[aoaaron]

Hi guys, I need to buy a few boxes to hit around the house so I'm looking for advice.

I have an unraid server 10TB setup which is doing nicely but I only have one HTPC which is an ER1401 running XBMC on windows 7. Honestly, its been OKAY... the new version of xbmc has been great but a few 10bit files it struggles/fails on where my macs play without a hitch and it seems to be pretty random too.

So anyway, I need a cheap box, under £150 preferably, can stretch to 200, which will let me watch 1080p files. I'll be smacking an ethernet port in it too but wifi would also be nice.

My options I've seen are:

1. ATV1 + crystalbuntu
2. ATV2
3. Raspberry PI.

My biggest annoyances will be if i can't use plugins i like for streaming media and slow browsing of fan art etc. Please input will be much appreciated. I don't know much/anything about the raspberry pi so any info again will be much appreciated.


P.S. I also have an iPad, iPhone and macbook so can the ATV work with these devices, e.g. airplay through XBMC?

P.P.S would a mac mini like this work: http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/SCRUMPYMACS-AP...1841wt_968

to clarify:


1) 720p/1080p playback - honestly all my files are 720p but high bitrate/demanding as far as i know
2) EASY - windows 7 has ruined my ER1401.. always butting in, xbmc turning off randomly, xbmc being slow and needing a restart etc.
3) fluid experience.. again win7 failed here, altho eden fixed it somewhat, loading skins, fan art was a horrible experience
4) USERFRIENDLY - this is for my mum/dad so i basically need a box which is simple...