I can't seem to decide on how to approach a HTPC setup, so I wanted to bounce some ideas around and get some feedback.
First, what I want to do with the HTPC/media stack to do:
Stream (Netflix and Youtube for sure, maybe Hulu and others later)
Play DVDs and Blu-Ray (Blu-Ray capability not needed immediately)
Play/push FLACs to receiver/surround sound
File server
Just to be clear, I will not be:
DVRing/timeshifting live TV
3D
Creating and storing encoded DVDs/Blu-Rays
PC gaming on TV
So far I have:
Wii
2x 2TB hard drives
Full size DVD-RW
The TV and surround sound will come later, no room to fit them in my bedroom yet.
As of right now, the budget is up in the air, ideally ~$500 but can be stretched, just nothing extravagent. I'm also willing to wait if Fusion is worth it.
And the three setups I keep bouncing between are:
#1: All-in one
i3+H55/Phenom 2 + 890gx/Fusion running Ubuntu with XMBC/Boxee software (not sure which yet)
#2: Separate front and back end
Get something minimal like an Atom or a dedicated streamer box, with a file server for my media.
#3: no HTPC
Just buy a streaming box and/or internet ready Blu-Ray player, and build a file server.
First, what I want to do with the HTPC/media stack to do:
Stream (Netflix and Youtube for sure, maybe Hulu and others later)
Play DVDs and Blu-Ray (Blu-Ray capability not needed immediately)
Play/push FLACs to receiver/surround sound
File server
Just to be clear, I will not be:
DVRing/timeshifting live TV
3D
Creating and storing encoded DVDs/Blu-Rays
PC gaming on TV
So far I have:
Wii
2x 2TB hard drives
Full size DVD-RW
The TV and surround sound will come later, no room to fit them in my bedroom yet.
As of right now, the budget is up in the air, ideally ~$500 but can be stretched, just nothing extravagent. I'm also willing to wait if Fusion is worth it.
And the three setups I keep bouncing between are:
#1: All-in one
i3+H55/Phenom 2 + 890gx/Fusion running Ubuntu with XMBC/Boxee software (not sure which yet)
#2: Separate front and back end
Get something minimal like an Atom or a dedicated streamer box, with a file server for my media.
#3: no HTPC
Just buy a streaming box and/or internet ready Blu-Ray player, and build a file server.