mini-ITX HTPC w/ XBMC or Apple TV w/ XBMC?

[zylander]

Currently I have a full size C2D HTPC w/ a blu-ray drive using PowerDVD for BD playback and WMC w/ Media Browser for everything else. Lately I have started to dislike Media Browser; their latest update made some of the buttons on my Logitech DiNovo Mini stop working and it doesnt load meta data for all of my media. As far as BD playback goes, I hate it, playing blu-rays on an HTPC sucks and I plan to buy a Sony player.

Originally I had planned to ditch this full size HTPC and build a mini-ITX HTPC and then run XMBC on it. However, my friend just bought an ATV2, jailbroke it and installed XBMC and he is very satisfied with it.

Buying n ATV2 and installing XBMC on it sounds really good to me but the lack of 1080p kind of has me a little discouraged. The majority of my HD media is in 720p but I do have a few 1080p files. This will be plugged into a 42" Sharp LCD 1080p TV which I sit ~10' from.

Given my setup and what Ill be using it for will the ATV2 running XBMC be a good choice?

 

[Emulex]

xbmc on your current box will give you the same functionality for no added cost?

 

[zylander]

I have no interest in keeping my current box. Its too much of a hassle to play blu-rays and the box itself is pretty large and takes up too much space. Im just trying to decide if Id rather have a miniITX HTPC running either XBMC or WMC with media browser or an apple tv with XBMC.

 

[sep]

My vote for Mini or small HTPC with XBMC (using Acer Reno w/ no problems).

 

[zylander]

The more I read about XBMC the more I like it, Im really just not liking Media Browser anymore.

 

[BTA]

My only problem with XBMC is remote control functionality can be wonky depending what you have (and I've been too lazy to dick with it)...and it does not play well with my DVD rips to VIDEO_TS folders for MyMovies.

 

[poofyhairguy]

Go with a ION system if you want to play everything, and an AppleTV 2 if you don't mind that somes things don't play but you really want Netflix at your fingertips.

The best remote by far for any XBMC system is a Harmony.

 

[Emulex]

huh you open an ISO and play the videots (the smallest file) and it plays dvd's quite fine. been doing that for 5 years now lol.

remote? the $25 lenovo remote is brilliant for the price. not so much with the dinovo mini(overrated imo).

 

[slag]

What are you going to use for storage of your existing ripped bluray and dvd titles? There is no storage on the ATV2 box for these things.

 

[zylander]

I have a server in my basement, I dont currently store anything on my HTPC.

 

[Ns1]

lack of hulu is really killing my enthusiasm for aTv2