HTPC and setup questions

I'm not hardware expert by any means. But overall, sounds like the Dell should work for your needs. The only concern I can think of is if you choose to use Media Center and have yrour DVR recording on the machine. That SSD is really small for that kind of operation. I've read having the recordings done an NAS can be problematic with Media Center; it can be done, but it's beyond my knowledge since I've never needed to do it.

I can address some of your other questions better though. First, for your movie and TV show collection, I would suggests using MKV. One, the file size is smaller and can be much smaller depending on bit rates used and resolution. You will loose all the disc menus. Special features have to be rip separately and there may not be metadata on the internet for them; you may be able to create your own. It's also very popular and more and more devices can play the container. I believe it may be MediaBrowser friendly; I'm not familiar with Media Browser beyond what I've read other people say about it.

As for media suite, why not try them all. Each one has their strengths and weaknesses. From what you said, Plex may be your best fit. I use it and have been for on and off for two plus years. It will allow you to stream to anything with a front end client at home or away (assuming both ends have an internet connection). There are clients for Roku, PC, Android, iOS, some TVs/BR players. They even have a web based player; it's still in beta, so it has limits, but does work. It's pretty easy to setup. It doesn't have any live TV or DVR functions; at least not yet. There was one live TV channel, but it was earlier alpha and the developer may have quite the project. But Plex will play Media Center DVR files (wrt), but no metadata; just gives the file name.

XBMC may be more good one stop solution. Not much different on the user experience for local media. It does support HD audio better. They are working on streaming away from home. The Android app is still in beta, but seems to be getting positive feedback from what I've read. There is a Plex channel to use the Plex Media Server. This could let you use both to fulfill different needs and wants. I haven't used XBMC in over a year, and there have been a few changes. More recently they added a live TV and DVR functionality. Doesn't support cablecards or copyonce DVR flagged recording or playback.

Since you're using Media Center, I don't have explain it much. I feel for live TV and DVR functions, it's the easier PC solution available. It's also one of the only that supports cablecards and QAM (encrytped) channels, and copyonce flags. There are some third apps that can give the ability to stream away from home, such as Hot Potato. I've haven't used them, so I can speak of how well they work or setup ease. There are plenty of mods too. If you use Media Extender, you use that for copyonce flag recording viewings away from the HTPC.

On the same note, you may want to keep your eye on the upcoming Silocondust's HDHomerun (HDHR4). They're adding DNLA and hardware transcoding. They've released a firmware update on the HDHR3CC, but limited devices support at the moment. Silicondust said they will be releasing apps for the HDHR4 too; I believe Android was mentioned.

I really can't say much on music photos. I either use a mobile device or just the web browser. I know Plex, XBMC, and Media Center all support them. I don't know the formats they support, but you can look them up. For music, I've use media center and Plex. They didn't get any different experience that what I can now on a mobile device. I just find the mobile device more convenient. Photos, I just connect the camera or mobile device directly to the TV.

If you want to use a cablecard setup then WMC is your only option.

1. Look for a NAS with some kind of parity solution. Losing 2TB+ of movies/shows really sucks.

2. XBMC is great but you are stuck with WMC.

3,4. Someone else will have to answer this. Sorry, I don't care for transcoding. I will mention that your cpu is probably not powerful enough for blu-ray transcoding.