[scott_man]

I am looking to pull together a home media sever(s).  I want to support 2-channel audio and also push internet-TV content (Hulu, etc.) to at least one TV.  I am not sure if the best solution is one or two ?devices?.

Some additional requirements:
1.  I don?t want to have a computer server running 24/7 ? it is OK if the server ?wakes on demand? (wake on IP), but I want the server to go to sleep when not in use.
2.  TV needs to be easy to navigate and easy to use ? ideally without having a PC keyboard connected (Smart Remotes such as the iPod Touch could be used).
HD resolution of at least 720.  1040 would be nice, but right now, it would be future-proofing (no plans for a TV upgrade).
3.  Music zones:  Probably 3 to 4, but with as few computers required as possible.
Itunes would be the preferred music ?library?? Not required, but if it isn?t iTunes, I would want a fairly automated tool to move things back and forth to iTunes (in a lossless format).

What I have considered:
Audio side of things:  The new SlimDevices TOUCH with a USB drive as the ?server?.  I am not sure if this device can ?serve? up music to other Squeeze players on the network and/or share the music library with PCs (if so, this would be a great music server).  Any experience out there using the TOUCH in this way?

Video (maybe a single server solution for music as well):  Apple Mac Mini or Atom/Ion Win7 box.  I think that either could serve up video.  Apple vs Windows ? I have used both ? I have personal preferences on the desktop, but this system will be primarily a server, so after the initial set-up, I don?t want to fuss with it and the OS really shouldn?t be ?seen?, so I don?t think that the OS is a big issue.  My main objective here is to be able to turn OFF the cable TV and use Netflix/Amazon for movies and Hulu for the few TV shows that we watch (yes, the money saved on the cable bill must pay for the project within about a year).

Extending video to other TVs:  AppleTV, WDTV Live, PopCorn?  None of these can run HULU, but apparently, things like WDTV can be used with PlayOn to ?get there? as long as there is a PC in the mix.

Other hardware to consider:  HP SmartMedia Server:  Lots of storage and backup capabilities (nice in its own right).  The HP box can function as an iTunes library ?host? ? but, do you still need a separate computer for each iTunes ?client??

Based the budget, if I use a Mac Mini as a video server, it would most likely have to be a single-box server solution (server for both video and audio).  The Atom/Ion boxes are a bit cheaper, so it would be possible to combine one of those with a Squeezebox Touch and have two dedicated ?servers?.  There are pros and cons of having a single-box solution vs a two-box solution ? these may/should(?) enter into the decision process.


Your thoughts/recommendations:
Maximum functionality?
Ease of use?
Cost vs. Value?
Future-proofing?
Experiences?

Thanks

Scott.

[tvyankee]

www.vidabox.com

[scott_man]

Vidabox looks very nice... and for several thousand dollars it should.  But, the cost is way beyond the budget.

I would like to keep the installed cost under $1,000... that is a bit of a stretch -- ideally, the total cost would be less than the annual cable-TV bill (roughly $800).

Scott B.

[JEaton]

What I have considered:
Audio side of things:  The new SlimDevices TOUCH with a USB drive as the ?server?.  I am not sure if this device can ?serve? up music to other Squeeze players on the network and/or share the music library with PCs (if so, this would be a great music server).  Any experience out there using the TOUCH in this way?

The server running on the Touch won't work with iTunes.  However, if you run Squeezebox Server on a computer that can access your iTunes library, then it would be a pretty good solution for the audio side of things.  Multiple zones are pretty easy to set up and would all be fed from the same server.

[GHM]

The Win7 media center does much of the video portion for you, albeit with more options than OSX.  Hulu can be integrated into the media center's GUI. Netflix is already in the GUI. Not too mention it has its own internet TV built in.

A gyration remote can be used to control the media center. As far as music, the SB software looks to be a simple solution.

[lcrim]

There are some hardware devices that could be configured to provide the functionality you are seeking.

The Network Media Tank devices can provide the central point for playng back internet television as well as high quality two channel music.  These devices include an OS and require some local storage but include a network card to connect to the home network and the internet and software packages are downloadable for  video output and a digital audio output.  A DAC needs to be added for quality audio, but the video playback only requires attachment to a video screen.

For storage, a Sheevaplug computer could be utilized.  The Sheevaplug has 1.2 GHz CPU running Ubuntu(Linux) and looks a bit like a electrical distribution box but has a male  connector for getting AC from a wall plug.  It includes a USB connector and a network card plus an SD-Card slot for additional memory.

The NMT devices start around $200, the Sheevaplug is $100.  In addition you'll need a hard drive storage for music and a DAC,  Cables  and odds and ends but certainly less than a thousand bucks all up.  You'll learn a lot about computers and audio/video.

[chip]

It seems like there is a lot of chatter in regards to the Asus Ion 330 running xmbc....

http://xbmc.org/blittan/2009/10/12/asrock-ion-330/

[RJ]

Netgear EVA9150 ...... $400 and includes wireless N, 500GB swappable drive, remote control, HDMI, etc. I love mine.....

RG

[Big Red Machine]

Here's a 1TB unit.

http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=4120169&CatId=16