Netbook using boxee as media streamer/player ?

iMax

Guys,

Just wondering what you think of this (& would it work).

I'd love to swap out my popcorn A110 for a mac mini using plex, but funds are low so I was considering picking up a cheapish netbook pref with HDMI (approx €320).

On this I would install boxee with a nice skin, plug it into my homeplug network, attached to my amp/tv & use that as the media player/streamer. It would remain "on" but lid closed behind the TV.

The Pros
- I would have a netbook to bring with me when travelling if needed.
- Boxee has some very nice skins
- I can connect external storage no problem

The Cons
- I can't think how I'd be able to control it remotely
- Is a netbook up to performance for HD etc ?

What do you think ? In theory it appears to check all of the boxes

PogMoThoin

Lunacy, Why bother spending €320 on a netbook, this Dlink Boxee box is out next month, has HDMI, Wireless n, optical surround sound out, usb ports, card reader and a remote and is gonna be priced at $200 at launch
http://www.dlink.com/boxee/

Its even going to be hackable from day one, they're including an SD card reader so installing XBMC (my preference over Boxee) will be possible

Boxee box comes with a full querty keyboard on the remote
http://www.boxee.tv/box
Both Boxee and XBMC can both be controlled remotely on a laptop or with android or iphone apps. There's a webpage You can login to control Your box over Your wireless network
http://blog.boxee.tv/2009/03/15/boxee-iphone-remote-app-available-on-the-app-store/
http://code.google.com/p/boxeeremote/

iMax

That boxee box is really ugly. Why can't they make something that's going to blend in with the rest of your gear ??

I already have a Popcorn Hour A110, the interface on it is driving me nuts though. Really horrible

PogMoThoin

I think the Dlink looks fine, mine will be replacing an old Xbox with Xbmc. Course a netbook would look so much better
Maybe You'd like an Apple one thats locked down and selective about what formats its plays:
http://www.apple.com/appletv/specs.html


The market is about to explode with these type devices, Logitech have one coming out with GoogleTV:
http://gizmodo.com/5657345/logitech-revue-google-tv-box-full-details
Sony are already adding GoogleTV to their tv's:
http://www.sonyinsider.com/2010/10/20/hands-on-review-with-the-sony-internet-tv-google-tv/

You could build a pc specific to the job with the Antec Microfusion case for around €400-500, I had one spec'd but have decided now not to build
http://www.bit-tech.net/hardware/cases/2009/03/27/antec-microfusion-remote-350/1

MediaTank

iMax wrote: »

The Cons
- I can't think how I'd be able to control it remotely
- Is a netbook up to performance for HD etc ?

What do you think ? In theory it appears to check all of the boxes

You'd need a wireless keyboard for remote control - more cost.

I haven't seen a netbook that can do 1080p (yet), but if they exist they will be more expensive than the €320 you've quoted.

I'm assuming you have not got YAMJ going for the Popcorn?

iMax

Hi Mediatank,

I have YAMJ (actually the MAC version of it - TOMY) running this week & am experimenting with it, but the skins are pretty basic (gruesome), plus it looks like some of the meta data on the video files is incorrect so it gets the wrong thing.

Actually on that, are you aware of an editor for meta data for video files ?

M450

PogMoThoin wrote: »

Lunacy, Why bother spending €320 on a netbook, this Dlink Boxee box is out next month, has HDMI, Wireless n, optical surround sound out, usb ports, card reader and a remote and is gonna be priced at $200 at launch
http://www.dlink.com/boxee/

Its even going to be hackable from day one, they're including an SD card reader so installing XBMC (my preference over Boxee) will be possible

Boxee box comes with a full querty keyboard on the remote
http://www.boxee.tv/box
Both Boxee and XBMC can both be controlled remotely on a laptop or with android or iphone apps. There's a webpage You can login to control Your box over Your wireless network
http://blog.boxee.tv/2009/03/15/boxee-iphone-remote-app-available-on-the-app-store/
http://code.google.com/p/boxeeremote/

$200? Where would you get it for that? Maybe e-bay, but I suppose you'd have to worry about customs charges etc.

It's £200 on Amazon.co.uk, horrible conversion there!

OP, I don't see the point in getting a netbook. You can get perfect little boxes like the Acer Revo, Zotac Z-Box or the one I'm dying to get, the Shuttle XS35GT(it's fanless). All <= €320

iMax

I'm after getting the AEON skin & I'm doing an update right now to see how it turns out. If that looks decent, I'll probably keep the PH.

PogMoThoin

M450 wrote: »

$200? Where would you get it for that? Maybe e-bay, but I suppose you'd have to worry about customs charges etc.

It's £200 on Amazon.co.uk, horrible conversion there!

I have 2x sisters in the States, My Parents visit twice a yr, in fact My Mam is heading over in Nov and its officially out 12th Nov
http://www.amazon.com/D-Link-DSM-380-Boxee-Box-by/dp/B0038JE07O/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1287695924&sr=8-1

M450

PogMoThoin wrote: »

I have 2x sisters in the States, My Parents visit twice a yr, in fact My Mam is heading over in Nov and its officially out 12th Nov
http://www.amazon.com/D-Link-DSM-380-Boxee-Box-by/dp/B0038JE07O/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1287695924&sr=8-1

You wouldn't mind adding one to that order...

vibe666

i got an Acer Revo R3610 from ebuyer for under £200 and Rii mini wireless keyboard off ebay for about £30 and couldn't be happier.

you can stick windows or linux on it or use it for xbmc or boxee. its got a dual core atom 330, 2gb of ram, nvidia iON gfx, wifi, hdmi, spdif and loads of usb ports and an sd card reader.

the supplied wired keyboard and mouse were a bit cruddy, but i'm more than happy with the Rii keyboard now and i've got windows 7 installed on it along with xbmc and boxee for a bit of testing and can't fault it. i could do with more ram so i don't have to shut down the browser etc. when playing back HD video, but other than that its a pretty sweet set up imho.

MediaTank

iMax wrote: »

Actually on that, are you aware of an editor for meta data for video files ?

YAMJ use a combination of the container information (via MediaInfo) from the video file, this gives the tech details and then the file name is looked up on IMDB and the data downloaded. There is no other meta data to speak of, unless you are referring to something else?

BTW, have you looked at UMC as an alternative to YAMJ?

MediaTank

iMax wrote: »

I'm after getting the AEON skin & I'm doing an update right now to see how it turns out. If that looks decent, I'll probably keep the PH.

It's a good one.

iMax

Used the AEON skin (or most of it) & it is pretty, but for some reason the "play" links on a lot of files don't work.

Had a look at UMC, but it's taken me ages to sort out TOMY/YAMJ so I don't think I'd bother.

The main objective is to get a mac mini as plex/xmbc is REALLY nice