JZ1276

Is there a component which will let you store audio / video files (mp3, .avi., mpeg, .vob, etc) which you can connect directly to a home theater with a nice amount of storage (around 500 gb)?

parrotheads4

I use a laptop.

Sonicflood

HTPC.......... Google it.

Josh H

People also modded original X-box's to use for HTPCs, so you could look into that.

I believe the X-box 360 has some support for streaming stuff to the home theater as well.

Spiky

Mac Mini.

JZ1276

a mac mini is a Pc correct? I already have a PC.
I dont own an xbox and dont really want one. I'm looking for something like the HP media center.

boston george

Well depending on what you want to spend, my XBOX360 does that and more. I can stream pics, music, any video format from my pc (infinite storage space), wirelessly.

And the tv tuner card in my pc lets it function as a DVR (TiVo) also.

So for $400 you get all that. If there's anything else that you would want it to do I can't think of it.

Spiky

Then use your PC. The HP Media Center is also another PC, just bundled with HT stuff.

I like the Mini better for this purpose because it is tiny, silent, and very capable, running both OSX and XP/Vista. And it comes with the best software ever for burning your own stuff.

But you can probably work a bit on your current one and have a nice setup cheaper than buying a new PC of any sort.

Numanoid

Kaleidescape, baby!

cpgator

I am also looking for something that will stream content, but to different TVs around the house. I have a 360, but don't want to buy one for every TV.

I have considered the MediaGate MG-350HD - any opinions on this, or something else that could do the same thing?
http://www.monoprice.com/products/pr...ormat=2&style=

And the Kaleidescape is a tad out of my price range...

Spiky

Stream the same content or different content? And what content, HD/DVD/etc?

JZ1276

i am not looking for something that will stream content. I'm looking for a component that allows you to store the data in it with a HD about 500 GB. AVI , mog, vob files

cpgator

Something with a HD, but that can stream to other units w/o HD. I would like them to be able to stream different content at the same time. Mostly pics, music, and video (SD).

Spiky

Sorry, two people asking slightly different Qs. A little confusion.

You still need it to play the data. It can't just hook up 500GB of files to the TV and work since the TV can't do anything with that. Your PC would be the most likely source of playback, with a nice big external drive, that's what I do. The HP you mentioned is just another PC, but certainly would do the trick. (although I don't like HP PCs, so I would recommend against them) The Kaleidascape would do this, or other dedicated HTPCs, some of them look more like a DVDp than a PC. But these are all quite pricey. Or there's Apple's iTV, but it only takes a laptop drive, so won't be near 500GB. It may be what you are looking for in terms of everything except HDD size.

I think you just need an external hard drive. Firewire at least, Firewire 800 or ESATA even better. Or a network drive, if you have Gigabit ethernet. I think those are still a bit pricier, but are very slick. This is what I have with my Mini. When I use up the 400GB, I'll add another large drive.

JZ1276

thats the setup i have now. I have a 250 gb hd with video files as well as 100 DVDRs full of video files along with s video and audio going to my TV/Receiver.. Id like to copy all the media on the DVDs onto one component/ HD with the material on the external HD.
Id also want to be able to FF/REV, browse files with a remote.

eedoon

HTPC all the way. You won't regret it.

DVD Josh

You didn't read closely enough about the Mediagate. It will allow you put in a HD of any size to use a local lan server for media files. Yes, it will stream, but you don't have to use those capabilities if you don't want to.

It's exactly what you are asking for.

JZ1276

that thing looks perfect. There are alot of different models, one of them is way below what I expected at 119.00.
There is no max in HD size?

JZ1276

well, i did alot of reading on the Mediagate and alot of people complained of audio sync issues with files encoded using autogk. Being that 2/3 of my movies were encoded with auto gk i probably wont buy it.
My friend was showing me his modded X Box which also does everything the Mediagate does. Anyone have experience with one of these?

Numanoid

I have my PC hooked up to my LCD projector -- I guess that makes it a HTPC. I connect via gigabit ethernet to a 2TB Buffalo Terastation which houses scads of mp3s, avis, mpgs, and DVD home movie rips (seriously, they're home movies...on homemade DVDs...that's just the way it is...trust me) (currently 1045.2 GBs worth). The Terastation is in RAID 5 mode, so there's some protection against a drive failure.

I'm really not sure why someone would use anything other than an HTPC for something like this. Have you ever surfed DVD Talk on a 125" screen. I'm doing it now, and frankly, it rules.

X

Of home movies, right? Otherwise we'd have to close up this thread because it somehow turned into a discussion of advocating violation of the DMCA.

JZ1276

Yes, of course home movies.

JZ1276

Like I said, I have my PC hooked up to my 50" Panny plasma. Never use it as a PC monitor except to watch movies on from the PC. There are alot of reasons why I would prefer something like Mediagate/X Box Media Center over PC connected to a TV.
I'm constantly using programs on my PC which take alot of RAM, so watching movies on my TV from PC has lags.
I've been looking to back up all my video/music files on one huge HDD, so it would just make sense to use that HDD in an XBMC or Mediagate bc both are fairly cheap.

Numanoid

Of course. I'm shocked that you would imply otherwise. Harumph!

cpgator

If you use a HTPC, how would you get the files to other TVs around the house?