HTPC, Apple TV or PS3 or a combination

polktiger

I am looking for some advice - We currently buy a bunch of DVDs, very little Bluray, just started Netflix, use analog cable.

We are running out of storage space for DVDs, and we want some protection in case of fire, storm, etc. We also serve as the family DVD library so when we have a disk loaned out, we can't watch it. We also have no DVR, so we can not record anything off TV. Our last VCR but the dust about 18 months ago.

We currently have a PS3 as the bluray player. Given the location of our home theater electronics, pulling an ethernet line to the PS3 is cost prohibitive. We have an 4 year old dell running XP Home.

We would like to be able to browse/watch our DVDs from a harddrive. We would also like to record programs on cable. The possibility of downloading older TV shows or movies is appealing, but does not make or break the deal.

I think we have 3 options, and I would like your advice...
1) HTPC - buy or build an HTPC, load it with a bluray drive/bluray burner, one of the HD video cards, adequate HD space, and a wireless N card. Use an N router to connect to our existing computer in another room (wired) and the interet modem. Use our existing PC for additional storage, web surfing, household finances, etc.

2) Use PS3 as the "box" to connect computer/internet to TV. Keep old computer as storage server/normal computer duties or build a new one in time. I would need to add DVD drive to existing system. Could add bluray, but I suspect it would max out the capabilities. Connect PS3 to data and internet via wireless (probably N router). "Stream" content from PC to PS3. PC would be DVR and would not be located in main TV room.

3) Go Apple TV as the "box" instead of PS3. Same deal. Load all movies into itunes on existing PC or one built in the future. PC wired to N router. Keep PS3 for bluray movies or install bluray drive to PC to load them to harddrive. PC would be DVR and would not be located in main TV room.

For those more experienced than me, give me your suggestions. Also since I have most of option 2 already, I considered getting the N router and going for a test drive. Should I go Apple Airport Extreme ($180) or Linksys 610n. ($150). I worry since PS3 is wireless G that it won't keep up with streamed content, especially HD.

Sami

I convert my sons cartoons into, I think, mp4 format that PS3 can understand. You could try the same thing, just add hard drive space to your PC (external or internal) and stream it over network with TVersity. I use the preconfigured PS3 settings but if PQ is critical criteria for you I think you can up the quality settings.

As for connection, Wireless seems ok for the files I stream although wired is better (that's what I have since my DSL goes into my HT rack) and if you make them higher quality the wireless might not be enough.

Free tools to do the process:

1) Handbrake to convert DVD into mp4 (has preconfigured PS3 settings)
2) TVersity to stream media into PS3 (WMP works too)

http://handbrake.fr/
http://tversity.com/

cheddar

If you are at all worried about wireless being too slow and you can't put in ethernet, a cheap solution is just to use an external usb hard drive. You have to format it to fat32. There are 3rd party free apps on the internet that will allow you to create one large partition (Up to 2TB IIRC). Just google it (SwissKnife etc.). Otherwise, you'll be limited to the 32GB windows partition limit. Once you have the external drive, you can just keep it attached to your PC when you are making the files. Then, when you want to watch a movie, walk it over and plug it in. The only caveat is that with an external drive, you are limited to 4GB files because of fat32.

Another option is to increase the internal hard drive size of the ps3. For specific instructions, you can google for step by step youtube videos. But basically you need a SATA laptop drive. Any standard generic one will do and they are cheap (250GB, whatever size you want). You pop the door off the bottom of the ps3 over the HDD. Unscrew the retaining screw. Slide the HDD tray out. Take the tray off the old drive, attach it to the new one. And reverse. When you boot up the ps3, it will ask you to reformat the drive and you're good to go. The basic instructions are even in the ps3 instruction manual. Drop the old drive in an external case and you have an external drive you can use to transfer files back and forth to your computer. If you need to back up your current files, there is an application to do so in the xmedia bar menu.

Sami, can you copy files over from a PC with TVersity? The ps3 can store and play files greater than 4GB. It's just an external drive that has a fat32 4GB file size limit.

Sami

cheddar wrote: »

Sami, can you copy files over from a PC with TVersity?

I have no idea as I only stream from the PC, I don't store anything on my PS3's. I use TVersity simply because I want to do FLAC encoded music as well, and TVersity does coding on the fly from FLAC to WAV so PS3 can understand them.

fatchowmein

The cheapest solution is to keep buying DVD's and storing or selling movies you no longer watch. But, that's not what you asked so...

1. Any type of High Definition HTPC is going to be expensive not to mention you will spend a lot of time configuring, reconfiguring, fine-tuning, adjusting, until you tear your hair out. The technology is not fully mature yet but if you want to jump in, start here. http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=940972

I've tried MeediOS and Vista Media Center. The former can be tweaked to the nth degree but the later is easier to set up. I currently run a non-HD htpc front end made out of spare parts and a 4 terabyte backend (Windows Home Server). Supposedly, Windows 7 will be superior to Vista media center.

2. I've tried both the Ps3 and Xbox 360 as a frontend using both TVersity and Transcoder but cared for neither consoles although I think the Ps3 is a bit better since it can play a single VOB. However, I don't like the file structure, preferring the DVD cover of a HTPC frontend.

3. I'm not an Apple guy so I can't answer this part.

Good luck!

polktiger

Sami - I am testing the handbrake / tversity route this weekend with a couple movies. I am trying with my PS3 using handbrake's preset for PS3. Granted I am on an old 2.4 ghz P4 (single core) but Handbrake is taking about 5 - 5.5 hrs. Does that sound right? I am looking to shop for computer parts with Black Friday specials to build a newer computer, but I did not know if that kind of encode time was the norm.

Sami

I had my dual core (E6400 OC'ed to 3GHz) encode most movies in less than an hour. Processor upgrade is definitely in order if you intend to do more of this. I did have all of them as ISO's instead of reading from disc but I don't think skipping the DVD read means much.

polktiger

Well I have done some more expiramenting and research...
I think apple TV is out. While I like the amount of content they have available for download, and the interface is super easy, I wanted to actually store the streamed content on a NAS attached to the router, and it looks like Apple TV requires a computer to be running Itunes unless you want to sync the movie to the Apple TV HD before watching.

HTPC is on the back burner. Still looks a little too complicated for me.

So I am moving forward with PS3. I tested wireless (both G on DSL router and Linksys WRT160n) neither were able to stream stutter free. I am considering the linksys N ethernet adapter for the PS3, hard to find locally for easy return. So, I am reconsidering running ethernet. I did find a way to get to the PS3 from the computer but it would be a run of about 160 ft and would be outside for about 60 of those feet. Now I am getting lost on outdoor certified cat5e. I considered cat6, but that is REALLY hard to find locally that is outdoor approved. Does the outdoor stuff really make a difference?

mantis

A Lot of desire to this exact thing. Right now it's expensive to get into it. Escient makes a DVD server but it need Sony 400 disc players to go with it. It can send video and audio to another player Escient and you can watch 2 different movies. it's not hard drive yet. I believe they are coming out with a hard drive unit. Currently the best way to do this is use a Kaleidescape system. It's very expensive but you can add room players in all your rooms and stream from one server.Vudo is cool , you can check them out as well as Roku.
I would like to do exactly what your doing. A Apple tv is cool but you have to get some kind of conversion software to get your current library into itunes. It can be done as I have heard of people using a Mac mini as a dvd server. Look into that was well. It may be worth the time and money savings.

Dan

okiepolkie

mantis wrote: »

A Lot of desire to this exact thing. Right now it's expensive to get into it. Escient makes a DVD server but it need Sony 400 disc players to go with it. It can send video and audio to another player Escient and you can watch 2 different movies. it's not hard drive yet. I believe they are coming out with a hard drive unit. Currently the best way to do this is use a Kaleidescape system. It's very expensive but you can add room players in all your rooms and stream from one server.Vudo is cool , you can check them out as well as Roku.
I would like to do exactly what your doing. A Apple tv is cool but you have to get some kind of conversion software to get your current library into itunes. It can be done as I have heard of people using a Mac mini as a dvd server. Look into that was well. It may be worth the time and money savings.

Dan

Escient's Vision server(hard drive video server) is available, but I don't know how stable it is from the starting gate. I'm not saying it is bad, I just don't know. You are still looking at a few thousand dollars for a basic system.

The Mac Mini is a cool server. I had one for about 6 months, and regret getting rid of it. It looked very good, and I would definitely put it on the top of the list. My only issue would be the time it takes to rip a movie(1.5-3 hours).

Vudu is not in my repertoire of install tools, and won't be. I just don't know what the product/company will look like in 6 months. I'd rather use an Apple TV at that point.

apphd

^^^^^^^^Reported^^^^^^^^^

apphd

Unbelievable.
REPORTED

jinjuku

I run an HTPC because I have the technical chops to make it easy. But if I were recommending a product I would steer you towards the Popcorn Hour Media Tank.

okiepolkie

Reported....again.

rallyshark

Did I miss something, or just to stupid to notice, but out of curiosity, why were the "reported" things there?

As far as a solution, I say WD TV! It works great, and is cheap. All you need is a usb hard drive, and it recognizes many different file types for movies, and music, and photos. I hope that helps:D

okiepolkie

rallyshark wrote: »

Did I miss something, or just to stupid to notice, but out of curiosity, why were the "reported" things there?

As far as a solution, I say WD TV! It works great, and is cheap. All you need is a usb hard drive, and it recognizes many different file types for movies, and music, and photos. I hope that helps:D

There were some obvious spam messages that were deleted in the thread.

rallyshark

Oh, ok, so they were deleted and I didn't see them I guess. That explains it, sorry, I'm a little slow sometimes:)