Newbie Needs Idea(s) for Simple Setup

[Maxparrish]

If this is the wrong forum area, forgive me. Feel free to direct me to another.

Frankly, my head is swimming with confusion: Sage HD Theater, MVP, Boxxie, Squezz box etc. So maybe someone can suggest a wireless setup for something simple...

I have only two locations. My home office and (next to it) my bedroom.

I don't want to hardwire between the locations. Currently I use my laptop in the bedroom and the desktop in the office. My laptop communicates (wireless) to the internet through the DSL modem wireless (ATT) in the office.

I also have my only TV with comcast mororala cable box with HD.

Bedroom
Existing:
1 Insignia HD LCD TV
1 Comcast motorola cable box with HD
1 Sony Soundbar 500 w/ built in reciever (HDMI connections etc. Ordered)
1 Blue Ray player with ethernet port (not yet purchased).

Office:
Existing
1 ATT DSL line & Modem with 4 wireless access points (to Internet)
1 Desktop Computer builtin wireless ethernet
1 Laptop, builtin wireless ethernet
1 Laserprinter with ethernet port
& One old stereo with AM/FM reciever and old CD player.

What I DO NEED:

1) Rip and Store all CD's on a Hard Drive.
2) Play music files on drive from Bedroom TV/Sony speaker system
3) Play music files on drive from Office stereo
4) Stream Internet video (Netflix, You Tube, Hulu,) to Bedroom TV/Sony system.


What I DON'T NEED:

Don't need to store or record video.
Don't need to access network away from home.
Don't need to play videos or live TV over computers.

So two locations, one TV, one stereo. Seems simply but after looking at diagrams and wireless routers, bridges, etc. I am only partially clear on what is needed.

Suggestions? (PS, I would rather not dedicate a PC to SageTV, but will if needed).

Thanks to all...

[Fuzzy]

Honestly, if you are just looking to be able to playback media from the PC, without recording TV or anything like that, the Sage probably isn't the best route to take. Sage is really a VERY good TV DVR system, with media playback capabilities. You'll end up paying a lot more for sage than other options, and not even using it's best features.

for the bedroom, it sounds like you should just look at getting a network enabled blu-ray player, one that can play back the media on your computer (there are a number than can do this, some I believe have built-in wireless already).

For the office, perhaps you should just connect the stereo to the PC?

[Maxparrish]

Originally Posted by Fuzzy

Honestly, if you are just looking to be able to playback media from the PC, without recording TV or anything like that, the Sage probably isn't the best route to take. Sage is really a VERY good TV DVR system, with media playback capabilities. You'll end up paying a lot more for sage than other options, and not even using it's best features.

for the bedroom, it sounds like you should just look at getting a network enabled blu-ray player, one that can play back the media on your computer (there are a number than can do this, some I believe have built-in wireless already).

For the office, perhaps you should just connect the stereo to the PC?

Well, I was thinking of a media file server (nas) in the office on a network. Then maybe a sage theater in the bedroom to stream audio files off the server to the TV entertainment system. Also to stream internet from the network (which would be attached to the DSL line) to the TV in the bedroom.

Then maybe logitech squezzzbox somehow feeding to the stereo...not sure here. I don't want to go out and randomly buy equipment not knowing it they work.

These are rought ideas - I just don't know who to go to nail down these ideas.

[Fuzzy]

My point was that Music playback is not sage's strong suit. (Well, the playback is fine, but the interface is.. limited). The HD200's interface is also tied to a display, where there are other media players out there with built-in displays so you can play music with the TV off. You could get a used netgear MP101 player for around $45, and it has a display on the front for accessing your music collection.

That said, if SageTV sounds interesting to you, and you think you might go that way in the future, it would make sense to go with an HD200. It will play back the media you want, and will allow you to move to full sage features at a later date.

[sainswor99]

Ditto Fuzzy's comments; SageTV is an EXCELLENT distributed DVR system, with rather mediocre media center functionality bolted on. If you wanted to playback TV or movies, then SageTV is at the top of the list. For music only, there are much better solutions (like the blueray DVD player or the slimserver solutions).

Not trying to run you off, but just being honest. On the road, I use SageTV Placeshifter for listening to my music collection; it works OK. In the house? I've been exploring other displayless options, but haven't decided on anything yet.

[reggie14]

It doesn't sound like Sage would be the best option for you, based on what you're trying to do.

You seem to be leaning this already, but I think something like Squeezebox might be your best option for the office. I think they're over-priced, but as far as I know there are no cheaper alternatives that are just as good.

You said you're interested in streaming Internet video to your TV in your bedroom. If you just need Netflix and Youtube, then you can probably find a blu-ray player to do that. But, if you want to stream Hulu videos, or videos off of TV network websites, then I think the Boxee Box is probably your best option. It's not out yet, and I don't know when it will be out. So, you have to decide if you're willing to wait an indefinite amount of time.

[dgeezer]

I am also leaning toward buying a boxee box for my kitchen to replace the HD200 that is there now. I will use the HD200 to replace my PC Client in my basement TV room. I use boxee on my client now because I much prefer it's music interface and especially it's integration of Last.fm and pandora.

Also, Boxee is best at internet content, and not so good with local content so it may fit your situation much better. I love my SageTV setup, especially automatic comskip, but it's not for everyone.