another kill cable... what device thread: Off-topic discussion forum: Grassroots Motorsports Magazine

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Sept. 11, 2011 10:03 a.m. donalson SuperDork

so cable goes bubye next week... we're streaming hulu and netflix and streaming movies from the computer/media server with the xbox 360 right now... but considering something a bit more streamlined for the family... once we get something else the xbox will prob move rooms

with so many options out there what are you guys using and like? i'd like to keep the streaming from my computer as an option

beyond the want to stream various versions of media from the computer I'd like it to work with standard composite video, we don't have HDtv yet and may be a while before we upgrade... also if we stay with blockbuster i've noticed most don't roll with that...

so what are you guys using?... and no a HTPC isn't out of the question as long as its streamlined enough for the family to use...
Sept. 11, 2011 11:11 a.m. tuna55 SuperDork

Roku is pretty nice and pretty cheap
Sept. 11, 2011 11:19 a.m. z31maniac SuperDork

^My mom is very happy with hers.

We built an HTPC at the beginning of last year. So it's also used for browsing (looking at GRM on the 65") and photos/music/etc.
Sept. 11, 2011 11:29 a.m. Toyman01 SuperDork

I'm using a PC I upgraded with graphics, sound and tuner cards. It's working pretty good, but did take some fiddling with the settings. It was fun to do, but if you want plug and play, buy something else.
Sept. 11, 2011 11:57 a.m. Grtechguy SuperDork

I bought a Logitech Revue....it does a ton of stuff. Watch just about anything via Chrome web browser.

netflix, hulu, cartoon network, tbs, cnn, vevo, vimeo, youtube, amazon video, etc..

the full keyboard is pretty awesome for searching
Sept. 11, 2011 1:20 p.m. 93gsxturbo HalfDork

I am using PS3 Media Server on my PC to stream to a PS3. It works extremely well.
Sept. 11, 2011 3:23 p.m. turboswede SuperDork

A PC is pretty easy, just pick up a Media Center remote from fleabay and plug it in. Windows MC and many other Media Center software jut works with it and you can mostly ditch the keyboard/mouse.

XBMC is pretty nice, free, etc. Boxee is as well (and is based on XBMC) Media Portal works pretty well and is born from the ooze that once was XBMC but took a slightly different path.

Output isn't too bad with the right cards, my Media Portal install has worked with whatever output I've plugged into the PC. Composite, VGA, DVI, and Component.

Adding an IR interface for the power switch on the PC makes it that much more streamlined and with the advances in power management, PC's seem to work well with standby or hibernation these days.

Good luck!
Sept. 11, 2011 3:51 p.m. pinchvalve SuperDork

You can take my cable tv when you pry the remove from my cold dead hands.
Sept. 11, 2011 5:40 p.m. donalson SuperDork

some research and I think i'd be best off with a htpc... hulu seems pretty limited on licensing for computer only

adding a vid card and some ram to the old desktop and installing 7 (yay for free legit MS stuff from dad :) looks like how i'll prob go...

I found a way to move to hulu desktop, boxee, or XBMC from windows media center so it'll be a nice clean user interface and hopefuly readable on the SDtv lol...

so time to backup and install win7 on the desktop me thinks