Use Computer or Boxee Box

[pokefan]

I'm trying to decide how I should set everything up to stream content to the HT. As of right now I'm using PMS and everything works great I'm just not a fan of the interface. I've put Boxee on the computer and really like how it's set up and the navigation on it.

My problem is, how to get Boxee in the living room. My computer is on the other side of the house in my office. The only way I can run Boxee from there is to run 100' HDMI through the attic, which in the end will probably cost me ~$150 with all the cables and splitters I would need. I'm also worried about the signal quality over 100'. The Boxee Box is supposed to be out soon and is priced around $200 and it would just be another component in the HT rack. All that would be required is an ethernet connection into my network which is already in place for the PS3 and Wii.

Would I be better off running HDMI or waiting on the Box?

[Vicon]

Depends mainly on how new your computer is. I think there are too many things out there right now that do the same damn thing. Personally I would go the cable route. Look into HDMI over CAT5 (ethernet). You can run cat5 wire, really cheap - instead of HDMI. At the ends, you use the converter devices to keep the signal strong and switch to HDMI. Problem solved. Shop around and you can do this for UNDER $100.

[pokefan]

It's a brand new custom built AMD Quad Core, it has no problem running HD movies.

I wasn't aware you could run HDMI over Cat5, We've got rolls of that here at work and I can pretty much take what I need so I'll have to look into that!

[Vicon]

Originally Posted by pokefan

It's a brand new custom built AMD Quad Core, it has no problem running HD movies.

I wasn't aware you could run HDMI over Cat5, We've got rolls of that here at work and I can pretty much take what I need so I'll have to look into that!

Then I would go with the cat5/hdmi route. Cheaper and will do the job nicely. Yeah, I figured most people have or know where to find cat5 cheap.

Good luck, let us know how it turns out. Maybe take some pics. Pics are always nice

[pokefan]

Are you referring to something like this? http://www.cecompass.com/hdmicat5e6e...nrepeater.aspx

That's the cheapest I could find that says it supports 1080p, everything else I come across is ~$100

[Vicon]

Originally Posted by pokefan

Are you referring to something like this? http://www.cecompass.com/hdmicat5e6e...nrepeater.aspx

That's the cheapest I could find that says it supports 1080p, everything else I come across is ~$100

There are two variations - 100 feet and under and over 100 feet. Seems anything UNDER 100 feet does not need an external power source. Anything over that needs an external power source.

Give those a try and see how it is. If you have issues, I would spend just a tad more and find something that has a power supply. This would boost the signal/maintain it.

[pokefan]

I may have a problem, I'm running the XFX HD-435X-YAH2 which doesn't have an HDMI output. I was going to just grab a DVI to HDMI but then realized I won't be able to get audio as well. So in order to run the CAT6 extender I'd pretty much have to get a new graphics card as well huh?

[Vicon]

Originally Posted by pokefan

I may have a problem, I'm running the XFX HD-435X-YAH2 which doesn't have an HDMI output. I was going to just grab a DVI to HDMI but then realized I won't be able to get audio as well. So in order to run the CAT6 extender I'd pretty much have to get a new graphics card as well huh?

Correct.

[pokefan]

At this point I'm thinking of getting a cheap used AppleTV and modding it to run Boxee. Guess I'll figure something out...

[Icecoldblue]

DVI on the ATI card will pass audio, you just need one of these:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...-010-_-Product

It should have came with your card, so check your box.

[DJ Manyak]

when you get your computer involved with the TV it gets tricky

[Icecoldblue]

Originally Posted by computergeek

when you get your computer involved with the TV it gets tricky

As long as the receiver and TV are HDCP compliant then there really shouldn't be a problem.

[pokefan]

Originally Posted by Icecoldblue

DVI on the ATI card will pass audio, you just need one of these:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...-010-_-Product

It should have came with your card, so check your box.

I'll take a look, it came with some adapters I'll have to see if it's included. However, I still need to run video to my monitor which means I need a dvi splitter and would lose the audio there correct?

Also the reason I'm thinking ATV at this point is the price of everything. To run the connections from the PC to LCD in the living room I'm going to need the HDMI extender ($40), CAT6 ($0-20 depends if i can get a hold of some or not) Wall plates ($10). So we're looking at $70 IF this all works right. All of this plus running cables AGAIN, then I have to hope that everything works right and I don't loose any signal over the 100'.

With ATV I've already got ethernet in place so it's just a plug and play, plus I get the extra functions with it.

I originally was looking at running HDMI the whole way and that would have cost me ~$120-50 which is why the ATV came into play in the first place. I like the option of just running more cables, I'm just worried something won't sync up right and I'm back at the beginning.

[Icecoldblue]

Originally Posted by pokefan

I'll take a look, it came with some adapters I'll have to see if it's included. However, I still need to run video to my monitor which means I need a dvi splitter and would lose the audio there correct?

Yes, you would most likely lose audio with the splitter. Could get a dongle for VGA to DVI to connect to your monitor.

Another possibility is getting a second card (ATI 5000 series, passes HD codecs for future possibilities) if you have another PCIe 2.0 slot (8x/16x electrical) on your motherboard or replace the one you have now all together. Although, this would add a minimum of 50$ onto your budget. Here's a 5450 for 50$

[pokefan]

Alright, so here's my options. I appreciate all the feedback so far.

1) New Video Card + HDMI Extender - $130
I'm a graphic artist and do a lot of work at home so not only does the card allow me to get video to the LCD with the benefit of all the HD codecs, it will also be a PC upgrade that will help with the design side of things as well. (Maybe even a tax write off! )


Apparently ATV doesn't like 1080 video much, and they don't play nice together. That's a big turn off.
2)Apple TV + Boxee Mod - $150
Easy set up, don't have to run anymore cables, everything is already in place. No Netflix streaming but the PS3 can handle that so no big deal. Plus the added function of Apple TV.

3)Boxee Box - Rumored $180-200
Again Easy set up, plus the benefit of a dedicated box that's made to run the software and integrates into existing set up easily. I really like the look of the Box as well and think it would be cool to have.

Everything's pretty much equal in price so that doesn't really play much of a factor. Wish I could build a HTPC for ~$150! lol

[zachd73]

Originally Posted by pokefan

Alright, so here's my options. I appreciate all the feedback so far.

1) New Video Card + HDMI Extender - $130
I'm a graphic artist and do a lot of work at home so not only does the card allow me to get video to the LCD with the benefit of all the HD codecs, it will also be a PC upgrade that will help with the design side of things as well. (Maybe even a tax write off! )


Apparently ATV doesn't like 1080 video much, and they don't play nice together. That's a big turn off.
2)Apple TV + Boxee Mod - $150
Easy set up, don't have to run anymore cables, everything is already in place. No Netflix streaming but the PS3 can handle that so no big deal. Plus the added function of Apple TV.

3)Boxee Box - Rumored $180-200
Again Easy set up, plus the benefit of a dedicated box that's made to run the software and integrates into existing set up easily. I really like the look of the Box as well and think it would be cool to have.

Everything's pretty much equal in price so that doesn't really play much of a factor. Wish I could build a HTPC for ~$150! lol

Many people are buying Acer Revos to make HTPC's from. They are $200. There seems to be a lot of user support for how to tweak them and all online. That is the route I am thinking of going.

If you did run a CAT5 to HDMI cable to your tv from bedroom computer... how do you stop and start it??

For watching one movie it might be OK, but in the long run you would probably want more control.

I'm in the same boat though, there are many different way of doing the same basic thing and trying to figure which is best and which is cheapest is difficult.

The popcorn hour media box is another popular option. The older models are probably less than $150

[pokefan]

Originally Posted by zachd73

Many people are buying Acer Revos to make HTPC's from. They are $200. There seems to be a lot of user support for how to tweak them and all online. That is the route I am thinking of going.

If you did run a CAT5 to HDMI cable to your tv from bedroom computer... how do you stop and start it??

For watching one movie it might be OK, but in the long run you would probably want more control.

I'm in the same boat though, there are many different way of doing the same basic thing and trying to figure which is best and which is cheapest is difficult.

The popcorn hour media box is another popular option. The older models are probably less than $150

Boxee has an iPhone app that you can use over wifi that works great with it, Logitech also has an app that's basically a mouse that works the same so I could navigate the computer if needed.

I've also thought of the PH a-100 since you can find those for a decent price I just worry about it playing all my random MKVs/m2ts files.

[Uniquely]

Originally Posted by pokefan

Boxee has an iPhone app that you can use over wifi that works great with it, Logitech also has an app that's basically a mouse that works the same so I could navigate the computer if needed.

I've also thought of the PH a-100 since you can find those for a decent price I just worry about it playing all my random MKVs/m2ts files.

There's also an iPhone app called Clipta pad that will work as a touchpad mouse for any PC over your wi-fi network. Just install the server on your PC and the app on your phone.

[pokefan]

I'll check it out, the reason I like the logitech app though is because it also has a keyboard so I can navigate online a lot easier.

[Uniquely]

Originally Posted by pokefan

I'll check it out, the reason I like the logitech app though is because it also has a keyboard so I can navigate online a lot easier.

That's a nice feature. I mainly just use mine for starting programs like Hulu and WMP, and then use my logitech remote from there. It was a great free solution for what I needed.