media boxen

http://www.ascent.co.nz/mn-product-spec.asp?pid=144166

worth a look if your interested in doing it - you dont need a fast processor for it tho a celery 2.4 would be heaps.

personally i prefer the minitx way but...

In what ways is the minitix a better option, Bob?

personal pref. Im not really interested in a remote (i use a bluetooth cellphone for a remote) and i dont need an LCD screen for it (i wouldnt be able to see it anyway)

also i like plack with only one light on the front

currently i have a lead tek tv tuner (2000xp deluxe) and a dlink 22mbs pc card in mine. 1ghz low heat near silent chip and 2 tiny near silent fans to cool the whole thing and you can sleep with it besdie your bed without a problem (the hdd makes more noise than the rest of the comp).

The msi one does look cool on the outside tho.

$560 + $150 (2.4 Celeron) + $210 (512MB kingston ram) + $250 (segate 160GB) = $1170. That's not too expensive for a PC, but that's pretty expensive for a Tivo-type unit.