Overwhelmed

E

Eradan

[H]ard|Gawd
Joined
Apr 7, 2006
Messages
1,188
Hey, guys. I'm not sure if this is the right forum for this but I'm going to start here and see where it goes.I'm basically trying to come up with a strategy/solution to manage music, photos, DVR functionality, and possibly make by Blu-ray library available anywhere in the house. I've read about everything from Plex, Kodi, and MythTV to hardware solutions like the Tablo and Tivo Roamio DVRs and homebrew HTPCs. At this point I'm not heavily invested in anything. My wife and I have iPads and iPhone 5s. We have an Apple TV (gen 3 1080p). We have an iTunes Match subscription but I'm not sure it's worth renewing. I just cut our DirecTV service and we subscribe to Netflix, Hulu+, and HBO Now. I'm satisfied without our Apple stuff but would have no objections to moving on to something else.

I'm just wondering how other people manage all this media. Typically I would break this down into manageable pieces but I'm looking for something elegant and hopefully simple. I'm a 20 year IT guy and I find myself lacking the inspiration to fuss with a lot of complex hardware/software stuff after I clock out.

Thanks for reading.
 
I think you can try the plex server for free, but the applications on phones might cost like five bucks or something. I was kind of in your position a few years back, where I had a thousand movies on disk and wanted to be able to access them from any TV or device in the house or while I was on work travel.

I started to play with the plex server, (eventually bought a lifetime sub), bought a single chromecast and I already had an android phone. I started to rip the movies/shows to my system and populate the plex library. Remarkably it worked very well right out of the box. So I would say, just try it and see how you like it.

Now we use fire tv sticks on each TV instead of chromecasts. We have six fire sticks in total, five in the house and one I take on travel when needed. The plex library has just over a thousand movies and a hundred TV series. We can control the fire sticks via phone or the included remotes that come with them. Plus the sticks have access to prime video as well, which is like netflix.

I was playing around with an HD HomeRun cable card triple tuner for DVR functions, but I just gave that up and it is collecting dust now. If you want detailed information on any of the setups, I could PM you some information.
 
Eradan said:
20 year IT guy and I find myself lacking the inspiration to fuss with a lot of complex hardware/software stuff after I clock out.

Thanks for reading.
Click to expand...

Me too, subscribed to dish network, problem solved.
 
I understand what you mean. After working on technology all day I do not to mess with it at home on my own time.

this is what I have after years of trial and error:

1 HTPC that has all of my media, ie tv, movies, pictures & music on one 6tb hdd. I do have another 6tb as external that serves as a backup

Plex server (free) running on HTPC
on all ipads - plex app (4.99)
roku with plex app
apple tv - in conjunction with ipads

after going the HTPC/server route I now subscribe to the KISS method (Keep It Stupid Simple) my electric usage reflects this now and it is easy to maintain
 
My desktop runs Plex Server. Have a 5TB External with media on it. Point Plex to it. That setup is done.

My TV has a Roku 3 plugged into it. Install the Plex channel...done.

I've retired my HTPC and given it to my parents. My dad loves it because it lets him tinker.

I know it doesn't really cover DVR functions, but I gave up on dealing with tuners and the like.
 
Verge said:
Me too, subscribed to dish network, problem solved.
Click to expand...

After digging into all this, I may do just that. Lots of cool options but many probably require more effort and money than I care to expend. DirecTV was off maybe ten days before the wife missed DVR capability.
 
I was just in this boat after purchasing a TV, I don't have cable or satelite I exclusively use the internet for all streaming services. I ended up booting into Kodi and then I exit it if I need to use a browser. I have kids, so it boots into a "kid section" and that works nicely. Small bonus is Airplay is available with Kodi, you may find that helpful.

Kodi isn't that hard to setup--I'm not as gadgety as I once was (no time), I think it took me about 2 hours to get it how I wanted it.

Good luck.
 
Does plex just run on your network or does it use the internet an upload? Sorry if i sound stupid but i really have no clue how this works. Im concerned because i want to be able to play games online while someone is watching in the other room.
 
It runs on a system in your network yes. My setup does use the internet for retrieving movie information and covers but it uses very little. I can access the plex server from outside of my network, like on work travel, so I can watch my library remotely. Some of the viewing devices like the chromecast and the fire stick require internet connection for some reason as well, but they all hardly use any network bandwidth, and should not interfere with any gaming. Typically we have two medium hard core online gamers in the house with at least one to six people watching plex and they do not have issues with network congestion.
 
Right now the best combo I've seen (and mostly use) is Plex for movies and Win7+MC w/ XBOX 360 for DVR. Not super elegant on the DVR side but it has a very high WAF (wife acceptance factor). The DVR "option" should be fine for a another 5-10 years. But, by that time, I would expect the landscape to have shifted pretty radically on "TV".
 
Man I love iTunes Match. It keeps my work computer in sync with my main library. and with the iPhone I love having access without actually having to load everything on my phone. Was vital when I only had a 16GB model.

I listen to music a lot, so Match is very useful time. If you are an Apple person, the integration is way beyond anything Google or Amazon offer. And Amazon costs the same now.
 
I have a ROKU 3 for all the "apps" like Plex Client, Netflix, Amazon Prime, etc. Plex server runs on an old Dell Optiplex990 I pulled from the trash at work. Media files are kept on a Synology NAS. Works awesome, Rip or acquire all my movies in 1080p with dts or dd 5.1 and they play perfectly.
 
Eradan said:
I'm a 20 year IT guy and I find myself lacking the inspiration to fuss with a lot of complex hardware/software stuff after I clock out.

Thanks for reading.
Click to expand...

It doesn't get any better. Forget the tinkering...I barely have time to play one of the 50+ games on my backlog. And there are/were some impressive games on that list. I keep wanting to play DragonAge and Skyrim, but the time investment is too great.

I have a stupid powerful server that I bought and put together, but have never powered up.

2xL5629
72GB ECC RAM
12x1.5TB HDD (was a lot at the time...3TB just came out)

I am honestly contemplating selling it and just getting like a 8-drive NAS and be done. It would probably use lots less energy and simpler to use.

For media, currently I use Win7 w/ MC7/Mediabrowser. I have a HDHomeRUN 3-tuner CableCard tuner for TV/DVR functions. For movies, I am content with Mediabrowser, although I have to figure out how to get it to play MKV for bluray. My DVD's are in ISO. I have XBMC installed on it, but it rarely gets used now. I would probably opt for Plex or OpenElec if I were to use solely that instead of Windows.
 
I signed up for Dish which is to be installed tomorrow morning. Their Hopper DVR looks pretty decent and the Joey that goes in the bedroom will have Netflix on it which will save me from having to buy another Apple TV or Roku. I may replace the Apple TV in the living room with a Roku 3 so I can have a Plex client on the 65" plasma. I haven't ruled out ripping my Blu-ray content onto a Synology NAS. Would be cool to have all our movies available with just a few clicks and would clear up some storage real estate in the living room. Need to do some homework on picture quality and audio capabilities of streaming BRDs through a Roku.
 
Synology might be a way to keep it simple and reliable... They are expensive though.

Look at the DS215 Play or the DS415 Play (2 Disk or 4 Disk). It's an all-in-one NAS solution with tons of features and and streaming capabilities built in... You can even get a PLEX App to run on it and the unti handles the video decoding when sending it out to your ROKU, or other PCs. Has iTunes server, file and picture sharing service applications... individual user accounts, etc etc.

The only thing I;m not sure of is the function of acting as a DVR. Though, you could certainly use it for the DVR video storage.
 
My setup is just like yours. I have a OTA antenna, Apple TV with Hulu and Netflix. I have a wife and 2 kids, so while I personally love Kodi,and Plex it's way to much tinkering to get it to seamlessly work for non techs.

If you want a DVR now I would recommend getting a Tablo for ease of use. However, they don't yet support NAS so you won't have the full entertainment hub. You can check out some other OTA DVR solutions to see if you can find one that plays well with a NAS.

Silicon Dust has a fully funded kick starter to add DVR software to their HDhomeRun. That pairs very well with a consumer NAS like WD myCloud which has a built in media server. When that is finished I'm going to go that route.
 
I don't know about the quality of streaming high-res video through Plex/Roku. That being said I haven't had any issues with 1080p and most blu-ray rips.

Honestly at the end of the day, between Netflix, Amazon Prime and Plex. I'm good for media.
 
Kelvarr said:
It doesn't get any better. Forget the tinkering...I barely have time to play one of the 50+ games on my backlog. And there are/were some impressive games on that list. I keep wanting to play DragonAge and Skyrim, but the time investment is too great.

I have a stupid powerful server that I bought and put together, but have never powered up.

2xL5629
72GB ECC RAM
12x1.5TB HDD (was a lot at the time...3TB just came out)

I am honestly contemplating selling it and just getting like a 8-drive NAS and be done. It would probably use lots less energy and simpler to use.

For media, currently I use Win7 w/ MC7/Mediabrowser. I have a HDHomeRUN 3-tuner CableCard tuner for TV/DVR functions. For movies, I am content with Mediabrowser, although I have to figure out how to get it to play MKV for bluray. My DVD's are in ISO. I have XBMC installed on it, but it rarely gets used now. I would probably opt for Plex or OpenElec if I were to use solely that instead of Windows.
Click to expand...

Evaluating Options for Live TV with DVR for three TV's. HDHomeRun Prime still requires PC with WMC to connect each of the three TV's. That is three PC's or Media Center extender for each TV. Note that MS is dropping WMC. Then HDHomeRun Prime recommends wired ethernet instead of Wifi. How does all this Hardware cost for additional PC's, additional WMC or MC extenders, and wired Ethernet compare to renting equipment from Cable or Directv ? Curious also if there is a place for Roku player or stick along with Plex server to run my three TV's?
 
Well, you don't need a PC for each TV. I have six televisions throughout the house and garage and we have either a chromecast or firestick on each. These are 30 to 40 dollar devices each, which would be considered extenders in your question. I bought them over time so the cost wasn't a concern.
I run a plex server where I have all of my movies stored, (about 1100 movies and 50 shows), plus we have amazon prime and netflix. On the main TV in the house, I have an OTA antenna for local stations for football in the fall/winter.
Just to note, as I said before in this thread, we are switching to firesticks over chromecasts because of the added flexibility of prime video and the remote. The remote works better for the wife and family friends.
As far as HDhomerun wanting wired is due to the limited compression it uses. I actually have one here and just never got into it. It is collecting dust and I will be finding it a new home here shortly.
 
what are you doing about Live Cable channels TV like CNN, CNBC, ESPN, TNT, etc? how much does it cost to run all 6 TV's with monthly subscriptions? Have you considered XBMC solution for Free live TV? How do all these costs compare with running all 6 TV's on Directv for $150/month ?
 
There are no subscriptions except netflix and maybe if you count amazon prime, but I use amazon for shipping mainly so I don't typically count it. I use over the air antenna for local channels. I don't watch that much TV anyways, and what I do watch I can get through plex, plex channels, amazon prime, firestick, etc. I was paying 150 per month for cable with minimum, and now I only pay 30 for internet instead.
 
lone wolf said:
I understand what you mean. After working on technology all day I do not to mess with it at home on my own time.

this is what I have after years of trial and error:

1 HTPC that has all of my media, ie tv, movies, pictures & music on one 6tb hdd. I do have another 6tb as external that serves as a backup

Plex server (free) running on HTPC
on all ipads - plex app (4.99)
roku with plex app
apple tv - in conjunction with ipads

after going the HTPC/server route I now subscribe to the KISS method (Keep It Stupid Simple) my electric usage reflects this now and it is easy to maintain
Click to expand...
Same here. Plex has been a godsend, and I don't miss WMC. I bought a lifetime Plex Pass.
 
darecrow said:
what are you doing about Live Cable channels TV like CNN, CNBC, ESPN, TNT, etc? how much does it cost to run all 6 TV's with monthly subscriptions? Have you considered XBMC solution for Free live TV? How do all these costs compare with running all 6 TV's on Directv for $150/month ?
Click to expand...


I've been interested in watching live TV via my XBMC / Kodi. Are you currently using Kodi to do this?? I've looked at various addons, but nothing seemed to work out too well.
 
darecrow said:
Evaluating Options for Live TV with DVR for three TV's. HDHomeRun Prime still requires PC with WMC to connect each of the three TV's. That is three PC's or Media Center extender for each TV. Note that MS is dropping WMC. Then HDHomeRun Prime recommends wired ethernet instead of Wifi. How does all this Hardware cost for additional PC's, additional WMC or MC extenders, and wired Ethernet compare to renting equipment from Cable or Directv ? Curious also if there is a place for Roku player or stick along with Plex server to run my three TV's?
Click to expand...

Ok...so for 3 TV's, you would have MC7 and connect that to one (or more) HomeRun's. That PC will do the recording. You can set up extenders to your other TV's, and they actually pull the data from the primary machine. So that is 3 PC's at most. You don't need 3 per TV, you need 3 in total. Plus, there are other extender options. XBox360 is one, the Echo is another. You could even build another MC7 machine in a SFF and have it be an extender.

Wired ethernet is ALWAYS preferred to WiFi, if it is an option. For me, it was, so it was a non-issue.

I understand MS is dropping WMC, but until it ceases to function, I'll use it.

Cost wise, it was already said...a lot of this was purchased over time. If you have to buy everything up front, there isn't a lot of cost savings. It saves me $12/month since we only had one DVR Cable box.
 
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