Other NAS and HTPC software suggestions

Hi,

I'm planning on building my own NAS and HTPC but was wondering what software to run on them. In the main i'll be watching films from mpg and mp4 and listening to audio. It would be cool to do some of the flashy stuff like stream things to my phone and control the HTPC from my mobile etc, plus run some sort of dropbox type scenario on the NAS..

I've read pros and cons for quite a few things but was wondering if there was any sort of consensus.

At the minute I'm thinking:

NAS:
Windows Homeserver
MyMovies

HTPC:
Windows 8... i guess
XBMC

... any suggestions on useful plugins would be nice to hear also.

 

A good read IMO: Hack7MC, there are a few more sites, will have a look at my bookmarks when I've the chance!

 

For Windows Media Center:
Remote Potato server.
Shark007 codec pack.
TunerFreeMCE.
My Channel Logos (if using for TV).

Mobile:
Remote Potato (iOS) or Remote Media Center (Android).

 

A decent media splitter for MKV - Haali or Gabest

 

Check out MediaPortal http://www.team-mediaportal.com/

I have been running that for almost 2 years now. It is incredible.