One of my summer projects is to install a centralized A/V system in our house. I'd like to put a computer dedicated as a media server in the home theater. This computer would be dedicated solely to serving up multimedia -- I plan to load it with all our DVDs and music. It would also be used as a DVR, recording and timeshifting TV shows. This computer would also drive the projector in our home theater (also a summer project).
My current plan is to build a (gasp!
) Windows MCE 2005 box with two TV tuners, tons of storage, etc. etc. to run the server, and put "Media Center Extender" boxes at each TV in the house. These Media Center Extenders are a really neat concept -- they're set top boxes that connect to the media center computer and allow you to play back recorded TV shows, other movies, music, and photos, as well as utilize the Media Center's TV tuner(s) to time-shift live TV. They also allow access to the program guide, so you can set up to record a show from any TV in the house.
Anyway -- I'm wondering if there's a similar solution that could run on a Mac? I was considering the eyeHome, but that lacks the time-shifting capability. I was thinking I could live without that, but then I read something about having to restart the eyeHome's server program on the host computer any time you want to add video clips!?! Plus, I really would like to be able to program in shows I want to record without having to physically access the server.
I've also considered using Mac Minis and Front Row at each TV, but (needless to say) that's going to be really expensive.
In any case... I'm certainly open to suggestions! If there's a way to do this without going to the dark side, I figure somebody here can point it out!
My current plan is to build a (gasp!
) Windows MCE 2005 box with two TV tuners, tons of storage, etc. etc. to run the server, and put "Media Center Extender" boxes at each TV in the house. These Media Center Extenders are a really neat concept -- they're set top boxes that connect to the media center computer and allow you to play back recorded TV shows, other movies, music, and photos, as well as utilize the Media Center's TV tuner(s) to time-shift live TV. They also allow access to the program guide, so you can set up to record a show from any TV in the house.Anyway -- I'm wondering if there's a similar solution that could run on a Mac? I was considering the eyeHome, but that lacks the time-shifting capability. I was thinking I could live without that, but then I read something about having to restart the eyeHome's server program on the host computer any time you want to add video clips!?! Plus, I really would like to be able to program in shows I want to record without having to physically access the server.
I've also considered using Mac Minis and Front Row at each TV, but (needless to say) that's going to be really expensive.
In any case... I'm certainly open to suggestions! If there's a way to do this without going to the dark side, I figure somebody here can point it out!
