I've got a $1000 budget to get some form of media player/HTPC with;
If it needs a seperate wireless router so be it, but simplicity is the key here too, as a lot of the users won't be that tech savy. At most I would like the media player/HTPC and the router.
Any ideas?
Thanks for your help.
How about a WDTV Live Hub http://www.wdc.com/en/products/products.aspx?id=570 plugged into a router such as the ASUS RT-N66U?
I'm just thinking about simplicity mostly.
edit:
You could do all that on a Intel NUC
http://www.pccasegear.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&p…
And then Install PLEX on it, and you pretty much have a streaming box ready to go that also runs Windows.
It's basically a Intel powered HTPC with USB 3.0 connectivity, and it's also extremely low power.
There is also a Celeron based version of the NUC which sells for $235 and is a very cheap way of getting a HTPC up and running with minimal setup time and cost.
I run a comprehensive mythtv based setup. There is frontend/ backend with separate frontends in three other rooms. There is a linux based HP MIcrosoerver in my study for additional storage.
ALthough a high quality dual band router was in place, wireless proved too flaky.
However, I recently installed a Netgear 2500RP
http://www.netgear.com/home/products/wireless-range-extender…
which I got from OW for $82.50.
This device is a game changer when it is connected to the main router/ switch on the higher of the dual bands.
Wireless connectivity in our house is now exceptional. Highy recommended.
Have a similar set-up as GuiGuy, and definitely the way to go, as MythTV is also like TiVo on steroids, when paired with an excellent EPG like shepherd.
Can also highly recommend, but unlike GuiGuy, do NOT agree with wireless at all.
You start running simultaneous Full HD with DTS sound tracks (12Gb + files) to 3 devices, there's no real bandwidth room left. Saving Private Ryan in HD with DTS streams at more than 16Mbps alone. Wireless just doesn't cut it when you start getting serious BluRays.
STRONGLY suggest wiring the house. A good sparkie can do this for about $150 per point.
Why have all this wireless (which is slower the more devices you connect especially if you start connecting G devices like phones and tablets), and kill the bandwidth firing up your microwave, opening your garage door, or using the baby monitor, when you can GUARANTEE 1Gbps to each device with some nice CAT6 cabling?
Get the wired points. You will not regret it. I hear wireless a lot but I just don't get how people are so happy to spend thousands on HTPC, TVs, Surround systems, then choke the beautiful things they buy by skimping on the proper bandwidth to feed them all.
Interesting. Since installing the Netgear repeater I have only played a couple of 1080p movies (one 3D) that are stored on the HP microserver. They have all played across wireless (using the higher band) without problems. Admittedly, it was only from the microserver to the main frontend. But you've got my curiosity aroused now so I'm going to have a stress test now :)
Incidentally, my previous network between the microserver and the main frontend was ethernet over power, 200mbps in theory, about 30mbps in reality). The wireless set up is giving me read transfers that are at the limit of the HP N40L.
I'll stay with my recommendation.
Cheers
Get a case like the cooler master elite 120 and buy an Asus P8Z77-I DELUXE motherboard. The rest of the parts are up to you.