How can I set this up, what is required. I have WHS on a network and an older receiver I could use, but what do I need to feed the receiver?

Thanks for any Ideas

Bob Howell

I have my WHS box in a closet next to a really old receiver that powers a bunch of in ceiling speakers in different rooms of the house. I connect the WHS sound card to the receiver. To control it, I remote desktop to the server from my laptop or any of the computers in the house. It's not multi-zone, but it does what I need and it didn't really cost me anything, since I had all of the stuff already.

I have my WHS box in a closet next to a really old receiver that powers a bunch of in ceiling speakers in different rooms of the house. I connect the WHS sound card to the receiver. To control it, I remote desktop to the server from my laptop or any of the computers in the house. It's not multi-zone, but it does what I need and it didn't really cost me anything, since I had all of the stuff already.

I have been considering that, but I did read that the more aps you run on the WHS the more chance you run of messing it up. Security is everything, as it warned somewhere. But I don't know just what could happen other than a hangup every so often. It would really be nice. I guess there is no other way.

Thanks

Bob

What's WHS? Windows Home Server?

Yes, WHS is Windows Home Server.

Media player and remote desktop connection are already built in to WHS. If you log in directly to the server, you'll see that they're buried in the start menu. So no need to install anything additional.

My machine is running a mATX board w/integrated soundcard, a pentium mobile processor and 1 GB of ram. Running an instance of media player won't even make it break a sweat.

I regularly use my server to stream internet or satelite radio through the house. I also run a bit*orrent client on it, and run Orb on it to stream media to my phone. It has no problem running backups or streaming movies to my media center while all of this is going on. I've been using it for about 2 years now and it's been rock solid.

Yes, WHS is Windows Home Server.

Media player and remote desktop connection are already built in to WHS. If you log in directly to the server, you'll see that they're buried in the start menu. So no need to install anything additional.

My machine is running a mATX board w/integrated soundcard, a pentium mobile processor and 1 GB of ram. Running an instance of media player won't even make it break a sweat.

I regularly use my server to stream internet or satelite radio through the house. I also run a bit*orrent client on it, and run Orb on it to stream media to my phone. It has no problem running backups or streaming movies to my media center while all of this is going on. I've been using it for about 2 years now and it's been rock solid.

I can log on remotely from Vista sys but not XP Home sys. I don't know it you are using another method or not. Sounds like you are logging on at the sys to remote desktop connection. Does this give better functions?

I have started WMP on WHS by logging on from a Vista sys. I would love to control it from my laptop runnung XP Home.

Thanks

Bob

I can remote desktop in from both my vista pc and my XP tablet pc. Are you not able to get the XP machine to connect to the server at all, or does it just not let you log in?

Also, I had to add a command line to both computers in order for the sound to remain at the server and not output locally. I'll look and see what it is, but it doesn't affect the ability to make the connection.

My setup is an apple airport express connected to the receiver, whichis downstairs and a PC/ server with itunes running in the background somewhere else in the house. I then connect to my home network on my iPhone, open the remote app, and I have full access to my library on the computer with itunes, and I can choose a song, and it starts streaming to the airport express, comes out the receiver. It's really handy, I can change the song no matter where I am in the house, as my phone is usually in my pocket. If you dont have a iPhone or and iPod touch, you can just use remote desktop to control itunes. Or you can turn on itunes library sharing on the server, which would allow you to play music from any computer from that library through itunes, and in turn, to your stereo.


Ps. I'm a windows guy, but the airport express is by far one of the best routers I've used range wise. Plus the itunes streaming is just awesome. but yea the point of this editt was to say the airport works with windows Pc's.. incase you didnt know, but you probably do. Whatever, IMO it's a great router and great for streaming music

I use HTTP and file sharing to distribute my media, rather than the Windows Media Sharing or iTunes Media Library. I have various devices: A HTPC, a laptop, a SqueezeBox, an Xbox etc that all feed off the same music folder.

I'd suggest a SqueezeBox from general good experience -- although they are now owned by Logitech, so it's likely to go downhill from here. You may have to install the SqueezeCenter software on your server and point it at your music folders.

Interesting ideas -- I never thought of Remote Desktop. I think I was approaching this stuff as a HT guy, not as a PC guy.

In my current setup, I've located a small pc in my family room, next to my HT gear. I know and have been told that there are multiple ways for me to stream and locate a PC anywhere, but I didn't have the machine or location I wanted and decided, short-term to just locate the box for my mp3s and pictures in the FR. I do have a monitor off to the side, but don't like the setup. If I can remote desktop from my XP laptop, I could start music from anywhere. Perhaps, with my future receiver's web page, I could change the source, zones, and pop up a playlist from anywhere in the house -- intriguing. That really gives a way to treat this pc more like a server and put it anywhere and not worry about having a dedicated display, etc.


Thanks!

bashtonsj

I can remote desktop in from both my vista pc and my XP tablet pc. Are you not able to get the XP machine to connect to the server at all, or does it just not let you log in?

Also, I had to add a command line to both computers in order for the sound to remain at the server and not output locally. I'll look and see what it is, but it doesn't affect the ability to make the connection.

I have been busy making speakers for my daughters' Christmas presents and have not had time for this issue, but I want to work on this soon.

I can connect to WHS with XP, but not run programs on it. I don't know all the terms, but on my Vista HTPC I can log on and control the WHS, running programs. Sounds like this would be a good setup. I would need to keep the sound at WHS system though.


I see other ideas proposed in this thread that I must work to comprehend soon!! I don't follow just what it is that iTunes can do. Also, I don't have an iPhone, but I've got remotes all over the place. And distributing music with HTTP?? What would that look like??

Also, how am I going to connect an older receiver to an Airport router??

The SquizeBox I saw was $299. Also, a NETWORK RECEIVER is available for $400. I'm not ready to start throwing money at this issue yet. Each piece of hardware must go somewhere and my house is FULL!! Hence my interest in running everything from an existing laptop with XP, while the hardware is housed in the basement.


Thanks for all the ideas and bear with me as I struggle to comprehend.

Bob Howell

I can connect to WHS with XP, but not run programs on it.

It sounds like maybe you're connecting to the WHS console. Are you connecting by clicking on the icon in the taskbar? You won't be able to do much like this.

If you use Remote Desktop Connection, you should have full control over your WHS box, and be able to run anything you want. Try clicking Start, then Run. Type in "mstsc /v: <WHS>".
<WHS> will be whatever name you gave to your server.

I have been busy making speakers for my daughters' Christmas presents and have not had time for this issue, but I want to work on this soon.

I can connect to WHS with XP, but not run programs on it. I don't know all the terms, but on my Vista HTPC I can log on and control the WHS, running programs. Sounds like this would be a good setup. I would need to keep the sound at WHS system though.


I see other ideas proposed in this thread that I must work to comprehend soon!! I don't follow just what it is that iTunes can do. Also, I don't have an iPhone, but I've got remotes all over the place. And distributing music with HTTP?? What would that look like??

Also, how am I going to connect an older receiver to an Airport router??

The SquizeBox I saw was $299. Also, a NETWORK RECEIVER is available for $400. I'm not ready to start throwing money at this issue yet. Each piece of hardware must go somewhere and my house is FULL!! Hence my interest in running everything from an existing laptop with XP, while the hardware is housed in the basement.


Thanks for all the ideas and bear with me as I struggle to comprehend.

Bob Howell

If you have a Vista HTPC already (I assume connected to the receiver), why not just point Media Center to the music share on your WHS? (Assuming it's Vista Ultimate, not sure if it comes with Home Premium).

In my HT, my PS3 sees the WHS and plays the music right off of it.

I have a receiver in the TV room hooked up to the HTPC, but Now I am trying to setup a second set of speakers in another room. The receiver must have an antilog input for the second, remote, speakers set. I found Vista will not do this, without messing up the surround sound settings for my HT. So, I want to run the second set from my WHS.

The sound controller has the capability but Vista won't cooperate. Your PS3 is what I am missing. I want to get a second set of speakers going with buying that.



Bob

It sounds like maybe you're connecting to the WHS console. Are you connecting by clicking on the icon in the taskbar? You won't be able to do much like this.

If you use Remote Desktop Connection, you should have full control over your WHS box, and be able to run anything you want. Try clicking Start, then Run. Type in "mstsc /v: <WHS>".
<WHS> will be whatever name you gave to your server.

Well, today I tried again, and it worked!! I don't know what I did different but now I can get it to work.

Thanks for the encouragement to try again,

Bob