Need a decent media centre for home network

OGroteKoning

OGroteKoning

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Okay, here goes ...

This is in my current entertainment system:
- LG 42" LCD Full HD TV
- Yamaha AV receiver (4 HDMI inputs)
- HD PVR
- PS3
These are all connected via HDMI cables

My network:
- TP-Link MR3420 wireless 3G router OR Intellinet 300n 3G wireless router
- Synology DS411j NAS
- PS3 (same one as above)
These are all connected via ethernet cables

The PS3 recognised the Synology as a media server and I could stream efforlessly from the Synology to the PS3 through the network. This was untill $ony decided to detect movies in a new firmware update and now I (and others who updated the PS3 firmware) get a "cinevia" error after a short while of watching a movie (newish movies). The only way to watch a movie with my current setup from the Synology to the LCD TV, is to speed up playback on the PS3 to x1.5, but no-one wants to watch a movie like that!

So I am in the market to get a thingemagotchy to render the service the PS3 did. Here are some required features (its probably standard, but here it is nevertheless):
- Interface with the TV through the AV Receiver
- Have HDMI output
- 5.1 Surround sound (minimum standard - 7.1 would be great)
- NOT be limited like the PS3 is currently (it must have an IDGARA attitude towards copyrights etc.)
- Must have ethernet input
- Compatible with Synlogy DS411j NAS
- Reliable
Optional features:
- Bluray/DVD/CD player (so as not to wear out my PS3)
- Component and/or composite output and/or coaxial output and/or optical output
- Additional USB ports for external drives
Features I don't care for, but will not be unhappy if it is included:
- Internal HDD capacity

I don't want to plonk a PC or a laptop next to the TV, so that option is already in the trash.

Seeing that I do not know what this would cost me, I am hesitant to put a budget against this, but lets say no more than R5000

Thanks in advance!

PS: For those who dont know: IDGARA = I Don't Give A Rat's Ass
 
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Xtreamer Ultra for 2850Rand + one TB 2.5IN drive (no drive thou)
ALTERNATIVELY - Buy the Zotac ZBox AD03 with a blueray player/DVD writer!
 
You can give a Mede8er a go. I am quite happy with mine. But I also recently built a media center based on the HP Microserver with XBMC, because of the limitless potential.

The Mede8er works great over my wired network, and I have yet to encounter a movie which is not playable. There is no optical drive though, so unfortunately you will have to wear out that PS3 ;)

I plan on using the HP as a PVR as well, but that is still a bit down the road.
 
I have been using the western digital live tv hub. Simple but very functional for all kinds of formats and it comes with a built in 1tb hdd that can be used as a networked hdd as well
 
Yip. Try the Mede8er. New one looks quite promising.
I have the older MED500X.

I am also in PTA, if you want, I can show you the Mede8er.
 
Mede8er is a great device for multimedia but due to its limitations I have assembled my own HTPC (XBMC) and connected to my Yamaha RX V 767, this setup works really well. There are lots of new fancy HTPC cases around.
 
McGuywer said:
Yip. Try the Mede8er. New one looks quite promising.
I have the older MED500X.

I am also in PTA, if you want, I can show you the Mede8er.
Click to expand...

Thanks for the offer - I might just take you up on it! In which suburb are you?
 
ra_one said:
Mede8er is a great device for multimedia but due to its limitations I have assembled my own HTPC (XBMC) and connected to my Yamaha RX V 767, this setup works really well. There are lots of new fancy HTPC cases around.
Click to expand...

I don't know what is involved with the HTPC. Can you elaborate and/or attach pics please?
 
OGroteKoning said:
I don't know what is involved with the HTPC. Can you elaborate and/or attach pics please?
Click to expand...

See here for unit & price :http://www.hpshop.co.za/p-7357-hp-proliant-microserver-633724-421.aspx

Read here : http://mybroadband.co.za/vb/showthread.php/333460-HP-ProLiant-MicroServer

and here : http://mybroadband.co.za/vb/showthread.php/370932-bye-bye-media-player-hello-HP-Proliant-Microserver

Setup programs see here : http://xbmc.org/
and here : http://sickbeard.com/
and here : http://sabnzbd.org/

I've just started using this setup and will never go back to my WD Live.
Just read all the above and you'll have a pretty good idea of how it works.

Best option for the best price imho
 
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ra_one said:
Mede8er is a great device for multimedia but due to its limitations I have assembled my own HTPC (XBMC) and connected to my Yamaha RX V 767, this setup works really well. There are lots of new fancy HTPC cases around.
Click to expand...

I also use the mede8er. If you want something to just watch movies, then the mede8er is fine, as it plays pretty much anything without any fuss. If you're looking for extra functionality, then I suggest looking elsewhere.
 
also went mede8er to hp+xbmc and while the mede8er will play anything this is just in a different league. For 5k you could build 2 if you can find the old ones with 1.3ghz cpu.
 
Thanks McGuyver for the demo today. I made up my mind with your help! Mede8er it is!

Also, thanks to all the other respondents. You made it difficult for me to make a choice...

Sent from my GT-I9100 using Tapatalk
 
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