Lifehacker - Perfect HTPC?

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lohsing

3 posts

Wannabe Geek

# 143137 4-Apr-2014 11:34

Hey guys - just curious... has anyone tried building the perfect HTPC as per their link?

http://www.lifehacker.com.au/2014/02/build-the-perfect-media-centre-for-600/

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# 1018406 4-Apr-2014 11:47

xbmc is great and all, but last i checked any netflix integration was pretty poor. IMO you're better off with something than can run a plex client, netflix, etc. eg a google tv, samsung smart device perhaps the amazon firetv. HTPCs are dyign out, they're expensive ($500 is price, google tv is about $100), lots of tweaking to get right and still need a keyboard/mouse every once in a while.

geekiegeek

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# 1018410 4-Apr-2014 11:53

HTPC still has a place for Freeview recording and DTS-HD which I don't believe any streaming device supports.

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geekiegeek

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# 1018415 4-Apr-2014 11:59

not to mention 24p support and 3D :-)

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reven

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# 1018422 4-Apr-2014 12:03

geekiegeek: HTPC still has a place for Freeview recording and DTS-HD which I don't believe any streaming device supports.

no but a client/server setup doesnt require a full htpc. my setup is NextPVR running on microsoft server 2012 in my cabinet in the garage and using samsung tvs as the clients using an app. streaming quality is pretty excellent. i watch most movies on vudu in HDX, sure its not as good as BR, but i cant noticed the difference on my 55" led/7.2 setup. if i do want to watch blurays i use my PS4 or a samsung BRP.

reven

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# 1018426 4-Apr-2014 12:03

geekiegeek: not to mention 24p support and 3D :-)

netflix and vudu both to 3D :P

Satch

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# 1018471 4-Apr-2014 12:44

reven: HTPCs are dyign out, they're expensive ($500 is price, google tv is about $100), lots of tweaking to get right and still need a keyboard/mouse every once in a while.

Nothing is currently able to replace my HTPC with Freeview recording and Sky decoding/recording capabilities, as well as give me Netflix, Music, and photos all within the one interface.

For a simpler setup maybe HTPC's aren't as purposeful anymore.

geekiegeek

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# 1018473 4-Apr-2014 12:46

reven:
geekiegeek: not to mention 24p support and 3D :-)

netflix and vudu both to 3D :P

But is there a streaming device that supports it?

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geekiegeek

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# 1018475 4-Apr-2014 12:46

reven:
geekiegeek: HTPC still has a place for Freeview recording and DTS-HD which I don't believe any streaming device supports.

no but a client/server setup doesnt require a full htpc. my setup is NextPVR running on microsoft server 2012 in my cabinet in the garage and using samsung tvs as the clients using an app. streaming quality is pretty excellent. i watch most movies on vudu in HDX, sure its not as good as BR, but i cant noticed the difference on my 55" led/7.2 setup. if i do want to watch blurays i use my PS4 or a samsung BRP.

You start to notice these things with 100" projector screen :-)

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reven

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# 1018482 4-Apr-2014 12:57

geekiegeek:
reven:
geekiegeek: not to mention 24p support and 3D :-)

netflix and vudu both to 3D :P

But is there a streaming device that supports it?

my ps4 supports vudu 3d havent tried it on my samsung tv. tried netflix 3d on my samsung tv and it supports it.

there still isnt a perfect all in one solution, they all have shortcomings, but HTPCs arent the best IMO any more due to price + easy of use. everything i want to do except for vudu no UV movies i can do on my samsung tv. i can watch UV movies using flixster on my samsung tv, but the vudu app is region locked. i use my ps4 for that. everything else, live tv, tv recording via nextpvr, netflix, plex. ive basically ditched physical media, everything i do is streamed or ripped. my server has a bluray drive, i rip the raw movies to a NAS and my tv plays those.

timbosan

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# 1018484 4-Apr-2014 12:58

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Actually I don't agree with this article - using XBMC limits you to just playback of media, which most (any?) hardware streamer can do. If you want to call it a HTPC then you need live TV, recording capabilities, on-line services (Hulu+ and Netflix at a minimum) and the ability to tweak/upgrade.

I would say Windows Media Centre is still a top choice. Or in Windows 8.1 add in the Netflix and Hulu tiles, either Plex or Media Browser for local playback, then use Metro with a Media Centre remote.

Or if you want the best quality, then go down the JRiver option, which gives you advanced codec and hardware support, but still allows for TV (live and recorded), Hulu and Netflix.

I also think HTPC's still have their place, and feel other options focus too much on the convenience factor over quality (of hardware, software and content) and choice (regional limitations, supporting only some codes, some streaming services, etc).

Blanch

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Ultimate Geek

# 1018562 4-Apr-2014 15:11

I’m sticking with my gaming HTPC for perfect HTPC.

geekiegeek

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# 1018596 4-Apr-2014 15:43

timbosan: Actually I don't agree with this article - using XBMC limits you to just playback of media, which most (any?) hardware streamer can do. If you want to call it a HTPC then you need live TV, recording capabilities, on-line services (Hulu+ and Netflix at a minimum) and the ability to tweak/upgrade.

I would say Windows Media Centre is still a top choice. Or in Windows 8.1 add in the Netflix and Hulu tiles, either Plex or Media Browser for local playback, then use Metro with a Media Centre remote.

Or if you want the best quality, then go down the JRiver option, which gives you advanced codec and hardware support, but still allows for TV (live and recorded), Hulu and Netflix.

I also think HTPC's still have their place, and feel other options focus too much on the convenience factor over quality (of hardware, software and content) and choice (regional limitations, supporting only some codes, some streaming services, etc).

My understanding is that netflix and hulu support in Jriver isnt that great and also MCE remote doesn't fully work in the metro apps either. I don't think there is a one box solution to this problem personally.

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lohsing

3 posts

Wannabe Geek

# 1018625 4-Apr-2014 16:01

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.

geekiegeek

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# 1018685 4-Apr-2014 18:12

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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:-)

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CYaBro

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# 1018730 4-Apr-2014 19:25

reven:
geekiegeek: HTPC still has a place for Freeview recording and DTS-HD which I don't believe any streaming device supports.

no but a client/server setup doesnt require a full htpc. my setup is NextPVR running on microsoft server 2012 in my cabinet in the garage and using samsung tvs as the clients using an app. streaming quality is pretty excellent. i watch most movies on vudu in HDX, sure its not as good as BR, but i cant noticed the difference on my 55" led/7.2 setup. if i do want to watch blurays i use my PS4 or a samsung BRP.

What app are you using on your Samsung TVs to connect to NextPVR?
I assume it works the same, and has the same features, as the NextPVR windows client?

Edit: Never mind I see you made an app yourself!
I'll check it out.

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