2013-11-30, 23:41
I know that there are a lot of threads on building HTPC's, but my audio/video requirements are somewhat unusual, and the searches I have done usually direct me to a thread that is too technical for me. I am a cartoon fanatic, and have several terrabytes of cartoons stored on my desktop, arranged by folder. What I usually do is select a particular series (for example, Beavis and Butthead) and run a playlist of the 200 episodes in random/repeat using VLC or regular Windows media player. All of my content is non-HD, mostly in mono. A lot has been transferred from VHS. I currently have a storage drive in my main desktop gaming computer, and use a wireless keyboard to run it, and have an HDMI cable routed to my TV. What I would like to know is do any of the inexpensive boxes have the simple playlist/random repeat options I use now? And can any of them play from network sources? That is less important, I can always get a cheap enclosure and remove my storage drive if I have to. But most of the advertising and threads seem to be about the HD quality and sound quality, which is not the content I want to play. I love good movies, but I watch on Blu-Ray with my sound system, I don't NEED a box for that content. I sometimes do light web browsing and Amazon Prime streaming to my TV, but it isn't a necessity. I have been building mid-range gaming rigs for years, so I can always put together a computer if I have to, but honestly I feel that 250-350 is a bit much to spend for what I want it for. I also really don't want to get into the tweaking of software unless I have to, so I guess what I am asking is if any of the 80-150 dollar ready made streaming devices will do what I need?
