The problem with Playon and TVersity is that they require a server that is on all the time. I will invest eventually in a home server but for today I wish to free up the burden of home desktop from constantly running to support these services. To accomplish this I needed a low cost solution which I found with the Dell Media Computer.
This computer starts at $299 is a perfect fit to replace the sometimes limited server based services. It includes DVD, a HDMI interface and with a wireless keyboard I found including cable, tax and shipping was under $399 for everything. (A little more for Blue-Ray).
This system is a Windows 7 PC. I set up the desktop to simplify the interface as much as possible (but did not use Windows Media Center) to create links to Hulu, our NextFlix queue as well as some of our favourite video episode sites such as CBS, SyFy, Food Network and Home and Garden TV.
There is so much content available with many of our favourite programs available the day after they have aired has created our sole source of family entertainment without antenna, cable or satellites connections or monthly fees. (
We do pay only for Netflix at this time but are considering options.).
