Currently I see my future needs as requiring 4 new computers. I currently have three laptops that we use for surfing and a little bit of working. But I now need to have the ability to edit video. I also now need to have the ability to have a TiVo / DVR function which I would like to do with a computer. Also I need to store 14-18 TB of video in a server or some kind of network accessed storage. My forth need is to have a server to run windows home server to back up each of my three laptops and any other computer that I have. I see that as being 4 computers, 1 for video editing, 1 HTPC, 1 massive server maybe unraid? and one server for Windows Home Server. My question is this, can I instead put all of my needs into two computers, one killer fast video machine that can crunch video like it is no big deal and also act as my TiVo / DVR, and the other machine to be a huge Windows Home Server?
First let us talk about the fast video machine: I would like it to be able to do the following things: 1. Edit video with out getting bogged down, 2. Be able to have four DVD drives, one or two for input data and two or three for burning DVD's it would also be nice if I could use all 4 drives at the same time to copy video files to the huge Windows Home Server. 3. Be able to play a few cool new computer games. 4. Record live TV that is coming from a killer antenna and either store it locally or store it on the huge Windows Home Server, so I am looking for a TiVo DVR function. 4.5 I need to be able to control this DVR function with a RF controller as I will be watching TV in another room, through a wall about 15 feet or so from where this computer will sit. 5. It would need to be able to send video/audio via HDMI to my current Home Theater receiver. 6. I would like to have a dual monitor setup with one of the monitors having the ability to watch TV that has gone from the fast video machine to the home theater receiver and back. If I ran it strait from the fast video machine I think I would have audio delay issues due to the receiver processing time. The home theater speakers would be able to be heard from the video station see below for more on my current setup.
Second let us talk about the huge Windows Home Server: I would like it to be able to be the hub of all my computers and store info for them and back them all up. 1. I have 14-18 TB of video I need to store and send to the fast video machine, or PS3. This 14-18TB of video does not really need to be incredibly safe, meaning if I lose it due to drive failure, no big deal because I have all of the data stored else ware 2. I would like it to have space that would be accessible to any computer in the network where they could store media such as music, pictures or even word files that would be backed up incase of drive failure. This would not need to be very big maybe ½ TB or maybe 1TB? 3. I would like the fast video machine or the PS3 to play videos off of this server. 4. I would like this server to automatically each night back up each of the computers on the network. They are all laptops and have very small hard drives.
Since I right now do not have a network I am trying to figure that out too, but I need to be able to have any of the laptops or the fast video machine be able to print off of the Laser Printer, it is a Lexmark E240n, the n stands for network meaning that it has a cat5 input on the back but I have never used it. The network would be hard wired and unfortunately since I live in the middle to no where the whole network would only be connected to the internet via an AT&T air card that now is plugged into a Linksys wireless G router.
Currently I have my house set up so that I have my office which is an unused bedroom (where the fast video machine and one of the laptops will go) next to my living room. On the wall between the living room and the office there is a bedroom closet, I have put a full size Shark Rack server rack in that wall so the front of it opens up into the living room and the back of it opens up into the office. I have it well vented with 1U shelf fans etc. My point of telling you all of this is to say that the server could be put in server rack facing the office and my desk which would have my video editing station would only be about 10 feet away or even less if needed. See above for my dual screen idea for the video editing station.
My current plan is to start with the fast video machine and as soon as I get it up and running and have the money start working on the huge windows server.
My questions are how can I make the above happen? Unfortunately like everyone now days my means are not unlimited. I am the kind of person who likes the new stuff but buys something a few months after it comes out so I do not pay the premium. I do believe that quality things do save money in the long run. I am currently typing on a laptop that was a quality machine for its time. I got it now 5 years ago! and I have had zero problems with it except for the screen and that was only in the last few months. I got my wife a computer for Christmas a few years ago off ebay for cheep and it has been nothing but trouble, but she doesn't use it for anything but facebook and email so we are ok. I just ordered two books on computers and building computers off of Amazon and I have not yet received them. I would like to build these machines myself to save money and learn about how to do it myself. Can you help me? I am specifically looking for a build list for the fast video machine, a suggestion on what hardware and software I will need to make the TiVo / DVR thing work. I want to know if you know of a RF remote that runs a HTPC. I am also wondering if you could tell me what I would need as far as speed ram etc I would need for what I am trying to do with the fast video machine.
this is the wall between my living room (Theater) and my office. You will see the projector and the Shark Rack server rack. Also note the door into the office.
This is the front of the server rack with the door closed.
This is the front of the server rack with the door open. Note the receiver on top of a fan rack shelf with the PS3 right below it. Below that is a HDTV receiver for over the air TV. That is siting on a battery back up and then I have a switcher below that. Take my advise never try to start a rack in silver!
This is the office side of the server rack. I have plenty of room in it and I have lots of empty shelves. It is about twice as deep as I really need it to be for what I have in it.
this is my office where the fast video machine will go
First let us talk about the fast video machine: I would like it to be able to do the following things: 1. Edit video with out getting bogged down, 2. Be able to have four DVD drives, one or two for input data and two or three for burning DVD's it would also be nice if I could use all 4 drives at the same time to copy video files to the huge Windows Home Server. 3. Be able to play a few cool new computer games. 4. Record live TV that is coming from a killer antenna and either store it locally or store it on the huge Windows Home Server, so I am looking for a TiVo DVR function. 4.5 I need to be able to control this DVR function with a RF controller as I will be watching TV in another room, through a wall about 15 feet or so from where this computer will sit. 5. It would need to be able to send video/audio via HDMI to my current Home Theater receiver. 6. I would like to have a dual monitor setup with one of the monitors having the ability to watch TV that has gone from the fast video machine to the home theater receiver and back. If I ran it strait from the fast video machine I think I would have audio delay issues due to the receiver processing time. The home theater speakers would be able to be heard from the video station see below for more on my current setup.
Second let us talk about the huge Windows Home Server: I would like it to be able to be the hub of all my computers and store info for them and back them all up. 1. I have 14-18 TB of video I need to store and send to the fast video machine, or PS3. This 14-18TB of video does not really need to be incredibly safe, meaning if I lose it due to drive failure, no big deal because I have all of the data stored else ware 2. I would like it to have space that would be accessible to any computer in the network where they could store media such as music, pictures or even word files that would be backed up incase of drive failure. This would not need to be very big maybe ½ TB or maybe 1TB? 3. I would like the fast video machine or the PS3 to play videos off of this server. 4. I would like this server to automatically each night back up each of the computers on the network. They are all laptops and have very small hard drives.
Since I right now do not have a network I am trying to figure that out too, but I need to be able to have any of the laptops or the fast video machine be able to print off of the Laser Printer, it is a Lexmark E240n, the n stands for network meaning that it has a cat5 input on the back but I have never used it. The network would be hard wired and unfortunately since I live in the middle to no where the whole network would only be connected to the internet via an AT&T air card that now is plugged into a Linksys wireless G router.
Currently I have my house set up so that I have my office which is an unused bedroom (where the fast video machine and one of the laptops will go) next to my living room. On the wall between the living room and the office there is a bedroom closet, I have put a full size Shark Rack server rack in that wall so the front of it opens up into the living room and the back of it opens up into the office. I have it well vented with 1U shelf fans etc. My point of telling you all of this is to say that the server could be put in server rack facing the office and my desk which would have my video editing station would only be about 10 feet away or even less if needed. See above for my dual screen idea for the video editing station.
My current plan is to start with the fast video machine and as soon as I get it up and running and have the money start working on the huge windows server.
My questions are how can I make the above happen? Unfortunately like everyone now days my means are not unlimited. I am the kind of person who likes the new stuff but buys something a few months after it comes out so I do not pay the premium. I do believe that quality things do save money in the long run. I am currently typing on a laptop that was a quality machine for its time. I got it now 5 years ago! and I have had zero problems with it except for the screen and that was only in the last few months. I got my wife a computer for Christmas a few years ago off ebay for cheep and it has been nothing but trouble, but she doesn't use it for anything but facebook and email so we are ok. I just ordered two books on computers and building computers off of Amazon and I have not yet received them. I would like to build these machines myself to save money and learn about how to do it myself. Can you help me? I am specifically looking for a build list for the fast video machine, a suggestion on what hardware and software I will need to make the TiVo / DVR thing work. I want to know if you know of a RF remote that runs a HTPC. I am also wondering if you could tell me what I would need as far as speed ram etc I would need for what I am trying to do with the fast video machine.
this is the wall between my living room (Theater) and my office. You will see the projector and the Shark Rack server rack. Also note the door into the office.
This is the front of the server rack with the door closed.
This is the front of the server rack with the door open. Note the receiver on top of a fan rack shelf with the PS3 right below it. Below that is a HDTV receiver for over the air TV. That is siting on a battery back up and then I have a switcher below that. Take my advise never try to start a rack in silver!
This is the office side of the server rack. I have plenty of room in it and I have lots of empty shelves. It is about twice as deep as I really need it to be for what I have in it.
this is my office where the fast video machine will go
