Any forumites know of the best os solution for streaming video over a home network? :confused:

I was thinking about running win2k3, but then I looked at the pricetag!
:yikes:

Anyways, here is the topology:

2 pc's
1 media server with over 2TB of storage and 2Ghz mem.
Internet through wireless Router/Firewall
All connected through Gigabit Switch via cat6 cable.

Thoughts? Suggestions?

Use Linux. It is free and has packages and servers for streaming content.

I would like to use linux, but I'm not very fluent in that. I'm thinking about just using IIS in XP instead.

I would like to use linux, but I'm not very fluent in that. I'm thinking about just using IIS in XP instead.Good luck. IIS is hacked all the time.

Good luck. IIS is hacked all the time.

Well, we don't want that! Is there a distro in linux that is primarily for streaming media that a newbie could master?

I would like to use linux, but I'm not very fluent in that. I'm thinking about just using IIS in XP instead.

Whatever you choose, go to Staples and ask for Brian, whatever you buy make sure you get the warranty with it!!

Any forumites know of the best os solution for streaming video over a home network? :confused:

I was thinking about running win2k3, but then I looked at the pricetag!
:yikes:

Anyways, here is the topology:

2 pc's
1 media server with over 2TB of storage and 2Ghz mem.
Internet through wireless Router/Firewall
All connected through Gigabit Switch via cat6 cable.

Thoughts? Suggestions?When you say "streaming", do you actualy mean "streaming"? Or do you just need to access the videos from ther other 2 PC's? What type of video format? MPEG, AVI, WMV, ASF, etc.?

Without fully understanding what you intend on doing, it's hard to come up with a solution.

If you already have Windows on your media server(any version will do but Win2k or WinXP will be best), you could setup a network share which contains the videos the other two PC's can access.

If you need a web interface and you insist on using Windows(weather it be 2k, XP, or 2k3) I'd use Apache instead of IIS.

I, personally used Linux to create a PVR(kinda like TiVo on steroids). I can record/store/play TV/DVD/CD on the PVR, TV or any of my other PC's. Everything is accessable through a customized GUI on the PVR and TV or a web interface on the other PC's.

Let me know exactly what you intend on doing so I can point you in the right direction.

Whatever you choose, go to Staples and ask for Brian, whatever you buy make sure you get the warranty with it!!

You mean the guy with the glasses that always makes sure that you have a staples card at checkout???

Without fully understanding what you intend on doing, it's hard to come up with a solution.

Well, I am setting a server that will store all of my music,videos, etc. I will have a htpc(home theater pc) connected to my flat screen, and I have two other pc's in other rooms. I want to be able to access the video or music files on the server from any other pc on the network. At this point, I have an idea of the hardware that I need but I am unsure about the os. More that likely the video files will be in .avi or .wmv format.

Well, I am setting a server that will store all of my music,videos, etc. I will have a htpc(home theater pc) connected to my flat screen, and I have two other pc's in other rooms. I want to be able to access the video or music files on the server from any other pc on the network. At this point, I have an idea of the hardware that I need but I am unsure about the os. More that likely the video files will be in .avi or .wmv format.The easiest way for you to go would be to use Win2k or WinXP and setup a network share for the files you want to share with the other PC's. No need for IIS or any web based interfaces.

For something more advanced, search on Google.com for MythTV or KnoppMyth. Keep in mind that these are Linux related.

BTW, 2TB of disk space may be a bit extreme. But then again I don't know how many nor how large your videos are or will be.
2GB of RAM may also be more than you need. It doesn't take alot of memory to share files with 2 PC's. You can probably get away with 512MB - 1GB.

When you say "streaming", do you actualy mean "streaming"? Or do you just need to access the videos from ther other 2 PC's? What type of video format? MPEG, AVI, WMV, ASF, etc.?

Without fully understanding what you intend on doing, it's hard to come up with a solution.

If you already have Windows on your media server(any version will do but Win2k or WinXP will be best), you could setup a network share which contains the videos the other two PC's can access.

If you need a web interface and you insist on using Windows(weather it be 2k, XP, or 2k3) I'd use Apache instead of IIS.

I, personally used Linux to create a PVR(kinda like TiVo on steroids). I can record/store/play TV/DVD/CD on the PVR, TV or any of my other PC's. Everything is accessable through a customized GUI on the PVR and TV or a web interface on the other PC's.

Let me know exactly what you intend on doing so I can point you in the right direction.Are you using MythTV?

Check this out, see if it will do what you want: http://www.orb.com/

For DVR users: http://www.dvreverywhere.com/

Are you using MythTV?
Yes.

Yes.I'm just setting it up. Not trivial, but certainly flexible.

I'm just setting it up. Not trivial, but certainly flexible.Are you using KnoppMyth to install?

Since this sounds like a home network just setup a share folder. With subfolders underneath it to separate your files. I currently do this in my house with my Roomate. I have my File server/Media PC hooked up to my DLP in the living room and both of us use our laptops to store all of our "Downloaded" media on it for playback at any time. Saves me from Burning DVD's anymore I just leave my movies on the server now.

Are you using KnoppMyth to install?No. Used yum to install the RPMs from atrpm for Fedora Core 4.

What is KnoppMyth? I've been using http://mythtv.org/docs/

Any of you guys heard of Meedio? I have seen some screen shots on htpcnews.com and it looks very interesting. I think the address is http://www.meedio.com

BTW, 2TB of disk space may be a bit extreme.

I havent purchased the second set of disks yet. I just want to anticipate the need for space, especially for hd programming if i want to use the server for pvr purposes.

I've got the network running. Thanks for all your replys. :howdy: