Build your own HTPC

Okay, I get it, it's been a while. But Ubuntu has been performing excellent! Last week I had the first crash since installing Ubuntu Lucid Lynx (10.04). That's one crash in 6 MONTHS! Try that with Windoze! And tomorrow Maverick Meerkat (10.10) will be released: http://www.ubuntu.com/

But now I've got a new project: a DIY HTPC.

The components:

• Zotac ION ITX-F-E motherboard
• 2GB of RAM
• MS Tech case
• Simple & cheap DVD player
• A 2 TB Western digital green caviar HD
  
• And, as the standard power supply from MS Tech is way too noisy for an HTPC, a PicoPSUwith a 24V adapter
  

The software: XBMC. XBMC was originally developed for the XBOX, however with the arrival of HD content is was ported to other platform amongst which: Linux!
To install XBMC I used the ready-made XBMC LiveCD from xbmcfreak.nl (Ubuntu is used as OS). It can't get any easier...

So what can it do?

• Clearly play almost all media content (photos, video (up to 1080p with surround sound!) and music)
• Automatically download artists biographies, movie plots, TV serie episode summaries,...
• Download from newsgroups or using torrents
• Watch "uitzendinggemist.nl" (the Dutch site to watch TV shows that have already aired) on your TV
  

Check the XBMC site to get a better idea of how slick it looks!