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From: Abby Brown on 12 Jul 2010 11:24
Hello,

I would like a media server that will:

Digitize and save a video cable source, NTSC or HD (w two or
more tuners)
Play either a saved video or feed the source directly to the TV
(NTSC or HD)
Digitize and save a stereo audio source selected from one of at
least 3 sources
Play the above with audio equalizer
Rip or play a CD or DVD
Support for a minimum of 4TB storage plus external storage
support for backup
Connect to a LAN
Remote control with menu display* (is there even such a
device?)
Support TV and stereo systems that are totally separate

There are a number of media servers that play back but I haven't
seen one that records. Is there one available or will I need to
build my own?

* For clarification, a remote with two way IR or RF
communication to display a menu from which available functions,
sources, and files are selected. I might have to forego this
one.

Thanks,
Gary


From: D Yuniskis on 12 Jul 2010 15:31
Hi Gary/Abby,

Abby Brown wrote:
> I would like a media server that will:
>
> Digitize and save a video cable source, NTSC or HD (w two or
> more tuners)
> Play either a saved video or feed the source directly to the TV
> (NTSC or HD)
> Digitize and save a stereo audio source selected from one of at
> least 3 sources
> Play the above with audio equalizer
> Rip or play a CD or DVD
> Support for a minimum of 4TB storage plus external storage
> support for backup
> Connect to a LAN
> Remote control with menu display* (is there even such a
> device?)
> Support TV and stereo systems that are totally separate

I've taken the approach of NOT putting all of this into a
single "server".

In particular, I want the *appliance* to be unobtrusive
(not a box sitting someplace with fans whirring and BTUs
heating up a closet, etc.). I *don't* want a "computer"
repurposed as a "media server" any more than I want to
watch TV on a PC, etc. (an appliance is an *appliance*!)

I stress the "unobtrusive" nature -- I don't even want an
STB (and associated cabling) cluttering up the place!

Addressing your comments in a different order:

Network connectivity is a given. You have to decide
how many concurrent clients you want to support in order
to determine bandwidth, latency, etc. issues. As well as
the processing power needed in the media head.

I've opted to do away with transcoding -- pick a format(s).
and keep everything *in* that format(s). This cuts down on
processing requirements at "play time".

Being able to rip a DVD/CD means you need convenient
access to that box. I.e., the box is now "obtrusive".
And, it needs a fancy user interface (are you planning on
telling the box *how* to rip the disc, what to title each
track, whether to strip out "other language tracks", etc.
from your "menu remote"??). Let something *else* be used
to get media into the "server" (e.g., are you going to use
your remote to visit iTunes store, purchase and download
songs, etc.??)

[media server is geared toward *picking* things from
a list of choices; not more general user input activities]

Instead of handling "N" inputs (video or audio), I prefer
an architecture that handles *one* input and makes it
available to the network. If you want *two*, use two of
them. Otherwise, you will eventually decide you want/need
"just one more" and either won't be able to support it
architecturally *or* will find yourself paying far more
for that feature than it is proportionately worth.


> There are a number of media servers that play back but I haven't
> seen one that records. Is there one available or will I need to
> build my own?

The "build your own" approach will typically result in a
mangled PC sitting someplace making noise, wasting power, etc.
24/7. If it works for *you*... <shrug>

> * For clarification, a remote with two way IR or RF
> communication to display a menu from which available functions,
> sources, and files are selected. I might have to forego this
> one.

I've opted for a (RF) wireless remote. In particular, WiFi
enabled PDAs talking to a web-based interface (from the
media server). These are small and portable -- the size
of a typical "IR remote". One drawback is the fact that
you can't just point it at *the* screen and implicitly
tell the system "that's what I want to control" (which
you can do with an IR remote).

OTOH, this is also an asset. It, for example, lets you walk
into another room and command the system to have your audio
(or video) programming "follow you" there.

My advice: think *really* hard about what you want. If
you just want a toy, get a spare PC and hack together
whatever features you want (or, that you can steal from
other folks' work -- if you are incapable of that level
of development expertice). WHEN YOU GET TIRED OF IT,
you will have lost very little -- besides time.

If you don't have the time to spare, *buy* something and live
with its limitations (buy *two* if one doesn't support
the "N" you desire).

Wait for the next holiday season. Maybe someone will have
something closer to what you want.
From: Martin Riddle on 12 Jul 2010 21:22


"Abby Brown" <abbybrown(a)charter.net> wrote in message
news:gImdnXrKU_0FrqbRnZ2dnUVZ_uSdnZ2d(a)supernews.com...
> Hello,
>
> I would like a media server that will:
>
> Digitize and save a video cable source, NTSC or HD (w two or more
> tuners)
> Play either a saved video or feed the source directly to the TV (NTSC
> or HD)
> Digitize and save a stereo audio source selected from one of at least
> 3 sources
> Play the above with audio equalizer
> Rip or play a CD or DVD
> Support for a minimum of 4TB storage plus external storage support for
> backup
> Connect to a LAN
> Remote control with menu display* (is there even such a device?)
> Support TV and stereo systems that are totally separate
>
> There are a number of media servers that play back but I haven't seen
> one that records. Is there one available or will I need to build my
> own?
>
> * For clarification, a remote with two way IR or RF communication to
> display a menu from which available functions, sources, and files are
> selected. I might have to forego this one.
>
> Thanks,
> Gary
>
>

look at http://www.snapstream.com/
You can record ATSC and burn it to dvd. Requires a turner card like
wintv.
The conversion to dvd was slow in earlier releases, maybe the fixed
that.
Supports the Wintv remote.
But forget about the audio sources.

Cheers


From: Abby Brown on 13 Jul 2010 18:52
> Abby Brown wrote:
>> I would like a media server that will:
>>
>> Digitize and save a video cable source, NTSC or HD (w two or
>> more tuners)
<clipped>

> I've taken the approach of NOT putting all of this into a
> single "server".

I've pretty much concluded going the opposite way. We have 9
video and audio boxes in our family room. A do-it-all box will
reduce that to 4 1/2 (DVR gets reduced to a decoder box). I am
a woodworker so hiding it in a pretty box is an option.

> Network connectivity is a given. You have to decide
> how many concurrent clients you want to support in order
> to determine bandwidth, latency, etc. issues. As well as
> the processing power needed in the media head.

Overcomplicating it. Plug in a dongle and let the OS take care
of it.

> Instead of handling "N" inputs (video or audio), I prefer
> an architecture that handles *one* input and makes it
> available to the network. If you want *two*, use two of
> them. Otherwise, you will eventually decide you want/need
> "just one more" and either won't be able to support it
> architecturally *or* will find yourself paying far more
> for that feature than it is proportionately worth.

On further thinking about it - if the server becomes the CD
player and I plug an FM card into it that leaves only the
turntable as a frequently used audio source. If I need
something else I can always swap cables.

>> There are a number of media servers that play back but I
>> haven't seen one that records. Is there one available or
>> will I need to build my own?
>
> The "build your own" approach will typically result in a
> mangled PC sitting someplace making noise, wasting power, etc.
> 24/7. If it works for *you*... <shrug>

Noise and power true. A "green" PC with partial or full power
down might be acceptable. Moving some functions from my power
hungry desktop might be a gain,.

> Wait for the next holiday season. Maybe someone will have
> something closer to what you want.

I won't start on the server until my PDP-1 is done. Maybe by
then.

Thanks for your input,
Gary


From: D Yuniskis on 13 Jul 2010 19:05
Hi Gary,

Abby Brown wrote:
>> Abby Brown wrote:
>>> I would like a media server that will:
>>>
>>> Digitize and save a video cable source, NTSC or HD (w two or
>>> more tuners)
> <clipped>
>
>> I've taken the approach of NOT putting all of this into a
>> single "server".
>
> I've pretty much concluded going the opposite way. We have 9
> video and audio boxes in our family room. A do-it-all box will
> reduce that to 4 1/2 (DVR gets reduced to a decoder box). I am
> a woodworker so hiding it in a pretty box is an option.

I plan on having *none* in *any* room of the house!
(I'm hiding them all inside 1G J-boxes) The only evidence
will be the audio/video cables snaking up to the TV, speakers, etc.

>> Network connectivity is a given. You have to decide
>> how many concurrent clients you want to support in order
>> to determine bandwidth, latency, etc. issues. As well as
>> the processing power needed in the media head.
>
> Overcomplicating it. Plug in a dongle and let the OS take care
> of it.

Huh? If you want to feed N different audio and video streams
concurrently, there's no "dongle" that's going to solve that
bandwidth/processing issue for you -- short of "yet another
server".

>> Instead of handling "N" inputs (video or audio), I prefer
>> an architecture that handles *one* input and makes it
>> available to the network. If you want *two*, use two of
>> them. Otherwise, you will eventually decide you want/need
>> "just one more" and either won't be able to support it
>> architecturally *or* will find yourself paying far more
>> for that feature than it is proportionately worth.
>
> On further thinking about it - if the server becomes the CD
> player and I plug an FM card into it that leaves only the
> turntable as a frequently used audio source. If I need
> something else I can always swap cables.

Move all of the vinyl to MP3's. Whenever you "listen" to
an LP (45, 78, etc), route a copy of the data stream off
to permanent media, someplace. Put a sticker on the LP
indicating "never need to play this again".

Or, bite the bullet and do them all "batch" style.
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