2013-12-18, 03:26
I currently run a jailbroken AppleTV2 with XBMC. Seeing as how these are selling for $250 - $350 on eBay, I'm thinking this might be a good time to do a fun upgrade project.
On the AppleTV, all I use is:
-Official Netflix App
-XBMC to play video from a USB drive hooked to my router
The AppleTV plugs right into my TV via HDMI. I have no interest in 5.1 sound, or whatever the newest format is. I also have no interest in Blu-Ray playback. This Intel NUC is going for about $170 and looks like it would do everything I need. I would run either Windows 7 or 8 on it as I already have licenses for both.
http://www.amazon.com/Intel-Next-Computi...pXp3_0_0_0
My reason for upgrading is to have a more functional box hooked up to my TV, potentially for some web surfing or light gaming. My only issue is the simplicity of the AppleTV. My family and guests love the simplicity of the AppleTV menu. Is this possible to replicate on a Windows box? What I am envisioning is a "simple mode" that would only have Netflix and XBMC, I would leave it on this mode all the time, except when I need Windows functionality, at which point I would quit the simple menu. I would like a simple remote like the AppleTV remote for guests.
I already have this USB Keyboard/Trackball remote, which I would use myself, but keep hidden from guests.
Any suggestions on how to have a "simple mode" like I described? How about a "simple remote"? Thanks for any suggestions!
On the AppleTV, all I use is:
-Official Netflix App
-XBMC to play video from a USB drive hooked to my router
The AppleTV plugs right into my TV via HDMI. I have no interest in 5.1 sound, or whatever the newest format is. I also have no interest in Blu-Ray playback. This Intel NUC is going for about $170 and looks like it would do everything I need. I would run either Windows 7 or 8 on it as I already have licenses for both.
http://www.amazon.com/Intel-Next-Computi...pXp3_0_0_0
My reason for upgrading is to have a more functional box hooked up to my TV, potentially for some web surfing or light gaming. My only issue is the simplicity of the AppleTV. My family and guests love the simplicity of the AppleTV menu. Is this possible to replicate on a Windows box? What I am envisioning is a "simple mode" that would only have Netflix and XBMC, I would leave it on this mode all the time, except when I need Windows functionality, at which point I would quit the simple menu. I would like a simple remote like the AppleTV remote for guests.
I already have this USB Keyboard/Trackball remote, which I would use myself, but keep hidden from guests.
Any suggestions on how to have a "simple mode" like I described? How about a "simple remote"? Thanks for any suggestions!