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It's not much to ask for...

  • 16-04-2007 8:30pm
    #1
    iMax
    Closed Accounts Posts: 3,489 ✭✭✭


    ...I just don't know what I want

    I recently bought an xbox 360 to use as a media extender from my PC (Medion PC, type with scart plug on back with vista ultimate - upstairs on wireless network).

    Now I'm delighted with the 360 in it's function as a media extender (apart from requiring divx to be converted to wm files first), however I find myself not playing any games, so it's a little bit overkill...

    I'd love a media extender that will work on a wireless network (& is easy to set up with media centre), but it would be ideal if I could also record from NTL digital too...

    Is it a htpc I'm looking for or something else ?

    I'm hoping to get something that I can get rid of the 2 VCRs & DVDs (1 recording) in the house too & just hook it up to the TVs...

    Suggestions ? Please ? Anyone ?


Comments

  • #2
    SouperComputer
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 6,949 ✭✭✭SouperComputer


    You can get media centre extenders individually, however they are NTSC only.

    Wireless TBH is a route I would avoid if at all possible.

    Controlling VCR's is a nightmare with most of the offerings, but especially MCE. To be honest Im not even sure how it can be done. It can be done with MythTV however.


  • #3
    iMax
    Closed Accounts Posts: 3,489 ✭✭✭iMax


    Thanks, unfortunatly wireless is a must, router & PC is upstairs..

    So is it a media extender or a htpc I'm looking for ? I really don't want to have a PC in the bedroom/livingroom (apart from the boot up it's a bit of a pain), would much rather something small & sleek to plug in...


  • #4
    randomer
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,160 ✭✭✭randomer


    What you are looking for is one of the new V2 media center extenders. They have been mentioned online, but unfortunately none of them are on sale yet.


  • #5
    8T8
    Closed Accounts Posts: 4,757 ✭✭✭8T8


    So...
    * Recording TV
    * Playing DVD
    * Wireless Media Playback
    * VCR playback ??

    Tricky one that because that is HTPC territory, some high end DVD recorders do have DivX or XviD support plus wireless features.

    No MCE extender will give that functionality I'm afraid though the Xbox 360 is getting MPEG-4 SP & AVC support in Spring. XviD is MPEG-4 ASP so that will have to wait for another day.

    Something like this Linksys/Kiss device full fill some of the functionality, it records TV and behaves like a PVR (although how well is another matter) and plays files over a network from a PC (wired but a wireless bridge will solve that).

    All that's missing is DVD playback but that is easy enough to take care of with a standalone player.


  • #6
    iMax
    Closed Accounts Posts: 3,489 ✭✭✭iMax


    Thanks for that 8T8... Looks like an interesting solution there. Regarding the HTPC, I just don't want to boot time, but I may have to trade that off against the other desired features. I like the fact the 360 boots & loads media centre in mins with one button.


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  • #7
    8T8
    Closed Accounts Posts: 4,757 ✭✭✭8T8


    Well you could consider a flash HD, proper name is SSD (sold state drive) based HTPC running Vista but that would a pricey affair however it would be very fast to boot.

    Now of course you'd need a regular HD to act as storage for media, recording & the like as SS drives are not large in size

    SSD's aren't out yet but they are close like this Samsung & Sandisk models, Sandisk claim Vista boots in 30 seconds on their drive.

    If you are seriously considering the above do at least wait until boot times have been verified by reviews of said drives.


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