HTPS server

[harsh247]

Hi guys!

First lemme explain my setup.
I currently have a home theater in my bedroom.
in another room, i have my desktop setup. dual core / 4gb ram / etc.
what i want to do is add a pc in my bedroom, but due to space constraints, i cannot have a big bulky cab in my rooml. so what i want is to use my desktop as a server if possible, and add a pc in my room which gives me access to the media on the server.
so my query is,
1) can i use the desktop as a server,
2) what kind of setup do i need in my room to access media? i want to use xbmc,bittorrent,foobar/media player,internet from the pc in the room.
3) i also need an hdmi in the room to connect to my marantz 5005.

i have a lan cable pulled from one room to the other so they are wired, so connectivity isnt a problem. i would like the smallest possible case as well.

any suggestions?

 

[haisaikat]

Yes you can share since you have wired setup in your rooms but i hope it is cat5e+ at least or above.

You did not mention your budget so if you want to purchase ready made PC you can look at these ZOTAC AMD ZBOX NANO AD10 WIFI REMOTE MINI PC USB 3.0 HDMI MEDIA CENTER | eBay or HTPC, Mini-ITX Entry Level Desktop PC - DN2800MT | eBay but if you are low on budget you may look to base your purchase on any HDMI enabled intel atom based motherboards and house them in a sleek cabinet like this HTPC, Mini-ITX Entry Level Desktop PC - DN2800MT | eBay at lower cost.

I am assuming that your existing desktop has internet and you want to carry that to this PC for that I think you may have to buy a network switch unless all your pcs will eventually connect to your router switch.

I hope you have movies to share which are stored in local HDD of the existing desktop but remember that your existing desktop would be running at its full power all the time even if no one is working on it and it is just sharing files. So a more efficient solution would have been to house your movies in a USB HDD and hook it dorectly to your bedroom HTPC. Even more cost saving, convert your existing desktop into HTPC by adding a HD GPU and a low profile cabinet (Check my HTPC link in signature).

I do not know if you are open for media players which would be less costlier solutions at lower price but may not give you all the upgradability of HTPC.

One additional word of caution for slim / low profile cabinets is that if you have plans to buy a sound card for stereo output then in low profile front your options for sound card are limited for high end stuff.

 

[Thad E Ginathom]

1) can i use the desktop as a server?

Yes, immediately. There is very little to do

2) what kind of setup do i need in my room to access media?

Nothing you do not have already. Assuming your PCs have Microsoft operating systems ...Windows File and Printer Sharing.

You can access any file on any PC on your home network from any other PC on your home network. Whatever kind of file it is.

I think you may have to buy a network switch unless all your pcs will eventually connect to your router switch.

Yes, you will need to connect both to a router or switch.

but...

i cannot have a big bulky cab in my room

In these days of two or three Tb hdds, and 1-Tb external disks that fit your shirt pocket, there may not be any need (other than access from multiple locations) to put your storage elsewhere. All you need, is something big enough for your graphics card, and a sound card if you want to add one: a small desktop (not deskside) case.

 

[baijuxavior]

If you need a very small PC that is especially aimed for HTPC use, then I have listed one in the for sale thread. It is of very small size and has all the features needed for HTPC like HDMI, optical out, LAN port, USB 3.0 etc.

You can use your existing PC to stream media to your htpc either by wired or wireless connection. A wired connection is more reliable.

 

[haisaikat]

If you need a very small PC that is especially aimed for HTPC use, then I have listed one in the for sale thread. It is of very small size and has all the features needed for HTPC like HDMI, optical out, LAN port, USB 3.0 etc.

You can use your existing PC to stream media to your htpc either by wired or wireless connection. A wired connection is more reliable.

higly recommended and will save you substantial money.

 

[mowgli80]

You can buy a cheap AMD APU based laptop and connect it to the TV in your main room. You can then share your media directories from your desktop and access it on xbmc using smb or nfs protocols when you add a source. You can also synchronize xbmc library (check the second link)

File sharing - XBMC

HOW-TO:Sync multiple libraries - XBMC

 

[vaibhavyagnik]

1. Share your Drive on Main computer.
2. Build/Buy a PC with HDMI connection ( I will get to that later)
3. Install XBMCbuntu on a pendrive
4. Map the shared drive on XBMCbuntu
5. You are good to go!!
Regarding hardware:
1. Your main desktop does not need any hardware
2. For Bedroom HTPC
a. DigiLite AMD E350 iTX Board with Processor : DL-AHD1S-K - 4590
b. RAM: 4 GB DDR3 - 1300
c. mini-itx cabinet: you will have to do some searching on that.
d. PSU: prefereably buy cabinet with psu
e: 16 GB pendrive: 800 Rs
should not cross more than 15K IMO

 

[harsh247]

You can buy a cheap AMD APU based laptop and connect it to the TV in your main room. You can then share your media directories from your desktop and access it on xbmc using smb or nfs protocols when you add a source. You can also synchronize xbmc library (check the second link)

File sharing - XBMC

HOW-TO:Sync multiple libraries - XBMC

well the initial idea was to have xbmc on the htpc and access media from the desktop. but that doesnt seem to make much sense coz i have to have a config with hdmi. and to build something like tht, i will add hdd so connected or not connect to the desktop is irrelevant
i do game alot too, but the wifey isnt supportive of tht! hehehe

 

[NetFreak]

2) what kind of setup do i need in my room to access media? i want to use xbmc,bittorrent,foobar/media player,internet from the pc in the room.
3) i also need an hdmi in the room to connect to my marantz 5005.

You just need an Android based Media player. It would run xbmc and browser without any issue. Would cost around 10k.

 

[harsh247]

You just need an Android based Media player. It would run xbmc and browser without any issue. Would cost around 10k.

like which one?

 

[baijuxavior]

Which android media player supports xbmc?

 

[NetFreak]

like which one?

Which android media player supports xbmc?

For example this:

AMKETTE - EvoTV

These media players use XBMC code for UI and "metadata" like title/rating etc. Actual rendering is based on chipset-specific modules.

These chipsets have A9 CPU, 512 Mb - 1 GB RAM, and PowerVR or mali GPU.

This spec is good enough for browsing and HTPC. What it cant do well is gaming.