Help with my complete HTPC Solution

[gwhillhouse]

There are many posts about htpc solutions, but I've had a hard time finding specific advice for my situation. I am new to this concept of htpc's so I could definitely use a bit of help. If there are threads that you know of that offer advice to fit my needs, please feel free to refer me to them. I would appreciate the help.


What I want: I would like to use boxee to rule my entire entertainment needs in my living room.

1. 1080p connection to my TV
2. Digital Tv through my computer (eyeTV?)
3. Surround sound support through my computer
4. Ability to control my system remotely (Ipod touch? Harmony Remote?)


My aresenal:

1. Westinghouse TX-42F430S Television (http://www.westinghousedigital.com/details.aspx?itemnum=125)
2.ONKYO HT-S5100 Black 7.1 Channel Home Theater System Surround Sound (http://www.onkyousa.com/model.cfm?m=HT-S5100&class=Systems&p=i)
3. Time Capuse 1TB Time Capsule (http://www.apple.com/timecapsule/)
4. XBOX 360 Pro including Xbox 360 HDMI AV CableXbox 360 (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Xbox_360) AV Cable (http://www.amazon.com/Xbox-360-HDMI-AV-Cable/dp/B000UODATY/ref=sr_1_14?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1229225202&sr=8-14)
5. Power PC iMac Powerpc Imac (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/IMac_G5)
6. Intel Imac (Late '06) Intel Imac late '06 (http://support.apple.com/kb/SP28)
7.Macbook Intel Late '06 (Late 2006) Late '06 Macbook (http://support.apple.com/kb/SP23)
8. Macbook Intel late '08 Macbook Intel late '08 (http://support.apple.com/kb/SP5)
9. MacBook Pro (Late 2007, 2.4/2.2GHz) MacBook Pro (Late 2007, 2.4/2.2GHz) (http://support.apple.com/kb/SP13)
10. Ipod touch (Remote buddy)
11. Desire to make this work
12. A little bit of money
13. Also netflix account (I don't know how this factors in, XBOX or Boxee?)


My real question is: What is the best way to streamline this system?

Preferably I would like to use the PowerPC Imac or the Intel Macbook (Late '06) in this system as the other ones are used as everyday systems.

Is linux a better option than OS X?

I have a bit of sway on the surround sound (I could buy a better one if it would help in the solution).

I download online media fairly often and I'm quite ignorant of boxee's versatility in this context (torrents).

Everyone, thanks for your intelligent help on these forums, and boxee team, THANK YOU! You bring joy to my life :)!

[mastomonkey]

Boxee won't work on powerpc mac...

[gwhillhouse]

Well, thank you for pointing that out :). I guess I'll be running boxee from the Late 06 Macbook.

[eattick]

After taking a look at what you have in your arsenal, there are a few options. None of which seem optimal to me, but possible.

You can use an adapter on the Intel MacBook to go from the mini-DVI port to VGA. Run the video directly to the TV, and use the combined audio jack in optical mode to your amp. The only problem with this is the analog video, which may not be as big of an issue for you. The MacBook already comes with a remote which will function for Boxee, I am using one with a Mac Mini.

If you were wanting to use the amp as the video/audio switcher, which would be my preference, I dont think you have the equipment to do this gracefully. It seems possible, by using the mini-DVI adapter, then plugging that into a DVI-HDMI adapter, then to the amp. You will still have to map an optical port to an HDMI video input, and I didnt look closely enough at your amps specs to see if thats an option.

Personally, I would look at building a HDMI solution, probably something along the lines of the all-in-one solution presented here (http://arstechnica.com/guides/buyer/guide-200812-htpc.ars). I would not get the dual capture cards, as from what I have been reading, they are combo analog/digital tuners. (analog becomes useless in Feb, unless you are using a cable/satellite converter box) You didnt mention how you are getting television signal, (antenna, cable or satellite) But for my own situation, I am planning on using a SiliconDust HDHomeRun, which has dual tuners and streams the signal over gigibit ethernet. That means that not only could your main TV watch, but all of those computers you have could as well.

I hope this helps.:)

[perrin21]

build one like mine, does exactly what you want it to. Control via iphone etc and Logitec dinovo mini (perfect for Boxee) 1080P easily, Blu ray etc when osx supports it.