2014-10-17, 17:42
I'm reevaluating my current HTPC setup. I've always been a big believer in having a single device hooked up to a TV for all of my media needs, but am now struggling to get everything I want/need from an HTPC.
Currently, I have an HTPC (Intel i5-2500, Nvidia 460, blu ray drive, 8gb memory, 250gb SSD, secondary 500gb HD) running Windows 7 and using Total Media Theater to watch blu ray discs. My DVD collection is mostly ripped down and stored on the secondary hard drive, but because the lower quality is becoming terribly evident I've been slowly transitioning to blu rays. My family also watches Netflix and on rare occasion rents something from Amazon Prime's streaming service or from a local Redbox (in order to watch new releases before deciding to purchase or not). My teenage son also like to play the occasional computer game on Steam.
So, here's my issues/questions:
I would like to transition to Linux. I've done the locked-in Apple thing (with Macs, iTunes, and so forth), but it got too expensive to stay up to date with. I've been doing the Microsoft thing since then, and although everything is supported, I couldn't stand Windows 8 (with a keyboard and mouse), and I was really let down by the big "Windows 10" announcement and the issues surrounding Windows XP's end-of-life. I like the "vibe" and goals of Linux, and I've used it at work for years (as an IT support and server admin), but can't seem to figure out how to make it work with my HTPC needs. How do you folks handle blu rays and Netflix on the Linux side? Do I just buy several really large hard drives and rip everything to them? What software do you guys use to do that (MakeMKV?)? Or do you supplement your HTPC with a blu ray player, Roku, or other separate device?
Are blu rays even the way to go for HD movies? I like owning my movies, and knowing (or at least, believing) that they won't suddenly disappear from my collection. I worry when buying from iTunes, Amazon, or Vudu that the movies will suddenly not be available at a future date. I've literally been burned that way before and don't like the idea of my investment going up in smoke again.
Finally, speakers have become a problem for me. I currently use an older set of Logitech 2.1 speakers (similar to the current Z623 set) and they have been wonderful for everything from movies to games. Problem is, they only work from the HTPC. I want to have a single-device-for-everything setup, but if I supplement with a secondary device I'm stuck using the TV speakers (YUCK!). So, what's a good speaker solution? I've been looking at soundbars, but wasn't sure if the quality was comparable to my Logitech speakers. I was also wondering if plugging my computer's HDMI into a soundbar, and then the soundbar into the TV would mess up the HDCP required by some streaming services.
I've been doing my research, but have felt like I'm running in circles. Any advice would be greatly appreciated!
Currently, I have an HTPC (Intel i5-2500, Nvidia 460, blu ray drive, 8gb memory, 250gb SSD, secondary 500gb HD) running Windows 7 and using Total Media Theater to watch blu ray discs. My DVD collection is mostly ripped down and stored on the secondary hard drive, but because the lower quality is becoming terribly evident I've been slowly transitioning to blu rays. My family also watches Netflix and on rare occasion rents something from Amazon Prime's streaming service or from a local Redbox (in order to watch new releases before deciding to purchase or not). My teenage son also like to play the occasional computer game on Steam.
So, here's my issues/questions:
I would like to transition to Linux. I've done the locked-in Apple thing (with Macs, iTunes, and so forth), but it got too expensive to stay up to date with. I've been doing the Microsoft thing since then, and although everything is supported, I couldn't stand Windows 8 (with a keyboard and mouse), and I was really let down by the big "Windows 10" announcement and the issues surrounding Windows XP's end-of-life. I like the "vibe" and goals of Linux, and I've used it at work for years (as an IT support and server admin), but can't seem to figure out how to make it work with my HTPC needs. How do you folks handle blu rays and Netflix on the Linux side? Do I just buy several really large hard drives and rip everything to them? What software do you guys use to do that (MakeMKV?)? Or do you supplement your HTPC with a blu ray player, Roku, or other separate device?
Are blu rays even the way to go for HD movies? I like owning my movies, and knowing (or at least, believing) that they won't suddenly disappear from my collection. I worry when buying from iTunes, Amazon, or Vudu that the movies will suddenly not be available at a future date. I've literally been burned that way before and don't like the idea of my investment going up in smoke again.
Finally, speakers have become a problem for me. I currently use an older set of Logitech 2.1 speakers (similar to the current Z623 set) and they have been wonderful for everything from movies to games. Problem is, they only work from the HTPC. I want to have a single-device-for-everything setup, but if I supplement with a secondary device I'm stuck using the TV speakers (YUCK!). So, what's a good speaker solution? I've been looking at soundbars, but wasn't sure if the quality was comparable to my Logitech speakers. I was also wondering if plugging my computer's HDMI into a soundbar, and then the soundbar into the TV would mess up the HDCP required by some streaming services.
I've been doing my research, but have felt like I'm running in circles. Any advice would be greatly appreciated!