Trying to decide on a Media System????

[DBURD]

Hey,
I am going through a reno and have wired a CAT5 cable to all the locations where I will have a computer. The CAT5 cables stem from a central location where I will have my Network Hard Drive with all my movies, pictures, music, ect..

I am having a very hard time deciding what type of system to purchase for the main TV as well as other locations.
I have been told to purchase a PS3 for viewing movies/pictures and playing music. I should also purchase a MAC mini and use that as the computer where I could surf the net with the TV and do any other vidoe media work on. I was told the MAC mini is a good option as I can move it from TV to TV easily and have the capability to do what I want at each TV location.

I am a rookie with all of this.
Can someone help me out here? Am I being led down the wrong path?
Thanks.
DBURD

[redwudz]

Just personally, I would look into a network player, such as a WDTV Live for the TV and just use software players on the PCs. The WDTV is a lot cheaper than a Mac Mini or probably a PS3.

Are you planning on TVs also at each of those CAT5 outlets? Then I would add coaxial cable at the same time.

And do you plan to use that 'TV' as a computer monitor also?

And welcome to our forums.

[DBURD]

Thanks for the welcome and reply redwudz,

I have 3 locations with the CAT5 outlets and each one will have a TV connected to it. I would like the capability to surf the net with the TV, watch movies off my network hard drive, pictures and play tunes off the network hard drive if possible. I did not plan on having PC's at each location. That was a typo.
I will have a TV at each location and I thought I would purchase a computer or some type of mini system that I can move if I want to watch movies at a different loation.

I unfortuantely do not have the capability to run coaxial cable from a central location to each CAT5 spot. Everything is boarded up now.

Thoughts for a mobile PC that will work well? I also heard the MAC is good for dodging the Viruses I can get while surfing? I have a PC right now and the anti-virus software I have seems to be bogging me down.

Thoughts?

[redwudz]

Mac's are also targeted by virus/malware. Perhaps a bit less than MS PCs, but not worth relying on that. What antivirus/antimalware programs are you running? Not all bog down the system.

If you want to surf the net and view videos off your server, then a computer is probably the right choice. If you have high definition videos or Blu-ray rips on that server, or plan to add them in the future, make sure you get a computer that can handle that. Not all small computers can do that.

If you aren't familiar with the Mac OS, you might want to factor that in as it has quite a few differences from MS PCs. Either type of computer with the right CPU specs and a decent video card should be able to handle high def.

EDIT: And you might want consider adding in a good wireless keyboard and wireless mouse. That would make moving a PC around a lot easier.

[mr-scarface]

I would get an acer aspire revo or ION system and install xbmc on it. THE best multimedia solution, hands down. Open source too.

[RabidDog]

There's quite a Few internet connected TV.s coming onto the market. They can generally play some media files across the network. Also the WDTV is small enough to move easily from room to room. I think there is a complete V. cheap mini system consisting of all AMD/ATI parts that is really cheap, and is HD capable.

[dun4cheap]

You can't go wrong with Cat5e.. I would run (3) Three cat5e lines to each area you want a TV to a central point.

ie.

Living Room, 3 Cat5e lines running from here to your media/computer room.
Bedroom, 3 Cat5e lines running from here to your media/computer room.
Family/Game Room - 3 Cat5e lines running from here to you media/computer room.

Just because it is cat5 line does not mean you have to run network only on them. For example, you can purchase cat5e to HDMI adapters that will let you transmit HDMI with AUDIO HDCP, you can also purchase VGA adapters, and you can make your own for component video. With 3 lines, you could have a lan feed to each room, and sufficient cabling to run an Array of Audio/Video to your hearts content.

The media boxes are also a great idea and a lot cheaper than a PC for each room. I have the the ASUS !Oplays, and prior to that I used the buffalo linktheaters. Setup a fileserver in the Media/Computer room and your set. The nice thing about this type of setup is that it is adaptable to new technology and you don't restrict yourself.

FYI, I was able to purchase the HDMI adapters for $35 each online. The Asus !Oplay was $60.

[creamyhorror]

If playing movies and music is your main goal, then the WD TV Live, Asus O!Play, or other networked media players will be the most cost-effective options - or you can buy one for each location for maximum convenience.

I myself used to use a cheap HTPC with MediaPortal (an XBMC derivative) but now I just use a networked media player (startup is faster, remote is more convenient, although navigation is admittedly slower).