blog - http://www.adigitalhomeblog.com
"Like a midget at a urinal, stay on your toes!" - Lieutenant Frank Drebin

I'm liking the looks of that, especially for the price!

_________________
Alex Kuretz
Remote Notification: Monitoring and alerting for your Home Server via email, Twitter, text message, RSS, push notifications, and on your Mac desktop
Have you tried our Add-Ins?

Loving the size and price of that.

New ION products:

http://zotac.com/index.php?option=com_w ... 33&lang=en

http://www.zotacusa.com/zotac-ionitx-g- ... board.html (with mini-pci-e)