Custom HTPC, Mac Mini, Or? ...

[jliedeka]

I'm currently using my Oppo BDP 93 as the front end for streaming in my living room. It's fine with my uPnP server (MediaTomb running on a Pentium 4 Linux Mint box). I'm not happy that it's Netflix client is limited to two channel audio.

I don't really have a ton of space unless I put a tower type unit on the floor. I don't actually need anything powerful, just HDMI and ethernet connectivity, better Netflix streaming and ability to play movies and audio off my local network. File types I use locally are FLAC/WAV/MP3 - mostly FLAC and MKV/x264.

I'm considering a Mac Mini and running VLC on it for local stuff and Netflix via a browser. Are there any set top boxes that can stream what I have plus do Netflix better? Should I just build something custom?

It seems that everybody wants to add streaming features to their TVs, BDPs and receivers but none of them do everything well. I would like to have one go-to device for streaming.

Jim

 

[BoredSysAdmin]

I love OpenElec/xbmc and it could run on pc equivalent of fumes. It does have a Netflix plugin, but I do not know how good is it..
It has plenty other streaming apps, but it wont support silverlight

 

[Adam]

Hi, Jim. I can't speak to all of your audio types, but I have a Sony DBP-S3100 ($88 on Amazon right now), and it streams Netflix just great (as well as Amazon Instant Video and Hulu Plus). Netflix is in HD and 5.1. I also use it to play files off of a USB thumb-drive, as well as stream movies to it from my Mac (or PC) using PS3 Media Server. All in all, I've been really happy with it.

 

[jliedeka]

I'm not looking to replace the Oppo, I have a few PAL discs. I just want to add something that does streaming well.

Jim

 

[BoredSysAdmin]

Hmmm, Then WD TV Live or Live HUB if you need local storage. According to this table . Wd tv live does support 1080p netflix with dd+ and all rest of audio/video codecs
List of Netflix compatible devices - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Another option might be google chromecast - see the video how it works - it doen't work by itself, it needs a source device (phone/tablet or pc)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gb2pFqXAbWs