Player VS HTPC

[datman]

in terms of picture and sound quality is there any advantage to a standalone play over a computer.

I'm still thinking a HTPC is still the best, it's like having a video jukebox. Media prices have come down enough that its time to think about using discs for backups again.

[writersblock29]

I haven't noticed that one has a better picture than the other... but then again, I haven't done a side-by-side test. My set top player's in storage just in case the HTPC crashes terribly--but I doubt I'll ever go back to using it. A PC is just too configurable, too flexible--music jukebox, movie library, picture albums, and a DVR. If you run out of hard drive space in the HTPC case, you have the ability to network the HTPC to a server within your house. (With wireless technology getting better and better, this option shouldn't be overlooked.)

ON THE OTHER HAND, there's bugs. Lots of bugs. If you're thinking about using Windows Media Center, you're going to find yourself using a lot of third-party software plugins... and finding bugs in them. Updating on a regular basis. Wondering why this video driver isn't working... while using one that's a year older will work. I'm not trying to talk you out of using a HTPC--I love mine--but I'm saying there's some elbow grease involved to getting it running smoothly. Especially if you do what I did, and build your own: The buck stops with you when it comes to fixing something.

Media's coming down in price, yes. And by far the simplest way to go is to buy a standalone and stick to disks. But the HTPC offers the ability to back up to hard drive... and therefore not have to go looking for disks, alphabetising libraries, making sure certain titles are out of a child's reach (you can set numerical passwords on files to lock them out). No disk handling at all after you rip the original, other than storing it somewhere safe. No bad burns. No crappy media. Just point and click! (On the other hand, a crashed hard drive will cost you!) There's pros and cons to either approach.

Image quality wise, I don't see that one's any better than the other. In fact--with tweaking--a HTPC can look better with standard-def upscaling. It's all in how much work you're willing to invest in order to relax. Ironic, isn't it?

Sound-wise, be aware that there's very few options for being able to hear True HD audio from a blu-ray without running AnyDVDHD in the background to decrypt the signal (not needed if you're playing a rip from your hard drive). Blame that one on the movie studios. You'll still have audio--and it'll be quite good--but it won't be True HD. Again, pros and cons.

Good quality with a bare minimum of work involved: Set top/disks.
Outstanding quality with a lot of work and tweaking: HTPC/hard drives/disks/flash/network/kitchen sink/bathtub/bird bath. (You can tell I'm biased.)

It's up to you!

[datman]

Thanks for the thoughtful responce:thanks:

I am mostly concerned about the audio. I know PDVD-8 resamples to 16/48 I'm using analogs, I have no choice. I can't wait till Slyplayer is out

I thought about setting up a server but I knew there are alot of bugs. I guess the way I'm doing it now is working great. I use 1tb mybooks and it may sound complicated on the surface but it's quite simple. I have 7 drives I assign each a letter and do the same for every computer in the house. So when I plug in the H drive every computer see it as Hdrive. I have folders for each drive with shortcuts to each ISO. So I go to the folders look for the movie I want get the correct drive plug it in the PC for the TV I plan to watch.What could be simpler. Only the drives I'm using stay powered up.

Thanks to BD rebuilder I keep reencoding my backups and have tons of space it may be years before I need a new drive:eek:

[writersblock29]

*Smacks himself in the forehead*

You're already using an HTPC. I see. You know, it'd pay me to read a bit closer! For some reason, I thought you were on the fence about which one to get. My bad!

If you've already got a system going that's not too big a pain in the butt, you're better staying where you're at. Sure, your sound is going to be resampled... but you'd get that with a set top player anyway if you're feeding a fairly old receiver (your receiver has to know what to do with a True HD to properly decode it).

My own system's built around an MSI Diva, using the 5.1 surround amp card that comes with it. It's analog, too... but honestly, it's damned good analog. I don't care about how it's reconverted or resampled if it sounds crystal clear, which it does. It's kind of like video quality with BD Rebuilder: Once you get to the point where you can't tell the difference, does anything else really matter?

[datman]

I'm going to use analogs for some time my processor/preamp is
http://bryston.com/sp2_m.html and it does not have HDMI inputs but has 5.1 analog inputs. My audio card is an older professional audio recording http://www.echoaudio.com/products/Discontinued/Mona/index.php the 6 analog outs can be used as 5.1 surround I really like my sound. Perhaps the most unique item in my setup is a Fosgate DSL 2 my first prologic processor built in 1990. I run my stereo rears into to main input and use the right, left center front outputs for my right left and center surround channels. It works amazingly well.

[edit] the fosgate gives me a sutto 6.1 or 7.1. Anyone having a surround system 15-20 years will remember how cool it was when you watched a really old movie that was recorded in stereo and the channel seperation worked great. This sutto setup works just as well, a stereo rear signal is decoded very accuate.