A media Server

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Tiscanny

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Saw an article on a media pc’s in the Popular Mechanics (July 2010)
I want to build a good media Server with the needed software.
Streaming of the dstv input via a TV card over a LAN network (if possible)
Play HD videos without hitch even if some1 is streaming from the pc
Here is what I have in mind so far:

Intel G41 Aneroid Lake R 594.00
2. TB HHD 5900 rpm R 757.00
Intel Pentium Dual Core E6700 3.20Ghz 2MB 1066FSB R 677.00
Kingston 4GB DDR3 1333 R 382.00
TV-tuner card R 350.00 (EST.)
Media remote R 450.00 (EST.)
Any chassis with 400W power supply R400.00 (EST.)

Total of 4115.40 vat Inc.

its for a commune of 8 people so the traffic going to and from the media server should be high?

any input are appreciated
 
Looks great. How are the other 8 people going to watch? Over ethernet, to a PC or to 8 other TV's? If you play HD video, is everybody going to watch the same movie?
 
8 simultaneous FHD streams may be a tough one, especially combined with encoding of DSTV. The CPU may need a bump and make sure everything gets hooked up to a decent gigabit switch.
 
Well Tiscanny, I currently run window home server off a e8400 - streaming media to 2 bedrooms(via lan cable), my lounge and over wifi to my inlaws next door.
 
Only 1 hdd? Also look into a mobo with 2 ethernet ports that way you could have one dedicated to 4 clients. Speaking of which, what are the clients?
 
Fudzy said:
Only 1 hdd? Also look into a mobo with 2 ethernet ports that way you could have one dedicated to 4 clients. Speaking of which, what are the clients?
Click to expand...

Agreed Fudzy - I think I have about 16tb's in the primary server and use it to stream to 2 xbox 360's , a ps3 and (uncertain brand) media player over wifi.
 
Definitely get gigabit LAN, cables (CAT5e) and switch! Otherwise you might run into problems :)
 
Messugga said:
8 simultaneous FHD streams may be a tough one, especially combined with encoding of DSTV. The CPU may need a bump and make sure everything gets hooked up to a decent gigabit switch.
Click to expand...

Yeah, you're pushing a bit. A gb switch will do for the networking, and the CPU will be fine as well, since it won't be doing a lot of processing, but I think the problem will be with the drive. If someone is watching an HD movie from my media server, and I start copying something on the same drive, you immediately notice it with the movie playback.
 
No ways are you getting a case and a 400W PSU for R400. Not that you'd need to, 400W is way overkill for what you'll need.
 
Roger.Wilco said:
Yeah, you're pushing a bit. A gb switch will do for the networking, and the CPU will be fine as well, since it won't be doing a lot of processing, but I think the problem will be with the drive. If someone is watching an HD movie from my media server, and I start copying something on the same drive, you immediately notice it with the movie playback.
Click to expand...

Yeah very true! Will probably need a big raid array for smooth playback :) Or a big OCZ vertex 3 SSD ;)
 
Fudzy said:
Only 1 hdd? Also look into a mobo with 2 ethernet ports that way you could have one dedicated to 4 clients. Speaking of which, what are the clients?
Click to expand...

I would add another 2 TB HDD, or if you want 2x1TB (a bit cheaper) and run it in raid-0 configuration. It will increase your throughput on the drives a lot. Regarding 2 network cards, I do not think it is necessary, as even one GB ethernet will almost max out you harddrive throughput.
 
Tiscanny said:
Saw an article on a media pc’s in the Popular Mechanics (July 2010)
I want to build a good media Server with the needed software.
Streaming of the dstv input via a TV card over a LAN network (if possible)
Play HD videos without hitch even if some1 is streaming from the pc
Here is what I have in mind so far:

Intel G41 Aneroid Lake R 594.00
2. TB HHD 5900 rpm R 757.00
Intel Pentium Dual Core E6700 3.20Ghz 2MB 1066FSB R 677.00
Kingston 4GB DDR3 1333 R 382.00
TV-tuner card R 350.00 (EST.)
Media remote R 450.00 (EST.)
Any chassis with 400W power supply R400.00 (EST.)

Total of 4115.40 vat Inc.

its for a commune of 8 people so the traffic going to and from the media server should be high?

any input are appreciated
Click to expand...


What OS/software are you thinking about using?
 
Roger.Wilco said:
I bought a media centre case for R199 at Cafe Viva, and the power supply for R150 at Matrix Warehouse. Total R350. :)
Click to expand...

Which power supply is that? I can't imagine it's terribly good, or 400W..
 
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