With all the streaming available and the internet ready devices--does anyone have any opinions on any of these? I'm looking to add streaming\internet content--but not sure what the best option is. Any input would be appreciated.

Don't forget PlayOn. It's software that runs as a service and allows you to stream content from Hulu, Netflix, and many other channels. It also allows streaming of your own content from your PC.

[This message has been edited by Rex racer (edited 11/12/2011 10:46a).]

Also give the game consoles a look.... both the 360 and ps3 are good options but they have the gaming component as well as all the streaming stuff.

Personally I'd stay away from the smart bluray players or tv's.... they don't get updated nearly as often as the other devices and updates are very important these days because they are continually adding new sources.

In terms of a straight streamer the roku box is the cheapest and has a great track record of adding new services.

[This message has been edited by jagouar1 (edited 11/12/2011 12:27p).]

I've been planning an AMD e-350 based XBMC build, but I've been really tempted lately to ditch that and get one of these:
http://www.amazon.com/Western-Digital-Streaming-Media-Player/dp/B005KOZNBW/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1321122259&sr=8-1
Unless you're building your own XBMC machine, have already bought into the Apple ecosystem, or really really want to be able to stream Amazon Prime, I think it's hands down the best option.

I made the switch from roku to Google tv when the Revue went to $99. Won't look back and it will get better when new OS rollout comes soon. Web surfing and leanback YouTube did it for now. When apps are readily available it will make it much better.

Logitech lost $100 million on the Revue

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/11/11/logitech-ceo-on-google-tv-revue_n_1088168.html

Winner = consumers

Boxee Box

EOT.

build your own htpc IMO

Thanks for the input...I think I may go the HTPC route.

If you're using iOS on iPhone or iPad, (and/or use iTunes as your primary media hub) the integration with AppleTV is sweeeeeeeet and to me makes AppleTV a no-brainer.

If you're not using other iOS devices, then AppleTV is a respectable choice but others are probably better.

I will second the Revue. I have a roku and revue, and the roku has been sent to the bedroom. I really like the integration of the revue. Never have to stop watching tv if I want to search hbogo or netflix. With the update coming it is going to be nice to be able to do things like check the weather on the TV and not stop watching the program I am on etc.. The only thing that is a pain is that there is no 3D support, so on the RARE occasion we want to watch something in 3d I have to switch up my HDMI's.

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Personally I'd stay away from the smart bluray players or tv's.... they don't get updated nearly as often as the other devices and updates are very important these days because they are continually adding new sources.

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Seconded, not to mention if something breaks it's much easier to upgrade a $100 or less box vs changing out a tv or player.

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If you're using iOS on iPhone or iPad, (and/or use iTunes as your primary media hub) the integration with AppleTV is sweeeeeeeet and to me makes AppleTV a no-brainer.

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Agreed, we've got a Mac-friendly household and the AppleTV is really useful. If we didn't have several Macs around I'd probably buy a Roku.

If I go with the BYO HTPC then what are the best ways to control it if I set it in a cabinet or somewhere?

http://www.logitech.com/keyboards/keyboard/devices/3848

This is what I use downstairs and it's probably my favorite input method. You can find refurbished versions for under $100 pretty easily.

I have a cheaper lenovo keyboard/trackpad combo upstairs which gets the job done but having no backlit keyboard kind of ruins it for me.

Android/Apple have some interesting apps for recreating the keyboard/mouse experience on your device but they have a ways to go before totaling replacing dedicated hardware.

diggity... I use the keyboard that came with my review sometimes but I really like the Android Google TV app. It works perfectly for my needs

I haven't played around with Google TV but I can definitely see smartphone/tablet apps taking over in the near future.

Right now the best ones are all for proprietary systems but a good universal app would be great.

I agree with AggieBar and Leonard.
1. BYO HTPC
2. Boxee Box
.....

Everything else.

I am a huge fan of Boxee Box.

They now have a backlit model of the Lenovo keyboard/trackball. However, for XBMC I use the XBMC Remote app on an old 1st gen iPhone as my main controller.

Can you watch Hulu or Netflix on the Revue?

Apple TV..hands down.

I explored all the options...had a htpc and got tired of constantly fing with it.

I know have two apple tvs streaming from itunes that stays open on my media server. Takes a little longer to rip and re-encode movies...but worth it IMHO.

As long as it's tied to iTunes, no thank you.

^
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Agree

Interesting comparison. Its from D-link, so its obviously bias in favor of Boxee, but all the same.

http://www.dlink.com/boxee/compare.html

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Apple TV..hands down.

I explored all the options...had a htpc and got tired of constantly fing with it.

I know have two apple tvs streaming from itunes that stays open on my media server. Takes a little longer to rip and re-encode movies...but worth it IMHO.

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There is no way you explored all of the options and concluded that Apple TV is the best hands down. A WDTV Live beats it on every level (codecs, ease of set up, not tied to anything, price, 1080p) and it is not even the best option out there.

I would try Boxee and WDTV Live (a little cheaper).

Yes I did explore all options.

Apple TV works the best...and it only cost $99. Also had the best interface as well.

Some of you get such butthurt when its an apple product...I am as about as far as a fanboy one could get...I read about and see the benefits in everything. In fact my server that holds the media runs windows 7.

There is nothing wrong with itunes (other than it comes from that evil company that has a fruit as its logo)...I rip, encode, tag, and drop it in itunes.

Then it is available in both the living room and bedroom.

Now as far as 1080p...knock yourself out...I just don't see a benefit is storing a huge file so I can watch Harold and Kumar or The Holiday (wife's movie) in 1080p.

For the few movies it looks good I would probably just want to watch the lossless blu-ray anyway.

Edit: Another thought...if you want to watch full 1080p and not have to worry about formats and compatibility then you need to build a media center PC. That way you can have the raw power to play any file.

[This message has been edited by BcoBq2004 (edited 11/15/2011 12:52p).]

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Also had the best interface as well.

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That's a personal preference... I would not call the interface on appletv the best at all. That honor would go to the new xbox dashboard but that is my personal preference.

Its perfectly fine that appletv is your fav interface (like I said its a personal preference). For apple products to work you have to be heavily committed to the apple way of doing things and there are many that are but just as many who aren't. If the op is not heavily invested in the apple ecosystem the appletv is not the best solution for him.

I also think the interface/services are the most important aspect of these devices (more than codec support, web browsers, etc). That's where most media boxes (including the wdtv) fails.

[This message has been edited by jagouar1 (edited 11/15/2011 1:38p).]

Thanks again for all the replies. After considering building my own HTPC from the ground up--I figured I'd look and see what out of the box products were out there. It seems there are several options with a small profile and able to do the job, however they get mixed reviews (most sub $500).

The next easiest option was to look at some of the newegg bundle deals, which they had several I was looking at, so I was then going to put this off as a side project as work has been ramping up lately.

I then realized, I have a desk top that I rarely use--and a low profile really isn't that important to me--so I moved the desktop and have been playing with that. I've installed Boxee and XBMC. Both seem pretty slick--but I'm still getting the hang of it.

The biggest drawback my desktop had (that I've found so far) is that it had no HDMI output, but I'm using a DVI -> HDMI cable and it's working just fine.

Apple TV may have been an option--but I don't think it would have everything I was looking for. I have an iPhone and iTunes--but I also have 300GB in mp3s--and I have never really liked itunes.

In my research it seems that many of the set top boxes have decent user communities that talk about hacking (or jail breaking for Apple TV)--which, if I had time, I would be a fan of.

I'm digging the HTPC concept, but I just need to fool around with it some more.

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...had a htpc and got tired of constantly fing with it.

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On that note, why did you constantly have to f with it?

I have a google tv but I still mostly use the xbox for movies and games. The xbox has an easier interface and is just more pleasant to deal with. The google tv's keypad is not very user friendly but it has a browser you can watch your porn channel on it and youtube. The xbox does not have youtube or a web browser. I have not used the google tv as much as I thought I would.

I remember someone a year ago or so mentioning the Acer AspireRevo as a good HTPC choice. THis thread just sparked that memory. It has an ATOM processor but the latest one, so HD video wasn't an issue.

http://www.amazon.com/Acer-AspireRevo-AR3700-U3002-Compact-Desktop/dp/B00433SP6G

Nice thread. I have been thinking about going this route for streaming.

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Some of you get such butthurt when its an apple product..

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It is not butthurt man. However why anyone would purchase a media streamer that only handle one codec, is limited on its output, is limited on its streaming options, and has to run itunes on some other device is beyond me. Of all the media streamers out there is is literally the most limited so there is no way that is is hands down the best.

As said earlier interface is a personal preference to, however anyone that I have shown Boxee's GUI to is blown away.

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Edit: Another thought...if you want to watch full 1080p and not have to worry about formats and compatibility then you need to build a media center PC. That way you can have the raw power to play any file.

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Boxee box has enough power to stream full 1080p and you do not have to worry about formats.

[This message has been edited by Noble Men (edited 11/19/2011 7:31a).]

PlayOn will stream content to pretty much any DLNA-compliant device, such as:

Wii
Xbox 360
PlayStation 3
iPhone
iPad
Google TV
Android phone (Requires Android v.2.2)
brite-View CinemaTube
Roku
Cirago Network HD Multimedia Center
Moxi HD DVR
HP MediaSmart TV
NETGEAR Digital Entertainer Live EVA2000
UEBO M200
VuNow VN1000SD/HD
Diamond HD Media Wonder Full HD Media Player
DirecTV HR20/HR21/HR22
D-Link DSM-510, DSM-520, DSM-750
Internet@TV
Mvix ULTIO
Myka
Pioneer KURO HDTV
SageTV HD Theater
Seagate FreeAgent Theater+ HD Media Player
Sony Bravia DLNA-compatible HDTV
vmcPlayIt
Western Digital TV Live
XBMC

So even if you get one of these, PlayOn is still a great addition. I can stream ESPN3, NBC, Fox, Hulu, Netflix, and many other channels on it. Also, you can write your own scripts to allow other channels to be streamed on it, and there is an active community of folks who have done just that and allow you to download their scripts and install them free of charge.

http://www.playon.tv/playon

[This message has been edited by Rex Racer (edited 11/18/2011 2:33p).]

Its because of things like this that I'm all but certain I'm going to be getting a Google TV for myself:

http://www.androidpolice.com/2011/11/17/google-tv-becomes-more-complete-with-the-new-google-music-app/

But I'm a big fan of Android. All my music is uploaded to Google Music (up to 20,000 songs for free), i'll be able to use my android phone or tablet as a remote, ill be able to watch netflix...its really all there now

I've been looking into building my own HT system.


Anybody have some recommendations in terms of minimum processor power I should get, as well as video card?