Comments on Profile Post by spwath

I have been building Windows based HTPCs for the last 15 years or so and just tried out an Nvidia Shield TV. I will not be going back to full PCs in the near future.

I will mirror fraggler, I’ve built multiple htpcs over the years, and specially for what you listed, one of the multitude of available pucks will serve you just fine and be way more useable

Well I have an extra PC now, so I can do it for free.

Sell the PC and buy a streaming device. You can use XBMC, but honestly you'll wish you had a Chromecast, Fire stick or Roku instead.

I want to use it as a music steamer though too, without using the tv.

Chromecast has an audio-only variant or some of the other streaming boxes has an optical out as well. Much like the others, I used an HTPC for years and it's pretty annoying when you want to use it and it needs to upgrade or the batteries on your keyboard/mouse go flat. A far more interesting use for the spare PC would be to make a router than a HTPC I assure you.

Or a NAS or other sort of networked machine for whatever. But I’ve even gotten to the point of turning that into an appliance as well by buying a Synology

IDK, I have an extra computer and a touchscreen monitor, I'm just thinking it would be nice to play some tv and music off of it, just have spottify up and people can just touch the screen and use keyboard. Most of the TV/movies we watch are also through free "legal/not really" streaming services, so kinda need a PC for that.

A touchscreen can make for a fun jukebox type of device. I can't help you with Linux distros, though - only ever played with Windows.

Actually I was just thinking, not sure the screen with even work with Linux. Its origionally from a piece of Kodak medical equipment, uses ELO drivers. Ill have to check if they have Linux drivers. I got it for $5 at goodwill though.
EDIT: Looks like I can get Linux drivers.

How about openelec? You don't even need a hard disk.