Need advice on a frontend for the wife :)

[Lcarvone]

I am in the process of building a simple HTPC for my wife and I need some advice on a front end application. This pc (if that is what I really need) will be hooked up to a standard TV in the den. I'll have the cable hooked up to the TV as normal for the usual daily viewing. However if she or the kids for that matter want to watch a mpeg2 or divx movie, a DVD, listen to some mp3s, etc. then could click over to the Video/Audio In port of the TV to access the PC desktop and have the ability to scan through a list of folders etc and choose the program to play. Preferably this would all be done with a single remote (at least once viewing the desktop)

There is no need for PVR capabilities; these would be handled by my Hauppauge PVR-250 on the main rig. My thoughts were to occasionally copy or transfer files from the main rig over my wireless network to this proposed den HTPC for viewing.

Anyway, this may not be the most eloquent explanation of what I am looking for but any and all feedback is appreciated. If a full fledged HTPC is not necessary based upon the intended usage then I'd appreciate any thoughts on alternative setups as well.

Thanks in advance

[redwudz]

If you want easy, then Windows Media Center OS, http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/mediacenter/default.mspx

This may be the simplest way to go.

[Lcarvone]

Thanks for the update....my main concern with this is from my understanding since it uses VMR9 exclusively the specs on the machine will have to be somewhat more robust than with other front ends...plus it is the most $$ too. This may be a "harder sell" to get done than a low-mid range PC cobbled together with parts on hand and few new additions....comments anyone?

[lordsmurf]

Frontend for the wife?
Must ..... resist.... urge......... dirty..... jokes.....

Since I have no answer for you, you'll get just a wish of "good luck" from me.

[RottenFoxBreath]

for simplicity,why not just get a dvd recorder,one capable of mpeg/2,divx capability.
cant really say more,as my mind is spinning with one liners,and gags about "front ends"..pmsl.

[Lcarvone]

I figured the title would at least get people to read the posting... as for the DVD recorder I want to be able to add and delete files as space or interest permits (is this possible with a recorder?). Plus once the kids are a little older the plan would be to set up the PC for them in their room etc and build a more robust system for the den (i.e. to go along with a new HDTV )

[Abond]

Look at this. I don't know how it is working, but it might be of some interest to you.
http://geexbox.org/en/index.html

[Danno100]

I tried the HTPC thing, Meedio is OK, Media Portal is good. In the end, I purchased two D-Link DSM-320's. These were easier to use, and I found HTPC's were memory hogs, and hanging the server was a problem. The DSM never hangs the server, allows video, MP3's, slideshows with music, even streamimg radio and video. Running 2 DSM's at the same time from a cheap server (my is a P3 733Mhz, 256mg Ram) puts no strain on the system. Since the DSM is a simple UPnP device, it won't get you additional content like RSS feeds, weather, movie times, or MP3 visualizations.

My DSM's are wired (wireless works so-so for video) to a server. I can use one single remote (Harmony) to control the plasma, DVD recorder, cable TV box, DSM.

I record TV using either my DVD recorder of directly from the server which has a PVR-150. PVR-150 recordings can be played directly on the DSM. DSM has a model with a built-in DVD player if needed.

So, I have a HTPC, even the MS Media Center 2005 version with two remotes, including the wireless keyboard, but it is not friendly even for the wife and kids. The DSM is easier to use, especially for their video and music playback needs.

Note: Most of my video is converted to MP4 using Nero Digital and placed on the server.

[Webster]

Frontend for the wife?
Must ..... resist.... urge......... dirty..... jokes.....
.

Ditto LS..........

Lcarvone, I presume that you want to use spare parts on hand and that the computer will output to S-video your TV (plus standard RCA audio inputs) If that the case, please be aware that when you use the TV as the monitor, the quality is really bad . Once you upgrade the TV to HDTV monitor (with plain old DVI input), then you'll just need one of those video card with DVI connection (a cheap one will do, you can pick up a used Radeon 32MB DVI card for around $30.00 on the net), this will greatly improve your resolution for the computer part of the system. Another option is to get one of those RGB-->components converter, but you will loose some resolution in the conversion.

For more information, check out forum like http://www.hometheaterspot.com/htsthreads/postlist.php/Cat/7/Board/UBB7 (there are a couple posts on frontend there). There are lot of forums which deals with HTPC on the net. Just google for them.

Oh, and another thing I found out. Those cheap 160Gig hard drives (around $50 after rebate) are very useful for storing your video (once you paired them with external Firewire/USB 2.0 cases (also available cheaply from place like newegg)

[Webster]

edited ....