[geminiwave]

So I used to use my xbox for all my media. With the exception of Dexter (for whatever reason) my xbox cannot handle any of my HD content.
I'm ready to get something new.

I assumed I would need something like a core2duo so I looked around. I spec'd a decent setup from dell for $370 and a tiny HP for $350. One is a core2duo 2.4ghz with intel graphics, and the other is a 2.7ghz athlon x2 with low end radeon graphics.

Then I saw the acer aspire revo. It is pretty weak sauce but if it plays all of my HD MKV anime files and my BD rips, I'd be really happy. I'd really need to know that it does though.

Then I saw this thing about the ATV getting crystal HD graphics so it can play HD files? Is that something I should wait for?

I would prefer the thinner drastically lower power consumption but I really need to make sure this suits my needs.

Can anyone help me? Reading countless 20+ page threads here and at AVS is giving me a headache.

Thank you so much

[crash123]

If you get the Revo you will need to run Xbmc Linux or Live and turn on VDPAU which uses the Gpu to decode the high def video rather than the CPU. So in answer to your question yes it does and it shouldn't even really break a sweat.

Then I saw this thing about the ATV getting crystal HD graphics so it can play HD files? Is that something I should wait for?

Who knows how long that will take Davilla is doing his best but it's most likely to be a while yet.

Cheers,
Robbie

[geminiwave]

Another user said that anime MKVs tend not to work on VDPAU. Is there any truth to that?

[bobo1on1]

There is a forest of encoding software available, and some apps produce non-standard (read: broken) files, which may not work with vdpau (imho they should not work on anything).

This has nothing to do with the fact that they're anime, but it's possible that the people who encode anime all use the same software.

[geminiwave]

Thank you both for being so helpful.

Its too bad about the ATV. I thought that would be great.

So would you say it would be better to get the revo for $200, or splurge and get an HP slimline with a 2.7ghz athlon x2 for $300?

I love the thinness and low energy requirements of the Revo, but I really want something that "just works" like my xbox (until stupid HD content came out lol).