Anybody using an external hdd+hardware media box?

[Meatwad]

Just looking for some opinions on whats working well.

My plan was to figure out a simple htpc setup, just an external hdd and box pretty much. Small enough to hide behind the tv and cheaper than a dedicated htpc.

Whatcha got and how's it working for you? How is the gui on these boxes?

[ToyotaKing88]

I have a Logitech Revue Google TV and I love it. It has a USB port that I hook my external hdd up to and play movies off of but I also installed an app called Video Mixer Pro and it streams movies off the internet rather than downloading them and saving them. Basically anything you can get on torrent sites it will stream the movies rather than waiting to download it.

They have newer and better Google TV boxes now. The Logitech Google TV box I have is an older one that is no longer made. I have always wanted a HTPC but now that I have the Google TV it does everything I have ever wanted.

Sent from my Phoneamathingy

[Meatwad]

Thanks for that, good tip on the streaming from torrent links. Although I'm trying to move away from streaming, the Netflix throttling has left a really bad taste in my mouth. I don't mind torrenting a few movies before bed and letting them go all night like it's 2001 all over again.

Still debating on replacing my htpc or slimming the whole thing down.

[Meatwad]

Not much interest, but in case someone is searching... From reading about very much more complicated setups to what I'm planning, a raspberry pi with openelec/xbmc+wd external 500gb drive will be a cheap and apparently easy setup with a small footprint physically/electrically. The raspberry pi board is pretty barebones but there are kits available. Openelec/xbmc is free and also pretty much barebones, but thats the idea. No streaming yet is needed for this setup, though the setup is capable.

For the interested:
Raspberry Pi
OpenELEC Mediacenter - Home

[drywallguy]

Also TBS Technologies makes the Matrix board. That works with their USB tuner and has a mini PCI slot and a SATA port, No USB 3 though.

TBS Matrix ARM Linux mini PC - LinuxTVWiki

[The Violator]

I use my xbox 360 to stream media stored on my regular PC. Tversity software on the computer coverts things on the fly to a format the xbox will play.

[Calderwood]

Are you on Comcast or Verizon? I haven't experienced Netflix throttling but I think I used to get throttled for torrent use. I would suggest getting your internet from a small local company. They are much less likely to throttle (or care about torrents). You can try a VPN like unblockus. It may or may not help. Fwiw the ps3 will stream from your home computer. No extra gear needed.

[Meatwad]

Originally Posted by drywallguy

Also TBS Technologies makes the Matrix board. That works with their USB tuner and has a mini PCI slot and a SATA port, No USB 3 though.

TBS Matrix ARM Linux mini PC - LinuxTVWiki

Wow I haven't seen this arm device, looks to be viable as well actually. Raspberrypi seems to be the in thing now for some htpc guys

Originally Posted by The Violator

I use my xbox 360 to stream media stored on my regular PC. Tversity software on the computer coverts things on the fly to a format the xbox will play.

That's my only problem, no large (as in hdd space) desktop in my home. Couple laptops, tablets and phones. Otherwise I'd go this route with the 360 in the front room.

Originally Posted by Calderwood

Are you on Comcast or Verizon? I haven't experienced Netflix throttling but I think I used to get throttled for torrent use. I would suggest getting your internet from a small local company. They are much less likely to throttle (or care about torrents). You can try a VPN like unblockus. It may or may not help. Fwiw the ps3 will stream from your home computer. No extra gear needed.

Att uverse here... I can play YouTube on the Blu-ray fine, Netflix lags. On the laptops/tablets same deal. My normal speed when torrenting is 500-600kb/sec, granted it's only done occasionally with the lack of hdd space currently.