Using HD-300 for ripped content only...

[Biggen]

I finally made the move off of Sage a couple weeks ago. Moved to the Comcast Anyroom DVR thing. It's not bad though its not Sage either. But I no longer have to worry about supporting a HTPC server so I do like that idea...

Anyway, since I have my DVR issues taken care of I still need a way to play back ripped local content. I still have three of my HD-300's. Was thinking about converting my old Sage server into an Unraid server. How will the HD-300's work using just a plain Unraid server setup using Samba shares? I was spoiled using Plucky's Diamond Mod when I had the Sage server running so everything looked beautiful when browsing my movie collection. Of course, now, I won't be running a Sage server/service and I guess the HD-300 will just simply "browse" the shares I tell it to.

Does anyone use their HD-300 exclusively for local content NOT running a Sage server? If so, how does it look? Can it be setup to use fanart? Or does someone have a better solution for local playback?

[KryptoNyte]

I believe the best option at this point would be to trade those three HD300's to me for three WDTV devices, brand new in box.

[mikejaner]

Originally Posted by KryptoNyte

I believe the best option at this point would be to trade those three HD300's to me for three WDTV devices, brand new in box.

Better yet, trade them for brand new Pivos boxes running XBMC (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16815645003), which KryptoNyte might also have.

[Biggen]

Lol. Well if those device are "better" for playing back local content I would trade out the HD-300's in a second. I just guess I need to get a 300 out of the closet and put it on my local network at see what it looks like when using it to browse local ripped content but not going through a Sage server.

I'm betting it doesn't look too good as it won't be connecting to a Sage server. I would love to find a solution that would give me fanart, disc covers, etc... when browsing local media much like the Diamond Mod did.

[mikejaner]

Originally Posted by Biggen

Lol. Well if those device are "better" for playing back local content I would trade out the HD-300's in a second. I just guess I need to get a 300 out of the closet and put it on my local network at see what it looks like when using it to browse local ripped content but not going through a Sage server.

I'm better it doesn't look too good as it won't be connecting to a Sage server. I would love to find a solution that would give me fanart, disc covers, etc... when browsing local media much like the Diamond Mod did.

I can't speak for devices like the WD one, but XBMC has the coverart/info mechanism built in. Not to mention the many many other ways you can customize it if desired.

[stuckless]

As a stand-alone device... the HD300s are not really all that impressive... and you probably would be better off getting some device that can run xbmc or plex and get the fanart capabilities from there.

But... i ran my sagetv server for a few years before I ever used it for TV. I used it exclusively for ripped content. What I liked about using SageTV for a media server was the fact that I didn't have mess will creating mapped drives, etc, since the extenders don't require that.

If you stick with the HD300... I'd recommend firing up the SageTV server and install SageTV7 (since it's a free upgrade) and then install Gemstone or Phoenix UI and use it for a media server for ripped content.

[Biggen]

Originally Posted by stuckless

As a stand-alone device... the HD300s are not really all that impressive... and you probably would be better off getting some device that can run xbmc or plex and get the fanart capabilities from there.

But... i ran my sagetv server for a few years before I ever used it for TV. I used it exclusively for ripped content. What I liked about using SageTV for a media server was the fact that I didn't have mess will creating mapped drives, etc, since the extenders don't require that.

If you stick with the HD300... I'd recommend firing up the SageTV server and install SageTV7 (since it's a free upgrade) and then install Gemstone or Phoenix UI and use it for a media server for ripped content.

That is what I was afriad of. I'm just not interested in maintaining a Win 7/Sage server any longer. Was really wanting to convert that into an Unraid server so that I can store all my media/important documents/pictures in one central location and just have the whole array offered up as a share on my network.

I actually have an HTPC already in my living room which doubles as our HT room. So really, all I need to do is install XMBC in the HTPC and I should be all set.

So I guess I'll be putting the HD-300's up for sale soon...