[Coffeo]

Hi -


I currently have an Apple TV served by an HP EX485 Media Smart Server (a WHS). While we use it for a variety of applications, my most important need is viewing of a large library of photos stored (and backed up) on the MSS. Most of the photos are stored as raw (.NEF) files with sidecar adjustments. More than half of the RAW files have been duplicated as JPG's to allow viewing on the ATV. I run ITUNES on the MSS (a workaround) and stream to the ATV. (I do not use the Twonkey media server supplied by HP).


When it works, this setup is great. However, it requires conversion of all new files to JPG and logging into MSS ITunes to make sure that each new photo folder is captured. And, ITunes needs checking on the server from time to time to make sure it's still running.


My goal is to store my photo collection (and new photos) on the MSS, preferably in RAW format, and to have a media server that grabs them automatically from a shared folder on the WHS/MSS and allows non-techy family members to view photos via the media server.


With apologies if I missed an obvious solution after searching this forum, I can't seem to find a media server solution that combines simplicity, network share access and ideally RAW files.


Thanks for any suggestions.


Ken

 

[Coffeo]

Sorry. Probably made this too complicated -- particularly regarding RAW files.


Keeping things simpler: Which media player will best pull JPG's stored on a Windows Home Server Shared Folder and allow a non-techy to scan and view?


The Photo files on the Shared Network Folder are organized into numerous subfolders with dates and occasionally titles.


Thanks.

 

[In2Photos]

This will be tough! Viewing RAW files over a network will require the client machine to render the image. I am assuming you have XMP files as your sidecar files (using Adobe Photoshop?). If this is the case then you need to use a software program that is capable of reading the sidecar files or you will only be able to render the original "as shot" image. So what are you using to edit your RAW files?


Now, there are browsers like Fast Stone that can read and display the RAW files, but not with adjustments. You could also use something like Adobe Bridge if you are creating XMP as your sidecar files. Alternatively you could use something like Lightroom, but you will have to create a catalog based on the files on the server and import any new ones as well.


What I typically do is just use JPEGs. And only the good ones!

If I allowed everyone to browse all my files they would be there for days! So I export the good ones to JPEG.