New Htpc build, OS suggestions?

[buddyweiser 105]

So I'm building a new htpc and not sure what os I want to put on it or configuration. So heres what I want in addition to stream mb3 content and channels:

-Ability to stream netflix(considering win8 for the netflix app there, I dont like the wmc plugin. Not aware of linux solutions?)

-Ability to play emulator games including but not limited to nes, snes, n64, gamecube, wii, ps1,2,&3, sega, xbox360.

-Steam big picture

-Possibly adding a slot load thin bluray drive for bluray playback, but not in the near future.

-xpadder support as i use an xbox360 controller for entire htpc usage. would also be nice if controller can wake htpc from sleep?

 

Also, some questions:

-Most emulator games do not concern me, but for the larger files(over 5gb), would they need to be stored client side? or would server stored games stream quick enough over a wired network?

-For future consideration, how would one go about connecting a directv receiver with ir repeater for livetv streaming and is this possible?

 

This is my build so far:

http://pcpartpicker.com/p/3wztrH

 

If you have any other thoughts please let me know.

 

[shaefurr 1337]

So I'm building a new htpc and not sure what os I want to put on it or configuration. So heres what I want in addition to stream mb3 content and channels:

-Ability to stream netflix(considering win8 for the netflix app there, I dont like the wmc plugin. Not aware of linux solutions?)

-Ability to play emulator games including but not limited to nes, snes, n64, gamecube, wii, ps1,2,&3, sega, xbox360.

-Steam big picture

 

-xpadder support as i use an xbox360 controller for entire htpc usage. would also be nice if controller can wake htpc from sleep?

 

Also, some questions:

-Most emulator games do not concern me, but for the larger files(over 5gb), would they need to be stored client side? or would server stored games stream quick enough over a wired network?

 

 

This is my build so far:

http://pcpartpicker.com/p/3wztrH

 

If you have any other thoughts please let me know.

 

Not going to give an OS recommendation as i've only really been a mostly windows user, but here's what I know.

 

You'll find Linux has plenty of emulators and can play probably everything from atari to Wii etc, and of course there's a nice linux version of steam.

 

As far as streaming the larger files. I stream Wii games which are around 4GB. They work perfectly over a 100Mbit LAN, they stutter a bit over wifi though, and of course work flawlessly on my gigabit LAN. So ya I would say streaming those shouldn't be a problem.

 

And xpadder doesn't have a linux version, but you can look into qjoypad

 

Another thing I will say is there isn't a lot of support at the moment for netflix on linux. And by that I mean you can't even play it through a browser without a bit of work. It was a pain just to get it running in a browser on my usb drive running puppy linux. I heard Ubuntu was finally getting netflix support built in to the newer version of chrome though. But I doubt you'll find any apps right now except for the browser.

Edited November 22, 2014 by shaefurr

[Swynol 375]

Personally I use win8 but it boots directly into mb theatre. I replaced the windows metro she'll with the mb exe. From mb I can launch all my apps and steam big picture. When win10 comes out I will be upgrading my 7 machines to that.

[buddyweiser 105]

I Think I've decided I'm going to start with linux and see how it goes, as it's free. If I can't get everything I want out of it, I'll consider upgrading to windows8 or 10. Any suggestions on which version of linux would be best? I saw one version is graphically similar to windows and is for windows users new to linux that I'm thinking about. I'm a complete n00b about linux though, are there any security concerns? or system integrity concerns? Would all of my build be compatible with linux? I have absolutely no idea about the os.

[shaefurr 1337]

Ubuntu is the probably the most similar to windows, also probably the easiest to use if you're new to linux

Sent from my lumia icon

[buddyweiser 105]

Thanks @@shaefurr, I'll give Ubuntu a try hopefully it can do everything I need it to do. I came across a kodi forum thread about a plug-in or add on for xbmc that plays Netflix via chrome.

 

Sent using my G3