MultiMedia Hard Drive

Spang_Joe

Hey guys, need some recommendations...

I'm done with my Iomega Screenplay Director 2TB. With its clunky UI and finicky codec support, I've had enough.

So where do I go from here? I've been lurking here for a few days reading lots of posts trying to get more info on what to move on to.

Part of me thinks of just going on up to the Screenplay DX but I'm reluctant

What I need is this.

• 2tb+ internal storage
• A decent UI (preferably one allowing cover art etc.)
• Awesome codec support
• and of course HDMI out

Web browser would be nice but not essential.

I have no need for NAS or the ability to record from TV.

The Boxee looked good but the lack of internal storage has put me off.

I also have been toying with the idea of a HTPC and just using XBMC or Bozee software but it seems to be the more expensive option.

Anyway, any help would be greatly appreciated.

lucast2007us

Spang_Joe wrote: »

Hey guys, need some recommendations...

I'm done with my Iomega Screenplay Director 2TB. With its clunky UI and finicky codec support, I've had enough.

So where do I go from here? I've been lurking here for a few days reading lots of posts trying to get more info on what to move on to.

Part of me thinks of just going on up to the Screenplay DX but I'm reluctant

What I need is this.

• 2tb+ internal storage
• A decent UI (preferably one allowing cover art etc.)
• Awesome codec support
• and of course HDMI out

Web browser would be nice but not essential.

I have no need for NAS or the ability to record from TV.

The Boxee looked good but the lack of internal storage has put me off.

I also have been toying with the idea of a HTPC and just using XBMC or Bozee software but it seems to be the more expensive option.

Anyway, any help would be greatly appreciated.

I feel ur pain man!! I too have had the screenplay director for a year so sick of it haven't used it in months piece of junk... I have now ordered a boxee from amazon. If you don't like boxee this is the next best thing in my opinion:

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Live-Hub-Media-Center-1TB/sim/B00466IEXE/2

Pricey but prob well worth it!!

Carter P Fly

A mini ITX based HTPC with a 2 or 3 tb HD running ubuntu and Boxee would tick all your boxes.

It might cost a little bit more then a ready built box but it'd be worth it.

Spang_Joe

Carter P Fly wrote: »

A mini ITX based HTPC with a 2 or 3 tb HD running ubuntu and Boxee would tick all your boxes.

It might cost a little bit more then a ready built box but it'd be worth it.

Yeah the HTPC option is quite appealing but I don't know would I be confident in my knowledge of computer parts to buy em myself.

Does anyone know of a site where one can put one together for in some kind of step by step wizard?

BenEadir

I like the idea of the Screenplay DX 2TB but it doesn't have a bit torrent client for downloading movies which is a deal breaker for me. I don't want to be downloading movies on my laptop only to have to transfer them via USB stick to watch them on my TV.

Is there a box out there which does all the Screenplay DX does but also has the ability to download movie torrents?

Ben

Voodu Child

BenEadir wrote: »

I like the idea of the Screenplay DX 2TB but it doesn't have a bit torrent client for downloading movies which is a deal breaker for me. I don't want to be downloading movies on my laptop only to have to transfer them via USB stick to watch them on my TV.

Is there a box out there which does all the Screenplay DX does but also has the ability to download movie torrents?

Ben

Yes, lots of media players come with built in torrent clients. Too many to mention really, usually if a chipset (eg Realtek 1185) supports it then most/all media players using that chipset will have a torrent client. There's actually only a few popular chipsets on the market.

http://www.iboum.com/net-media-players.php

BenEadir

Voodu Child wrote: »

Yes, lots of media players come with built in torrent clients. Too many to mention really, usually if a chipset (eg Realtek 1185) supports it then most/all media players using that chipset will have a torrent client. There's actually only a few popular chipsets on the market.

http://www.iboum.com/net-media-players.php

Hi VC,

Thanks for the feedback and link. It's a mad list of kit there and I think I'm more confused than ever now!!

How can the Screenplay DX be as (apparently) popular as it is at over €250 when, if I'm understanding you correctly, there are more functional boxes out there for half the price???

confused.com

Ben

BenEadir

Spang_Joe wrote: »

Yeah the HTPC option is quite appealing but I don't know would I be confident in my knowledge of computer parts to buy em myself.

Does anyone know of a site where one can put one together for in some kind of step by step wizard?

Is this (http://www.amazon.co.uk/Acer-Integrated-Graphics-Wireless-Keyboard/dp/B002TI42YG/ref=sr_1_23?s=computers&ie=UTF8&qid=1320184379&sr=1-23) not a ready made HTPC? Install, XBMC, add on a 2TB external HDD and bingo you've a media box which can download torrents, stream content etc etc

Am I missing something?

Ben

Voodu Child

BenEadir wrote: »

How can the Screenplay DX be as (apparently) popular as it is at over €250 when, if I'm understanding you correctly, there are more functional boxes out there for half the price???

I wouldn't say it's particularly popular, there's so many players nowadays that none of them have a big slice of the market.

Whatever one you decide on, you should check some forums for user experiences. These things live or die based on stability, firmware updates etc.

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/forumdisplay.php?f=39