[jhisey]

Ok, I've been reading these and several other forums for months and just can't decide on what would be best. So, I thought I'd post my requirements and see what comes out of it.


-I want to build a file server to hold my mp3s and DVD images (btw, should I make these .ISO or .VOB?).

-I will be accessing these from a Popcorn Hour box and Windows PCs.

-I will only be turning the machine on when I want to access the files so it won't be doing anything else

-It will be built on an Abit AB9 Pro w/ 2GB RAM

-It will start with 3 1TB SATA II drives

-I want a Software RAID (RAID5? single drive failure recovery is sufficient) that I can expand by adding 1TB drives as I need them.

-I have zero linux knowledge so setup and maintenance has to be easy.


So far I've been looking at the following:

FreeNAS - Not sure on expandable RAID5, or if possible, not easily accomplished?

UnRAID - Not free and don't like the idea that if my USB drive dies, the registration key is non-transferable to a new USB drive.

Linux distro - zero linux knowledge so would require precise step-by-step instructions.

Windows Home Server - Doesn't support expandable RAID.


I guess I'm hoping someone can point me to an idiot proof guide on setting up something that supports EVERYTHING I have listed above. Thanks!

 

[bigbud120]

You'll get more help if you post this in the 'Home Theater Computer' section.

 

[jhisey]

Funny, they told me to come here...

 

[bigbud120]

Heh. It's probably because you plan to use your server with Popcorn Hour.


I'm in the exact same situation as you. I also have a PCH, but it isn't as high a priority for me, so I didn't mention it in my thread. I know I've looked everywhere to see if anyone has found a way to get UnRaid to work with PCH. Still no luck.


I have no Linux experience either, so I'm having trouble finding a good OS for my new server. I really hope someone can guide you in the right direction. I know I need all the advice I can get.

 

[crashnburn_in]

In all honesty shouldnt HTPC & Streamers work hand in hand.

 

[tipstir]

They do..

 

[stickyfingers]

Since you really want to do NOTHING else except hold your files, I'd really recommend a NAS.


I went down this road a year or so ago (and I'm very much inclined to be a DIY guy, having worked in the PC industry for several years during/after college) and settled on a ReadyNAS.


It's been fantastic.

 

[benogil]

Windows Home Server, may be best. Nothing against ReadyNAS.

 

[J. L.]



Quote:
Originally Posted by jhisey /forum/post/14172494


Ok, I've been reading these and several other forums for months and just can't decide on what would be best. So, I thought I'd post my requirements and see what comes out of it.

-It will start with 3 1TB SATA II drives


UnRAID - Not free and don't like the idea that if my USB drive dies, the registration key is non-transferable to a new USB drive.

For three drives, unRAID is free.

Also, check out this post made by the unRAID developer. If your flash drive dies, send him an e-mail, you'll get the replacement key. He has done it even when someone's dog ate the flash drive. The "official" policy is there to prevent abuse. The un-official policy is that you can indeed get a replacement key file if your original flash drive dies.
http://lime-technology.com/forum/ind...13407#msg13407


unRAID is specifically designed for growth as you describe. You can purchase the drives when you see a good sale and add then as your storage needs grow. you can mix drives of any size, or even a mix of SATA and PATA. (parity drive needs to be as big, or bigger than any data drive, and if next year a 1.5TB drive is on sale, there is a procedure to swap the existing parity drive with another so you can use the new 1.5TB drive as parity.)


Joe L.

 

[crashnburn_in]

OP - I am at a similar stage of research for a Media Server

Quote:
Originally Posted by crashnburn_in /forum/post/14174769


In all honesty shouldnt HTPC & Streamers work hand in hand.

I agree. I cant figure out why they have it in Separate Sub Sections.


NASes, Streamers & HTPCs go hand in hand in terms of functionality overlap.


NAS = Storage (Off the shelf or Custom Build)

Streamer = Media Out (Off the shelf or Custom Build) - It could be Xbox XBMC or Mac Mini with XBMC OSX.. Or a new one.

HTPC = Storage + Media Out (Off the shelf or Custom Build)


I'd highly recommend the forums be CLOSER to each other and maybe better organized if the Pop Corn Hours irritate the HTPC guys too much. .


I bet a lot of Motherboard & Video out issues would be common between

 

[rubbersoul662001]

Hello,

Sorry to jump in the middle of this with more questions but I have a Mac PC that I would like to turn into a Media Server for my DVD's. The Mac is on the second floor in my office and can operate wireless. I want to be able to download all of the covers on the PC and the covers would be on my display. (96" diagonal screen) I was told to purchase an external hard drive.


Is it a difficult setup? The fee for this kind of setup is $1200.00 if done professionally.... which I want to avoid.

 

[J. L.]



Quote:
Originally Posted by rubbersoul662001 /forum/post/14324244


Hello,

Sorry to jump in the middle of this with more questions but I have a Mac PC that I would like to turn into a Media Server for my DVD's. The Mac is on the second floor in my office and can operate wireless. I want to be able to download all of the covers on the PC and the covers would be on my display. (96" diagonal screen) I was told to purchase an external hard drive.


Is it a difficult setup? The fee for this kind of setup is $1200.00 if done professionally.... which I want to avoid.

I have no experience with the Mac PC, but I do know that it will be nearly impossible to stream full bit-rate DVDs wirelessly. You might be able to get away with a highly compressed avi file, or mp3's, but not DVD ISO images. For a media server (or player) to be useful for movies, it really needs to be on a wired LAN. For an image to really look halfway decent on a 96 inch display, it really can't be a low bitrate compressed image.


I'm assuming the MAC is hooked up to your projector? If not, do you have a network media player?


There is lots of software out there. Some for the windows PC, some for the MAC, and others that replace the entire OS on the PC. One of those is here http://www.linuxmce.org/ It will display the cover art, index the movies, play movies, make coffee, water your lawn, etc. It takes very little to make it work. Check out the video of it here: http://video.google.com/videoplay?do...25602905109829 It might just be something for you to investigate.


Joe L.

 

[crashnburn_in]



Quote:
Originally Posted by rubbersoul662001 /forum/post/14324244


Hello,

Sorry to jump in the middle of this with more questions but I have a Mac PC that I would like to turn into a Media Server for my DVD's. The Mac is on the second floor in my office and can operate wireless. I want to be able to download all of the covers on the PC and the covers would be on my display. (96" diagonal screen) I was told to purchase an external hard drive.


Is it a difficult setup? The fee for this kind of setup is $1200.00 if done professionally.... which I want to avoid.

Pay me WAY less

Quote:
Originally Posted by J. L. /forum/post/14324614


I have no experience with the Mac PC, but I do know that it will be nearly impossible to stream full bit-rate DVDs wirelessly. You might be able to get away with a highly compressed avi file, or mp3's, but not DVD ISO images. For a media server (or player) to be useful for movies, it really needs to be on a wired LAN. For an image to really look halfway decent on a 96 inch display, it really can't be a low bitrate compressed image.


I'm assuming the MAC is hooked up to your projector? If not, do you have a network media player?


There is lots of software out there. Some for the windows PC, some for the MAC, and others that replace the entire OS on the PC. One of those is here http://www.linuxmce.org/ It will display the cover art, index the movies, play movies, make coffee, water your lawn, etc. It takes very little to make it work. Check out the video of it here: http://video.google.com/videoplay?do...25602905109829 It might just be something for you to investigate.


Joe L.

Wireless is not the best way but guess what I hit when I was testing a temporary setup last night.


Lots of DVD ISOs > Ext USB HDD > Laptop > WiFi G > NetGear G > Wired CAT5 > [Xbox XBMC] > Sharp HD TV.


They play flawlessly

Maybe if you get a strong enough connection it might work flawlessly. You have to test how your network responds END to END.


You can replace XBMC with the Media Streamer of your choice - Popcorn Hour / eGreat etc. Checkout mpcclub.com