Media Server - What to buy?

Mouse said:
Maybe I didn't properly understand the question, but wouldn't the Mede8er serving as a shared drive accomplish this?
For example, my Mede8er drive is shared across my network here, I can create a playlist in Winamp from any PC in the house and the PC will only actually see that the music is located on "Z drive" or whatever I have it mapped to in Windows and Linux
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In your set up the file would only play on the PC it is run from? I want to play the file on Mede8er harddisk from any PC such that it goes to the HDMI output of Mede8er. There is a program Kinsky that pushes the file in this way and Windows Media Player 11 in Windows 7 has 'play to', but may not work with flv videos.
 
Quixotic said:
Usage will be to play the media files on a PC or Laptop via network cable and wireless, and to select (from PC or remote control) for playing through HDMI connection (up to 1080p plus 5.1 audio) to AV Receiver (Denon AVR-2310C1).
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Billy said:
Go for the Microserver.

Read this:

http://mybroadband.co.za/vb/showthr...-Guide-to-creating-the-Ultimate-TV-Experience.
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The HP Microserver will be your best bet. Especially as it can take at least 4 HDDs. Have a look at this thread: http://mybroadband.co.za/vb/showthread.php/333460-HP-ProLiant-MicroServer. It is currently 110 pages, so there is a lot of people enjoying it.

I also have a mede8er 500X, but it is too much of a slep to update the library. The HP works a lot better and I am currently using the Mede8er as a client (of the HP) in my bedroom for an old TV.

I suggest the HP with a Nvidia 520GT running openelec. As Openelec is running XBMC, you can use your phone (iphone/android) as a remote to control what is playing on the HP as well as any browser.
 
Quixotic said:
In your set up the file would only play on the PC it is run from? I want to play the file on Mede8er harddisk from any PC such that it goes to the HDMI output of Mede8er. There is a program Kinsky that pushes the file in this way and Windows Media Player 11 in Windows 7 has 'play to', but may not work with flv videos.
Click to expand...

I checked the Mede8er forums and they say that there is a remote control feature if you have the latest firmware.
You can then enable remote control on the mede8er and use any browser to go to http://mede8er:1024 to remote control the Mede8er.
However I haven't tried this yet.
 
Mouse said:
I checked the Mede8er forums and they say that there is a remote control feature if you have the latest firmware.
You can then enable remote control on the mede8er and use any browser to go to http://mede8er:1024 to remote control the Mede8er.
However I haven't tried this yet.
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This is correct. I have previously used it even on older firmware. But you still need a screen as it works like a real remote. There is no indication on the web page of what is playing. I used to use it in my bedroom with the mede8er in the TV room, and connected to RF which is distributed throughout the house.
 
zamicro said:
This is correct. I have previously used it even on older firmware. But you still need a screen as it works like a real remote. There is no indication on the web page of what is playing. I used to use it in my bedroom with the mede8er in the TV room, and connected to RF which is distributed throughout the house.
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It appears that WD Live Hub, my second choice, also does not explicitly offer this. I believe this is a major omission. Using DNLA/UPnP plus rendering with DMR would provide the full capability. Rendering is not so crucial to me as long as I can browse the files in an explorer and just play them. As I said 'Kinsky' does this but not all formats can be played. Possibly a DNLA standard limitation.
 
zamicro said:
I suggest the HP with a Nvidia 520GT running openelec. As Openelec is running XBMC, you can use your phone (iphone/android) as a remote to control what is playing on the HP as well as any browser.
Click to expand...

Sounds tempting but when the cost of all the parts is added up it can be more expensive (WD Live Hub with 1TB is approx R2000). Also, I do not, at present, have the time (and patience) to set up an HTPC.
 
doesn't take that long to set up really...

installing 3D Card: 5-15 minutes.
installing openelec: 5-10 minutes.
adding a harddrive: 2 minutes.
starting up the HTPC: 40 seconds.
 
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