Boxee Box as media player/hub - advice needed

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undesign

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I'm having an itch again to better streamline by media/streaming setup.

Current setup -

Study PC (all my media files are here, on different drives)
AV receiver
TVIX 6500 media player hooked into AVR
Playstation 3 hooked into AVR
Plasma TV
Cat 5 cables running from PC to PS3

I hardly use the TVIX anymore as it too slow to copy large files and streaming is suspect. The PS3 is OK, but every now and then I have issues with playback (WMV HD, Cinavia, etc.) I stream with PlaystationMediaServer. The GUI of the PS3 in terms of navigating to your media also leaves a lot to be desired.

Needs -

1) By able to stream from PC to TV
2) Preferably also use the media player/HTPC as a backup for my media files
3) Airplay support for iDevices (for streaming itunes music to AVR)
4) Relatively easy setup
5) Better organised layout of media files
6) Remote access via iPhone/iPad

The Boxee Box seems to check all the right boxes. Does that sound about right? Any comments or sharing of experiences with the Boxee is appreciated!
 
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Xtreamer Ultra!

... then you canrun Boxee, XBMC or whatever you want
 
Dolby said:
Xtreamer Ultra!

... then you canrun Boxee, XBMC or whatever you want
Click to expand...

Just googled it and it looks great, but there seems to be as much negative comments as positive. Misleading advertising and specs etc. Apparently Airplay is not supported, even though they initially said so.

They've also been banned from MPC Club -

http://www.mpcclub.com/forum/showthread.php?t=22912

Where did you buy? I can't find many SA shops - saw at AVShop for R4625. Boxee going for sub R3000.
 
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Personally I'd go for the HP proliant micro server. Super value proposition.

Sent from my GT-N7000 using Tapatalk
 
SukkaFoo said:
Personally I'd go for the HP proliant micro server. Super value proposition.
Click to expand...

Thanks, I had a look at it and read the MyBB threads. I don't want to build or assemble anything, I'm looking for the easy out-of-the-box option and minor tinkering afterwards. And it looks a bit bulky for my TV room.
 
I haven't - my cat needed a R10,000.00 operation :( before I could start buying anything ... so kept my TViX.

From my understanding, the main reason Xtreamer were hated was support and backup. They never released firmware updates etc - but as this is effectivly a PC running XBMC/Boxee, it shouldn't be that much of an issue. I would be worried about the specs you mention though :/

I saws that site - but check here http://www.xtreamersa.co.za/shop/xtreamer-ultra.html <<<< this worked a few weeks ago when I checked at under R3,300.00. Dunno what is wrong - but here's a disti at R2,895.00 ex VAT http://www.scoopdistribution.co.za/product_info.php?products_id=1165

As for value, if you see what you get in the box for the money - it offers fantastic value. I think Scoop has the USB wifi antenna at R150.00 or something, so all in all

SiriS said:
Where did you buy? I can't find many SA shops - saw at AVShop for R4625. Boxee going for sub R3000.
Click to expand...
 
I'm not against the HP at all - but I think pure value, this is the better option.

I think to build the HP to the exact same spec - with both remotes, all cabling, faster processor/more RAM, USB stick, wifi N etc w ill cost more than the HP. The argument for the HP is - will you use everything?

Personally I'd rather pay R1,000.00 more to get everything I need in one single box, regardless of whether I use it
 
Out of interest, I replaced my boxeebox with a HP Microserver, much happier now.
 
Dolby said:
I haven't - my cat needed a R10,000.00 operation :( before I could start buying anything ... so kept my TViX.

From my understanding, the main reason Xtreamer were hated was support and backup. They never released firmware updates etc - but as this is effectivly a PC running XBMC/Boxee, it shouldn't be that much of an issue. I would be worried about the specs you mention though :/

I saws that site - but check here http://www.xtreamersa.co.za/shop/xtreamer-ultra.html <<<< this worked a few weeks ago when I checked at under R3,300.00. Dunno what is wrong - but here's a disti at R2,895.00 ex VAT http://www.scoopdistribution.co.za/product_info.php?products_id=1165

As for value, if you see what you get in the box for the money - it offers fantastic value. I think Scoop has the USB wifi antenna at R150.00 or something, so all in all
Click to expand...

Strange, the xtreamersa.co.za not working atm. At sub R3000 it starts too look much more enticing...although the more I read up the more I think I should just skip Xtreamer altogether.

Dolby said:
Personally I'd rather pay R1,000.00 more to get everything I need in one single box, regardless of whether I use it
Click to expand...

+1

xrapidx said:
Out of interest, I replaced my boxeebox with a HP Microserver, much happier now.
Click to expand...

Why did you replace your Boxee Box and change to a HTPC?


What is very enticing about the Boxee is the ability to stream iTunes to my AVR via Airplay and iDevice. I want access to my playlists - and the ability to rate songs on the go as I listen to music.
 
I run a couple of apple TVs with XBMC installed, and for ease of use/installation, its awesome. Only drawback is not being able to run 1080p content. I paid about R1k for each of them about 6 months ago.

Sent from my GT-N7000 using Tapatalk
 
SiriS said:
Why did you replace your Boxee Box and change to a HTPC?
Click to expand...

Needed something that supported library sharing (i.e. syncing what you've watched in room)

And I also got irritated with the lack of support from the BoxeeBox devs, there was an issue with dropping of HD audio formats, and they kept denying it saying they couldn't replicate the issue - yet it effected just about everyone.

I also wanted more control than BoxeeBox gives you.
 
How is the HP different to the Xtreamer though?
They're both PCs that can sun the same software?
 
xrapidx said:
Needed something that supported library sharing (i.e. syncing what you've watched in room)

And I also got irritated with the lack of support from the BoxeeBox devs, there was an issue with dropping of HD audio formats, and they kept denying it saying they couldn't replicate the issue - yet it effected just about everyone.

I also wanted more control than BoxeeBox gives you.
Click to expand...

OK, seems like you are a power user. :)

How was your experience of the Boxee in general?

SukkaFoo said:
Haha, is really not all that tough (I am am accountant and I figured it out...) I saw there's a guy on the classifieds selling one with XBMC installed
Click to expand...

Thanks, PM'ed the seller. These days I tend to avoid these types of projects - too much other stuff to do - and I tend to get so involved my family doesn't see me for a week. :p

Dolby said:
How is the HP different to the Xtreamer though?
They're both PCs that can sun the same software?
Keeper said:
Because this.
Click to expand...
Preferably also use the media player/HTPC as a backup for my media files
Click to expand...
Click to expand...

I think what Dolby means it that you should be able to do the same with the Xtreamer - it is a complete HTPC, with HDDs etc.

The backups are not that important. Ease of setup, being able to play most formats and easy network streaming are key.
 
SiriS said:
I think what Dolby means it that you should be able to do the same with the Xtreamer - it is a complete HTPC, with HDDs etc.
Click to expand...


Cool, I didn't know the Xtreamer could have Internal Hard Drives, i thought it was a R3000 player that just streamed stuff over Wifi or Cat5


I still think the HP is better for users with media over 2TB (for example 10TB)
 
xrapidx said:
Needed something that supported library sharing (i.e. syncing what you've watched in room)
Click to expand...
If you want an integrated multi-room, multi-device solution (with playback persistance) check out Plex. Server runs on Win, OSX, Linux and clients avaliable for Win, OSX, Linux, IPad, Iphone, ATV2, GoogleTV, Android, Samsung & LG Smart TVs & BD players.
 
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