Looking for a whole house HTCP solution

[Debacle]

Been half ass looking for months now, but with the addition of the 37" in the bedroom and no cable in there, I am getting serious about it. I want something where I can store all of my media files (pics, standard and Blu-ray movies, music) in 1 central location, and access them from any of the 3 tvs in the house. Problem is, I cant figure out how to do it without running a HDMI splitter and 25-50 foot of HDMI wire depending on location. Heck, I even have a bunch of build it yourself HTPC shit in my Newegg cart waiting on the buy button.

Then earlier today, I stumbled on this (http://www.sagetv.com/index.html). So far, it seems the perfect solution. Anyone heard of it? Anyone have another idea how I can accomplish this? I am assuming even with this software/hardware only 1 media file will be able to be streamed at 1 time. I wouldnt use the live tv or dvr function as my cable provider supplies those.

Ohh, as far as the server, I have a Server 2008 machine with around 300 GB of HD space. I would/could add more, but scsi HDs are fucking outrageously priced.

[Quads]

Have you looked at xbmc and or boxee?
I've never heard of that (savetv) but I'm far from an expert. Only done a bunch of reading, planning, etc. I have the PC's for mine, I just need to get off my ass and do it.

And get rid of your SCSI shit. SATA FTW. 1TB drives for 50 buck, bare bones. 2tb for 75 buck.

[Debacle]

Yeah, the unit I was putting together from Newegg was going to have XBMC running on it. Pretty slick software. I like the skinning portion of it. Interface looked nice. But not sure how I want to run various lengths of HDMI cable to all the tvs when I have Cat5E drops around each already in place. Been looking for a converter, but not finding much.

As far as the SCSI, Im with ya. The unit I was going to use is a Poweredge 2600 that I was using for personal website development and personal picture/music storage.

[Quads]

Yeah, the unit I was putting together from Newegg was going to have XBMC running on it. Pretty slick software. I like the skinning portion of it. Interface looked nice. But not sure how I want to run various lengths of HDMI cable to all the tvs when I have Cat5E drops around each already in place. Been looking for a converter, but not finding much.

As far as the SCSI, Im with ya. The unit I was going to use is a Poweredge 2600 that I was using for personal website development and personal picture/music storage.

OK, then do HDMI to CAT5 back to HDMI.

:shipit:
For only $15.54 each when QTY 50+ purchased - HDMI over CAT5E / CAT6 Extender Wall Plate (Pair) - Single Port (1P) - White (Rev. 1.2) | HDMI Wall Plates (http://www.monoprice.com/products/product.asp?c_id=104&cp_id=10425&cs_id=1042501&p_id=6177&seq=1&format=2)

Couple of guys have used them here with good results.

[Debacle]

From what I gather, that would work if I was running from the HTPC to 1 tv. But seeing as how each connection requires 2 cat5e or cat6 cables, and I want to be able to view this from any of 3 tvs, I dont think this will work. I have never dabbled with streaming media, but my thinking is I would have to put a switch in there somewhere, and this would interfere with the signal going out 2 lines.

[Debacle]

Basically, it seems like I would have a media server, then at each tv i would need a networked computer to tell the server where to stream the video to.

[Quads]

How were you going to do it with HDMI cables?
Out of the HDMI port from ______ to the TV HDMI input, correct?

OK, so go out of the HDMI port on your _____ to the converter to cat5, to the location(s), to the converter, back to HDMI, and into the TV.

Unless I'm missing whatchewsayin'bout your topology / wiring.

[Debacle]

Well, I have my HTPC ordered and hopefully it will be here Friday so I can set it up over the long weekend. Starting to Rip DVDs to my local HD so I can just move it over when ready. Read in a few places that MKV is best Audio/Video format, but what opinions you guys have? What programs you use?

I will be burning blu-ray and regular dvd if that makes a difference.

[sunsetpizza]

subscribed..

I don't know what you guys are talking about but it sounds like something I want when we move. :)

[jbwhip]

subscribed..

I don't know what you guys are talking about but it sounds like something I want when we move. :)

same here

[Redneck Rebel]

Stupid question about XBMC: If you want to change the skin is it as simple as changing themes on your typical PC or does it involve a bunch of work?

[Debacle]

See, the problem I have been finding with most HTPC setups is it usually only serves the 1 tv it is connected to. If you want to have your entire movie collection accessible to any tv in your house, you basically need a central media server, then you need another pc directly connected to each tv in your house. I dunno about everyone else, but to me that is a waste of pcs and a whole lot of space taken up. I found this SageTV. It is basically a media server/dvr software solution along with a micro pc hardware solution. The pc at the tv is replaced by this micro unit. Footprint is 5 1/16" W x 1 1/2" H x 4" D, so its not obvious. Streams HD1080p as well over your home ethernet.

So I ordered that, ordered a newegg pc bundle w/ 6 core 3.1 processor, stuck in 2tb of space, and going to begin ripping dvds and blu ray this weekend. Ill let ya know how it all works.

[Quads]

Stupid question about XBMC: If you want to change the skin is it as simple as changing themes on your typical PC or does it involve a bunch of work?

Correct.
Settings > Skins > select chosen skin > OK.

[JumperJeff]

I'm very interested in this thread too. Hooked up the Hacked Apple TV yesterday and it works great for standard definition shows. It works moat of the time for HD shows but for some reason it buffers and stutters like crazy on the few movies I've tried. Still looking into that.

But for a very small, simple, relatively cheap solution I'm pretty happy with it so far.