Currently have
Pioneer SC65
TIVO - OTA
KDLinks 700(?)
Samsung BR player
Windows Home Server (2003) (8TB storage space, file duplication turned on)
Fairly capable desktop, with a messed up win 7
In the living room, I can play with KDLinks player, anything on the server
I can also (before i buggered it up) serve movies from the server to the TIVO
However, WAF is challenging, she struggles with KDL player, and TIVO movies are audio challenged. OTA comes across 5.1, served stuff comes 2 ch. Desktop puter buggered up, means TIVO isn't being fed right now. I'm not convinced KDL is feeding the receiver properly either. Can't seem to get the setting correct between it and the receiver.
Even being 1/2 deaf being a few decades old, I still appreciate well done surround sound.
Here's my proposal with specific questions at the end
Obviously fix my desktop, which unfortunately is likely to require reload of 7
build a specific ht puter
ditch the KDL and BR player
Maybe keep feeding TIVO through the new puter.
Put in one or two big drives to store movies with Server backing up the HT. Maybe store ISO on the server, and use the HT to store AVI
Heading towards 3D capability, but 3D TV maybe a bit further out.
Questions
- Do I need any special MB, or just one with HDMI out, and will that feed the receiver properly with audio? Assuming 2-4G, and mid range i5-i7?
- What media player to install on the HT?
- How to make the Harmony Remote work (in addition to a keyboard) with HT?
- What ripping software? I've used DVDFab for years, bought lifetime upgrade... and they have amnesia and no longer recognize the lifetime. Not happy wiht them right now, and haven't been completely satisfied with their rips anyway.
- General thoughts on the plan?
