Adventures in media center solutions

If you’ve read some of my earlier musings you’ve likely noticed I’m a rabid enthusiast of the Plex Media Center software. Apple‘s devices, from handheld iOS  gadgets to the entire Mac lineup, excel in the role of media consumption. My gateway Mac was an early 2009 Mac Mini, purchased specifically to act as a media center and server for my ever-expanding library of movies, TV series, and music. Thanks to the addition of Plex it excelled in that role.

The size of the Mac Mini made it perfect for my big screen TV’s entertainment center. It took up minimal space, and fit neatly into one of the media bays normally reserved for a cable box or other device (paired with an large capacity external hard drive). When interacting with Plex all that was needed was Apple’s minimalist remote; the flattened aluminum control worked perfectly and didn’t create too much clutter on the coffee table (unlike the multiple remote controls most seem to collect thanks to devices that don’t seem to want to play well together). The Bluetooth keyboard and magic trackpad were stowed away in a drawer in the coffee table, providing easy access should they be needed.

Sadly, this setup wasn’t a permanent one. After four years and a lot of use (the Mini was set up to never go to sleep or hibernation mode as it was configured to be a remote streaming server via the Plex iOS app), the bearings in the Mini’s fan finally started complaining. The occasional buzzing sound didn’t impact the Mini’s performance, but it was a sign that I’d have to make a decision soon- repair the Mini’s cooling fan (no minor job; swapping components out is doable but a bit labor intensive compared to other small PCs), upgrade to a new Mac Mini (enticing due to the dramatic improvements in power over the past few revisions and my uncontrollable gadget lust), or seek another answer for my media needs.

I was on the verge of choosing the newest generation of Mac Mini; trading the built-in Superdrive for an external USB model paired with a model of Mini that had a true HDMI port (my 2009 model had to use an adaptor and separate audio cable). Then I had the dawning realization that I really didn’t need that level of power; between my iMac and iPad I never used the Mini as a PC, just a means of getting media to a bigger screen. So if I didn’t need that much functionality, what were some other options?

Some of my friends at the dojo owned a version of the Roku and were fairly satisfied with it. I was intrigued; the price for the various models of Roku were much less than a Mini, and the streaming options were fairly robust. Unfortunately, it just wasn’t a viable option as I have purchased several season passes of TV shows on iTunes, and my TiVo already provided access to Hulu Plus and Netflix.

The second option was the Boxee Box, but it was quickly discarded. I had tried the Boxee software about a year ago, and while it’s not bad I didn’t particularly care for the interface compared to Plex (and it had the same lack of iTunes compatibility as the Roku).

Google’s TV box wasn’t really fully considered. I was excited when I first heard of it, but Google hasn’t had much headway with providers after introducing their TV interface (even though it’s being built into some sets now, and Google’s Play store is growing). Were I primarily a Google customer (Android handset, Chrome laptop, etc.) I would likely have chosen this route, but since I’m already heavily invested in Cupertino’s products I opted for their living room solution instead- the Apple TV.

Apple’s favorite ‘hobby’ has fascinated me every time I ventured into my local (and horribly overcrowded) Apple Store. The diminutive device matched it’s competitors well, but afforded a few extra benefits that sealed the deal for me. Not only can it access my iMac’s iTunes library, the media purchased from iTunes need not be present on any local device- I can stream it directly from Apple’s servers. The device’s solid state construction makes it completely silent, and the device is almost the same size as my Bose speaker control module. Were it not for my Tivo I wouldn’t even need a media cabinet; the media hard drive has been relocated to the desk that sports my iMac (and the TiVo may be discarded entirely).

Then there’s Airplay Mirroring; the Apple TV’s ability to render the audio and screen of any iOS device. With a tap and swipe I was able to push audio, video, Safari, even games to my 54″ TV. This was more than just eye candy. Any functionality that the Apple TV lacked natively (like a browser or Pandora) could be used via Airplay; sometimes with better interaction than a native app would have allowed. This afternoon after coming home from work, I had only to turn on my TV and push Pandora to the Apple TV; I was able to advance tracks and switch stations from everywhere my Time Capsule router (and the sound output of my media setup) could reach.

I’ve had the Apple TV for just over a week now, and have been more than pleased with it. Streaming video is surprisingly better than what the TiVo offered- Daily Show episodes via Hulu no longer look pixellated during the busier moments of the intro, and the interface is easier to navigate and control than what Tivo had built into their device. Now the only reason to change my TV’s input was to watch a rare live broadcast; since I don’t have cable or satellite everything we watch in my household is available through iTunes or streaming services: Hulu, Netflix, or dedicated iOS app via Airplay.

Sadly, even the best setup has disadvantages. My old Mac Mini had a Superdrive built in; without it if I want to watch a DVD on the TV I’ll have to push the video from a Mac with an optical drive (while they still exist!) or purchase a dedicated DVD player. I’ve considered shopping for a Blu Ray Player, but watching movies via DVD is so rare I’ve held off for now.

The Apple TV does offer paid sports programming via the NBA, NHL, and MLB apps built in. Sadly, the only major sport that interests me is football- NCAA or pro; there’s nothing else that gets me pumped. While I do have some access thanks to the ESPN and CBS iOS apps, it is a bit limited. I will dance a jig in the front yard the day that Apple negotiates the rights to broadcast NFL Sunday Ticket or develops a dedicated NCAA app, but that’s not going to happen in the forseeable future. Should you prefer one of the other major American sports, you’re all set.

While I do obtain quite a bit of media from iTunes, it’s not my only source. Plex has almost the same level of flexibility as VLC (my go-to video player and ultimate media multitasker); no matter what type of video format I threw at Plex it handled it with ease. iTunes is far pickier; it prefers MP4 files for video. I’ve slowly begun weeding out the AVI and MKV files for conversion to something iTunes-friendly with HandBrake, but the going is slow. In addition, Plex automatically added metadata to media (posters, background info, even theme music to TV shows when browsing your library); iTunes recognized some of my movies but almost a third of my library had to be manually given artwork.

Enjoying local content isn’t without its trifles: to stream content the host computer must be on and running iTunes,meaning my iMac’s power settings had to be altered so that it wouldn’t need to be aroused from sleep mode should I want to browse it’s library from the living room. Easily done, but still something to bear in mind; if I had obtained all of my video from iTunes I could have relied on streaming directly from Apple.

Lastly, I’ve lost my remote media server as iTunes won’t provide the out-of-home-network access that Plex will. I didn’t use my remote connection to the Mini’s Plex library often, but it was nice to have on occasion. While I could configure my iMac to run the Plex server software, I haven’t made the decision to do so yet as there are already plenty of apps running in the background on my primary desktop.

I’m still exploring the intricacies of the Apple TV, but I am fairly enthusiastic about it so far. The benefits have been more numerous that I had anticipated, and the cost savings over a new (or repaired) Mac Mini are considerate. Should I come to the conclusion that I just can’t live outside of the comforting confines of Plex, I may still stick with the Apple TV- it’s possible to hack it and install Plex as an app!

 

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The iPad and sports

While the iPad is one of the best media consumption devices, one area it just doesn’t venture into is sports (in particular live sporting events). Sure, you can use one of the many radio apps to listen to your favorite team (and those feeds are often on a significant delay- I got texts spoiling the end of the NFL game I was listening to last week), but it’s not the same as actually watching your team crushing their opponent.

So what’s an iPad user to do? Well, there are a few answers depending on how much effort you’d like to put into your sports watching. One method would be to stream a video feed from your home. There are several products that would make this possible, from the venerable Slingbox to TiVo‘s new Stream that will work in conjunction with your TiVo Premier. These devices all work in basically the same way: they digitize live or recorded content and provide it for remote streaming via your home internet connection. The significant negative is the cost; each requires a significant investment in hardware and possibly (as with TiVo) a monthly subscription.

For those of you that either can’t or don’t want to go the hardware route, there are software solutions. The iTunes App Store has both official and unofficial sources for live sports broadcasts. My personal favorite so far has been the WatchESPN App. While coverage is limited (no NFL, not all events available on ESPN and it’s siblings are available) and access isn’t free (you need a subscription TV account with an approved provider for full access, or an ISP that provides ESPN3 access) the experience is very good. I’ve used it many times to watch both live and recorded football games (proper football, not ‘footie’) and the only complaint I had was caused by the poor quality wireless network I was on, not the app itself.

For those without access to ESPN there’s still JustinTV. The streaming video service has been my last option for access when all other sources came up dry. While the feeds aren’t approved (the NFL has taken an aggressive stance on pirates broadcasting NFL games via JustinTV) and can be of poor quality, it’s still worth checking if you’re desperate to catch a game.

There are numerous websites that claim to provide streaming access to sporting events; there are too many to cover and their legality is dodgy at best. I’ve never used one before and would be wary- caveat emptor.

The NFL’s official app provided streaming access to all preseason games this summer for a modest fee, but like most NFL fans I couldn’t bring myself to pony up money for streaming access to what are essentially practice games (especially when my hometown team is broadcast locally for free). I’m hoping that this is a exploratory move to see if there is any interest in streaming access to NFL regular season games- if the service is anything like their Sunday Ticket package available via satellite or PlayStation 3 the answer is a resounding YES.

If you’re a sports fan like me, where there’s a will there’s a way. My iOS devices are with me just about everywhere I go, so it’s only logical that my favorite electronic Swiss Army Knife be used for one more facet of media consumption. Do you have a favorite means of access that I haven’t covered? Please share it in the comments section!

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Wider acceptance of ditching paid television

Any of you that have read my posts in the past are aware of my advocacy of cutting the cable, or getting rid of your paid television provider. I’ve had both cable and satellite television service, and both have been a less than rewarding experience. I found that I was paying far more (even on the less expensive plans without premium channels) than the four or five channels I watched were worth. Toss in extra fees for HD content and a DVR and you have a healthy monthly fee for the privilege of subsidizing a lot of channels the majority of viewers never watch.

A recent article posted by Engadget does an even better job illustrating the the flaws in paid television, and the growing acceptance of cord cutting. While still not an option that will suit everyone, I’ve been more than happy with my overall experience sans cable or satellite service. Between an antenna-powered TiVo, Netflix, Hulu Plus, and iTunes I’ve been able to watch about 90% of what I want to watch as easily if not moreso than I would have been able to previously. Some content (like Game of Thrones) can’t be legitimately viewed in a timely fashion, but for those that aren’t afraid of being nabbed for piracy even shows of that ilk can be had. The one thing I miss the most is sports programming, in particular football. While my favorite teams are still broadcast, I do miss ESPN and greater access to games that paid service provided, although Comcast’s provision of ESPN 360 online streaming channel helps temper my loss.

As Engadget points out in their article, content providers should have learned from the recording industry’s piracy battle. They attempted to force consumers into a single means of content, the CD. Bit by bit they have been forced to embrace other means of distribution and consumption, but could have profited far more if they had been of the mindset to mold the budding technology rather than attempt to block it.

While I’ve enjoyed having a media center PC for the past few years, it’s not an option many will choose (or possibly even be able to afford). The demand has spurred innovation: Roku, Boxee, Google TV, and Apple TV are all viable options for streaming digital media to your living room. Roku has expanded their lineup to include a diminutive version of their set top box plugging directly into an HDMI port that looks more like a thumb drive than anything else. Google is partnering with several TV makers to bundle Google TV into the set, eliminating the need for a box entirely. Apple has yet again been the target of wild rumors, with suggestions that the Apple TV may be expanded to offer a cloud-based DVR and App support to go along with its existing streaming capability.

Ditching cable was as much a financial decision for me as anything; even with the cost of Netflix and Hulu Plus taken into account I saw an immediate monthly savings. I already had experience with media center PCs and had the framework for a digital home theater already in place, but for those that aren’t tech savvy or don’t want to commit the same kind of money have multiple options. If you’ve been considering it, the transition has been getting easier and easier. Now might be the time to make the jump.

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Incognito Technology

Technology plays a central role in my living room. Since ditching cable and satellite TV service my entertainment center has become home to several devices: cable modem, Time Capsule router, TiVo, Mac Mini and accompanying 2 terabyte external drive. While none of them are what I’d consider eyesores, other than the Mini I wouldn’t consider any of them aesthetically pleasing either.

For those of you that have tech in a conspicuous place but would rather it not be so obvious the good folds at Apartment Therapy have some outstanding ideas for you. 

The  post gives a short tutorial on how to use an old hard cover book to hide a router (or similarly sized device), how to hide a router in decorative boxes, keep your printer out of sight but still functional, hide your ever-present TV cables, and fashion a media console from random things you may already have on hand. The photos perfectly illustrate their clever yet simple ideas. Check them out; even if you’re not the creative type I think it may inspire you- it’s a fantastic blog.

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One less Media Center PC option

I’ve waxed pseudo-poetically on the joys of having a media center PC, having gone through several configurations before settling on the combination of Mac Mini and Plex Media Center as the best solution for me. Sadly, digital media aficionados like me may soon have one less option when building the living room system of their dreams.

Engadget reported recently that Windows 8 will apparently lack the mostly overlooked Media Center software included in Windows 7. The latest preview release of Win8 lacks some key components of the software, a bad sign for what seemed like the spiritual inspiration for the Metro interface. While losing (at least partially) an option for media center PCs, hardware solutions are growing with the upcoming revision to Google TV, improvements to the Roku lineup, expansions to standalone DVRs like Tivo, and the long-rumored Apple television.

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Apple and ESPN may make the Apple TV a lot more enticing

Numerous sources reported today that Apple is allegedly in negotiation with ESPN to bring the streaming WatchESPN to Apple’s streaming TV appliance. For those of you that haven’t heard of it, WatchESPN (or ESPN3 in some circles) is ESPN’s streaming online portal, offering access to a variety of sporting events both live and recorded. ESPN currently has an iOS app, but it requires the user to have ESPN via certain affiliated content providers. While it is possible to view sporting events via this app on a TV it would require an iOS device with the app, the account information of someone who has ESPN via an approved TV service provider, and an Apple TV to play it on the bigger screen via AirPlay. A native app on the Apple TV would be a huge boon in two ways- it offers an elegant alternative to the cobbled-together existing method, and would give those of us who have cut all ties to paid TV providers an avenue for more sporting events.

I cut the cable over a year ago; my Mac Mini media center and TiVo have performed perfectly (and far less expensively) than either the cable or satellite providers in my hometown. I have access to ESPN3 via browser thanks to my ISP and have watched it many times both on my iMac and on television via Mac Mini, and was impressed with the overall quality of the image. While it didn’t have the clarity of a paid TV signal the feed was still enjoyable to watch. Access via Apple TV gives those that are considering cutting the cable a much less expensive (and much smaller) option than putting together a media center PC. The Apple TV already provides some sports access via the MLB, NBA, and NHL apps; ESPN3/WatchESPN would allow access to a much wider range of sporting events (including some NCAA football).

The only area of entertainment the Apple TV doesn’t completely cover is sports. While three of the big four are included, Apple won’t likely be able to negotiate their way into the realm of the most popular North American sports: the NFL and NCAA football. Football is king in the US and demands gigantic sums of money for broadcasting rights that the major networks would never allow to be shared willingly. Maybe instead of paying a dividend Apple should use a portion of that titanic pile of cash they’ve accumulated to just buy ESPN?

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