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This is an almost embarrassing question, but I don't know the answer and am not seeing it where I'm looking. So I have to ask it...
I can set up an XBMC server on either a MBP or a WIndows 8 hybrid. Either is fine. I want to watch and listen to content on my home theater. There's an AVR that outputs to a TV and speaker system. Currently, I watch content via cable, DVD or Roku. I want to add media served up by an XBMC server to this. How do I do that? Ideally, I'd like to stream it. Can I? If so, how?
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XBMC software is meant to be installed on an HTPC that is directly connected to the TV. While there is limited support as a server, it probably won't do all of the things you want it to do, and it won't stream add-on content.
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2014-09-08, 06:47
(This post was last modified: 2014-09-08, 06:48 by maigre.)
OK. Thanks.
Could the HTPC be connected to the AVR? Would it broadcast a surround sound, 5.1, kind of audio signal that the AVR could play as such?
Is Plex the only way to stream from a computer to a home theater?
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Yes, an HTPC can connect to an AVR, with 5.1 surround sound.
Plex is two parts, server and player. XBMC is just a player (more or less) and doesn't require a server, as it works with normal file sharing from most computers, hard drives, and NAS devices.
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My AVR streams from shared folders, but it can be a little flaky. Streaming with Plex over the Roku works very reliably, though. I was looking to mimic that ability with XBMC, but since there's no Roku app, I figured I'd have to go some other route if I could do it at all. Plex works for me and I don't need a subscription to it to do what I wanted. I'd rather have used XBMC, though.
Thanks for the help. I'll dig a little deeper based on input here.