This device will be running 24/7 and so running costs cannot be ignored. It must use relatively little power when it’s not streaming media.So, having decided to build my own media server what exactly were my requirements for it? Well, in no particular order they were: They’ve all started off just fine but I’ve simply outgrown them. Over the past few years I’ve owned quite a few of the pre-built devices out there but none have been the perfect one for me. Once you’ve concluded that you need, or at least want, a media server you have two basic choices: 1) build your own or 2) buy a pre-built device.
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So, what must this media server be able to do? But in my house the disks would never get put back when they’d finished with them and so you’d be forever on a treasure hunt trying to find your favourite disk. Instead of duplicating your media collection you could of course keep the physical disks in one room, on the understanding that anyone in the house can “borrow” one when needed. Not only that but you’d struggle to be able to pause, say, a blu-ray in one room and continue watching it in another at the exact same point. You’d also need multiple copies of every DVD, Blu-ray, video and music CD you own along with duplicates of the family album to have the same level of flexibility as I have with my setup. Now, going that route is not only very impractical but it can also get rather expensive too since each room would have to have all that equipment in it.
#Build a linux media center pc tv
Furthermore you’d have to record the same TV programme on every PVR to allow you to watch a particular recorded programme in any room. Whilst you can achieve the same without going for a central server you’d need a PVR, a DVD player, Blu-ray player, VCR and radio in each room. Sound exciting? Well, there’s more! If I’m watching something, say, in the sitting room and decide to go to bed I can continue watching it in the bedroom, at the exact same point I left it in the sitting room! Not only that but each room can do all of this independently of any other room. I can also listen to music, either owned music or internet radio, along with being able to browse the family photo album. I can watch a single Sky channel or any of the videos, DVDs or Blu-ray disks I own.
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I can also pause, rewind and record any Freeview channel as well as watch anything I’ve previously recorded. In each of these rooms I have the ability to watch any Freeview channel. I have a TV and Media Streamer in most rooms in my house. Hopefully then you’ll see why you might want one too. I’ve had a few people ask me this so before we go too far let me explain the setup I have in my house. Not only that but it’s cheaper too! What’s the point of a central media server?
#Build a linux media center pc how to
I’ve put together a step-by-step guide showing you how to build and configure a media server that is far more powerful and far more flexible than any of the “pre-built” systems on the market today. If you’ve ever fancied the idea of building a server to store your ever-growing collection of media files, be they movies, photos or music, but have been put off doing so because it seems far too complicated to build one yourself, or you’ve simply no idea how to go about doing it, then read on.