Help needed with setting up media server clients.

techguy

Hi There,

So in our new house we plan on having a media server. This will store movies/tv shows/music etc. It should also be able to receive FTA Satellite and Analogue TV (RTE,TV3) via Tuner card. Also if a dvd/bluray needs to be watched then it is inserted into the media server.

I then want to be able to serve all this content to the tvs around the house. The tvs will access all this through a media extender (upnp) set top box.

First of is there software available that can do ALL of the above in one package. Also, are there decent set top boxes than can receive all this (and possibly the likes of Boxee etc)

Can I have to media streamers (software) running in tandem on the server and have the set top box choose what to receive (or receive both together)?

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Next query:

My dad wants the client tvs in the viewing rooms to be free from these media extenders? I'm thinking the only way to do this is to keep the media extenders in the server room and run the infrared and video to the viewing room over CAT6. This can be pricey.

Also, could the likes of a logitech harmony remote aleviate the issue of infrafred over CAT6?

I know I have asked a lot there but I would really appreciate the advice..

I promise to start a build log with pics once any meaningful progress is made.

Cheers,
Techguy..

subway

my experience is with windows so bear that in mind when taking my advice. (there are plenty of other solutions out there)

simple enough solution would be a windows 7 pc acting as the server with xbox 360 extenders as the clients. at a minimum, i would suggest 1 tuner in the server for each xbox to ensure there is always something to watch. this will allow you to share music, tv, recorded tv, video etc, etc in an easy to set up manner.

in terms of hiding them you would either need to get creative or pay up as running the video could be expensive as you point out. on the other hand, reasonable lengths of HDMI can be picked up, assuming its not huge distances.


the harmony rf extender can help you hide the components or use them in a seprate room. i have yet to be convinced on the reliabilty of ir blasters etc.
after years of use i still find them to be a pain
http://www.logitech.com/index.cfm/remotes/universal_remotes/devices/378&cl=us,en

if you want to get more complex, you might be talking about pc systems acting as the extenders. in a windows context you could use something along the lines of the acer r3610 as the client (mount it on the back of the tv) and use dvblink tvsource as a server for your tv. slightly more complex, but allows more flexibity.

my advice is that you should convince your dad to have hidden clients in each room - rather than running tons of cable you will then just need ethernet. there are plenty of ways to make this work.

if you need some inspiration to convince him, this is a quick pic of my setup. (keep in mind, im in a rented house so am limited to what i can get done)

connected to my 50" plasma and surrond sound (in picutre) i have
PS3
Wii
windows 7 media centre PC (dual core, 3 gigs of ram, 6 tuners, 1.2tb of space)
then cat 5 connected to 30 meg ntl and my server upstairs with 3tb of space for movies and mp3s