Possible New HTPC/Server Build

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bryan240g

bryan240g

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Looking at building a new machine for the living room. Not huge but something that would blend in well and is capable of holding at least 4-6 3.5" hdd's. This machine will be replacing my homebuilt WHS 2011 machine.

I have read countless threads for just an HTPC but nothing that also serves as a home server for backups. And easy of use/management. I am aware that WHS 2011 can serve as a media streaming device but only using Windows Media PLayer. Which I am not a fan of. This machine also does not need to transcode on the fly. Just play video and perform backups of itself and two laptops.

I would like this machine to function as an HTPC for streaming bluray rips in .mkv and .mp4 format. I will not be using Windows Media Player. I hate it. I prefer using MPC-HC with the advanced setup for DTS-HD MA. Plus MPC-Hc can use my GT640 and has a much better feature set and picture quality.

I would also like this machine to serve as a home server. I have considered freenas and Ubuntu server edition but I haven't settled yet. On the server side I would essentially like a WHS 2011 machine which could run MPC-HC but I haven't found anything on google that can do that.

So below are the specs of the machines I currently have. Basically I want to combine the two's functions, but in a new machine. Maybe the Ubuntu server setup with MPC-HC installed?

Just looking for some different idea's or thoughts. Nothing complicated please. Open to any ideas.

I have two machine's currently. Here are the specs:

HTPC:
Silverstone TJ08 Case
Asus F1A55-M LX PLUS R2.0
AMD A8 3870k cpu(Yes, I know it's got built in graphics and I am using an nvidia gpu)
8gb ddr3 1600
Corsair 60gb SSD
2TB HDD
Asus bluray burner drive

WHS 2011:
Cooler Master HAF case
MSI Z68A Z68A-G43(G3)
Intel G520 cpu
8gb ddr3 1600
several 2TB hdd's and various other sizes
 
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bryan240g

bryan240g

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This is very interesting this xbmc. I am going to look into it very closely when I return home later today. I have seen xbmc in article's and suc but always figured it was for xbox360 or something. Thank you for providing this. I can't say that this will solve my problem as of yet but, it is something I hadn't thought of. Maybe just the solution I need. Thank you.

Any other thoughts or ideas I didn't mention please feel free to mention them.
 
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namdlo

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I'm having a hard time finding the guide right now - I'll still look.

Personally I have an HP N40L as my server and a HTPC running OpenELEC XBMC.

However I have built a WHS2011/HTPC for a friend. I used a Silverstone LC13B-E as the server/htpc and then built a small Celeron 847 system for another room. He has over 700 DVDs on the server. It's all controlled from their Android/iPads. He's not very technical so the server is running MyMovies to automatically rip the DVDs and music. It's so easy his wife even approves of it :)

 
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bryan240g

bryan240g

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Off the topic a bit but I would like to know more about the machine or machines you built for a friend. How is that all setup and how is it set to automatically rip movies? How is that done with WHS 2011?
 
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namdlo

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MyMovies (http://www.mymovies.dk/) and AnyDVD (http://www.slysoft.com/en/) - there is also ANYDVD HD which can be used for Blu-ray too.

MyMovies for WHS is free but in order to get the automatic ripping functionality you'll have to spend $100 on "points" - there is a way to earn them but it will take quite a while.

Once it's fully setup it's as easy as putting the disk in the drive and it will kick it out once it's done. It will auto detect the movie and download the appropriate meta data as well. It can even change the reduce the size of the disk with built in Handbrake functionality.

If you have more questions just let me know - I'd be more than happy to help :)

 
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bryan240g

bryan240g

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Well, I have looked over MyMovies and xbmc. Both are great options and if I wasn't so picky about usage, aspect ratios, etc. for my home setup I would seriously look into xbmc. I watched some videos and did some reading and it is very cool. But I don't think it will do what I need or want exactly.
Infact I am starting to think that my best and simplest option would be to run a regular Win 7 machine(like i now) and simply installing something like Acronis True Image on it and my wife's laptop for backups. I already have Acronis on my laptop and it is reliable and works well. Then i could continue just running mpc-hc as I been.
Thanks again for the recommendations.

If anyone else has ideas. Keep them coming.
 
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