My old HTPC has died. Looking for new options

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martyyn

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#1520668 28-Mar-2016 09:53

JimmyH:

I'm not sure why it needs to stream to multiple clients, given that you say you already have a server with Plex to do that?

I think you've misread what I wrote. I have no need to stream to multiple locations. We have one tv in the house, driven by the HTPC and the kids have Chromebooks for school work. If they eventually want to watch something in their rooms they can add Plex to their chromebooks.

I want a simple solution in the lounge which can access the server content, iplayer and netflix, with one remote and as few clicks as possible to get there. The only reason for DVB-S is my wife wants to watch Coro St but we can handle that with her Chromebook until TVNZ produce an app.

I dislike Apple with a passion but it looks like the tv4 does everything I need. The only thing I don't like is the UI. Mediaportal was great in that it could display our movies and dvd series in banners across the screen showing more than 4 at a time when browsing.

littleheaven

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#1520703 28-Mar-2016 11:53

martyyn:

I dislike Apple with a passion but it looks like the tv4 does everything I need. The only thing I don't like is the UI. Mediaportal was great in that it could display our movies and dvd series in banners across the screen showing more than 4 at a time when browsing.

You can install a Plex client app on the Apple TV and use their UI instead. It sounds like you have your server end all organised already.

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davidcole

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#1520743 28-Mar-2016 13:32

martyyn:
JimmyH:

I'm not sure why it needs to stream to multiple clients, given that you say you already have a server with Plex to do that?

I think you've misread what I wrote. I have no need to stream to multiple locations. We have one tv in the house, driven by the HTPC and the kids have Chromebooks for school work. If they eventually want to watch something in their rooms they can add Plex to their chromebooks.

I want a simple solution in the lounge which can access the server content, iplayer and netflix, with one remote and as few clicks as possible to get there. The only reason for DVB-S is my wife wants to watch Coro St but we can handle that with her Chromebook until TVNZ produce an app.

I dislike Apple with a passion but it looks like the tv4 does everything I need. The only thing I don't like is the UI. Mediaportal was great in that it could display our movies and dvd series in banners across the screen showing more than 4 at a time when browsing.

Yeah the only think close to the atv4 sold in nz, with locally generated Apps is s chromecast. You like me seem to prefer remotes. So that may kill that as an option.

What I've not investigated is a nexus player. It *may* have chromecast ability, plus apps, plus a remote. I've not seen one. I've skip played with a budget no name android tv box. Has plex client, kodi and acces to the App Store. While I was able to put the tvnz on demand app on it I wasn't able to play as it does not allow hdmi output.

A PC (brix or the like) wild give you all the abilities...but getting them controlled by a remote is difficult. I don't believe there is a one stop solution. In the us roku is a really good platform...and if it ever came here and had local support it could to it all.

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martyyn

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#1522740 30-Mar-2016 12:18

davidcole: Yeah the only think close to the atv4 sold in nz, with locally generated Apps is s chromecast. You like me seem to prefer remotes. So that may kill that as an option.

I have just been looking to see if there is now an easier solution to building an HTPC. Whether it's one device, or one remote, doesn't bother me. Everything is hidden in a cupboard under the tv. Up until now it was a Harmony driving the tv, htpc, amp and xbox. That was working perfectly.

davidcole: What I've not investigated is a nexus player. It *may* have chromecast ability, plus apps, plus a remote. I've not seen one.

Me neither, but I'm off to see what YouTuve can show me now.

davidcole: A PC (brix or the like) wild give you all the abilities...but getting them controlled by a remote is difficult. I don't believe there is a one stop solution. In the us roku is a really good platform...and if it ever came here and had local support it could to it all.

I didn't find it too hard with the Harmony remote. An HTPC gives me everything we had in the past, but Mediaportals streaming apps weren't all that good the last time I looked.

I just have to get past my Apple dislike and pull the trigger !

davidcole

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#1522743 30-Mar-2016 12:30

martyyn:

davidcole: Yeah the only think close to the atv4 sold in nz, with locally generated Apps is s chromecast. You like me seem to prefer remotes. So that may kill that as an option.

I have just been looking to see if there is now an easier solution to building an HTPC. Whether it's one device, or one remote, doesn't bother me. Everything is hidden in a cupboard under the tv. Up until now it was a Harmony driving the tv, htpc, amp and xbox. That was working perfectly.

davidcole: What I've not investigated is a nexus player. It *may* have chromecast ability, plus apps, plus a remote. I've not seen one.

Me neither, but I'm off to see what YouTuve can show me now.

davidcole: A PC (brix or the like) wild give you all the abilities...but getting them controlled by a remote is difficult. I don't believe there is a one stop solution. In the us roku is a really good platform...and if it ever came here and had local support it could to it all.

I didn't find it too hard with the Harmony remote. An HTPC gives me everything we had in the past, but Mediaportals streaming apps weren't all that good the last time I looked.

I just have to get past my Apple dislike and pull the trigger !

I'd go Kodi on a brix over a native mediaportal/nextpvr install...and if you're really keen you fire up the browser (hence why you can't use a remote as most sites do not allow keyboard navigation). There should be a mediaportal pvr client for kodi that will allow scheduling and playback on recordings in kodi.

browned

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#1522823 30-Mar-2016 14:43

I know it would be expensive but a Sony Android TV would allow for all your requirements in one (large) box. I have a couple of Nvidia Shield TV's running Android TV and the Sony experience should be almost identical. BBC iPlayer, Netflix, Kodi, Plex clients, Freeview and Freeview Plus for TV, HBO apps. plus Google Movies/TV, Google Music, Android Games. In one device.

Android TV N (next version) is currently in alpha/beta and they are testing PVR features

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DeepBlueSky

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#1522826 30-Mar-2016 14:45

My 2 cents from a newbie to HTPC,

I run a server that has been on Mezzmo that worked just fine with the PS4, but I'm getting into Plex after installing on the server and splashing out on the Windows10 Plex app for the HTPC it looks great worth the $7+ dollars it cost.

Hardware wise added Logitech K400 Plus keyboard, cheap and cheerful and kid friendly it looks like it will take a few knocks.

Appliances like Apple TV / Amazon Fire seem great but I do like just having the flexibility to install stuff when I want to. As I'm a newbie to HTPC but not IT there must be menu applications available to get the PC to boot into a menu so you can just have the browser plus apps you want available.

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