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2013-02-14, 06:09
(This post was last modified: 2013-02-14, 06:11 by brandenhs.)
After hours of reading Im lost. I currently stream from my media server using Universal media server to my Ps3 and it works but its limited. It uses too much power and cant use Hulu ,Navix ,Netflix etc...because its on CFW or they are not supported. What I want is a box with Xbmc to stream multiple types of videos (mkv,mp4,avi,etc.) from my media server and in the near future start using Netflix or Amazon or Hulu. I don't need a browser or gaming I just want a dedicated streaming box I dont have to move a flash drive to and from to watch movies in sd or 1080p. I have a wired gigabit network so no need for wifi and budget is $250 or less. Also needs to be wife friendly and not say Apple. I have the skill to mod/build anything just need pointed in the right direction.
Thanks,branden
Ps I would just move the pc to the living room but my wife says no. So..... if I want to be happy she needs to be happy
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The entry level devices to consider would be a Raspberry Pi or a Pivos XIOS.
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2013-02-14, 13:21
(This post was last modified: 2013-02-14, 13:54 by brandenhs.)
If Netflix is going to be an issue I can always use my Xbox 360 I was just hoping to keep it to one device. As for a copy of windows I have a extra copy I never used from when I bought the gaming notebook. So that should put me in better hardware but at the same time I don't want another power hungry device on all day like my ps3 is half the time. As we explore more and more streaming options we watch less and less tv and @ $100 a month for Directv the wife came up with the idea of canceling the tv and going streaming only. At $1200+ a year she will let me build/buy the 4 different streaming devices we need and 3-4 different streaming services and it'll still be cheaper .Also Thank you for the prompt reply's.
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I've been in the same boat.... was using both my 360 and PS3 for years until pretty much the end of 2012 (broke down and decided to build 2 new HTPCs and get back on the XBMC wagon as I hadn't used it since the good old XBox days).
I can never go back. If you can increase your budget... building your own HTPC (or getting someone to build one for you) is the best way to go..
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Do you think you would spend more time in xbmc or Netflix? The raspberry Pi takes almost no power to run, but won't run advanced skins like Nox. The XIOS is also pretty good on power. Another thing people don't always consider up front is the noise, size, heat factor. Personally I don't want a large noisy PC running in my living room. I love having a device that is small with no spinning parts. Another option is the ATV2 which do Netflix. I have one with the Quartz skin hooked up to one of my smaller tv's and it works great. Only drawback is that cant do 1080.
and don't forget, TODAY is Valentine's Day. Ha
