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« on: 06 February 2013, 11:16:07 »
Hi Paul
I have a system which I built myself at a fraction of the cost, I too loved the Idea of the Opus system, but I had to compromise to please the wife, so I set out finding what I needed to convert what i already have, I will describe what I have and I hope it gives you some ideas as its fairly easy if you now a little about computers.
I have a NAS system with 4TB of storage that is linked to my home network through Wifi, but as you have Cat 5 cables yours will be able to handle high Def stuff much better.
Linked to this is my home PC which helps me as its in the lounge already, depending on which Windows software you have depends on if you have windows media centre software, i use windows media centre but there are free media centres out there if you don't like windows stuff. I upgraded my PC with a Graphics card with a dedicated HDMI out which i run a 10 meter HDMI cable under the floor boards to my Home cinema Amp, which connects to my TV and projector - The projector is a sore point with me as since i got it i dont seem to get the chance to use it myself, instead my two year old daughter keeps saying " Daddy, Peppa Pig on the big TV" So all that it gets used for is Peppa bloody pig...lol
Anyway back on track, I used some software to back up all my DVD's to the NAS drive the software i use creates a 1 to 1 copy without reducing the quality and keeps the DVD menu and special features intact. So from windows media centre I click on movies and all my DVD's show up, I just high light with a windows remote control press select and my movie plays just like the DVD would. You can add a TV tuner card which will give you access to free-view TV and the possibility to record and pause live TV, but as I have SKY TV I did not bother.
Upstairs i use a Xbox 360 as a media streamer, it links up with the NAS through your network so can do the same, although the xbox does not play the video files like media centre does in regards to VOB files where the PC will play the movie as one file the xbox will break this down and play each chapter on its own, I got round this by getting a second Nas drive and copying all the dvd vob files into Mpeg4 files which the xbox reads no problem and which a sony bravia TV reads also.
I watch Sky upstairs but refused to pay multi room, so I use sky go which streams the SKY TV service over the internet to the Xbox I also have my I phone register with the service for those times I need to hide away from the women in the family and I retreat to my man cave (the garage). This service offers an OK list of channels but not everything SKY offers, but it does me. In all i spent around £600 pounds on parts to achieve this, Grphics card 10 meter HDMI cable Software.
I hope this offers you some ideas and help
IanF
