Need suggestion/help in setting up a home streaming server

[Ripcord]

Hi all

I have a spare Sonly VAIO laptop which runs only on direct power supply as battery is gone for good

I want to know if I can setup some kind of stream server in this?

My first thought was a Windows Home server (WHS). I checked and the license costs around 50?

I also saw the specs needed WHS and not sure if my laptop is suitable enough

Specs:

Intel dual core (not sure what, purchaesd in Dec 2007)

Intel graphics card

3GB RAM

100 GB HDD

Do you guys suggest any better setup with this laptop? Ubuntu based?

Purpose: stream music sometime movies..in my local network. basically wanted to hear music, watch vidoes on mobile devices when I am @ home Everytime connecting hard disk is a pain and defies mobility

Many thanks in advance

[LUTZIFER]

There's really nothing special you need to do. If it's networked, everything should be able to access it.

If it's an external drive you're mentioning that it's a pain to plug into all the time, just have it plugged into that laptop.

As long as all the media is set to be shared, you should be able to tap into with your other computers/devices.

I'd wait for other suggestions though, as I'm sure people will come up with some cool ideas for you.

Your specs are more than enough for a small server if you go that route I'd think.

[Ripcord]

You mean to say I can install the WHS on this laptop?

[teamvaal]

Im not running home server, I just have a nice PC tower with lots of hard drive bays and a good power supply. Shared folders and run boxee on my media center type PCs throughout the house. Between boxee, Itunes home streaming and VLC... I have few issues. I really love boxee by the way! Its free software to download.

[Detection]

Just install Plex Media Server on it, doesn't matter which OS, and its free

[LUTZIFER]

You mean to say I can install the WHS on this laptop?

I'm not sure what WHS is but if you want to run your own server, you can get everything for free.

I ran a huge server for many years. A long time ago now though.

I'm not sure what people use these days, but I used Apache Webserver and MySQL Database Server, which are free.

Also ran my own radio station using SHOUTcast. Among other things.

But everything on my computers were accessible either threw LAN or Internet threw the servers.

[Fish]

Install Universal Media Server http://www.universalmediaserver.com/ , point it at the folder(s) you want to share and sit back and enjoy. Simple to setup and works really well.

[teamvaal]

Just curious but whats the advantage of running media server software on a computer, and accessing that from remote devices vs mapped/shared folders? Platform independence? Better performance?

[Ripcord]

Just curious but whats the advantage of running media server software on a computer, and accessing that from remote devices vs mapped/shared folders? Platform independence? Better performance?

My initial idea was more of a home based streaming station (internal to my home network only)..where I can connect and i can listen to songs..,more like shoutcast

Yes there are lots of options avbl..i am wondering which one I can choose.

[paxa]

some good ideas were presented here. but don't forget one thing. start thinking about storage space. as soon as you implement the server type you want, the sooner you'll start cramming stuff in it. so think ahead.

for me. i've used whs v1 with a couple of 2 Tb drives, for the past 4 or so years. without any hassle. it's easy to implement and manage. there are still addins available for it.

[Fish]

Just curious but whats the advantage of running media server software on a computer, and accessing that from remote devices vs mapped/shared folders? Platform independence? Better performance?

Precisely that. Software like UMS are DLNA compliant and use UPnP. By using it you're able to browse and play your media on a wide variety of devices, not just PCs/laptops etc.

[tim_s]

I used PS3 Media Server for years but my "streaming" needs died out in preference to a machine connected directly to my tv.

Maybe a step backwards but I am comfortable with it lol

[farmeunit]

I use Subsonic, Plex, and have Orb installed, although I don't really use it anymore. I then have and LG Smart TV, Roku, and a small HTPC with XMBC and some other apps.

You could basically combine, Subsonic, Plex, XBMC and anything else you want to use and have that on your TV. I could do streaming and home theatre stuff.

[Ripcord]

thanks guys for the wonderful input. I shall start looking into it