Building a Media Server

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AVTechman
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2011/04/05 15:58:42 (permalink)

Building a Media Server

Has anyone ever built their own media server to house all of your movies and music? I have been trying to work on ways whether I can convert my older P4 system to a media server to where I can do just that. 

I know there are many commercial solutions, but I am a DIY'er and have more satisfaction building one of my own. At least I wouldn't have to worry about swapping discs for every movie I want to see.
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    auto_da_fe
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    Re:Building a Media Server 2011/04/05 16:24:54 (permalink)
    I looked at doing the same thing a few years back...and decided on a PS3.

    By the time you add tuners, HDMI graphics cards, Blue ray player, etc....the PS3 was way cheaper....and runs netflix now too.

    JR

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    tarsier
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    Re:Building a Media Server 2011/04/06 10:42:12 (permalink)
    What do you want the media server to do? Just house and serve media or will it be the listening/viewing device?

    The thing I don't like about the PS3 is the fan. It can get really noisy.

    A quiet PC with Windows Media Center is a good way to go.
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    AVTechman
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    Re:Building a Media Server 2011/04/16 13:41:44 (permalink)
    I don't actually plan to add any tv tuners and such, just a computer to house and serve all of my media (dvd movies, videos and music). 

    I have read on using WHS software but I was wondering if WMC would be able to do the job. At least I can still find a good use for my old P4 system which is no longer being used for video editing so figure (with some minor hardware changes) to put it to use for a media server.
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    Karyn
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    Re:Building a Media Server 2011/04/16 14:05:38 (permalink)
    Some of the Cisco/Linksys routers include media servers built in.  You simply plug in your choice of USB HDD and it's done.

    Linksys E4200

    Cheaper than building a pc to do the job.

    Mekashi Futo. 
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    Bub
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    Re:Building a Media Server 2011/04/16 15:15:25 (permalink)
    tarsier

    The thing I don't like about the PS3 is the fan. It can get really noisy.
    The fan on mine used to kick in to high speed all the time and get really noisy. It seems to have two speeds depending on how hot it gets. I resolved it by sitting it on it's edge instead of flat. It seems to trap less heat that way.


    "I pulled the head off Elvis, filled Fred up to his pelvis, yaba daba do, the King is gone, and so are you."
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    tarsier
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    Re:Building a Media Server 2011/04/18 14:47:34 (permalink)
    I don't actually plan to add any tv tuners and such, just a computer to house and serve all of my media (dvd movies, videos and music).

    In that case Windows 7/Windows Media is a no fuss, no muss setup. If you already have the hardware, it's soooo easy.  I use that setup to serve to my PS3.

    Also, PS3MediaServer is another easy way to go. It will serve many formats that Windows Media won't.  It's default setup is really easy, but if you need to tweak something it's a bit more complicated.
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    tarsier
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    Re:Building a Media Server 2011/04/18 14:49:54 (permalink)
    It seems to have two speeds depending on how hot it gets. I resolved it by sitting it on it's edge instead of flat. It seems to trap less heat that way.

    Thanks for the tip, I'll give that a go.  I've got a slim and it seems to have 3 fan speeds: moderate, loud, and insane! I give it a good blowing out every now and then which seems to help. But too often (and usually when watching something on Netflix) it ramps up to insane speed.
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