Here at eRacks, we're looking at breaking into the home media center market and want to get a discussion rolling. For starters, here are a couple ideas we've been kicking around:
There are two routes we could pursue. The first is to build a single system that handles everything. The second is a server/client solution, with a single media server sitting on the network with one or more clients hooked up throughout one's home.
Going the first route, a basic setup would consist of a powerful CPU, a substantial amount of RAM, a large hard drive (at least 1TB) and a good video card. It would have the ability to capture HD as well as standard definition NTSC broadcasts, to play DVDs, BlueRay discs and music (audio CDs as well as MP3s), to handle photos and to browse the web (among many other possible features.)
The second solution would have the same capabilities, except that it would consist of at least two parts: a system on the network with a large hard drive for storing and capturing HD content and one or more clients connected wirelessly for viewing.
Right now, for capturing HD content from cable and satellite boxes, we're looking at utilizing a unit which can capture video in 1080i or 720p, as well as audio in AAC or Dolby Digital. It has a built-in IR blaster so that channels can be changed on a set top box via the computer.
We're looking for ideas, so if there's something you've always wanted in a home media server, please let us know!