Re: Media centre options?

["Frank Mc Alinden" <frankmc@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Hi Paul


>What are my options hard/software wise that will do both of these
things? I
>don't particularly >want to have to spend lots of time programming
screens,
>so Main/XLobby etc are probably not >an option.

I was going to suggest trying CQC software , these guys design their own
skins and some look brilliant * i think* ....They have also started to do
some work i believe on a xAP plugin......Nip over and have a browse ....
http://www.charmedquark.com/

HTH
Frank


----- Original Message -----
From: "Paul Gale" <groups@xxxxxxx>
To: <ukha_d@xxxxxxx>
Sent: Thursday, March 30, 2006 9:26 PM
Subject: [ukha_d] Media centre options?


I'm just trying to work out what the best route is for a shared whole-house
media centre solution for me. I have some thoughts but wanted some other
thinking!

I currently have:

Xbox with XBMC
Xbox 360 - standard software
Apple Mac mini - with that media software (can't remember the name)
An older (1GHz?) shuttle PC in the AV room (limited expansion for tuners
etc) linked via VGA to plasma.
Sky+ and Sky boxes in node0

I've used all of these solutions with varying degrees of success. The Mac
Mini is just too slow and the software is not fully featured enough.

I'd like to rip a small number of DVD's and make these available along with
all TV shows downloaded (DivX AVI format normally) to all and any TV's
around the house. I have an Extron video matrix switcher and Kat5
infrastructure, so getting the signal around is already possible. I also
have IR distribution, so remote control is also sorted (providing the
hardware solution supports it).

What are my options hard/software wise that will do both of these things? I
don't particularly want to have to spend lots of time programming screens,
so Main/XLobby etc are probably not an option.

Cheers,

Paul.





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