Home Entertainment - Recommendations, Please!

[n00b]Zippy · 03-Apr-2009, 12:50

Hi, all...

I'm moving to a new house soon and I'd like to take the opportunity to use computers more in streaming music/video/TV round the house. I know a few of you have done this to greater or lesser extents and I was wondering where to start.

I'll need a server, which would probably be running Windows Home Server - I'd like this to be a low-power unit if at all possible, probably running headless in the loft, any recommendations on make etc?

Presumably it's then a matter of having Media Centre PCs streaming stuff onto screens/speakers etc. Can you just hook up a Media Centre PC to a large screen and a set of speakers and call it a TV or am I going to have issues with screen resolution etc? Is XP or Vista the best way to go?

Can a wireless network cope with streaming stuff?

I'm sure I'll think of more questions, but any pointers would be much appreciated.

burundi · 03-Apr-2009, 12:54

A low power WHS will be probably do the job fine if your WMPC's are beefy enough to handle any decoding required.

Wireless will suffice for low def stuff but look to cabling for high def stuff.

I'd look at TV's with VGA inputs or make sure you get WMPC's with hdmi out, if you want to use monitors on some of the WMPC's then make sure they support the max HD Res which is 1900xsummat.

GroovYF · 03-Apr-2009, 13:01

mini-itx.com is a good place to start for creating a low-power unit.

Run the unit alongside with one of these PicoPSU and adapter combinations.

[n00b]Zippy · 03-Apr-2009, 13:32

In English please, Groovy

GroovYF · 03-Apr-2009, 13:36

Oof, forgot to link!

One of the best ways to get your system using as least power as possible, is to build your own box, using a mini-itx motherboard, a small case to fit the motherboard and one of these PicoPSU 12V DC-DC power supplies and a universal AC power brick (both of these on this page: http://www.mini-itx.com/store/?c=10#univ)

I think that the site above also does packages with all the bits you need.

I have a dual-core Atom mini-ITX motherboard, in a Cubit case, 500GB Western Digital "Green Drive" (only uses 5W or so), 1GB RAM and one of those PicoPSU's and external power brick. Sucks about 25-30 watts only.

Bilb · 03-Apr-2009, 13:45

Networking ... Devolo HomePlug AV ... saves wires and will do about 100Mbps

Inertiaman · 03-Apr-2009, 14:45

Wireless is just pony. Another vote for homeplugs, or preferably gig-ethernet and a decent switch if you can run the wires. leaves you potential for breaking out to additional fast storage.

Inertiaman · 03-Apr-2009, 14:47

also, having experienced vista as a media center for a few months - I really wonder if pc is the way to go or if there aren't better dedicated solutions...haven't looked hard into it though.

Bilb · 03-Apr-2009, 14:58

Quote:

Originally Posted by Inertiaman

also, having experienced vista as a media center for a few months - I really wonder if pc is the way to go or if there aren't better dedicated solutions...haven't looked hard into it though.

I'm with Nersh on this one, let me try to explain:

Different media types are better suited to different platforms. For instance you could rip all of your existing DVD's to ISO and have a media center auto mount the iso and commence playback. But other than convenience why would you want to? It costs more per GB as hard disk than left on DVD.

TV shows and movies that are "ahem" acquired ... are usually in DivX, Xvid or MKV format.

Music, generally in MP3.

While the browsers for tv shows and films are good on these media centres, the music streaming aspect is not so good. I still can't find a better alternative to iTunes and Airport Express wireless speakers for music. Although Sonos and Rako seem to be kicking out good products. Then with music streaming you have the two protocols ... DAAP and UPnP ... and it seems never the twain shall meet.

Then back to video ... I suppose you have several options:

XP or Vista Media Centre
Xbox 360 Media Centre extender
PS3 with TVersity streaming to it
OSX FrontRow
Apple TV

Personally I still have two original Xboxes with XBMC running on them, which I still cannot beat.

I also have a media PC in the lounge which is always cool for big screen internet. However ... 1080 on a 46" screen is not readable from across the room, so you then start zooming webpages and gets messy.

I also have a PS3 in the lounge which works for media, but I generally tend to use it for BluRay disks only.

My concept behind Media Centre's was that they have to be connected to everything ... but easy enough for guests to use without a comprehensive manual. I still haven't found that nirvana yet. However the XBMC came closest.

There are off the shelf solutions such as the Linksys KISS Media thingy, netgear media jobbie etc ... but none of them have comprehensive support.

Inertiaman · 03-Apr-2009, 15:00

I ended up running xmbc on the vista machine rather than wmc but vistas god damn ambiguous share browsing and endless reindexing caused much frustration in the form of hangs and slowdown.

[n00b]Zippy · 03-Apr-2009, 15:10

Jings and crivvens

GroovYF · 03-Apr-2009, 15:15

Audio streaming wirelessly for me is SqueezeCenter on my server and a couple of Squeeze Boxes

Heartwork · 03-Apr-2009, 15:19

airport express works very nicely for "wireless" speakers indeed, but when I set up my gf's one (she's using it as a network access point too) we had a hell of a time getting it to work at first. it's been stable since though.

Inertiaman · 03-Apr-2009, 15:22

Just as an aside if anyone has to tune a few wireless connections and has a windows mobile, Wififofum is fantastic for scouting out the landscape. Really sorted a couple of networks out by picking a better channel and resiting their router etc.

[n00b]Zippy · 03-Apr-2009, 15:24

Quote:

Originally Posted by GroovYF

Audio streaming wirelessly for me is SqueezeCenter on my server and a couple of Squeeze Boxes

I've got a Squeezebox Boom on order from Amazon

GroovYF · 03-Apr-2009, 15:25

Good call. Seen and heard one of those here at work (friend bought one). Cracking bit of kit - you won't be disappointed. Solid bit of kit, heavier than you think for it's size

burundi · 03-Apr-2009, 16:36

I thought about getting dedicated kit but the different and emerging file formats available and sometime corruption that happens I felt a PC was a better option, of course most of my media played this way is acquired, If I have something on DVD I'll leave it on DVD.

[n00b]Zippy · 06-Apr-2009, 16:41

Boom arrived today - very impressed with it just running it on a few test mp3 off the work wireless network. Great sounds, very easy to use. Hoping it can cope with streaming the structure of my large music collection!

GroovYF · 06-Apr-2009, 17:24

My Squeezeboxes manage just fine with 77GB, 16,000+ mp3s
Doubt you'll have any issues with the Boom

Nomad · 06-Apr-2009, 17:28

Quote:

Hoping it can cope with streaming the structure of my large music collection!

it only plays 1 at once so the total number you have isn't an issue tbh

[n00b]Zippy · 06-Apr-2009, 17:38

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nomad

it only plays 1 at once so the total number you have isn't an issue tbh

No - I meant the folder/file structure that it has to download so it can display what artists/albums I have. My collection is .... slightly larger than Groovy's

Nomad · 06-Apr-2009, 17:46

but have you got as much girls aloud?

the classic folder within folder connundrum, depends how you've structured it i suppose, genre, artist, album... what more do you need?

having a fk load of music is always nice but what these people who slate hoarders don't understand, modern connections mean you can download a song in no time at all now, it's sticking it in the right place and making sure the info is correct and you have the relevant artwork that takes the time. or so i've been told

WoRsTy · 06-Apr-2009, 17:54

I use xp running TVersity a damn fine piece of software.

http://tversity.com/

[n00b]Zippy · 07-Apr-2009, 17:57

Quote:

Originally Posted by GroovYF

I think that the site above also does packages with all the bits you need.

Right, cue exposing my hardware ignorance - is this going to be an acceptable platform for Windows Home Server?

Or if someone could provide links to the exact bits I needs. When I say "exact" I mean "exact". Drawing me pictures might help too

GroovYF · 08-Apr-2009, 08:49

That looks just the right deal for you. I'll point out it doesn't come with a cd/dvd drive though. You'll need to buy one of the ones listed at the bottom of that page, (probably not the Panasonic though as it's lacking in writing capabilities compared to the others.)

DizMatt · 08-Apr-2009, 14:04

for generalised stuff XP on low power is great, homeplug...another vote for that
it's fine in my house for streaming media.
If you want a quiet lounge...do you have a PS3?? or you can use a dedicated media box, about 80 quid for one I saw, so that you have something less invasive in the house
I quite liked the KISS DVD players a few years ago. fully networkable. although they were hit and miss for some people.

I mean this home system
how much do you want to spend or not spend on it.
what do you already have
and how complicated do you want it to be?

[n00b]Zippy · 08-Apr-2009, 15:22

Haven't got any consoles and I'm pretty much starting from scratch - not too bothered about spending huge amounts of cash - just fancied a snazzy system!

[n00b]Zippy · 09-Apr-2009, 14:46

Quote:

Originally Posted by GroovYF

That looks just the right deal for you. I'll point out it doesn't come with a cd/dvd drive though. You'll need to buy one of the ones listed at the bottom of that page, (probably not the Panasonic though as it's lacking in writing capabilities compared to the others.)

Good service from those chaps - ordered it yesterday afternoon and it's just arrived. All I've got to do it work out what bit goes where.

GroovYF · 09-Apr-2009, 15:20

Good service indeed

You've now got the long Easter weekend to fiddle with it!

TheBuZZard · 09-Apr-2009, 15:49

I use vista on my PC then stream to my PS3 through media sharing over Lan over mains plugs, works great. PS3 has a few obvious advantages over other PC style media players and is good value.

03-Apr-2009, 12:50	#1
[n00b]Zippy Banned Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Great Rollright Posts: 9,393	Home Entertainment - Recommendations, Please! Hi, all... I'm moving to a new house soon and I'd like to take the opportunity to use computers more in streaming music/video/TV round the house. I know a few of you have done this to greater or lesser extents and I was wondering where to start. I'll need a server, which would probably be running Windows Home Server - I'd like this to be a low-power unit if at all possible, probably running headless in the loft, any recommendations on make etc? Presumably it's then a matter of having Media Centre PCs streaming stuff onto screens/speakers etc. Can you just hook up a Media Centre PC to a large screen and a set of speakers and call it a TV or am I going to have issues with screen resolution etc? Is XP or Vista the best way to go? Can a wireless network cope with streaming stuff? I'm sure I'll think of more questions, but any pointers would be much appreciated. __________________ ["hip","hip"] (hip hip array!)

03-Apr-2009, 12:54	#2
burundi WARNING: May contain nuts Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Prestonia Posts: 7,852	A low power WHS will be probably do the job fine if your WMPC's are beefy enough to handle any decoding required. Wireless will suffice for low def stuff but look to cabling for high def stuff. I'd look at TV's with VGA inputs or make sure you get WMPC's with hdmi out, if you want to use monitors on some of the WMPC's then make sure they support the max HD Res which is 1900xsummat. __________________ "I came here to drink milk and kick ass. And I've just finished my milk!" Moss, the IT Crowd.

03-Apr-2009, 13:01	#3
GroovYF Octave Doctor Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Halifax Posts: 20,187	mini-itx.com is a good place to start for creating a low-power unit. Run the unit alongside with one of these PicoPSU and adapter combinations. __________________ "Keep smiling, life is so short and tears are valuable water resources which we need to hang on to" - S I swear, I died inside that night... I contemplated an awful thing, I hate to admit the muse - blog ::: photoblog

03-Apr-2009, 13:32	#4
[n00b]Zippy Banned Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Great Rollright Posts: 9,393	In English please, Groovy __________________ ["hip","hip"] (hip hip array!)

03-Apr-2009, 13:36	#5
GroovYF Octave Doctor Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Halifax Posts: 20,187	Oof, forgot to link! One of the best ways to get your system using as least power as possible, is to build your own box, using a mini-itx motherboard, a small case to fit the motherboard and one of these PicoPSU 12V DC-DC power supplies and a universal AC power brick (both of these on this page: http://www.mini-itx.com/store/?c=10#univ) I think that the site above also does packages with all the bits you need. I have a dual-core Atom mini-ITX motherboard, in a Cubit case, 500GB Western Digital "Green Drive" (only uses 5W or so), 1GB RAM and one of those PicoPSU's and external power brick. Sucks about 25-30 watts only. __________________ "Keep smiling, life is so short and tears are valuable water resources which we need to hang on to" - S I swear, I died inside that night... I contemplated an awful thing, I hate to admit the muse - blog ::: photoblog

03-Apr-2009, 13:45	#6
Bilb Mad Skillz Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Scrobbesbyrig Posts: 8,455	Networking ... Devolo HomePlug AV ... saves wires and will do about 100Mbps

03-Apr-2009, 14:45	#7
Inertiaman Join Date: Oct 2003 Posts: 26,284	Wireless is just pony. Another vote for homeplugs, or preferably gig-ethernet and a decent switch if you can run the wires. leaves you potential for breaking out to additional fast storage.

03-Apr-2009, 14:47	#8
Inertiaman Join Date: Oct 2003 Posts: 26,284	also, having experienced vista as a media center for a few months - I really wonder if pc is the way to go or if there aren't better dedicated solutions...haven't looked hard into it though.

03-Apr-2009, 15:00	#10
Inertiaman Join Date: Oct 2003 Posts: 26,284	I ended up running xmbc on the vista machine rather than wmc but vistas god damn ambiguous share browsing and endless reindexing caused much frustration in the form of hangs and slowdown.

03-Apr-2009, 15:10	#11
[n00b]Zippy Banned Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Great Rollright Posts: 9,393	Jings and crivvens __________________ ["hip","hip"] (hip hip array!)

03-Apr-2009, 15:15	#12
GroovYF Octave Doctor Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Halifax Posts: 20,187	Audio streaming wirelessly for me is SqueezeCenter on my server and a couple of Squeeze Boxes __________________ "Keep smiling, life is so short and tears are valuable water resources which we need to hang on to" - S I swear, I died inside that night... I contemplated an awful thing, I hate to admit the muse - blog ::: photoblog

03-Apr-2009, 15:19	#13
Heartwork Hamish McJewstein Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: guadalajara Posts: 26,744	airport express works very nicely for "wireless" speakers indeed, but when I set up my gf's one (she's using it as a network access point too) we had a hell of a time getting it to work at first. it's been stable since though. __________________ Current Song of Win: Rammstein - Roter Sand

03-Apr-2009, 15:22	#14
Inertiaman Join Date: Oct 2003 Posts: 26,284	Just as an aside if anyone has to tune a few wireless connections and has a windows mobile, Wififofum is fantastic for scouting out the landscape. Really sorted a couple of networks out by picking a better channel and resiting their router etc.

03-Apr-2009, 15:25	#16
GroovYF Octave Doctor Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Halifax Posts: 20,187	Good call. Seen and heard one of those here at work (friend bought one). Cracking bit of kit - you won't be disappointed. Solid bit of kit, heavier than you think for it's size __________________ "Keep smiling, life is so short and tears are valuable water resources which we need to hang on to" - S I swear, I died inside that night... I contemplated an awful thing, I hate to admit the muse - blog ::: photoblog

03-Apr-2009, 16:36	#17
burundi WARNING: May contain nuts Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Prestonia Posts: 7,852	I thought about getting dedicated kit but the different and emerging file formats available and sometime corruption that happens I felt a PC was a better option, of course most of my media played this way is acquired, If I have something on DVD I'll leave it on DVD. __________________ "I came here to drink milk and kick ass. And I've just finished my milk!" Moss, the IT Crowd.

06-Apr-2009, 16:41	#18
[n00b]Zippy Banned Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Great Rollright Posts: 9,393	Boom arrived today - very impressed with it just running it on a few test mp3 off the work wireless network. Great sounds, very easy to use. Hoping it can cope with streaming the structure of my large music collection! __________________ ["hip","hip"] (hip hip array!)

06-Apr-2009, 17:24	#19
GroovYF Octave Doctor Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Halifax Posts: 20,187	My Squeezeboxes manage just fine with 77GB, 16,000+ mp3s Doubt you'll have any issues with the Boom __________________ "Keep smiling, life is so short and tears are valuable water resources which we need to hang on to" - S I swear, I died inside that night... I contemplated an awful thing, I hate to admit the muse - blog ::: photoblog

06-Apr-2009, 17:46	#22
Nomad i fear no midget Join Date: Feb 2007 Posts: 4,187	but have you got as much girls aloud? the classic folder within folder connundrum, depends how you've structured it i suppose, genre, artist, album... what more do you need? having a fk load of music is always nice but what these people who slate hoarders don't understand, modern connections mean you can download a song in no time at all now, it's sticking it in the right place and making sure the info is correct and you have the relevant artwork that takes the time. or so i've been told

06-Apr-2009, 17:54	#23
WoRsTy There's a sale at Penneys Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: yo mama's house Posts: 2,092	I use xp running TVersity a damn fine piece of software. http://tversity.com/ __________________ It took me thirty seven years to discover that I had no talent for Gaming, but I couldn't give it up because by that time I was too famous.

08-Apr-2009, 08:49	#25
GroovYF Octave Doctor Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Halifax Posts: 20,187	That looks just the right deal for you. I'll point out it doesn't come with a cd/dvd drive though. You'll need to buy one of the ones listed at the bottom of that page, (probably not the Panasonic though as it's lacking in writing capabilities compared to the others.) __________________ "Keep smiling, life is so short and tears are valuable water resources which we need to hang on to" - S I swear, I died inside that night... I contemplated an awful thing, I hate to admit the muse - blog ::: photoblog

08-Apr-2009, 14:04	#26
DizMatt PostPrandial Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Newcastle Posts: 6,956	for generalised stuff XP on low power is great, homeplug...another vote for that it's fine in my house for streaming media. If you want a quiet lounge...do you have a PS3?? or you can use a dedicated media box, about 80 quid for one I saw, so that you have something less invasive in the house I quite liked the KISS DVD players a few years ago. fully networkable. although they were hit and miss for some people. I mean this home system how much do you want to spend or not spend on it. what do you already have and how complicated do you want it to be? __________________ Photo Portfolio Bits 'n Pieces : General Random Gallery : All new photoblog : My Flickr ........................I read it on Wikipedia...so it must be true!........................

08-Apr-2009, 15:22	#27
[n00b]Zippy Banned Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Great Rollright Posts: 9,393	Haven't got any consoles and I'm pretty much starting from scratch - not too bothered about spending huge amounts of cash - just fancied a snazzy system! __________________ ["hip","hip"] (hip hip array!)

09-Apr-2009, 15:20	#29
GroovYF Octave Doctor Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Halifax Posts: 20,187	Good service indeed You've now got the long Easter weekend to fiddle with it! __________________ "Keep smiling, life is so short and tears are valuable water resources which we need to hang on to" - S I swear, I died inside that night... I contemplated an awful thing, I hate to admit the muse - blog ::: photoblog

09-Apr-2009, 15:49	#30
TheBuZZard This custom title is too l Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Rotherham Posts: 11,353	I use vista on my PC then stream to my PS3 through media sharing over Lan over mains plugs, works great. PS3 has a few obvious advantages over other PC style media players and is good value.