Connected home HTPC question

I've had this question burning my brains out for the past two weeks. I'm trying to figure out a way to consolidate my current system to one that will work as close to seamlessly with a home network and server I am going to be setting up.

Currently I run everything through a projector and my receiver acts as the only centralized AV data processing unit. It's basically set up as a simple HDMI switch and audio decoder. Through the receiver, I run Netflix through a Roku box, internet radio and streaming music through a Roku soundbridge, and Blu ray with a dedicated player. I would like to add functionality to view networked shared pictures and video which currently is an impossibility with my setup.

I am also going to be moving soon and will want to set up a network to centrally store music, video, etc. I'd like to access this data remotely in both a home theater and on a TV.

I want to figure out a way to have it all. I want to run a DVR from the HTPC connected to the projector and also be able to watch material saved by the DVR remotely on the TV in another room. Basically, I'm thinking a HTPC would free up the blu ray player and both roku bridges which could be used elsewhere if necessary to have access to the same functions (streaming audio, netflix, blu ray).

My biggest concern right now is how to pick the right component that will allow me to access the network and HTPC remotely from the other TV. Is this even possible at this point? I've been looking at extenders which have seemingly fallen from the market and DLNA which is difficult to discern whether it will work for my purposes. How would you do it? Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Is there anything that the Xbox won't do in terms of functionality? Are there easy to use remotes for the Xbox or is everything done through a controller?

I would need to remotely access the DVR on the HTPC so that I could program the DVR from the TV and also from the home theater. I would most likely be using most of the DVR from the TV.

Thanks for all your help!

Thanks!

In terms of initiating recordings, I'm a little unclear how a DVR works. Does it save to the hard drive as a specific file type that a DLNA TV could read and replay? Do you know if the TV has all the in-movie options like FF and pause? Would there be any other way to access the DVR on the HTPC besides the xbox or directing working through the HTPC?

I think that's all the questions!

Thanks for all your help!

You mention it won't extend netflix or hulu. Are there workarounds for getting those to work or would I be better off keeping netflix and other internet streaming through the roku?

I also have seen that xbox 360 will let you download a netflix streaming app from xbox live.

Thanks for all the advice!

I'm thinking of a similar setup although I'm not planning on doing bluray rips and storage but rather a bluray player at each of the two locations. I would like to use a WHS to store info and perhaps begin the conversion of all my dvds to digital for streaming. Right now, I'm most concerned with finding the most cost effective solution. I priced out a HTPC and it seemed greater than the cost of an xbox. I think ultimately I would put a HTPC at each location. Then again, new developments in TVs and other components might obviate all of this in the future.

I saw vmcPlayit and thought it might be a possible way to get free Netflix and other content without a Live subscription or subscription cost. Has anyone used this before?

Can you tell me your specs for your HTPC, software and hardware? Can it also do cable?

I'm thinking at this point of possibly going with one "master" HTPC that has a bit more power to it and then a barebones "slave" HTPC for streaming. Bad idea?

Thanks for the specs. I'd probably bump up to an i3/i5 build. I'll need to be able to have blu-ray and HD-audio capabilities.

Are the basic stations sent via clearQam and therefore do not require renting a cable card? I'd like to do without a cable box if at all possible.

Does the "extender" HTPC also require a TV tuner card to be able to use DVR functions from programs saved on the master HTPC?

You guys/gals are seriously awesome. Thank you everyone for your help! I think I have the solution figured out.

Another HTPC question... I'm trying to figure out the best way to run it without having to turn on the projector to stream music which I'm used to because of my old Roku soundbridge. I was thinking a touchscreen might be a good solution with a dual monitor setup. I also have the Harmony touchscreen remote currently but I'd probably transfer that to the TV station since it has no 2-way communication options. How do you guys do it or what would be your suggestion?

I've been researching getting exactly the monitor that was pointed out, but I also feel it is a little on the expensive side. I've been browsing ebay and VGA screens are pretty readily and cheaply available. Is it possible to set up a simultaneous HDMI and VGA output or use a HDMI and DVI w/ VGA adapter to power this screen? Or is a dual HDMI the only option?

I'd actually like to not mirror the screen unless there is no other choice. I was thinking of having a dedicated "control" screen on the touchscreen and an "output" screen via HDMI. Basically, it's a dual monitor setup. I don't currently own Windows7 or vista so I have no idea what limitations there are to something like this.

In the worst case, I could run a two monitor plug and play which would run HDMI primarily if connected and VGA if HDMI is not and switch automatically when the projector gets turned on. It would do the necessary function but not be nearly as slick as having both working simultaneously.

I get that I couldn't do a mirroring using a VGA touchscreen. I see the worst case being I'd have to turn off the touchscreen and use a remote when using the projector and use the touchscreen while running the system w/o the projector. I actually wouldn't have need for a mirroring setup if there were alternate display options such as a dedicated operational display for the touchscreen and a dedicated output display that would be for the projector. I see a few cases that have touch lcds in them but they are really expensive and awkward to use because of their location on the front of the case. I'd like to run a screen that would sit on top of my media cabinet that would let me run the system from the couch, sort of like the setup a lot of educational and business conference rooms use. To control remotely, I'd use my pocket PC and the remote software to run it over wifi. So the touchscreen is basically only for point of service at this point. To get by without a remote and set up a system using girder to automate the home theater is what I am going for with the previously mentioned wifi remote control for all other applications.