Lifehacker - Perfect HTPC?

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lohsing

3 posts

Wannabe Geek

#1018732 4-Apr-2014 19:29

geekiegeek:
lohsing: My current setup is an Apple TV3. I have all my movies on my main PC and use "ServeToMe" to stream to my iphone / ipad which I then mirror on the Apple TV.

When I want to watch Hulu or Netflix, I use a subscription to HideMyAss, load a California based VPN into my profile settings, turn on and stream from my phone to the Apple TV as well.

Any point doing anything differently? I've found DNS services hopeless and flakey... using a 100mbps fibre connection which always helps.

Put the VPN on your main PC and use internet connection sharing to share it with your Apple TV, set your Apple TV to use your PC as it's gateway. Install plex on your main PC and setup plex connect which turns the trailers app on the Apple TV into a plex client. No more need for your phone just sit back and use the remote:-)

How did I not even think to set it up this way...!? I'll tinker around this weekend... thanks!

timbosan

2159 posts

Uber Geek

#1020756 8-Apr-2014 16:19

Sorry, but that still doesn't strike me as the 'ultimate' HTPC. Ultimate to me is the least compromised solution comprised from the following attributes:

Quality
Affordability
Usability
Performance
Choice

I think that reven's idea is one the best (and extra points for writing your own solution!) but still a compromise. I would prefer a plasma over a Samsung LCD, but I cannot run Plex on anything but Samsung sets.

I still think a PC is the only way to get close (at least in NZ where we don't have the option of Netflix on Tivo boxes etc.). Lets look at some features to see if we can get to "ultimate" level:

Plays back live TV
Records live-TV
Choice of DVB-T and DVB-S
Play back local media in any format and quality
Play back Blu-Ray disks
Netflix at highest resolution
HuluPlus (at 720p)
Amazon
Surround sound (5.1, DTS, DTS-HD etc)
Ability to set DNS
24p

and ideally:

Choice of interface
Wired and wireless network interfaces
keyboard support
4K capable
Optical out for DAC's

I am sure there are some that are missed, but a PC still ticks most/all those boxes (and admittedly the software plays a big part)

reven

3743 posts

Uber Geek

Trusted

#1020963 9-Apr-2014 06:32

you can run plex on LG as well. also plex is on android, so firetv is an option now, google tv. theres new sony tvs coming out with "Android" (no longer google tv).

personally for me order of importance is the following
- ease of use (I want my 5 year old to be able to use it)
- 1080p with 5.1
- netflix
- UV movies
- local media with nice interface
- local tv + recording

i seldom watch live tv or record tv (only when theres actually something i want to watch, last thing I watched was the block).

so there are many cheap options that ticks all those boxes for me.

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