What do I need?

corblimey

I'm considering getting rid of Sky altogether but since I can't really accurately describe or even visualise the setup I need, I'm having trouble working out what I need to do. Can anyone give me some pointers? Right now, I have a Linux (Ubuntu) PC with a bunch of avi files on it. I'd like to watch them on my HDTV. I'd also like to be able to remotely control the playback/pause/ etc of those files. Watching DVDs on the same box is an added bonus. Finally, the box needs to be able to download new torrents regularly (I use TED) and have them ready for me to watch when i come home in the evenings.

I don't believe this is a HTPC setup at all, as I have no intention of getting a tv tuner and/or watching 'live' TV, correct me if I'm wrong. I installed MythTV last night, but that's all about live TV. I also have a Vista PC at my disposal and I plan on using one of my external h/ds to actually hold the avi files in the future, and let whichever PC is connected to just use the network files, so I've got options.

lmimmfn

dunno if this helps but I use Media Portal( freeware but only works on windows unfortunately ) - http://www.team-mediaportal.com/

and with the Xface plugin( its a skin - http://www.ehomeupgrade.com/2007/10/02/mediaportal-xface-ui-skin-looks-fantastic/ ) running on a PC connected to my HDTV to watch all my DVD's/xvids/avi's etc., and to play all my music, everything is located on a remote server and accessed over a wireless network.
It works great and if your PC/HTPC has an infra red sensor you can use remotes with it too. It also integrates with IMDB to download all the movie info( synopsis, rating, actors etc. ) and thumbnail pix for movies etc. and does the same for music albums.

For torrents i download them onto my server which copies them once downloaded to my shared media drive( over wireless connection ) and is therefore accessible from my media PC

corblimey

That sounds like exactly what I need, imimmfn, pity it's windows only - my windows pc is my main source for playing games, etc. But it's certainly a starting point. Thanks

mediacentre.ie

I would second media portal. it is much better than VMCE. I am still amazed it is open source.

pug_

Mythtv is great for playing avi's that's mainly what I use my myth setup for. It also does lots of other non live tv related stuff like playing mp3's getting weather reports, playing mame games etc.

All you have to do is tell myth which directory your avi's are in, go into the Media Library section, select watch videos, and they're they'll all be.

If you're using the box strictly as a media PC then you could Install mythbuntu as your base OS. It's essentially a lightweight ubuntu install tailored for myth. You can still install any apps you want from the ubuntu apt repositories giving you the torrent feature you're looking for.

kaisersose77

mediacentre.ie wrote: »

I would second media portal. it is much better than VMCE. I am still amazed it is open source.

mediaportal is slow and buggy and looks like crap, everytime i install its uninstalled straight away as it doesnt take long to notice that nothing has changed in mediaportal in years. And the main developer went AWOL the last time i checked their forum. Wont be long before xbmc for windows/linux is better than it.

Tryout xbmc for linux, think theres even a cd version.

The interfaces seem like there getting better and better if you check their forums.

http://xbmc.org/download/

lmimmfn

corblimey wrote: »

That sounds like exactly what I need, imimmfn, pity it's windows only - my windows pc is my main source for playing games, etc. But it's certainly a starting point. Thanks

no probs, yeah it is a pain in the butt its windows only, it has its drawbacks( especially when upgrading the version, seems to forget all db entries ), but normally its cool, may crash the odd time, but havnt found anything that doesnt, but the imdb integration is what makes me consider it as the best and with the skin makes it look uber

kaisersose77 wrote: »

mediaportal is slow and buggy and looks like crap, everytime i install its uninstalled straight away as it doesnt take long to notice that nothing has changed in mediaportal in years. And the main developer went AWOL the last time i checked their forum. Wont be long before xbmc for windows/linux is better than it.

Tryout xbmc for linux, think theres even a cd version.

The interfaces seem like there getting better and better if you check their forums.

http://xbmc.org/download/

ok a few things, NO DEVS HAVE GONE AWOL, RC2 of MediaPortal is great especially on vista( on XP playing a movie minimises it ), yes it has issues but most have resolutions. RC3 im not so impressed about but it does fix loads of issues( tbh i think its works better on vista than XP ). Its free and currently the best out there, if you have a recommendation for something better then go ahead. As regards it being slow, use a low powered skin if running it on a POS