Home theatre builds

[TonyC]

I rarely watch any "live" TV.
I've got a Synology Diskstation connected to my network with a library of 2tb of TV programmes. This little box acts as a webserver, DLNA server, music server, camera station, with other capabilities. The Smart TV connects to it directly through wireless. The Samsung Smart TV's even have an App to maintain your library.
I download a lot of viewing on a PC and transfer it through the network to the Diskstation.
I have a PC with a Hauppauge Colossus capture card fitted and using WinTV7, record in real time any "on demand" stuff or lift already recorded programmes on the MySky when it's getting full.
I'd really recommend the Synology diskstations. It's enabled me to ditch my web hosting service as well as supplying video and music service through the house. Having two houses 120kms apart, I've got one in both places with the libraries duplicated.

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[gabba]

Yes, a NAS is a good option. I've been playing with NAS4Free (FreeNAS variant with less hardware demands). Currently a little short on disk space and memory, but it looks as if it is a good use for an old PC

[choc-a-holic]

I have a QNAP NAS.  It is used for more than just a home theatre.  I work from home and use if for my business file storage, laptop backups, music, movies and photo storage, running virtual PC's, virtual android,  as a PC with a hdmi cable connected to a monitor or TV.  I can view TV on demand, you tube, spotify, browse the internet etc.  I can access the NAS from anywhere in the world and view any of my files using a browser, android or apple app or my laptop.  I can give customers access to a download area if we need to download files.  I can share files & photos with family and friends.  I am about to add a camera which will record the weather for my website.   I can add an external TV card so I could record TV programs but don't feel the need to do this.  The list is endless and I am not using it for everything I could just because I don't have the time or the need right now. 

You can even get models that look like they are part of the home entertainment centre - HS-251 (https://www.qnap.com/i/en/product/model.php?II=147 ) although it does not have all the capabilities as other NASes have - my TS-251 (https://www.qnap.com/i/en/product/model.php?II=142) has more expansion capabilities when it comes to memory and disk.

[Wolfie33]

Hi Gabba

Hows it going with NAS4Free ??
Seems to me it would be ideal for a locally hosted intranet (work - budgeting org.)  . . .
A bit off topic but would love to get advice/guidance/mentoring for that . .

Cheers

[gabba]

We've recently move house so everything, including my contributions to this topic are a bit delayed 

I don't have the nas server set up here yet. I had some problems with its stability but I think it was because I only had 2 mb, and needed another 2mb. When I find the mEmory in all the boxes I'll fire it up again and see what happens

That said I dropped it onto a usb stick and it all ran quite nicely. If you wanted to give it a try I'm sure I can remember enough to help you out.

If you have a higher spec PC try freenas. They are similar but I believe freenas has better stability in some scenarios and the ui looks better imho.