Even though I have researched this for a while, I still find myself confused as to what unit is right for what I need.

The situation is this.

I have a Buffalo LinkStation Live NAS that serves as my home's data and media storage hub. I archive all my music, video, pictures etc, on it and all my pc's tap into it as a network drive when needed.

I also have a home theater with full network acess (in fact the NAS is situated in the theater room itself).

What I want is to be able to pipe all my media to my home theater setup so I can stream my music, video and pictures to my HD TV and Yamaha Receiver.

I have a lot of anime videos in my NAS. Anyone that's a fan of collecting anime music videos and the like will know that in order to play most of them on a pc, the use of a robust codec pack like CCCP is needed.

This creates certain requirements for this unit:

1. As coplete a media format support as possible, emphasis on MKV container support and OGM. (Many content streamers that at first seem perfect for me, fail me in this key point).

2. HDMI output so I can plug it straight into my receiver.

3. Unit must be able to tap into NAS directly through network and access/navigate through media folders without the aid of PC based server software. I am trying to eliminate the need of having to have a pc turned on in order to stream to the theater.

4. Unit does not necessarily need to have it's own HD for storage as most of my storage needs are currently being handled by the NAS itself.

5. Ability to tap into the net directly to access services like YouTube, or other streaming music and video feeds etc (like how Windows Media Player does), would be a PLUS, but not a hard requirement.

6. A well thought out and polished interface if at all possible.

7. And finally, good manufacturer support via firmware updates and upgrades.

I guess I'm looking for something like what Media Center accomplishes in Windows after one updates codecs etc.

By the way, I did look into XBMC as a possible soltion for me since it does seem to do EVERYTHING I'm looking for and I do have two original XBOXes just laying around doing nothing. But the lack of HDMI connectivity by going this route derailed my hopes. Also I'd rather find a more "plug n' play" kind of solution than having to mod a console.

Is there such a beast in the market right now? Or if not then maybe something I should be looking out for that may be coming soon? All the help and advice will be geatly appreciated. Help me AVS Forum, you're my only hope.

Hey guys, jus wondering if anyone has any input at all on this? Have I made too many requirements?

Anything that comes close at least?

If it helps, Full file fomat support (ie. MKV container) and ability to browse and stream straight from NAS without use of PC based server software are my two most important reqs. HDMI comes third but also pretty important.

Please, any advice will help.

XBMC as you mentioned, would work but it doesn't have HDMI. Does your Yamaha receiver not use component? Many receivers out now can transcode component to HDMI also.

XBMC as you mentioned, would work but it doesn't have HDMI. Does your Yamaha receiver not use component? Many receivers out now can transcode component to HDMI also.

Well I was trying to avoid using anything other than HDMI. In large part because I do have some 1080p content I would like to stream and it's my understanding that component will not do 1080p, only HDMI. So I'd have quite a few things I would not be able to stream.

Are there no stand alone solutions yet? Or maybe coming soon?

Thanks for the reply :)

If you want to play HD MKV, have HDMI and do most if not all of the other things you mentioned I guess there is only one answer. Dvico Tvix 5100SH.

Granted, it has some minor issues playing some x.264 files and at the moment it won't play Wmapro audio (mostly used in conjuction with Wmvhd v9).

Other than that I am quite pleased with it. I had a rough time getting started with it but I worked out most of the issues I had.

I said "most if not all" because I don't know what files you have. It all depends on the codecs and settings used. MKV isn't a codec, nor is AVI. They are containers and can contain a variety of codecs for the audio and video streams they can contain.

I'm sure the issues with Wma and x.264 will be sorted though. It's just a matter of time.

If you have any questions on this device, I suggest you search "AVS Forum > Digital Video & Audio Devices > Digital Media Servers & Content Streamers > Tvix M-4100SH and M5100SH" forum (sorry, I can't post URL's yet :s )

Well I was trying to avoid using anything other than HDMI. In large part because I do have some 1080p content I would like to stream and it's my understanding that component will not do 1080p, only HDMI. So I'd have quite a few things I would not be able to stream.

Are there no stand alone solutions yet? Or maybe coming soon?

Thanks for the reply :)

Component CAN do 1080p. Hdmi will do audio as well though and some believe Hdmi gives a better image. I have yet to see that with my own eyes though.

I still think Hdmi is the way to go. I like the small connectors and one cable for both video and audio. HDCP only works over Hdmi too.

The only solutions that come close to your requirements are the TVIX 4100/5100 the new TVIX 6500 and the popcorn hour.

1. As complete a media format support as possible, emphasis on MKV container support and OGM. (Many content streamers that at first seem perfect for me, fail me in this key point).

Both TVIX and PH and play MVK. Nether can play OGM.
Only the XBMC can play OGM since it is more of a PC then a media streamer.

2. HDMI output so I can plug it straight into my receiver.
Both TVIX and PH have HDMI.
XBMC does not support HDMI.

3. Unit must be able to tap into NAS directly through network and access/navigate through media folders without the aid of PC based server software. I am trying to eliminate the need of having to have a pc turned on in order to stream to the theater.
TVIX, PH and XBMC call all do this.

4. Unit does not necessarily need to have it's own HD for storage as most of my storage needs are currently being handled by the NAS itself.
TVIX, PH and XBMC call all do this.

5. Ability to tap into the net directly to access services like YouTube, or other streaming music and video feeds etc (like how Windows Media Player does), would be a PLUS, but not a hard requirement.

Only PH and XBMC can do this.

6. A well thought out and polished interface if at all possible.

TVIX and PH are generally text based interfaces. TVIX provides support of limited skinning. The TVIX 6500 is supposed to have a new interface designed around 720p.

7. And finally, good manufacturer support via firmware updates and upgrades.

TVIX provides a lot of firmware updates but lately there have been complaints that they are releasing non-stable firmware. Generally, I have not had problems with any of their firmware but I only stream files to my TVIX boxes. I do not use hard drives in them.

PH is new and have been releasing firmware regularly. In my opinion they are still way behind TVIX in functionality and file support. There main advantage is their low price. If they can match TVIX on functionality then they will sell a ton of systems.

XBMC is still being updated and is very stable. It just doesn’t support HD and does not take advantage of the new HD displays. I haven't used mine in over 6 months. In fact, I will probably be giving to a friend to play with in a couple days.