Region-free HTPC build for $500-600

[w113raf]

APPROXIMATE PURCHASE DATE: End of January 2010

BUDGET RANGE: $500-600

SYSTEM USAGE FROM MOST TO LEAST IMPORTANT: DVD > TV

PARTS NOT REQUIRED: Monitor, OS (Ubuntu), case, power supply (Antec 300W Model: SL300S)

PREFERRED WEBSITE(S) FOR PARTS: newegg.com

COUNTRY OF ORIGIN: USA

PARTS PREFERENCES: No

OVERCLOCKING: No

MONITOR RESOLUTION: 1080p

ADDITIONAL COMMENTS:
Desired:
750+ GB HD (for 250 GB music collection, HDTV recording)
7.1 channel surround (output to 7.1 channel receiver)
TV tuner
Region-free DVD playback
Relatively quiet
Low energy consumption


Any suggestions?

Current thoughts:
ZOTAC IONITX-D-E Intel Atom 330 Dual Core 1.6 GHz 441 NVIDIA ION Mini ITX Motherboard/CPU Combo
Retail $169.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813500030

A-DATA 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model ADQVE1B16K
Retail $88.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820211188

Western Digital Caviar Green WD10EADS 1TB 32MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive -Bare Drive
$84.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136317

Hauppauge WinTV-HVR-2250 Media Center Kit Dual TV Tuner 1213 PCI-Express x1 Interface
Retail $149.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produ...uppauge_WinTV-HVR-2250-_-15-116-036-_-Product

 

[Dougie Fresh]

Is this basically the same mobo except without Wifi and e-SATA but $30 cheaper (after rebate?)

ZOTAC IONITX-G-E Intel Atom 330 (1.6GHz, dual-core) NVIDIA ION
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813500037

I am not 100% sure but I noticed it.

 

[w113raf]

And without the S/PDIF Out, but yeah.

 

[Dougie Fresh]

Yeah, just thought I'd point it out in case you didn't need the other stuff in the D-E. I thought I remembered this when I compared the two.

Looks like the new Pinetrail based Atom boards are coming: http://www.zotacusa.com/. No idea when it'll show up in ION stuff though. Looks like what they have right now is GMA3150 based.