Media Centres - where to start?

porchrat

porchrat

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I'm just starting to look into media centres.

Where would those who keep their ear to the ground on this issue recommend?

Should I build my own, buy one of those retail jobs or something else that I am not aware of?

As far as I can see those premade retail jobs have limited options when it comes to additional HDDs. Anyway please feel free to offer your opinions on the matter.
 
HP Microserver...

Only answer you need.. go an look at the thread DJ... started yesterday.
 
Oh nice thanks guys. That MicroServer looks awesome.

4 storage bays (5 if you use the optical drive bay) is the sort of storage space I was looking for. All that at around 1.6k... truly awesome.
 
Doing this right can be incredibly difficult. If you do not have a ton of money, get yourself an AC Ryan PlayOn or a Medi8ter and be done with the effort.

The tricky bit with doing it all yourself on a custom build is with the interface and the remote. With the above mentioned you will get as close to "as good as it gets" and even though there will be irritations like perhaps slow folder browsing or some crap like that here and there you will save yourself topns of frustration. Get yourself some portable HDDs and plug them in when needed. You can even access the videos and music via a network on your home computer if need be. I use a simple D-Link DNS-320 to share content 24/7 without a pc to my mediaplayer... :)
 
antowan said:
Doing this right can be incredibly difficult. If you do not have a ton of money, get yourself an AC Ryan PlayOn or a Medi8ter and be done with the effort.

The tricky bit with doing it all yourself on a custom build is with the interface and the remote. With the above mentioned you will get as close to "as good as it gets" and even though there will be irritations like perhaps slow folder browsing or some crap like that here and there you will save yourself topns of frustration. Get yourself some portable HDDs and plug them in when needed. You can even access the videos and music via a network on your home computer if need be. I use a simple D-Link DNS-320 to share content 24/7 without a pc to my mediaplayer... :)
Click to expand...
This is another idea. I was looking at those AC Ryan's before I asked here. I was just concerned that they seem to only be able to handle external drives and won't let me add additional HDDs internally.

I already run a wireless network with a SMC router in the home so connecting the new device up shouldn't be a problem. I run a variety of OSes but I'm relatively proficient at accessing networked resources in most of them :p.

It is more the time factor of setting up the HP microServer that draws me to something where all the work is done already. Also I get involved in projects like this and then my GF moans at me :p.
 
porchrat said:
This is another idea. I was looking at those AC Ryan's before I asked here. I was just concerned that they seem to only be able to handle external drives and won't let me add additional HDDs internally.

I already run a wireless network with a SMC router in the home so connecting the new device up shouldn't be a problem. I run a variety of OSes but I'm relatively proficient at accessing networked resources in most of them :p.

It is more the time factor of setting up the HP microServer that draws me to something where all the work is done already. Also I get involved in projects like this and then my GF moans at me :p.
Click to expand...

Get the WDTV Live Streaming Media Player.

I have the Microserver, way too much effort to get everything to run how i wanted it. The costs of the device + GFX card + Remote (One that ACTUALLY WORKS!!) and the time and effort to get it all running is not justified. Recently got the WDTV live and have the Microserver running as a NAS device only now. Much better solution.
 
Depends on your level of expertise and what you're wanting.

A nice setup is a media server which you use for all streaming, downloading and storage and then several clients that connect. My MC of choice is Plex Media Server with all the little Plex clients (Windows, Linux, Mac, iOS, Android) connecting and streaming.

I run a simple little dual core HP and then connect from a host of devices. If you're up for it, set up Sickbeard, Couchpotato, SABNZBD+ and you're good to go.
 
Keeping in line with AntiThesis' s logic, I settled on PS3 and xbox as media players connecting wirelessly to a quad core PC running Windows Media player, PS3 Media Server and TVersity. I installed multiple media servers because the software is so finicky. Media server is also a download machine.Havent found a file format that I couldnt play.
 
porchrat said:
Oh nice thanks guys. That MicroServer looks awesome.

4 storage bays (5 if you use the optical drive bay) is the sort of storage space I was looking for. All that at around 1.6k... truly awesome.
Click to expand...

I don't have that Microserver, but did pick up an HP ML110 G5 about two years back for R1,500. Got 4 x 2TB HDDs, configured with sabnzbd + SickBeard, streaming via wired network to a WD HD Live.

For some odd reason I'm not a fan of hooking up my TV directly to a PC. Plus it entails too many add-ons for the PC such as receivers for a remote, graphics card, etc.
 
I should be receiving my HP Microserver today and am chuffed as nuts about it. Since adopting XBMC as my media player I have not been disappointed in the least little bit. It does everything and it does it really well I might add. I haven't compared it with any other media players, I must add, however that's because I think I made the right choice from the get go...
 
DJ...:8119882 said:
I should be receiving my HP Microserver today and am chuffed as nuts about it. Since adopting XBMC as my media player I have not been disappointed in the least little bit. It does everything and it does it really well I might add. I haven't compared it with any other media players, I must add, however that's because I think I made the right choice from the get go...
Click to expand...

I used XBMC until I got plex. Only real difference is that Plex makes streaming much, much easier. Can even stream to work with almost zero config and it transcodes on the fly.
 
AntiThesis said:
I used XBMC until I got plex. Only real difference is that Plex makes streaming much, much easier. Can even stream to work with almost zero config and it transcodes on the fly.
Click to expand...

Streaming of what? I'll admit I haven't streamed much apart from a few youtube videos. I'm curious as to what one can stream that's worth the move to Plex? I'm always keen to upgrade...

EDIT: oh hang on. I think I might be misunderstanding the streaming bit. You mean streaming your Plex setup to other devices?
 
wont ever go back to running XBMC in my HP server again. The remote setup was enough to beat my head bloody against a wall. When you do get it working, you can expect slow browsing. Its annoying. If that kind of thing doesnt you, then be my guest and go ahead.

I agree with previous sentiments though. Use the HP server as a NAS and use something like WD Live Streaming device to hook up to your network. Then you can have everything downloading on your NAS without being a resource hog and slowing down your XBMC setup.

It works for some people, it wasnt good enough for me :p

Got SABNzb + Sickbeard up and running on the NAS, and the WD Streamer up and running next to my TV. I dont want that huge ass thing sitting next to my TV thnks. Havent looked back

@DJ - Streaming from your NAS
 
techead said:
wont ever go back to running XBMC in my HP server again. The remote setup was enough to beat my head bloody against a wall. When you do get it working, you can expect slow browsing. Its annoying. If that kind of thing doesnt you, then be my guest and go ahead.

I agree with previous sentiments though. Use the HP server as a NAS and use something like WD Live Streaming device to hook up to your network. Then you can have everything downloading on your NAS without being a resource hog and slowing down your XBMC setup.

It works for some people, it wasnt good enough for me :p

Got SABNzb + Sickbeard up and running on the NAS, and the WD Streamer up and running next to my TV. I dont want that huge ass thing sitting next to my TV thnks. Havent looked back

@DJ - Streaming from your NAS
Click to expand...

^This is the way to do it :p.
Which WD product are you using? And are you running Linux on the NAS?
 
The_Unnamed said:
^This is the way to do it :p.
Which WD product are you using? And are you running Linux on the NAS?
Click to expand...

I'm using this one, along with Server 2008 (got it free thanks to Dreamspark) and FreeNAS to manage the disks. Way too many issues with XBMC to make it practical in real world use.
 
Mike Hoxbig said:
I'm using this one, along with Server 2008 (got it free thanks to Dreamspark) and FreeNAS to manage the disks. Way too many issues with XBMC to make it practical in real world use.
Click to expand...

Awesome, Same one i recently got. I am so glad it was not just me having problems with XBMC. Its not worth the effort in the end.

What do you use to get the metadata for the movies?
 
The_Unnamed said:
Awesome, Same one i recently got. I am so glad it was not just me having problems with XBMC. Its not worth the effort in the end.

What do you use to get the metadata for the movies?
Click to expand...

SickBeard supports WD TV Live natively :)
 
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