[CoLoCo] Ultimate set top box?

[Jim Hutchinson]

I've played with both xmbc and boxee (there is an apple TV hack). I'm not
impressed but not disappointed either. It seems a "not quite ready" product
but certainly close. Although part of the issue could be the sub par
hardware on the old ATV. I guess the short answer is there still isn't a one
stop solution for this and certainly not one that is just ready to go. Boxee
is almost there, Google Tv is almost there, Roku has its pluses. Apple TV
fills a niche. It may be that one just has to buy a mini pc and add the
software of choice. That's not really want I want but maybe no one will make
what "I" want. I'm curious to see how the Google TV grows though. I guess
they added Netflix support too. Is that through a browser or more like a
Boxee or ATV type interface?

Thanks for all the feedback.

Jim

On Sat, Jan 1, 2011 at 2:24 PM, Chomafin <chomafin at gmail.com> wrote:

> XBMC runs on what ever hardware you put it to. Boxee can also run on
> anything, but they now have their own little set top hardware.  I'm in love
> with it.  A friend got one for xmas and its great, so I ordered one off of
> amazon for 200 free ship.  Netflix is not yet supported. ETA is towards the
> end of January I believe.  boxee has been going back and forth on both
> Netflix and Hulu through the time the project has been around. They are
> still working on both.
>
> Before buying one, I'd suggest playing with it. Download it and toss it
> onto w/e random hardware you've got laying around. Even if its not on the
> tv, it'll give you a very good idea of the usability of the software.
>  Again, I prefer xbmc, but boxee's hardware sold me.  If they get xbmc
> running on the boxee box, i'll be very tempted to jump over to it.  As is,
> boxee does really well though.
>
> I've used XBMC since it was an xbox only project. And from my experience,
> it'll play anything you throw at it. MKV, DIVX h.264 etc. I've not tried
> flac, but I would be amazed if its not supported.
>
>
> On Sat, Jan 1, 2011 at 1:23 PM, David Overcash <funnylookinhat at gmail.com>wrote:
>
>> - - - Top-posting because it's fresh thoughts...
>>
>> I used Boxee for a long time - and when it comes to local media, Hulu, web
>> content, etc...  it worked really well - but the deal breaker was no Netflix
>> support.  I thought I would be stuck w/o any good solution, and then I got a
>> free Logitech Revue (GoogleTV) through their developer program.  It's
>> fantastic - and after using it - I would say it is definitely worth it's
>> price ( $300 ).
>>
>> I kept my Boxee box, and converted into a digital media streaming box,
>> using MiniDLNA (http://sourceforge.net/projects/minidlna/) - now I can
>> stream Netflix with ease, integrate all web content (i.e. Hulu, ABC, USA,
>> Etc.) and still have easy access to my locally stored content.
>>
>> I'm not sure about FLAC support as most of my media is in either MP3 or
>> DivX.
>>
>> As of right now - if you want easy Netflix with quick integration to
>> network media - GoogleTV is your best bet ... that or run Boxee on Windows
>> and just stream Netflix through the browser.
>>
>> -David
>>
>> On Sat, Jan 1, 2011 at 12:19 PM, Jim Hutchinson <jim at ubuntu-rocks.org>wrote:
>>
>>>
>>>
>>> On Sat, Jan 1, 2011 at 12:03 PM, Chomafin <chomafin at gmail.com> wrote:
>>>
>>>> Check out xbmc. It is the best out in my opinion. Boxee is another, its
>>>> forked from xbmc, and they make their own hardware. My boxee box will be
>>>> here next week... so excited. Xbmc is open, and they have a live xbmc/ubuntu
>>>> iso avil even.
>>>>
>>>
>>> I thought xbmc was for use on the xbox or could be installed on other
>>> hardware - like your own box. Is there an actual ready to go box out there?
>>> Googling doesn't pull up anything. Let me know what you think of the Boxee
>>> box. I've read mixed reviews. Also, no Netflix is kind of deal breaker for
>>> me. I don't want to hack something. I hacked my Apple TV and it's not the
>>> best solution by a long shot and, of course, no Netflix.
>>>
>>> Thanks for the tip though. I may have to just by an htpc and install my
>>> own software.
>>>
>>> --
>>> Jim (Ubuntu geek extraordinaire)
>>> ----
>>> Please avoid sending me Word or PowerPoint attachments.
>>> See http://www.gnu.org/philosophy/no-word-attachments.html
>>>
>>> --
>>> Ubuntu-us-co mailing list
>>> Ubuntu-us-co at lists.ubuntu.com
>>> Modify settings or unsubscribe at:
>>> https://lists.ubuntu.com/mailman/listinfo/ubuntu-us-co
>>>
>>>
>>
>> --
>> Ubuntu-us-co mailing list
>> Ubuntu-us-co at lists.ubuntu.com
>> Modify settings or unsubscribe at:
>> https://lists.ubuntu.com/mailman/listinfo/ubuntu-us-co
>>
>>
>
> --
> Ubuntu-us-co mailing list
> Ubuntu-us-co at lists.ubuntu.com
> Modify settings or unsubscribe at:
> https://lists.ubuntu.com/mailman/listinfo/ubuntu-us-co
>
>


-- 
Jim (Ubuntu geek extraordinaire)
----
Please avoid sending me Word or PowerPoint attachments.
See http://www.gnu.org/philosophy/no-word-attachments.html
-------------- next part --------------
An HTML attachment was scrubbed...
URL: <https://lists.ubuntu.com/archives/ubuntu-us-co/attachments/20110101/a8278604/attachment.html>