[bman_14_14]

Hi all, I am new to the xbmc and need some help on building two systems. The goal is to have two systems with very different requirements; all systems will be wired giga ethernet and I am not interested in 3D capabilities. Apologies in advance for the noobie questions.

System #1
High PQ and AQ (Group #5)
Video: HDMI 1080p content from bdmv folders accessed from Unraid server
Audio: Bitstream DD-HD and DTS-HA-MA
Other: playback blu-ray movie directly from bd-rom drive
Bonus: Ability to run DVDFab and pause/capture live TV?

I understand that there is a work around for Dharma 10.1 to enable bitstreaming of HD audio; i assume i must use windows 7? Is it possible to have the htpc also have the abliity to play blu-ray discs from a rom drive? Likewise, can it also be configured to run DVDFab? If not, does linux support HD audio bitstreaming (confused if I should use linux or windows?)

System #2
Mid-PQ and Low-AQ (Group: ??)
Video: HDMI 720p or 1080p from bdmv folders accessed from Unraid server
Audio: 2-channel (no AVR)

I was thinking for system #2 an apple tv2 might work? Can it handle downconversion of 1080p to 720p from bdmv content?

Thanks.
bman

[bluray]

here are your choices- two powerful mini-itx htpc's (supports blu-ray 1080p with dts-hd and truehd audio). the second htpc will be perfect for multi-task and great for transcoder.

[eskro]

HD audio bitstreaming = Stick to Windows

So if you need HD-Audio, you need at least Group#6 build in my HTPC guide...

and for your second build, ATV2 are low power,,, might struggle under certain XBMC skins,,
but it works for 720P only,,, not 1080P...