hello all. I have one machine ive been using for years to do everything. it holds 13 drives I use it for media editing, burning, libraries, all comps in house connect to it for media sharing, etc.. i'm looking into building a all in one HTPC, and server and need some help, tips. ive exhausted google and forums on ading and really confussed on all th eoptions out there, and am looking for some advice on the best route to go for price and expandablity in the future.

My goal... to have a server computer - NAS that has ability to hold unlimited amount of drives all teras and the ability to add more. Tips on reasonable priced storages? server software? ability to access this NAS or server software with cellphone to have music files streamed to cell phone device or other computers away from home?

i use jriver media center now for all my media... music, pics, vids. is this a good all in one solution for theater room? or can others suggest something better?

After googling for weeks, What is the cheapest\best route to go for a HTPC... the ability to hook up to old hdtv (Mitsu Diamond)that i swear still has a better picture then many lcd's plasmas out there now, that only has vga \ component connections, but the ability in future to have hdmi if when i upgrade. Ability to hook up to my reciever, and all other components for capturing vcr, dvd, satellite etc... i use pyro capture now for my capturing device which runs into recievers source out into it then firewire into lappy then i transfer from lappy to Custom machine i described earlier for editing tagging etc...

1. why do most these htpc cases i see offer 4 - 6 - 7 hdd bays in them? do most people not connect wirelessly to there servers? what is the best way to connect to all your media? best software for all Computers in home to connect to this NAS once its setup. whether its mac linux windows or smartphones.

2. lcd display on HTPC cases- some offer EQ's, some weather, etc.. are these lcd options only for certain cases Fromthere software they provide? or can one use software to chose what will be on these lcd diplays?

3. what is the best server interface in your guys opinions? also for backing up multiple machines? windows home server? what if there are macs in the home?

4. with new cell phone technology... Smartphones\ nokia have ability to control pc's and HTPC applications.. best software to use for that in theater room? or wirelesslysay your outside have bonfire and want to use your smartphone device to change tracks or playlists.. would this be run from the server? or HTPC? also Zones... if outside havingbonfirepool party or say garage.. these zons would they be controlledon server end? would one just have jriver installed in all locations to change volume for those zones or have volume off for other zones.. sons room inside house sound would be off not to disturb him but outside it woudl be on. Would one maybe look int a ( If Available) a Software based zone all in one server\ media solution?

5. on HTPC are u all using microsoft type Os's? is your HTPC program always open? meaning my Jriver would just always be maximized? and there for people wouldnt see the OS interface?

6. what about transfering from the HTPC... is there a proggy that automatically would move it to the work machines\SERVER to be able to tag properlly then store where it needs to be stored for good?

Thanks fo your patience in this topic and help anyone can give on there setups. Ive finally out done myself and everything i have described i've pretty much accomplished via one pc running multiple sound cards and wires running from computer room to theater and y connectors for speaks outside and a pc outside in garage just to get sound\ see my music, vids in garage. And im really looking for a solution for expandabity and for ease of use for storing, backing up, and sharing media throughout the home, garage and when on the road.

Thank you.

Wrong forum. Try any of the HTPC forums.