Spec me a HTPC/Server set-up

Rich_L · 31-07-2009, 18:47

Righty-ho, moved into a new flat, so looking to get a nice solid setup up and running.

Bought an ASRock ION 330 to use as the media PC link to the TV, but thinking about using the previous computer, a Biostar 200n (AMD 2500+, 2Gb Ram) as a dedicated file server and download box. Will be outputting the Ion through HDMI, maybe have the 200n connected through the VGA in the TV in case I want to monitor that.

Probably going to put Win7 on the ION with Media Center and using Media Browser as it looks pretty cool, but also toying with XBMC through Linux - anyone used either or both?

Also for the file-server - this could run Linux or something definitely - needs to be low overheads though I guess

Any suggestions/ideas?

Toby · 31-07-2009, 19:38

Are you set on Linux for the file server? If not then WHS might be worth a look. Obviously nowhere near as customisable as Linux but if you just want a file server and simple, efficient backup system then WHS is cheap and comes recommended.

As for the HTPC, highly recommend W7. Currently using it on mine with both Freeview and Freesat tuners and working extremely well.

Rich_L · 31-07-2009, 20:02

At the moment - completely open, I have two bare computers with nothing installed

That said I am a total Linux n00b, might look into WHS a bit, but with the former I suspect way more posts in here, hehe

Toby · 31-07-2009, 20:23

Oh granted, if you want to play around a bit then Linux is a far more flexible option, just recommending WHS if you want an easy, fit-and-forget solution

Rich_L · 31-07-2009, 20:31

Mm, it's more I guess that it would literally be used for two things - downloading (newsgroups + bittorrent) and then serving up those files. Ofc uptime and reliability is a big plus as well because I don't intend to have it connected physically (other than by network cable) so only accessed via VNC/remote desktop.

Should be fun though

Joe 90 · 31-07-2009, 22:27

hope you don't mind my asking Rich... it doesn't really warrant a thread of its own...

Can you buy receivers for remote controls (in this case the Xbox remote)?

With my xbox breaking i've still got the remote & HD-DVD drive connected to my PC, so it'd make life really easy to be able to control media with the remote

LeperousDust · 01-08-2009, 12:46

Rich for those few things, defo consider WHS its pretty mature now and will do everything (and more) than you need, and is defo "easier" to faff and around and "just work" than a linux box. Trust me i tried my damned hardest

As for a file server if it can server media well via HDMI as long as its got a nice little processor in the background you should be able to serve files and download all on the same box

There are threads dedicated to taking WHS and rolling windows media centre edition into it (since its all windows). SO you record straight to your file server box which runs inline with your download and everything is all in one nice box turned on ALL the time. I personally havent done this since my server is loud in not in the living room but i could see it working.

Check out here: http://www.wegotserved.com/

31-07-2009, 18:47	#1
Rich_L Dr Cocktapuss Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Seven Sizzles Posts: 1,044	Spec me a HTPC/Server set-up Righty-ho, moved into a new flat, so looking to get a nice solid setup up and running. Bought an ASRock ION 330 to use as the media PC link to the TV, but thinking about using the previous computer, a Biostar 200n (AMD 2500+, 2Gb Ram) as a dedicated file server and download box. Will be outputting the Ion through HDMI, maybe have the 200n connected through the VGA in the TV in case I want to monitor that. Probably going to put Win7 on the ION with Media Center and using Media Browser as it looks pretty cool, but also toying with XBMC through Linux - anyone used either or both? Also for the file-server - this could run Linux or something definitely - needs to be low overheads though I guess Any suggestions/ideas? __________________

31-07-2009, 19:38	#2
Toby Absinthe Join Date: Aug 2007 Posts: 1,023	Are you set on Linux for the file server? If not then WHS might be worth a look. Obviously nowhere near as customisable as Linux but if you just want a file server and simple, efficient backup system then WHS is cheap and comes recommended. As for the HTPC, highly recommend W7. Currently using it on mine with both Freeview and Freesat tuners and working extremely well. __________________

31-07-2009, 20:02	#3
Rich_L Dr Cocktapuss Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Seven Sizzles Posts: 1,044	At the moment - completely open, I have two bare computers with nothing installed That said I am a total Linux n00b, might look into WHS a bit, but with the former I suspect way more posts in here, hehe __________________

31-07-2009, 20:23	#4
Toby Absinthe Join Date: Aug 2007 Posts: 1,023	Oh granted, if you want to play around a bit then Linux is a far more flexible option, just recommending WHS if you want an easy, fit-and-forget solution __________________

31-07-2009, 20:31	#5
Rich_L Dr Cocktapuss Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Seven Sizzles Posts: 1,044	Mm, it's more I guess that it would literally be used for two things - downloading (newsgroups + bittorrent) and then serving up those files. Ofc uptime and reliability is a big plus as well because I don't intend to have it connected physically (other than by network cable) so only accessed via VNC/remote desktop. Should be fun though __________________

31-07-2009, 22:27	#6
Joe 90 Absinthe Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Chester Posts: 2,345	hope you don't mind my asking Rich... it doesn't really warrant a thread of its own... Can you buy receivers for remote controls (in this case the Xbox remote)? With my xbox breaking i've still got the remote & HD-DVD drive connected to my PC, so it'd make life really easy to be able to control media with the remote __________________ 360 Blog \| Join GiffGaff \| Twitter

01-08-2009, 12:46	#7
LeperousDust Bananaman Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Liverpool/Edinburgh Posts: 4,817	Rich for those few things, defo consider WHS its pretty mature now and will do everything (and more) than you need, and is defo "easier" to faff and around and "just work" than a linux box. Trust me i tried my damned hardest As for a file server if it can server media well via HDMI as long as its got a nice little processor in the background you should be able to serve files and download all on the same box There are threads dedicated to taking WHS and rolling windows media centre edition into it (since its all windows). SO you record straight to your file server box which runs inline with your download and everything is all in one nice box turned on ALL the time. I personally havent done this since my server is loud in not in the living room but i could see it working. Check out here: http://www.wegotserved.com/ __________________