Been thinking about setting up something "parent-proof" for my folks. Some home theater box (maybe even an HTPC) going into the TV, 10-foot user interface displays information/cover art for CD rips, DVD-rips, (Blu-Ray rips?) for their media collection.
Main issues I've been pondering:
1. "Parent-proof" ripping system? Preferably this would just be an ISO because Dad likes to explore extras on discs, extra discs in multi-disc packs, commentary tracks, etc.
2. "Parent-proof" UI that automatically gets metadata for movies as well as music?
This would all be hosted by a network file-server or network attached storage so it can be updated from their main PC...
Wouldn't mind homebrew as long as I didn't need to maintain the software (to handle new copy protections on things, upload new metadata databases or things). Also wouldn't mind affordable turn-key solutions.
They're currently using a Roku 2 XS for Netflix and Amazon and such, and an Iomega media drive HDMI thing, and a Blu-Ray player but I'd like to see their collection starting to be digitized and hosted on a file server so that Dad's not constantly disc-swapping. The Iomega box is a good start, but the interface blows, and there's no metadata. Roku's can now play files off a USB drive, but with limited format support, and again no metadata. Maybe Dad would be just happy with a streamer, but they have a pretty significant collection of discs, and I hate to see it just sitting on a shelf.
Would love to hear what people are using these days, and other thoughts.
Maybe an XBMC-based HTPC or some other-based HTPC... but that metadata import needs to happen, like, automagically... and what to do about their growing collection of Blu-Rays?
- Stiletto
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