Full media center needed, how to?

[Dupont666]

I have the following:

LCD HD TV with HDMI gubbins in the back
1TB external harddrive that im slowly putting all my DVDs/CDs on.
Apple MacBook with mini DVI output + cable to connect to HDMI section of the TV
XBox 360
musical fidelity XA1 amplifier
Mission speakers

Future purchase

4-5TB NAS

Now i want to create a full on media center that i can play any of my DVDs/CDs through the TV or Amplifier.

Apparently i have several options:

1)

I could go and buy a small laptop

http://www.acerdirect.co.uk/Acer_Aspire_One/prod.a...

and have that permanently hooked up to the tv and external HD.

but that would mean that the XBox 360 would need swapping across with the cable every time i want to play it.

2)

I can use the XBox 360 as the media device, but dont know how and suspect that due to me having a Apple MacBook, im going to have to do some funky stuff to get it working.

But this means that i cant use the Laptop at the same time as using the media center?

3)

Use the MacBook and hook that up using the mini DVI to HDMI cable.

But this creates the same issue with swapping cables out when i want to use the XBox 360.

And when i want to take the MacBook with me, cables will be left all over the place.

---

So how do i do it?

I want to have some way that i can plug the MacBook in easily so i can use the TV as a large monitor.

I dont want to be having loads of cables lying around if i need to move things.

I dont ideally want to be disconnecting things when i want to play xbox 360 and then back again when i dont.

I want to be able to plug in the NAS when its built and not have to do anymore than that to get the extra storage.

And finally i want to be able to use the amp to play the CDs through the Speakers (ATM i dont care about it not having 7.1, blah, blah, blah for the DVDs).

I more than happy to buy new kit to get this all done, so can anyone help?

[Fats25]

Quick answer is new AV amp with multiple HDMI in, and HDMI out to TV. Leave everything plugged in at all times.............

Then your question is whether a new laptop/desktop or not, depending on how you are going to use.

[Dupont666]

simply as a media laptop.... and the odd occasional surfing the net kind of duties, nothing more.

[theboyfold]

How many HDMI inputs does your TV have? Just the one, and how have you connected the 360 to the TV? If you need more inputs, the best way is to add a new amp, look for Onkyo (sp?) or Yamaha, both make good models under £500. I have the Yamaha that I've linked to.

You could also look at a small form factor PC rather then a laptop to use as a media centre, something like a Dell Hybrid which has an HDMI output, and comes with a wireless keyboard and mouse and built in wireless network adaptors if you need that.

With the NAS, look for something that has a media server (such as Twonky) on it, I know that QNAP have this built in, I have the TS209 at home and stream media via my 360, although over the wireless connection it can be a little sluggish at times.

[Fats25]

I am no expert - and there are plenty of people with more experience of this that me!

I would look at a dedicated Blu Ray Media center machine like this :-

http://us.shuttle.com/G5_3300m.aspx

Then if restricted by HDMI inputs to TV, look at an amp with multiple HDMI. like the:-

http://www.richersounds.com/showproduct.php?cda=sh...

That would be my way of looking at it. Has actually given me some thoughts on my a new toy to look into!

[Dupont666]

theboyfold said:

How many HDMI inputs does your TV have? Just the one, and how have you connected the 360 to the TV? If you need more inputs, the best way is to add a new amp, look for Onkyo (sp?) or Yamaha, both make good models under £500. I have the Yamaha that I've linked to.

You could also look at a small form factor PC rather then a laptop to use as a media centre, something like a Dell Hybrid which has an HDMI output, and comes with a wireless keyboard and mouse and built in wireless network adaptors if you need that.

With the NAS, look for something that has a media server (such as Twonky) on it, I know that QNAP have this built in, I have the TS209 at home and stream media via my 360, although over the wireless connection it can be a little sluggish at times.

Ok the TV is a sharp Aquos and this is what it has on the back:

2x HDMI (neither being used)
2x scarts (one used for freeview)
1x analogue rgb pc (not used)
1x RS-232C IOIOI (not used)
1x left and right output
1x green, blue, red + red and white jack sockets (Xbox 360 using this)

Dont want a full blown desktop as i have little room and dont want to over crowd the room, hence the tiny laptop suggestion plus the NAS that i can hide (so needs to be wireless and quiet).

Does that help?

[Fats25]

SFF Desktop can be at least as small as a laptop. Do you not care about Blu-Ray?

[theboyfold]

Dupont666 said:

theboyfold said:

How many HDMI inputs does your TV have? Just the one, and how have you connected the 360 to the TV? If you need more inputs, the best way is to add a new amp, look for Onkyo (sp?) or Yamaha, both make good models under £500. I have the Yamaha that I've linked to.

You could also look at a small form factor PC rather then a laptop to use as a media centre, something like a Dell Hybrid which has an HDMI output, and comes with a wireless keyboard and mouse and built in wireless network adaptors if you need that.

With the NAS, look for something that has a media server (such as Twonky) on it, I know that QNAP have this built in, I have the TS209 at home and stream media via my 360, although over the wireless connection it can be a little sluggish at times.

Ok the TV is a sharp Aquos and this is what it has on the back:

2x HDMI (neither being used)
2x scarts (one used for freeview)
1x analogue rgb pc (not used)
1x RS-232C IOIOI (not used)
1x left and right output
1x green, blue, red + red and white jack sockets (Xbox 360 using this)

Dont want a full blown desktop as i have little room and dont want to over crowd the room, hence the tiny laptop suggestion plus the NAS that i can hide (so needs to be wireless and quiet).

Does that help?

Yep that helps

The Dell Hybrid is tiny and very quiet, we have at the office. It's about the same size as a Nintendo Wii or to be exact:

Dimensions when Vertical
Tall 223.5 mm
Wide 76.0 mm
Deep 211.5 mm

So it's tiny when compared to a normal desktop, and the other advantage over a laptop is that you aren't paying for a screen, so for the same money you could get a decent spec machine. Vista Home Premium has Windows Media Centre built in, so you can browse your NAS. They also do one with a Blu-Ray player, I'm not sure how good it is as a player, but it's useful coming in the one box.

As you have 2 HDMI sockets, you don't need an amp unless you want 7.1 sound. Give one over the PC and keep the other for another toy.

As for the NAS, I have to say that mine is a little noisy, but I'm not sure if I'm always listening for it. At the moment is lives in the study, which is a box room. Also I'm not sure if there are that many NASs with wireless built in, so I'd suggest you house your NAS ans router together, and use the wireless built into the Hybrid.

[Topboy]

Ok this is what i would do.

Buy a Wireless Apple Keyboard and mouse to connect to your Macbook

http://www.apple.com/keyboard/

Buy yourself a HDMI Splitter like this

http://info.maplin.co.uk/cheap_uk_dnsty/Buy_this_3...

Buy a media center device like this

http://www.popcornhour.com/onlinestore/index.php?m...

Buy a Drobo NAS & Drobo Share like this

http://www.drobo.com/products/index.php


Locate the HDMI Splitter in a position that is easy to get to but near the LCD.
Connect the Output of the HDMI Splitter to 1 of the HDMI inputs on your LCD.

Plug the Macbook into the HDMI splitter and access the mac using the wireless keyboard and mouse.
Plug the Xbox360 into the HDMI Splitter
Plug the Popcorn Hour Media Center into the Other spare HDMI on the TV

The Drobo and Drobo Share will be plugged into your home network
The Popcorn Hour will also be plugged into your home network and will be able to access the Drobo NAS for content.
The Popcorn hour will also plug into your amplifer for sound

Using the above method will give you all you have asked for and some more.

The popcorn hour media center is the dogs danglies as a device, as is the Drobo NAS...very easy to use.

The above solution isn't cheap but it gives you the best devices out there with the best functions.

My home is setup like this along with some Logitech Squeezebox and Squeeze Duet for music streaming into different rooms from the NAS which is where all my music, files, and movies are held.

Hope this helps

Paul

[Dupont666]

Topboy said:

Ok this is what i would do.

Buy a Wireless Apple Keyboard and mouse to connect to your Macbook

http://www.apple.com/keyboard/

Buy yourself a HDMI Splitter like this

http://info.maplin.co.uk/cheap_uk_dnsty/Buy_this_3...

Buy a media center device like this

http://www.popcornhour.com/onlinestore/index.php?m...

Buy a Drobo NAS & Drobo Share like this

http://www.drobo.com/products/index.php


Locate the HDMI Splitter in a position that is easy to get to but near the LCD.
Connect the Output of the HDMI Splitter to 1 of the HDMI inputs on your LCD.

Plug the Macbook into the HDMI splitter and access the mac using the wireless keyboard and mouse.
Plug the Xbox360 into the HDMI Splitter
Plug the Popcorn Hour Media Center into the Other spare HDMI on the TV

The Drobo and Drobo Share will be plugged into your home network
The Popcorn Hour will also be plugged into your home network and will be able to access the Drobo NAS for content.
The Popcorn hour will also plug into your amplifer for sound

Using the above method will give you all you have asked for and some more.

The popcorn hour media center is the dogs danglies as a device, as is the Drobo NAS...very easy to use.

The above solution isn't cheap but it gives you the best devices out there with the best functions.

My home is setup like this along with some Logitech Squeezebox and Squeeze Duet for music streaming into different rooms from the NAS which is where all my music, files, and movies are held.

Hope this helps

Paul

would you go for the popcornhour A100 or A110?

[The_Burg]

Doesn't the Xbox 360 stream audio and video anyway?

For the server an old PC for a couple of pounds and a decent hard disk.
Download and install Vortex box.

[Topboy]

Dupont666 said:

would you go for the popcornhour A100 or A110?

I would go for the A110 as it's the newer updated model and it also allows you to put a 2.5 inch laptop drive inside so it will run nice and cool and quite

Edited by Topboy on Saturday 17th January 14:13

[Dupont666]

The_Burg said:

Doesn't the Xbox 360 stream audio and video anyway?

For the server an old PC for a couple of pounds and a decent hard disk.
Download and install Vortex box.

Not sure thats why im asking you lot to see the best method of getting the whole thing sorted and then i can throw the marantz CD player i have as its taking up room in the lounge and i barely use it.

[Topboy]

Dupont666 said:

The_Burg said:

Doesn't the Xbox 360 stream audio and video anyway?

For the server an old PC for a couple of pounds and a decent hard disk.
Download and install Vortex box.

Not sure thats why im asking you lot to see the best method of getting the whole thing sorted and then i can throw the marantz CD player i have as its taking up room in the lounge and i barely use it.

I wouldn't even bother trying to build your own Media Server/PC....I work in the industry (MCSE Data Center Migration Specialist) and building your own media center server or PC is a PITA. Ali_Kat can confirm this......

Sure it can be done, but for the time and effort it takes and the constant battle with codecs etc etc, for 90 quid + Hard disk i would rather purchase a dedicated device that works out the box.

Edited by Topboy on Saturday 17th January 14:25

[ali_kat]

Topboy said:

building your own media center server or PC is a PITA. Ali_Kat can confirm this......

Ours never blooming works (he keeps blaming Vista )

[Dupont666]

Topboy said:

Dupont666 said:

The_Burg said:

Doesn't the Xbox 360 stream audio and video anyway?

For the server an old PC for a couple of pounds and a decent hard disk.
Download and install Vortex box.

Not sure thats why im asking you lot to see the best method of getting the whole thing sorted and then i can throw the marantz CD player i have as its taking up room in the lounge and i barely use it.

I wouldn't even bother trying to build your won Media Server....I work in the industry (MCSE Data Center Migration Specialist) and building your own media center server or PC is a PITA.

Sure it can be done, but for the time and effort it takes and the constant battle with codecs etc etc, for 90 quid + Hard disk i would rather purchase a dedicated device that works out the box.

As you seem to know what you are on about, do you have any ideas on wireless speakers, or is that still fiction as to the quality that can be done? I have seen some that means that as long as you have a speaker near a plug socket, it works fine, one box in socket and the speaker cable to the speaker, but at that rate i would need several more sockets for all the wireless connectors to the speakers.

[Topboy]

Dupont666 said:

Topboy said:

Dupont666 said:

The_Burg said:

Doesn't the Xbox 360 stream audio and video anyway?

For the server an old PC for a couple of pounds and a decent hard disk.
Download and install Vortex box.

Not sure thats why im asking you lot to see the best method of getting the whole thing sorted and then i can throw the marantz CD player i have as its taking up room in the lounge and i barely use it.

I wouldn't even bother trying to build your won Media Server....I work in the industry (MCSE Data Center Migration Specialist) and building your own media center server or PC is a PITA.

Sure it can be done, but for the time and effort it takes and the constant battle with codecs etc etc, for 90 quid + Hard disk i would rather purchase a dedicated device that works out the box.

As you seem to know what you are on about, do you have any ideas on wireless speakers, or is that still fiction as to the quality that can be done? I have seen some that means that as long as you have a speaker near a plug socket, it works fine, one box in socket and the speaker cable to the speaker, but at that rate i would need several more sockets for all the wireless connectors to the speakers.

Depends what sort of listening quality you require. If you are a Audiophile then dont even bother with the wireless route.

If however your not too bothered about audio quality then yeah sure they work, but there not brilliant for the money.

You can get much better sounding speakers for the same price as wireless ones.

Edited by Topboy on Saturday 17th January 14:32

[The_Burg]

Have a look at Vortex box webstie.
Really is simple, you just download the image and install it.
For CD ripping you just feed it CDs. For video and picture you connect to it via PC and just copy them on.
Will run on older hardware so even an old P3 will do, you should be able to pick up an adequate PC from a computer fair for £50 or less, no keyboard, mouse, screen needed once it's been installed.
Mentions using with Xbox on the site, not tried as i don't have one but works great with Squeezebox.

[Dupont666]

Topboy said:

Dupont666 said:

Topboy said:

Dupont666 said:

The_Burg said:

Doesn't the Xbox 360 stream audio and video anyway?

For the server an old PC for a couple of pounds and a decent hard disk.
Download and install Vortex box.

Not sure thats why im asking you lot to see the best method of getting the whole thing sorted and then i can throw the marantz CD player i have as its taking up room in the lounge and i barely use it.

I wouldn't even bother trying to build your won Media Server....I work in the industry (MCSE Data Center Migration Specialist) and building your own media center server or PC is a PITA.

Sure it can be done, but for the time and effort it takes and the constant battle with codecs etc etc, for 90 quid + Hard disk i would rather purchase a dedicated device that works out the box.

As you seem to know what you are on about, do you have any ideas on wireless speakers, or is that still fiction as to the quality that can be done? I have seen some that means that as long as you have a speaker near a plug socket, it works fine, one box in socket and the speaker cable to the speaker, but at that rate i would need several more sockets for all the wireless connectors to the speakers.

Depends what sort of listening quality you require. If you are a Audiophile then dont even bother with the wireless route.

If however your not too bothered about audio quality then yeah sure they work, but there not brilliant for the money.

You can get much better sounding speakers for the same price as wireless ones.

Edited by Topboy on Saturday 17th January 14:32

Thats the problem, i can tell the difference, ah well, i will wait until some good ones come out and look at getting some small speakers as the huge missions are a pain and 10years old so they should have moved on by now.

[Topboy]

Keep me updated on your build as i will be interested to see how your getting on.

Also this website has shed loads of info for what you are tying to do

http://www.avforums.com

Just nip into the Forums and ask around in the Network Media player section and you should see that the Popcornhour is getting lots of people excited http://www.avforums.com/forums/streamers-network-m...

Edited by Topboy on Saturday 17th January 14:54