Best media extender or player for the $$

Marty Howard · **Posted:** Fri Nov 27, 2009 12:02 am

Support for my D-Link DSM-360 is no longer available, so no more codec updates and such.

For those who have such systems, what do you think is the best one out there for the money under $300?

would like to pay less that $100 if possible.

MikeWhitney · **Joined:** Wed Aug 20, 2003 9:15 pm **Posts:** 4724

Need HD? If not, slam dunk XBMC on original Xbox. I've got the stuff to mod them, takes 30 minutes. If you need HD support, you're gonna have trouble with that $100 price point.

Marty Howard · **Posted:** Fri Nov 27, 2009 7:56 am

I've heard so many mixed reviews about the modded XBMC, especially the failure rate. Would like just one I can plug in, run, and have a bit of a warranty. I will still check them out though.

Anyone have experiences with the Popcorn Hour A-110 or the WD Media Server?

Ryan Holton · **Posted:** Fri Nov 27, 2009 9:27 am

Marty Howard wrote:

I've heard so many mixed reviews about the modded XBMC, especially the failure rate. Would like just one I can plug in, run, and have a bit of a warranty. I will still check them out though.

Anyone have experiences with the Popcorn Hour A-110 or the WD Media Server?

Thing is, the original Xboxes are sooooooooooooo cheap used, just get another one when it craps out.

Most every problem with Xboxes is heat, keep 'em cool and they last soooo much longer

MarekRozanski · **Posted:** Fri Nov 27, 2009 1:57 pm

These look intriguing:

http://www.dell.com/us/en/home/desktops/inspiron-zino-hd/pd.aspx?refid=inspiron-zino-hd&s=dhs&cs=19&ref=dthp

Looks like the base $229 model would make a great HD media center. Ubuntu and Boxee is probably all the software you'd need.

MikeWhitney · **Joined:** Wed Aug 20, 2003 9:15 pm **Posts:** 4724

Marty Howard wrote:

I've heard so many mixed reviews about the modded XBMC, especially the failure rate. Would like just one I can plug in, run, and have a bit of a warranty. I will still check them out though.

Anyone have experiences with the Popcorn Hour A-110 or the WD Media Server?

For $100 I'll sell you a modded xbox with a 1-year free-replacement warranty, controllers (wired), a remote, and AV cables. I'm serious. You'd just be on your own to pick up HD cables if needed.

Ready to plug in and connect to any media source in your house and play anything flawlessly.

FYI I have several xboxes with hundreds of hours (maybe over 1k) with zero failures. Xbox 360's are the fail prone ones, the old ones are reliable.

MarekRozanski · **Posted:** Tue Dec 08, 2009 10:29 pm

Good overview of HTPC options:

http://gizmodo.com/5420853/why-its-finally-time-to-get-a-home-theater-pc

Marty Howard · **Posted:** Tue Dec 08, 2009 10:33 pm

I like the idea of being able to store the media on the device.

Matthew Fortner · **Joined:** Sun Mar 21, 2004 12:21 am **Posts:** 384

I bought a used Mac Mini. I can use Boxee, XBMC or Plex. Not the cheapest route, but I love it. I also stream my content to wherever I am to my iPhone, Nokia Tablet, laptop or even someone else's htpc. It plays every file I've encountered.

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Best media extender or player for the $$

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