HTPC Advice

[Maddhew]

I have a Sony KDL55HX820 55" TV, which i currently use for XBOX and Foxtel. I have Plex server on my MacBook Pro (my only comp) and can stream videos to my TV with mixed results. Sony doesnt have Plex App (like samsung) so even when i can successfully scream i dont get the cool Plex interface.
I have plugged my MacBook pro into the TV, and loved using Plex and the results were visually awesome. The processor is 2.7 GHZ I7, with 4GB Ram. Being a laptop it isn't practical to use this as a media server or as an "always on" solution. I want to be able to use the Plex server to send media to my bedroom TV using a device.
I download mainly 720 & 1080P copies. Some of these are 3D.
I want to be able to watch Blu Ray videos, obviously needing a peripheral device.
It will then be used as a second computer for surfing the Web etc... but nothing serious.
Following is the system i am considering.
New Mac Mini – There are two versions, and additional RAM available. The cheaper dual core i5 w/ 500gb HD is $699. The i7 quad core w/ 1tb HD is $899.
Would I require the i7 version for the above use? Would it be worth upgrading the standard 4GB Ram?
Mini Stack Maxx – Includes Blu Ray Player and up to 4TB HD in one Mac Mini shaped case. There is no Thunderbolt but it does come with USB 3.
http://eshop.macsales.com/shop/ministack_max
Will USB 3 be enough for watching 1080P from the HD?, will the Blu Ray player play 1080p in 3D seamlessly?
What would be a good cheap media player, so i can stream from my server to my second TV?
Does anyone have anything to add on the Pros/Cons of the above set up? I understand it isn't exactly cost effective, but i really like MAC OS and the form factor of the above devices.
Further more, I was hoping to purchase some speakers. I want a Dolby 5.1 set up i can use for Foxtel, Xbox and Mac Mini. Is this possible without switching cables? What would be a good option $500 to $1,000 for a set up? Is it as easy as connecting it to the TV out? My living room is quite small so dont need anything too big.
Thanks a lot guys, new to the whole HTPC scene, so would appreciate any advice.

 

[spexau]

On my phone at the moment so can't provide a lot of detail but you should look in to XBMC as the software. Its amazing. Plex is great if you're streaming to other devices but if you have a dedicated HTPC then I'd suggest you look into XBMC. It has its standalone OS install or you can install to Linux, or Windows easily.

Also you can get some really sweet HTPC cases with volume controls, remotes and LCD displays which you can build a really nice custom PC into for your budget range.

 

[dav3]

1080p stuff plays fine over USB2, so USB3 will barely break a sweat. Sounds like you're fairly set on Apple gear so yeah....... I'm out

Personally I've got a HP Microserver with about 11tb hanging off it hosting media while an old PC sitting behind the TV runs OpenElec.

 

[Maddhew]

Thanks guys

 

[CraigB]

Matt you realise that if you data is stored on your MBP and you have plex, you can airplay directly to an Apple TV the latest without the need to jailbreak, thus playing 1080p. I run similar with Plex I have 2 x MBP and 1 x 27" iMac with all up about 12tb of storage around the house. I just use plex off an iPad that is synced to all the devices and it streams to any tv the ATV is connected to...(we actually have 3 x ATVS) They are named differently so we just airplay to what we want and plex transcodes on the fly...never had any issues with buffering anything and we have played 30gb MKV BluRay files without fault.