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Lobby High-Tech topic #292878

Subject: "I bought a Roku on Thursday...and took it right back Sunday" Previous topic | Next topic
b.Touch
Member since Jun 28th 2011
20514 posts
Mon Oct-20-14 11:44 AM

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"I bought a Roku on Thursday...and took it right back Sunday"


  

          

I'm really looking for a feature-rich, organized media center platform that I can connect an external drive to (negating the need to stream files across my network). I basically want something the Apple TV Home Sharing interface (organized by tags, w/ cover art, access to multiple audio streams and subtitles and chapters), but with local files.

Roku couldn't do that, I found.

A friend suggested building a Raspberry Pi system that will run an XBMC port...that is what I will try next.

  

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Topic Outline
Subject Author Message Date ID
yeah the Roku isn't any of the things you just listed
Oct 20th 2014
1
I did look up the features.
Oct 20th 2014
2
      if you want to play rips from external drives
Oct 20th 2014
3
           I've got a WD and it's solid
Oct 21st 2014
5
                buggy in which ways?
Oct 21st 2014
7
                     occasional crashing and loss of network connectivity for me
Oct 21st 2014
8
                          there are reasons why I suggest the others for netflix/casuals
Oct 22nd 2014
9
Why not just a Mac Mini?
Oct 21st 2014
4
I was trying to avoid paying the $300-$400 for a decent
Oct 21st 2014
6
Here to co-sign WD Live
Oct 22nd 2014
10
does WD Live read MP4 tags or do I just get a list of files?
Oct 26th 2014
16
      RE: does WD Live read MP4 tags? YES
Oct 26th 2014
17
the Pi is good, but a bit sluggish
Oct 25th 2014
11
I personally don't like the WD media players.
Oct 25th 2014
12
I don't get spending all this money on other comps
Oct 25th 2014
13
An old PC > media boxes
Oct 25th 2014
14
I'm adding to the WD crowd...
Oct 26th 2014
15
get a NAS drive
Nov 01st 2014
18
did a google search
Nov 02nd 2014
19
how bout this? i've been eyeing it.
Nov 04th 2014
20
WD Live
Nov 06th 2014
21
Basically you want XBMC
Nov 06th 2014
22
suggest a plug in now that MashUp has gone inactive.
Nov 17th 2014
25
Liva!
Nov 08th 2014
23
Sold
Nov 10th 2014
24
Question about this...is your OS installed on a separate portion than th...
Nov 20th 2014
26

Rjcc
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94936 posts
Mon Oct-20-14 12:04 PM

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1. "yeah the Roku isn't any of the things you just listed"
In response to Reply # 0


          

had you not looked up its features?

maybe one of the WD players or something, I assume you don't want a videogame system.

http://card.mygamercard.net/lastgame/rjcc.png

www.engadgethd.com - the other stuff i'm looking at

  

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b.Touch
Member since Jun 28th 2011
20514 posts
Mon Oct-20-14 01:28 PM

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2. "I did look up the features."
In response to Reply # 1


  

          

I just didn't find any in-depth reviews of its video playback features.

I was also under the impression I might be able to find an alternate channel that provided the extra functionality, but it's the Roku video playback API that's limited this way.

I've been told the WD boxes have less-than-good looking interfaces, but I'm starting to think I might just need to do heavy organization to my files and run in that way. Just tired of having to have my computer on and iTunes open all the time to watch TV (and so is my light bill).

  

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Rjcc
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Mon Oct-20-14 02:38 PM

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3. "if you want to play rips from external drives"
In response to Reply # 2


          

that's basically WD's zone. the UI isn't horrible, it's just not something you'd want to give a random person.

http://card.mygamercard.net/lastgame/rjcc.png

www.engadgethd.com - the other stuff i'm looking at

  

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budz4zo
Member since Dec 07th 2003
2811 posts
Tue Oct-21-14 01:50 PM

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5. "I've got a WD and it's solid"
In response to Reply # 3


  

          

I mainly just use it for rips but it's great for what it does. Basically plays anything I throw at it. Interface isn't that bad either. It looks alright but is kind of slow and a tad buggy. It's not horrible though and something I can live with.

  

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b.Touch
Member since Jun 28th 2011
20514 posts
Tue Oct-21-14 06:28 PM

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7. "buggy in which ways?"
In response to Reply # 5


  

          

Crashes a lot?

  

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Lach
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Tue Oct-21-14 10:42 PM

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8. "occasional crashing and loss of network connectivity for me"
In response to Reply # 7
Tue Oct-21-14 10:49 PM by Lach

  

          

but it doesn't happen often. A quick reboot usually does the trick. But in terms of just being able to play any file from an external along with metadata, there's nothing better at that price point imo.

  

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Rjcc
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94936 posts
Wed Oct-22-14 11:36 AM

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9. "there are reasons why I suggest the others for netflix/casuals"
In response to Reply # 8


          

but for this specific implementation, it's by far the best.

http://card.mygamercard.net/lastgame/rjcc.png

www.engadgethd.com - the other stuff i'm looking at

  

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LeroyBumpkin
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36958 posts
Tue Oct-21-14 01:39 PM

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4. "Why not just a Mac Mini?"
In response to Reply # 0


  

          

Or did I miss that post?

Cause that looks like something you can customize to what you're looking for.

Other than that, I'd agree with rjcc and get the WD box.

https://digife.com

  

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b.Touch
Member since Jun 28th 2011
20514 posts
Tue Oct-21-14 06:28 PM

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6. "I was trying to avoid paying the $300-$400 for a decent"
In response to Reply # 4


  

          

used Mac mini.

I'm gonna check out that WD box, and if that doesn't work out I'll throw in the towel.

  

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ne_atl
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Wed Oct-22-14 01:07 PM

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10. "Here to co-sign WD Live"
In response to Reply # 0


  

          

it just works.

___________________________________
http://instagram.com/mrellsberry

  

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b.Touch
Member since Jun 28th 2011
20514 posts
Sun Oct-26-14 11:41 PM

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16. "does WD Live read MP4 tags or do I just get a list of files?"
In response to Reply # 10


  

          

I ask because I've tagged all (yes, all) of my movies and shows with cover art and credits info. Everything is in H.264 format (anything that isn't gets converted)

  

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budz4zo
Member since Dec 07th 2003
2811 posts
Sun Oct-26-14 11:46 PM

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17. "RE: does WD Live read MP4 tags? YES"
In response to Reply # 16


  

          

WD Live reads all the tags and even shows thumbnails. i don't know if the thumbs are in the tags or if the WD downloads itself. When I said it was buggy, it occasionally freezes but usually when trying to stream over the network. Sometimes it will just lose connectivity for no reason. That's why I just use USB or an external HDD. It's just a lot easier and hassle-free than dealing with streaming and network issues. WD Live is cheap too. Like $70 or 80 when I bought it.

  

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Playa_Politician
Member since Jul 29th 2006
5495 posts
Sat Oct-25-14 11:46 AM

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11. "the Pi is good, but a bit sluggish"
In response to Reply # 0


  

          

I'd recommend dropping $150-200 on a barebones PC and putting a linux distro on with XBMC.

I love my XBMC (I use a Dell PC w/Win8).

--sig--
n/a

  

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CondoM
Member since Aug 20th 2006
9881 posts
Sat Oct-25-14 04:44 PM

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12. "I personally don't like the WD media players."
In response to Reply # 0


  

          

I've been trying to find a good alternative, but I'm having difficulty. I'm considering just getting a NAS and using Plex.

It does everything that I need it to, but it does it all so slowly. The loading time in the start up is agonizingly slow, menu load times are terrible, and it's just plain frustrating to use at times.

http://www.last.fm/user/_CondoM_/

  

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osu_no_1
Member since Feb 26th 2003
9414 posts
Sat Oct-25-14 08:38 PM

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13. "I don't get spending all this money on other comps"
In response to Reply # 12


  

          

Then cheaping out on your media interface

That has become the biggest expense for me

  

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handle
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Sat Oct-25-14 10:54 PM

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14. "An old PC > media boxes"
In response to Reply # 0


          

I built a Core i3-530 / Windows 7 machine in 2010 that runs XBMC , blu-ray rips at full HD, plus anything else a streamer can do.

Craigslist has a bunch of cheap computers for sale (in San Diego) that would be great at this, tower or laptop. Figure $200 will get you something good enough.

This Dell on eBay would be a great media PC , and it went for $156 bucks: http://www.ebay.com/itm/DELL-OPTIPLEX-790-DESKTOP-CORE-i3-3-3GHz-2GB-DDR3-RAM-750-GB-HDD-WIN-7-PRO-COA-/371170826595?pt=Desktop_PCs&hash=item566b815963&nma=true&si=jkeDrL6DIjt2LkCmvyY5JeTHrW8%253D&orig_cvip=true&rt=nc&_trksid=p2047675.l2557

Just add a wireless keyboard/trackpad like the Logitech K400 (can be found on sale for $19 at least a few times a month: http://www.logitech.com/en-us/product/wireless-touch-keyboard-k400r


The WD is cool too - and cheaper.

  

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QBoogie
Member since Jun 05th 2002
5885 posts
Sun Oct-26-14 05:35 PM

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15. "I'm adding to the WD crowd..."
In response to Reply # 0


  

          

... I didn't want to have my comp on since it's old and makes the room hot and the wife complains to stream so I got a WD MyCloud which is what it is a small NAS device. In my room I use the WDTV Live to watch from the Media Server, my PS3 in the living room, my kids room can view the contents on the Wii via WiiMC. My boys room should have the Playstation TV for Christmas so the crib is set.

  

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luminous
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Sat Nov-01-14 09:08 PM

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18. "get a NAS drive"
In response to Reply # 0


  

          

I have a Synology NAS drive. Synology has apps that play all my media on basically any device... tablets, smartphones, computers, roku box. i have 5 tvs in my house all connected to my NAS by roku.

i recommend: https://www.synology.com/en-us/products/DS214play

i don't have this one, but i'm planning on upgrading to that soon.

you can stream audio, movies, and pictures. you can also record live tv. you can access your media outside your home network if traveling.

the set up is a bit of work, and it's not cheap. but once set up it's perfect.

i know you said you didn't want to stream over your network but i think that's ideal for being able to playback on the most devices.

--
Sometimes you have to look reality in the face and say 'No!'
-Ben (Reaper)

If you need any help, don't. Hesitate to ask.

  

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luminous
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Sun Nov-02-14 10:20 AM

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19. "did a google search"
In response to Reply # 0


  

          

and there is also a seagate central. seems to be much like the WD cloud.

http://www.seagate.com/external-hard-drives/home-entertainment/media-sharing-devices/seagate-central/

--
Sometimes you have to look reality in the face and say 'No!'
-Ben (Reaper)

If you need any help, don't. Hesitate to ask.

  

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Invisiblist
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Tue Nov-04-14 08:14 PM

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20. "how bout this? i've been eyeing it. "
In response to Reply # 0


          

http://www.amazon.com/Asus-VivoPC-VM40B-02-ASUS-Desktop/dp/B00KU54KPQ/ref=sr_1_11?s=pc&ie=UTF8&qid=1415149934&sr=1-11&keywords=chromebox

but really if this works, there might be a reasonable Chromebox solution.

  

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Brother Rabbit
Member since Oct 31st 2007
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Thu Nov-06-14 09:10 AM

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21. "WD Live"
In response to Reply # 0


  

          

PLAYS EVERYTHING!

I also own a Amazon FireTV for online content purposes.

______________________________

They're bureaucrats! I don't respect them.(c)Rick Sanchez

  

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Mafamaticks
Member since Jan 12th 2004
4667 posts
Thu Nov-06-14 06:13 PM

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22. "Basically you want XBMC"
In response to Reply # 0


  

          

The Amazon Fire does XBMC. I'm not really up on the Raspberry Pis like that but I'm sure it's dope. There are a bunch of off brand set top joints out there for $99 and up.

  

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Fishgrease
Member since Feb 13th 2006
34460 posts
Mon Nov-17-14 08:49 AM

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25. "suggest a plug in now that MashUp has gone inactive. "
In response to Reply # 22


  

          

---------------------------------------
blog: www.wonderfullyhorrible.blogspot.com
instagram: Fishgrease
twitter: wooly_caesar
Podcast www.soundcloud.com/circlegang

  

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handle
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Sat Nov-08-14 01:02 PM

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23. "Liva!"
In response to Reply # 0


          

Review on Anadtech
http://www.anandtech.com/show/8262/ecs-liva-review-the-nettop-rises-again/4


Jsut install Linux +XBMC

New-egg has it on sale for $110 right now:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16856501007&cm_re=ECS_LIVA-_-56-501-007-_-Product

  

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Mafamaticks
Member since Jan 12th 2004
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Mon Nov-10-14 10:21 AM

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24. "Sold"
In response to Reply # 23


  

          

I'm gonna sell this mini form factor PC I got and cop that.

  

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FLUIDJ
Member since Sep 18th 2002
44604 posts
Thu Nov-20-14 09:07 AM

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26. "Question about this...is your OS installed on a separate portion than th..."
In response to Reply # 23


  

          

32 or 64GB storage?
Seems like once you install Windows 8.1 you wouldn't have much onboard storage left to play with...

Or is the intent to rely solely on external storage via the USB 3.0 port?
.

  

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