The HTPC / Media Streamer Thread - Page 3 - Calgarypuck Forums - The Unofficial Calgary Flames Fan Community

DownhillGoat · 11-07-2011, 08:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tinordi

The live version is the full version.

Odd. There's skins and view options I can get on the laptop that I can't get on the ATV2. I thought it was the live version that is installed on the ATV2...

- - - edit - - -
Just popped over to the XBMC wiki. The ATV version isn't the same as live. My mistake.

Regular_John · 11-07-2011, 10:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MickMcGeough

Did you try Plex or XBMC on the Apple TV?

I've always thought that $200 is insanely expensive for a streaming box with no storage. I paid $200 for a used Mac Mini. What does Boxee have that Roku doesn't?

Honestly if I could have found a mac mini for $200 I'd have bought it. As for Roku... I have no idea.

As I said, for my needs, the boxee box is great. Best bang for the buck I found. That's not to say it's the be all and end all, just to say I'm a happy camper.

woob · 11-08-2011, 08:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jaydorn

As I said, for my needs, the boxee box is great. Best bang for the buck I found. That's not to say it's the be all and end all, just to say I'm a happy camper.

Is there anything on the Boxee that doesn't work due to the market we're in? Also, any comments on the remote?

oilyfan · 11-08-2011, 11:51 AM

I have the boxee box, it is a pretty cool device. The remote is great, the keyboard is handy and no you will not have problems pressing the wrong key when using the other side. The biggest problem with the remote is that it is not back lit so using the keyboard in low light is impossible.

The boxee is very good but not perfect for these reasons:
1. There have been numerous software updates - probably close to 10 since the launch - almost everytime I load up boxee it has to be updated (and you can't refuse)
2. The remote is bluetooth, so you have to buy a IR dongle to integrate it into the home theater, and the IR dongle cannot turn on the device
3. Remote is not backlit
4. My boxee has had EDID handshake problems with my Sony receiver (this is a common problem) and so sometimes needs a power cycle to get going - not great for wife acceptance
5. cannot customize home screen (this would be a nice to have)

TorqueDog · 11-08-2011, 12:00 PM

Mine is probably the least elegant setup of any here.

I have a tower PC, black non-descript case so as not to draw any attention to itself. I have a wireless keyboard and mouse, but it also has an IR receiver to use my Harmony 720 with it. For a media aggregator, I use Media Browser, which is an addon for Windows Media Center. However, I'll often just use the mouse and open the movie I want to watch in Media Player Classic.

However, aside from being a home theatre PC, it also functions as a web server. And a file server. And it runs about six virtual machines (Windows Server 2008 R2 and Windows 7 mostly) for my virtual lab. As a result, it's probably the only HTPC here with 24 gigs of RAM.

MickMcGeough · 11-08-2011, 01:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by oilyfan

2. The remote is bluetooth, so you have to buy a IR dongle to integrate it into the home theater, and the IR dongle cannot turn on the device

Wow, what a weird decision. And a waste. The logitech harmony remote is the only reason this whole setup flies at my place...

oilyfan · 11-08-2011, 02:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MickMcGeough

Wow, what a weird decision. And a waste. The logitech harmony remote is the only reason this whole setup flies at my place...

Yes it was a bad decision not to even put an IR sensor in it.

I can see why the bluetooth was needed - because of the keyboard - but this omission makes it impossible for it to be an elegant addition to a home theatre.

woob · 11-08-2011, 03:18 PM

For those of you using PS3 as your streaming device, does it support viewing TV websites so you can watch episodes on CTV, Global, etc?

Regular_John · 11-08-2011, 03:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by woob

Is there anything on the Boxee that doesn't work due to the market we're in?

http://www.unblock-us.com/ is well worth the money

Quote:

Originally Posted by woob

Also, any comments on the remote?

The remote is great and was one of the selling features for me personally, when I considered building a linux box or getting a Mac Mini the deal breaker was always the remote. Sure the Mac Mini would have a full keyboard, but do I really want a wireless keyboard on the coffee table? No.

The keyboard on the back of the boxee remote is great, as an added plus of the software you can type a URL into the search bar (eg: nhl.com) and view the flash videos on there.

MickMcGeough · 11-08-2011, 03:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jaydorn

The remote is great and was one of the selling features for me personally, when I considered building a linux box or getting a Mac Mini the deal breaker was always the remote. Sure the Mac Mini would have a full keyboard, but do I really want a wireless keyboard on the coffee table? No.

Where did you get the idea that you need a full sized wireless keyboard for a Mac Mini? Or a keyboard at all?

Hell, you can even use a Boxee remote with a Mac Mini.

woob · 11-08-2011, 04:33 PM

Apologies, another question for you Boxee guys - Does it do Hulu/Hulu+?

oilyfan · 11-08-2011, 08:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by woob

Apologies, another question for you Boxee guys - Does it do Hulu/Hulu+?

No Hulu, only Netflix. With the unblockus service you will get Hulu though

DownInFlames · 11-08-2011, 09:58 PM

I thought Hulu was blocked on Boxee?

oilyfan · 11-08-2011, 10:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DownInFlames

I thought Hulu was blocked on Boxee?

Whoops you are right, Hulu was there and then blocked.

DownhillGoat · 11-09-2011, 11:30 AM

Hoping someone can chime in on putting together an HTPC. The original plan was to go with a Mac mini, but after trying to setup my media server with a Macbook and the downgraded version of Samba on Lion, I think a windows machine may be the way to go. Haven't built a windows machine in quite some time, so I have no idea what to look for in components.

Requirements:
- 1080p
- 7.1 audio (over HDMI)
- IR capable
- Windows 7
- Ethernet
- Bluray capable (either built in or USB) - not mandatory, but a nice to have
- The lower the price point, the better.

Will something like an Asus eebox (with an Atom processor) work for this? Or am I going to have to look at a mini/micro ATX with an intel I3?

morgin · 11-09-2011, 11:32 AM

Thanks for the Sick Beard recommendations. This program is insanely awesome.

oilyfan · 11-09-2011, 01:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kunkstyle

Hoping someone can chime in on putting together an HTPC. The original plan was to go with a Mac mini, but after trying to setup my media server with a Macbook and the downgraded version of Samba on Lion, I think a windows machine may be the way to go. Haven't built a windows machine in quite some time, so I have no idea what to look for in components.

Requirements:
- 1080p
- 7.1 audio (over HDMI)
- IR capable
- Windows 7
- Ethernet
- Bluray capable (either built in or USB) - not mandatory, but a nice to have
- The lower the price point, the better.

Will something like an Asus eebox (with an Atom processor) work for this? Or am I going to have to look at a mini/micro ATX with an intel I3?

In my opinion you want a beefy processor, i5 or preferably an i7, in case you have to transcode files in the future for other devices, then you are not stuck having to get another machine.

DownhillGoat · 11-09-2011, 01:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by oilyfan

In my opinion you want a beefy processor, i5 or preferably an i7, in case you have to transcode files in the future for other devices, then you are not stuck having to get another machine.

I've got an i7 in the macbook if I need a workhorse. Although that poses some problems trying to transcode Bluray tv shows. Certainly something to consider, although I was trying to avoid the higher costs of the i7.

oilyfan · 11-09-2011, 11:56 PM

I think it will be money well spent, transcoding video files while you play them will relieve you of a lot of headaches in the future regarding file types and devices.

MickMcGeough · 11-10-2011, 09:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by oilyfan

I think it will be money well spent, transcoding video files while you play them will relieve you of a lot of headaches in the future regarding file types and devices.

FWIW, I do real-time transcoding to 720p in Plex for streaming to my iPad, and my 2010 Mac Mini (2.4Ghz C2D) doesn't skip a beat.