Author Topic: Sweet Media Setup (Read 1062 times)

Tbone · « **on:** October 20, 2008, 10:17:49 pm »

So now that I'm living in one place, I'm finally able to geek out with my media. I'm really liking my setup right now, so I thought I'd share with you guys in case it gives you any ideas or at least to brag to people who might appreciate it. Granted most of this is possible b/c of my roommate's geek purchases. Here's the setup:

*Using the bit torrent client Vuze, the plugin RSSFeed Scanner, and mainly the torrent sites TVRSS and Mininova, I not only am able to download movies but also auto-download my favorite TV shows in HD via a high-speed wireless-N connection right after they air through RSS feeds.

The downloaded content goes directly to my 750gig external hard drive, straight to the appropriate folder (i.e. Family Guy episodes to Family Guy folder). The drive's media is shared directly to our Xbox360 using the easy-to-use media share function of Windows Media Player 11.

From the Xbox I can browse directly to my tv show or movie and instantly play it in high def on our huge high def flat screen along with surround speakers.

What I really like about my setup is that even shows that come on daily, like The Daily Show and The Colbert Report, are auto-downloaded and added to the media share so that all I have to do is come home and turn on the Xbox to watch them every day. If you work odd hours like I do, but are hooked on shows like Lost or Heroes, the RSS Feed Scanner is a must. If you have an Xbox360, the newest Windows Media Player's Xbox function supports a wide range of codecs, including DivX and Xvid, and auto-resizes your video to fit your television at maximum quality and resolution, even with the encoding. The 750gig external allows me to collect a massive number of movies that could easily rival any DVD junkie's collection (the fast internet connection really helps with the D/L).

I'm sure most of you geeks already have a similar setup or at least know about it. For me it was a step by step discovery leading to a surprisingly hassle free media experience. I just have to make sure I stay roommates with my current one, otherwise I'll probably find myself purchasing my own tv and xbox360 simply to use this function on it! Heh.

* Reflects the hypothetical ability to download TV shows and movies but does not mean that this ability is used in an illegal manner, just in case Big Brother is watching (i.e. Broin)

Anamodiel · « **Reply #1 on:** October 20, 2008, 11:58:33 pm »

I would set something similar to this up on my computer here at college, but they apparently monitor how much you download in a month and where you download it from, so I'm very limited in what I can do.

It's very good to know about those sites, though. I've had trouble finding reliable Office torrents to watch, and, when I'm home, I'll be sure to do just that.

Thanks for the links!

Eroz · « **Reply #2 on:** October 21, 2008, 01:31:28 am »

Quote from: "Anamodiel"

I would set something similar to this up on my computer here at college, but they apparently monitor how much you download in a month and where you download it from, so I'm very limited in what I can do.

It's very good to know about those sites, though. I've had trouble finding reliable Office torrents to watch, and, when I'm home, I'll be sure to do just that.

Thanks for the links!

Same here, although we have a underground network called DC++ where everything is shared locally, so one guy downloads the show and the rest of us get it from him. Then someone else does another show we get that from that guy. It's really useful to do since it allows me to time-shift Heroes, and actually watch Eureka, since my city can't be bothered to pick up the Sci-Fi channel ("What?", you say, how can you city not get the Sci-Fi Channel, I know, which is funny as most of the shows are recorded within 100 miles of here.)