The Glade 4.0

So, I wanted to throw out some ideas and it probably should be multiple threads, and if you all think so that's what I'll do.

Here's the scenario.

Presently I use my PS3 and desktop PC to act as my media servers, but find the PS3 media server from my PC lacking in transfer speeds sometimes and conversion. I have a couple TB Raid drives and Cat 5 wiring project going throughout the house and shop so I'm pretty much hard line everywhere. I'm not sure if my best solution is to build an actual media server by the Entertainment Center, or use my PC with different software, or make a server where I have my modem/router stuff in the garage. I have 3 or 4 machines right now that I can use but no laptops presently, and nothing has an hdmi jack that I think of. Getting any of these wouldn't be a big deal if I knew which direction to go, thinking long term.

Secondly, (probably different thread material) the best way to transfer all my old movies that I have on VHS to digital format. I'm sure I already have the software somewhere for basic conversion and aside from just dragging an old vcr to my office and starting the long process of putting it all together I can, but I'm wondering if there is an easier solution. One I thought of is using torrents to download digital copies, but I have so many I'd rather not get a letter from Comcast for getting busted with illegal downloads.

Lastly, I'm trying to find the best option now that Netflix is splitting it's service, and the most cost effective way to stay in the media loop. The streaming content is nice, but severely lacking I think in so many areas. Hulu plus and Vudu are some thoughts, but I'm open to any and all. I don't do a ton of TV watching, and not much mainstream. I haven't had cable in years but it would be nice to plunk down a couple of bucks and watch something decent instead of some obscure thing from years ago with 2 stars.

Please give me some guidance oh Sages of the Glade.

Old Pc attached directly television

I <3 my Roku boxes.

I still don't really get the Netflix backlash, because you're still paying a tiny, tiny monthly fee in comparison to what you'd be paying per-watch for anything else. I think it'll be much more cost-effective to stay with Netflix, but it depends on personal tastes.

Hulu is an excellent tool for catching up on new episodes of TV. I don't use them for watching older shows; their library is odd and doesn't really hit that "just missed 'em" section of time for TV shows. Hulu offers you brand-new stuff and ancient stuff, but not a lot in-between.

Amazon Prime just announced today that they had finalized a deal with Fox to bring 24, Arrested Development, The X-Files, [i]Buffy the Vampire Slayer, The Wonder Years, and more to their streaming service (also viewable with a Roku).

I don't have cable, because I have these other services (Netflix, Amazon Prime, Hulu Plus). My basic media plan is:

Watch what we can through Hulu Plus.
Shows not available through Hulu are picked up with Amazon Instant Video or iTunes purchases (Doctor Who, Supernatural, Warehouse 13, etc.)
Shows for which I can wait until the season is finished get a watch on Netflix once they're released (generally just in time for a new season to start).

All of this occurs via my Roku (aside from the iTunes shows; see below).

Personally, because I'm in an exclusively Mac environment, the Apple TV is a great machine for me; I use Handbrake to rip old DVDs and throw 'em into iTunes, then just stream them with the Apple TV. Saves tons of space and hunting through 2000+ DVDs. The good thing about iTunes purchases is that I get an actual file in addition to streaming; Amazon Instant Video doesn't offer that option for Macs.

Boxee Box > Roku overall. I don't remember what it was, but I compared them myself a while back and found Roku lacking. I don't think it transcodes video.

I personally have a Pogoplug, which has been amazing so far. 3 USB ports into which I can plug any HDD and stream to any (smart) device inside or outside of my home, transcoding included if needed. I did get a good deal on it, though, Amazon had them for $35 a few weeks back.

I have a Boxee box that has seen use literally one time. I don't really see its use, at least in my environment (and I even have use for a friggin' Google TV! Not much of one, but occasionally.) Didn't care for the user interface, it did literally nothing I needed (at least, nothing I couldn't do as well as or more easily with another of my devices), and the one time I actually used it was more a test than anything borne of necessity. And the high-end Roku has a USB port for viewing your own media. The Boxee is nice in that it plays a much wider variety of formats, but that's not a big enough selling point to me. Part of the main reasons I use the devices I do (Apple TV, Roku, Google TV, etc.) is that I don't want to fiddle around with **** to get it to play and play well on my TV. As this review says, Boxee is "more confusing and geeky" than the other two. That's a good way to put it.

Here are some more articles. I disagree with some of them (like Boxee having a good UI), but figured I'd throw them out there for reading:

http://www.zdnet.com/blog/btl/roku-stil ... t-tv/41973

http://searchengineland.com/internet-to ... ared-60304

http://www.zatznotfunny.com/2011-04/the ... -and-tivo/

http://gadgetwise.blogs.nytimes.com/200 ... ifference/