Digital Media Help

[NorthSideSox72]

I love the idea of having a single digital media hard drive type device, for my entertainment center, where I can put all my existing DVD's and BD's to it, to be simply called up via the TV to watch. That is my short term goal.

 

Next level, I will probably want to do a NetFlix or Hulu type subscription to stream stuff I don't already have. My BD player as this capability, I think, if I have the right firmware installed.

 

Long term, I'd love to have basically a single server for the whole house, that contains those movies, but also all my computer files of all kinds. And then simply be able to view things on the TV, or on our iPad, or from the office desk (which currently has a laptop plus external monitor, but would be fine having just the keyboard, mouse and monitors).

 

First, are all the above even possible? I can do the wiring myself, and I know enough about computers to do anything basic and some things complex. But I am not an expert in digital entertainment media per se.

 

Second, are there copy-protection issues with modern movie disks (BD or DVD) that will make this impossible to do for some movies?

 

Thanks for your help!

 

[HuskyCaucasian]

There's a lot of options out there. Really depends on the money you want to spend. I have been looking for a similar solution, but I need to do it cheaply. I havent bought the parts yet, but here is what I am thinking fo doing.

• NAS (network attached storage) drive with DLNA enabled.

  This would hold all of video files

  Several options on Amazon

• Vizio Co-Star (Google TV)

  Supports DLNA via a built the PlayPoint app

  Netflix, Amazon Instant Video apps

• DLNA enabled apps for Android or iPad

  Stream movies to your iPad/Android from the NAS

  I havent researched this too much yet, but I hear there are some good options

Edited July 11, 2013 by Athomeboy_2000

[HuskyCaucasian]

Second, are there copy-protection issues with modern movie disks (BD or DVD) that will make this impossible to do for some movies?

Handbrake should rip almost any DVD. I am in the process of ripping my entire DVD collection.

 

Blu-Ray is another beast. I believe it can be done with Handbrake, but Blu-Rays will make huge files and take a long time to encode even with a powerful computer.

 

YOu may want to watch this too. Just to give you some ideas and options: Know How... Setting up a Media Server

Edited July 11, 2013 by Athomeboy_2000

[RockRaines]

My imac plays that role and streams all my media via apple TV, all of my files are stored in an external storage farm I built which is probably now about 4 TB.

 

I use Apple TV because I am all mac because of work and because we also have ipads. You can also do this with things like Roku and others. I just found it easier and cheaper deploying a few apple tv's around the house.

[NorthSideSox72]

My imac plays that role and streams all my media via apple TV, all of my files are stored in an external storage farm I built which is probably now about 4 TB.

 

I use Apple TV because I am all mac because of work and because we also have ipads. You can also do this with things like Roku and others. I just found it easier and cheaper deploying a few apple tv's around the house.

And this works with all your Blu Ray discs? No copy protection issues?

 

I'm just paranoid I will be some expensive hardware, only to find some of the discs won't work.

 

[HuskyCaucasian]

My imac plays that role and streams all my media via apple TV, all of my files are stored in an external storage farm I built which is probably now about 4 TB.

 

I use Apple TV because I am all mac because of work and because we also have ipads. You can also do this with things like Roku and others. I just found it easier and cheaper deploying a few apple tv's around the house.

When I set out to do this, I thought that as well. however, I believe the AppleTV requires you to leave your Mac on, am I correct? I was under the impression that the Mac becomes the media server.

[RockRaines]

When I set out to do this, I thought that as well. however, I believe the AppleTV requires you to leave your Mac on, am I correct? I was under the impression that the Mac becomes the media server.

My mac is always on as it is, I never turn it off, havent in years. I also need itunes to be open as I convert all my files to something it can understand so I can stream to my Apple TV. I've started ripping my DVD collection and havent had any issues so far. The illegally downloaded material was what I originally deployed this for.

 

I used to do this with a windows media server back in the day and it worked a little differently but still required the PC to be on.

[RockRaines]

AHB, ill rip a blue ray right now and see what happens.

[HuskyCaucasian]

My mac is always on as it is, I never turn it off, havent in years. I also need itunes to be open as I convert all my files to something it can understand so I can stream to my Apple TV.

I had a feeling the Mac needed to be on and iTunes open. To me, that's a major draw back.

[RockRaines]

I had a feeling the Mac needed to be on and iTunes open. To me, that's a major draw back.

The media server where ever is is located is going to have to be on and network accessible. So whatever you determine is going to do that brokerage its got to be on all the time. You can easily set up a NAS but something from your tv has to be able to access and understand those file types.

[Y2HH]

We have successfully ripped BR's with Handbreak just fine. The files ARE quite big, however.

 

I do the same as Rock, I have 2 AppleTV's connected to my televisions, where I can stream/airplay from any device in the house. I have 2 iMacs, 2 iPhones and an iPad, all can airplay to the televisions, or mirror themselves to the televisions. All connected via a single WiFI router.

 

I have over 900 movies cataloged, dated, with synopsis and cover art in iTunes (all MP4's). I even have quite a few television shows, such as All in the Family, Friends, Deadwood, Breaking Bad, The Walking Dead available just the same.

 

It's really nice, on any of my televisions, you can scroll through a list of genres, years, etc, select the movie, and bam, it plays instantly.

 

Do keep in mind that this is all grey area, as supposedly, you don't have the right to rip a DVD/BR even if you own it, which I find completely ridiculous. I have boxes of DVD's and CD cases FULL of them that I've purchased over the years, and they want to say we can't rip them (if this is even still true).

Edited July 11, 2013 by Y2HH

[Steve9347]

I love the idea of having a single digital media hard drive type device, for my entertainment center, where I can put all my existing DVD's and BD's to it, to be simply called up via the TV to watch. That is my short term goal.

 

Next level, I will probably want to do a NetFlix or Hulu type subscription to stream stuff I don't already have. My BD player as this capability, I think, if I have the right firmware installed.

 

Long term, I'd love to have basically a single server for the whole house, that contains those movies, but also all my computer files of all kinds. And then simply be able to view things on the TV, or on our iPad, or from the office desk (which currently has a laptop plus external monitor, but would be fine having just the keyboard, mouse and monitors).

 

First, are all the above even possible? I can do the wiring myself, and I know enough about computers to do anything basic and some things complex. But I am not an expert in digital entertainment media per se.

 

Second, are there copy-protection issues with modern movie disks (BD or DVD) that will make this impossible to do for some movies?

 

Thanks for your help!

Playstation 3

 

The best, most-updated version, of every app you want (the difference between the Netflix app on my ps3 and bluray player is a joke, the ps3 blows it away). You can expand the memory on the ps3 and configure all of your digital films into folders. The bluray player is the best on the market (if ever needed) and as covered you get the best of the best of apps.

[RockRaines]

We have successfully ripped BR's with Handbreak just fine. The files ARE quite big, however.

 

I do the same as Rock, I have 2 AppleTV's connected to my televisions, where I can stream/airplay from any device in the house. I have 2 iMacs, 2 iPhones and an iPad, all can airplay to the televisions, or mirror themselves to the televisions. All connected via a single WiFI router.

 

I have over 900 movies cataloged, dated, with synopsis and cover art in iTunes (all MP4's). I even have quite a few television shows, such as All in the Family, Friends, Deadwood, Breaking Bad, The Walking Dead available just the same.

 

It's really nice, on any of my televisions, you can scroll through a list of genres, years, etc, select the movie, and bam, it plays instantly.

 

Do keep in mind that this is all grey area, as supposedly, you don't have the right to rip a DVD/BR even if you own it, which I find completely ridiculous. I have boxes of DVD's and CD cases FULL of them that I've purchased over the years, and they want to say we can't rip them (if this is even still true).

This is about what I've done though Y2 is much further along. I initially tried to use my PS3 but the streaming on it is horribly inconsistent and it only read itunes movies if I put them on something like Vuze. Also you cannot access files stored locally on one ps3 from another TV. Thus the Apple TV and my mac as the media server was born.

[NorthSideSox72]

I don't think going Apple will work for me. I use a couple mapping programs for outdoor travel that don't run on Apple's OS, plus I'd have a whole crap-load of other files I'd have to hope translated over OK. Not going to risk all that.

 

Do like our iPad though.

 

Sounds like it is either a simple server ssetup (with maybe a RAID controller), and then media server software, and software to rip the BD's and DVD's to disk. Then I have to figure out if there is a way to turn my current desktop rig (laptop) into a thin client over the server.

 

Also, if I have a normal, non-Apple TV, how can it "read" from the media server? Doesn't the TV need software to do that? Or can the media server be controlled somehow with a remote, and just have it run via HDMI to the TV?

 

[RockRaines]

I don't think going Apple will work for me. I use a couple mapping programs for outdoor travel that don't run on Apple's OS, plus I'd have a whole crap-load of other files I'd have to hope translated over OK. Not going to risk all that.

 

Do like our iPad though.

 

Sounds like it is either a simple server ssetup (with maybe a RAID controller), and then media server software, and software to rip the BD's and DVD's to disk. Then I have to figure out if there is a way to turn my current desktop rig (laptop) into a thin client over the server.

 

Also, if I have a normal, non-Apple TV, how can it "read" from the media server? Doesn't the TV need software to do that? Or can the media server be controlled somehow with a remote, and just have it run via HDMI to the TV?

Thats the kicker, something needs to be attached to the TV that can communicate to your media server. I dont know if "smart" tv's can do this yet or not since mine are all dumb, but Im sure something like Roku would work.

 

http://www.makeuseof.com/tag/3-great-ways-...-on-the-roku-3/

 

Looks like this guy uses Plex.

[RockRaines]

LOL, just as I was doing this I was transferring my itunes folder to a new drive and just deleted my entire media collection, f***

[Y2HH]

I don't think going Apple will work for me. I use a couple mapping programs for outdoor travel that don't run on Apple's OS, plus I'd have a whole crap-load of other files I'd have to hope translated over OK. Not going to risk all that.

 

Do like our iPad though.

 

Sounds like it is either a simple server ssetup (with maybe a RAID controller), and then media server software, and software to rip the BD's and DVD's to disk. Then I have to figure out if there is a way to turn my current desktop rig (laptop) into a thin client over the server.

 

Also, if I have a normal, non-Apple TV, how can it "read" from the media server? Doesn't the TV need software to do that? Or can the media server be controlled somehow with a remote, and just have it run via HDMI to the TV?

 

You don't have to go Apple, just use iTunes in Windows and get an AppleTV for like 90 bucks.

 

[RockRaines]

You don't have to go Apple, just use iTunes in Windows and get an AppleTV for like 90 bucks.

He could always do windows media sever and Roku as well. Same type of client/server architecture with the added benefit of the apps on those sets.

[NorthSideSox72]

Thanks for the info, guys, I appreciate it.