Hi,
I'm moving house and considering making a new HTPC setup, as the current config I have isn't the most user friendly for the other members of my household (Sony PS3 as media server, transferring files via MediaLink from my Mac, PS3 hooked up to Sony LCD HD TV). The PS3 HD i've recently upgraded also doesn't have enough space for all my media, so something with at least 2TB would be good.
My thoughts for the new setup are purchasing a new base model Mac Mini (connecting to tv via HDMI) and purchasing some sort of NAS to store my media on. I'd be plugging the NAS and Mac Mini into my Billion Wireless N/Gigabit modem router so network speeds shouldn't be too much of an issue. I like the idea of the NAS so that other users who come over can access videos etc. also. And i'd be transferring downloaded files from the MacMini onto the NAS instead for storage. The main files I predominantly want to play are movies and TV shows, mainly MKV/MPEG4/AVI format.
I'd really like thoughts/opinions on the best media front end application for the Mac Mini (e.g PLEX, XBMC for Mac, Boxee), and any recommendations on a NAS (preferably 4 HD bays for possible RAID backup + time machine backup also) or EVEN a better setup idea? I've heard the HP ProLiant servers could be good as a NAS... Let me know if i've left anything out.
Thanks!
I'm moving house and considering making a new HTPC setup, as the current config I have isn't the most user friendly for the other members of my household (Sony PS3 as media server, transferring files via MediaLink from my Mac, PS3 hooked up to Sony LCD HD TV). The PS3 HD i've recently upgraded also doesn't have enough space for all my media, so something with at least 2TB would be good.
My thoughts for the new setup are purchasing a new base model Mac Mini (connecting to tv via HDMI) and purchasing some sort of NAS to store my media on. I'd be plugging the NAS and Mac Mini into my Billion Wireless N/Gigabit modem router so network speeds shouldn't be too much of an issue. I like the idea of the NAS so that other users who come over can access videos etc. also. And i'd be transferring downloaded files from the MacMini onto the NAS instead for storage. The main files I predominantly want to play are movies and TV shows, mainly MKV/MPEG4/AVI format.
I'd really like thoughts/opinions on the best media front end application for the Mac Mini (e.g PLEX, XBMC for Mac, Boxee), and any recommendations on a NAS (preferably 4 HD bays for possible RAID backup + time machine backup also) or EVEN a better setup idea? I've heard the HP ProLiant servers could be good as a NAS... Let me know if i've left anything out.
Thanks!