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M$3.05 November 13, 2009 06:36 PM

Which "set-top" box would you recommend for me?

I'm thinking of asking for a set-top box for Christmas as can't seem to find one that works for my needs. I'm looking at an AppleTV, Roku or, possibly, a Slingbox.

I'd like to stream movies from my Mac (although, they don't have to be direct streaming, they can just be downloaded to the box) that I've ripped and I have a Netflix account, so I'd like to be able to do Netflix streaming.

I have a Plasma TV, so I'd like to have a HDMI output...

I'm not tied to any of the boxes I mentioned above, but I'm very drawn to the AppleTV. I have no problem moding a box as well (I was thinking of modifying the AppleTV to put on the Boxee+ stuff).

Bonus if I can watch my TiVo recordings on the box (by transfering?)

Oh... and I want it to make me coffee in the morning...

What do you suggest?
Interesting Question?  Yes (2)   No (0)   

Interesting: jasoncalacanis M$1.00, bluecash99 M$0.05

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Best Answer  Chosen by Asker

 
November 14, 2009 01:58 AM
Having tried all of the suggestions (excluding the slingbox), I'd recommend a Mac Mini with Plex. I think it offers the most flexibilty, including Netflix, Hulu, DVD ISO, MKV streaming, etc. You also have the advantage of housing your media in a more controllable environment that can be backed up via time machine.

You'll just need to get over the HDMI with a DVI > HDMI cable and an addtional audio cable (optical).
Source(s):
Personal experience

Asker's Rating:
• Although there are other answers that I found to be equally "the Best", this answer had more details than the others.

Now... to find the cash for my Mac Mini!


Tags: tv, media, apple, hdmi, streaming

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November 14, 2009 12:40 AM
I have the Samsung BD-P3600 with Netflix streaming on it... and I'm done for all time! Thing is amazing for movies.... of course, if you want to download from the web it doesn't do that.


Tags: bluray, samsung

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November 14, 2009 01:36 PM
I have a windows 7 media center with hdmi and dual tuner card. It works great for everything you mentioned and even more, spent less than $100.

hulu integration:
http://www.missingremote.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=3499&Itemid=232

boxee integration:
http://www.missingremote.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=3285&Itemid=232

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November 14, 2009 12:43 AM
Dude - spend an extra $200 over Apple TV and get a Mac Mini. I got one for our 52" and am so glad I got that instead of an Apple TV. Looks awesome and is completely versatile.

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Helpful: drmatt

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November 15, 2009 10:19 PM
Can the Mac Mini output 1080?

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November 14, 2009 12:44 AM
ummm.....why don't you get TIVO desktop plus and use your TIVO to watch the video you download?
http://www.tivo.com/buytivo/tivogear/software/index.html

You can already watch Netflix Video on TIVO
http://www.tivo.com/whatistivo/on-demand/watch-netflix/index.html
or BlockBuster or Amazon, plus plenty of Video podcasts are already available.
http://www.tivo.com/whatistivo/on-demand/

With TIVO Desktop you can also view photo slideshows from your computer as well....

Why do you want to spend money on another box/service?

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November 15, 2009 10:21 PM
Our TiVo is stadard-def and on a standard-def TV.

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November 15, 2009 10:33 PM
Me too....Tivo Series 2....works great. Download a movie, pop it in a folder, go to tivo download it to tivo, Boom!

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November 14, 2009 12:48 AM
You've indicated that you already have a Tivo. If you indeed have a Tivo, and not a generic DVR you can already do everything you mentioned you want. With Tivo's Desktop software you can send files from your computer to the Tivo to watch. Also, you can now watch Netflix streaming on Tivo. You'll need a TivoHD or Series 3 to be able to to do this.

Tags: tivo, box, top, set, dvr

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November 14, 2009 12:57 AM
Modding an AppleTV for Boxee sounds like a great option, but it won't allow you to get the Netflix content. For that you'll have to use a Mac Mini with a DVI-> HDMI converter

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November 15, 2009 10:24 PM
Is that a converter box or just a cable?

EDIT: Another answer stated that it's a cable.

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November 14, 2009 01:30 AM
AppleTV is my pick, I haven't put boxee on it since hulu is blocked in canada and that would be my prime reason for modding it. Otherwise the apple service has been pretty top notch. Also now that YouTube is going to stream 1080p it couldnt get much better.

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November 14, 2009 02:23 AM
I have an AppleTV and love it. I use HandBrake to rip DVDs to my Mac which I can add to my iTunes Library. I also use Toast to copy my TiVo recordings into my iTunes Library. I have hundreds of movies and hours and hours and hours of TV shows in iTunes that stream to the AppleTV.

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November 14, 2009 02:24 AM
Living in Canada, I have no access to the Roku yet, but having used both the Slingbox Pro, and the Apple TV, I recommend the Apple TV. I had non-stop problems getting the Slingbox to work at all, and if the house used Vonage service, just forget having a Slingbox period.
The Apple TV has not been a picnic mind you, but in it's latest software version, is working better than ever. Do not bother using wi-fi at all. You will want to bash the box in with a hammer when you experience how long a wireless connection takes. Get enough ethernet cable to run from your router to your TV, and if you have several devices (we have a PS3, XBox360, Apple TV, and a Wii) just buy a "switch" so they can all run off one cable. My boys were much happier once we stopped using wi-fi for the Xbox. The on-line games were more stable.
Now, add the Apple TV as a device in iTunes, (entering the code on the screen) and you will be ready to watch movies. Isn't that what this whole exercise was about?

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November 14, 2009 06:13 AM
I'm doing something in that direction for my house too. I'll be using a mac mini, which will have a shared folder over samba where I'll put all the movies and stuff I download in my others computers. I'm probably going to use Front Row with this plugin http://code.google.com/p/understudy/ that allows me to watch Hulu and Netflix on it. I don't know, I been evaluating several options for a while and a mac mini seems to be the best choice, a little expensive but really powerful.

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November 14, 2009 07:34 AM
I would get an XBOX 360, awesome gamemachine and "set-top" box all in one. Streaming video, netflix, facebook, last.fm.

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November 16, 2009 06:55 AM
Not sure if you can get use these in the US. We use them downunder. http://www.beyonwiz.com/ DP-S1 with LIDic.. The Digital TV in US is not the same I believe however this may help. We can record both free to air and cable onto the HDD.

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November 16, 2009 08:30 PM
I bought one of the new Mac Mini's and I stream everything off via Hulu and Netflicks streaming. Its hooked up to a nice LCD and 5.1 system (which works on some Netflicks streaming movies.

You can get an AppleTV mod for any mac, I got it from this guy: http://www.wiseontech.com/downloads

Here's how I hooked it up:

1. VIDEO
Mini --- Mini DVI to DVI --- DVI to HDMI --- LCD

2. AUDIO
Mini --- 3.5mm to RCA --- sound/reciever

- - -

Ultimately, if you're going to mod the AppleTV then I thin kthat's yoru best option, but I would just insure you can use Hulu. It could just be a personal love for Hulu though I guess. I love being able to use Pandora in my home from the 5.1 though- not sure how much importance you put on that though.

Tags: tv, streaming, apple, help

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