Alternative to Media Center & Xbox 360?

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TangoNZ

117 posts

Master Geek

#134012 11-Nov-2013 21:46

Hi all,

So currently my media setup consists of a Windows 8.1 Desktop running MC which holds all our digital media (photos, videos etc) and also has multiple DVB-T tuners installed for Freeview. We extend this to our TVs using Xbox 360s acting as Media Center Extenders. The setup currently works well, and most importantly the Mrs likes it.

However we're moving into a new house soon (UFB, yay) so I'm thinking big picture and whether or not this is still the best setup. What made me start to think about this is that the Xbox One seems to longer support running as a Media Center extender. Should I continue down the MCE path or is that dying...how long will they sell Xbox 360's for?

I used to be right up with the play in the HTPC space, but haven't been for the last couple of years, so am wondering if anyone has any other suggestions, or setups they use that they would recommend.

Here's some of the requirements...

All media stored centrally
Freeview at one source and streamed over network to multiple TVs (and recordings held centrally so we can start recording in one room, then go to another to resume)
Easy to use interface that's wife / kid friendly
Doesn't need Sky integration, not interested in that

Other things we use...

Movie rentals on Xbox
Xbox Music
SkyDrive

Actually as I write this and realize how ingrained we are with Microsoft products and services, so I'm doubting there's any alternatives that may suit us, but I'd be interested to hear any other opinions / recommendations. I used to run Media Portal a few years back, but replaced the HTPC's with Xboxes. I'd like to update to Xbox One but the lack of MC is kinda killing that for me at the moment. Maybe I should run a 360 through the One with that HDMI passthrough feature, that'd be interesting :-)

Regs

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Snowflake

#931086 11-Nov-2013 22:21

until you can replace freeview with an online streaming service (e.g. netflix, hulu, vodafone tv - although not sure if you can use anything other than their STB), you're probably better to stick with what you have

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kiwijunglist

2981 posts

Uber Geek

ID Verified

#931091 11-Nov-2013 22:44

stick with what you have. Didn't realise that MC could stream live tv to xbox360. other alternatives include plex server and plex extenders, or central mediaportal tv server with sff htpcs as clients.

HTPC / Home automation (home assistant) enthusiast.

mthand

148 posts

Master Geek

#931151 12-Nov-2013 05:54

Hey Tango, I also have the same set up you use, and have been exploring other options given Xbox One isn't going to do the Extender role.

The dual tuner HDHomerun device takes in the signal from the antenna, decodes it, and then transmits over Ethernet to your home network. It is compatible with MCE so you could just replace your PCI/USB cards with one or two of these, and run your choice of PVR software at the client end, in the meantime keeping the MCE solution while the xbox's still work.

They are $200 NZD each which is why my two dual tuner cards need to fail first :-)

Then it's just a case of finding a PVR software and client hardware that is acceptable to your wife. Easy ;-)

hashbrown

463 posts

Ultimate Geek

#933694 14-Nov-2013 09:43

+1 for sticking with what you currrently have. The time to change will be when we get a decent streaming service in NZ and you have no requirement for centralised storage of recordings. IMO we're at least 2-3 years away from that in NZ.

Not sure why you are worried about the end-of-sale for Xbox 360. They've just released a new version and there will be second hand units available for decades. I'd rather be supporting a second hand Xbox 360, than trying to find parts for an SFF PC after a few years.

TwoSeven

1595 posts

Uber Geek

Subscriber

#933775 14-Nov-2013 11:51

I believe a recent announcement (perhaps someone could find a link) is that Xbox one will be a DLNA receiver. This would need to be confirmed, but I think in Windows 8.1, the HomeGroup feature is used to control the DLNA server side of things. I guess when the Xbox one ships, people will soon figure out how to make the two talk to each other.

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mthand

148 posts

Master Geek

#933819 14-Nov-2013 12:46

I am already using my 360's as dlna receivers from Plex Media Server for anything Media Center can't play.

My general issue is that bugs with Media Center aren't being fixed; there is no more development, despite the fact we have to pay extra to use it (win8 up). I expect I will be moving to something like Hulu plus in about a couple of years' time anyway, so that might be the time to change to hd homerun and some different PVR software such as Media Portal. A pity because I really like Media Center.