DVD Server

Pataman

Hi Guys,
I want to build a dvd server. It will be connected to 4 tv's(bedroom, kitchen, sitting room and projector). It will only be used to watch films which I will have archived onto it. I have NTL digital boxes at each of the locations so I dont need ordinary channels. Any of the 4 tv's must have access at all times.

Am I right in saying I will need a HTPC with 2x dual output video cards, with media centre or something similar. It needs be transmitted to the tv's on cat5. How does the remote control work, or does it? I know maplins etc do video over cat5 connections, are these any good?

Thanks
Pat

SouperComputer

Do you have a budget in mind? Its going to be much more complicated that just getting 2x dual out graphics cards im afraid, media center isnt going to do anything for you if you plan running individual video signals to each TV.

It would be best to have "client" boxes at each of the TV's and use a network. Sending a video and audio signal from a PC is going to be more expensive, more difficult to setup and less flexible. there's a myriad of options, all depends on budget. Basically you would start off with a simple file server, anything circa P3 would be fine (unless you plan doing the ripping on it!).

Others might have reccomendations on what media client hardware plays DVD's best incl menu features, assuming thats what you have in mind?

So basically:

File Server
Network Switch
CAT5/CAT6 network
Media clients at each TV.

Popcorn hour is one example of a media client you could use, again, not 100% sure how it handles DVD images and menus: http://www.popcornhour.com/onlinestore/index.php?pluginoption=catalog&task=info&item_id=5&main_id=0&category_id=

p15574

SouperComputer wrote: »

Do you have a budget in mind? Its going to be much more complicated that just getting 2x dual out graphics cards im afraid, media center isnt going to do anything for you if you plan running individual video signals to each TV.

It would be best to have "client" boxes at each of the TV's and use a network. Sending a video and audio signal from a PC is going to be more expensive, more difficult to setup and less flexible. there's a myriad of options, all depends on budget. Basically you would start off with a simple file server, anything circa P3 would be fine (unless you plan doing the ripping on it!).

Others might have reccomendations on what media client hardware plays DVD's best incl menu features, assuming thats what you have in mind?

So basically:

File Server
Network Switch
CAT5/CAT6 network
Media clients at each TV.

Popcorn hour is one example of a media client you could use, again, not 100% sure how it handles DVD images and menus: http://www.popcornhour.com/onlinestore/index.php?pluginoption=catalog&task=info&item_id=5&main_id=0&category_id=

I agree - a computer isn't even required, just a file server like a NAS and client boxes (which have their own local remote controls). For starters, though, a computer is the thing, but no video cards required, just the ability to serve files to the client boxes. The cat5 will distribute data, not an actual video signal.

There are two main options, or you could have a combination:
1) Streamers like the PopcornHour - just needs a file server and/or internet connection and/or integrated hard drive
2) Windows Media Centre extenders - needs Media Center (XP or Vista) on the computer, and an extender client like an XBox 360 or Linksys DMA2100 (see here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Media_Center_Extender)

Remember that if you're streaming HD content you'll especially need to ensure your file server can handle simultaneous streams to multiple boxes. Try to ensure all components support gigabit LAN, or at least between the computer and it's data source (if it's not stored on the actual computer itself).

Obviously, your NTL digital boxes also need their coax feed, which is totally separate to the above stuff.

Steve.

Pataman

Thanks for the replies.
I have a network in the house, so i can piggy back into that. The media extenders seem to be the way to go. Lidl have a file server 500GB, so that will do for starters. I can use any computer on the network to copy them onto the file server. I will just have to suss out the software. I will have a look at popcorn tonight.
Thanks
Pat

p15574

Pataman wrote: »

Lidl have a file server 500GB, so that will do for starters. I can use any computer on the network to copy them onto the file server.

Are you sure that's a "file server" rather than just an "external hard drive"? A file server - AKA "NAS", or Network Attached Storage - will have an ethernet port, a chip and embedded server software and can operate without a computer being turned on. With an external drive, the computer it's connected to needs to be turned on to be able to access the data on the external drive via the computer.

You might also want to plan on a large amount of storage - 500Gb will get eaten up pretty quickly if you are archiving DVDs in dvd format. By the way, note that the PopcornHour doubles as a NAS if you install a hard drive, so if you have this in one room it could double as the client for itself, and the file server for all rooms.

I have a similar need for a central storage unit, but I haven't made up my mind on exactly what to use yet. The double-purpose of the PopcornHour is attractive though. All of these client units are rapidly evolving. The latest PopcornHour is, I think, 110, and Ibood were selling the '100 cheaply yesterday, though the extra features of the newer model weren't too critical.

Steve.

Pataman

The drive is lidl is a nas with an eternet port, good point about the size might go for a 1TB. Am I right in saying if i get the Linksys DMA2100 at each tv, a router(which I have) and some software, thats all I need?

p15574

More or less, yes.

But...I think the Linksys DMA2100 is aimed at use in conjunction with a Media Centre pc, and would also be priced as such - if you're just using a NAS I think you'd be better off getting something aimed purely for that use. The Linksys's tv and pvr functionality would also require you going back to the idea of tuners in the pc, which I think would be overkill and/or might cause confusion between the 4 different users, if it would even allow multiple channels simultaneously at all.

Check out http://www.mpcclub.com/ - especially their "top 10" lists and reviews - to see what streamers are popular at the moment.

Steve.

5h4mr0(k

Pataman wrote: »

The drive is lidl is a nas with an eternet port, good point about the size might go for a 1TB. Am I right in saying if i get the Linksys DMA2100 at each tv, a router(which I have) and some software, thats all I need?

It's not a NAS - it's NDAS - big difference. It won't do what you want.

Pataman

5h4mr0(k wrote: »

It's not a NAS - it's NDAS - big difference. It won't do what you want.

Right, i had better look on komplett instead, thanks.

MediaTank

You need a very good (read high quality) NAS if you want to do multiple streams at once. Check out www.mpcclub.com for NAS reviews and reviews of the various NMT players such as the Popcorn Hour and IStar. Since none of these players support 1GB Ethernet you only need 100Mb from the NAS. I have a 2TB NAS system with about 400 (DVD) movies on it connected to an IStar HD player. It works very well.

SouperComputer

mediatank wrote:

You need a very good (read high quality) NAS if you want to do multiple streams at once.

Admittedly I havnt worked with a plethora of consumer NAS devices, but a PII PC with 128MB RAM could supply 4-5 clients with DVD streams without breaking a sweat, I suspect "most" NAS's would be fine.

MediaTank wrote: »

Since none of these players support 1GB Ethernet you only need 100Mb from the NAS.

Are you running many clients simultanesouly on your LAN?

Generally, its good networking practice to have your "server" bandwidth above that of your individual clients. Common issue is that if you are streaming to one client, and another computer on the network is copying a file to (or dragging from) the server, chances are the computer will leech the available bandwidth and cause drop-outs of the clients as it maxes out the server's connection. Unless you plan implementing some serious QOS of course.

Rule of thumb....1Gb on the server, 100Mb on each of the clients, then the odds of one client grinding your network to a halt is reduced. Of course you need at least 1x1Gb port on your switch too

This is especially critical if you are streaming DVD's that are not recompressed. In reality, over a typical SMB/CIFS fileshare 40Mb is about the amount of useful data that you request is actully transferred. Unmolested DVD runs from 4Mb/s to 9Mb/so you can see where Im going with this.