Media Server

SandLake

I am thinking of building a media server but I think I might be better to just buy a refurbished PC that can be adapted for the purpose. I am having some difficulty finding something close to the right spec, a dual core processor 2.6Ghz or higher, SATA III, gigabit ethernet, ability to hold 3 HD's (one for the OS and 2 for storage) and I would like at least one USB 3 port. Happy to try out linux but quite a few refurbs have Win7 thrown in.

Looking on Ebay there are quite a few Dell's but I know that they are generally customised cases/motherboards so it's not generally easy to replace faulty components.

peace-maker

How about a 'barebones' pc from ebuyer?

enfield_freddy

I think I might have built something that you are after


media case (xcase)
Asus h81 motherboard
2 x 4g ddr3
intel g3420
240g ssd
2t wd blue
dvd reader
r/control and sender


loaded with openelec (Linux) , boots into openelec within 15-20 secs , lighteningly quick menu , on site storage of obver 1000 films and 10,000 audio tracks , accesss to other media on network


this box (set up properly can stream UK TV , plus access to 1000s of online films (istream) , and of corse my own media


motherboards on offer on ebay £16.99 , case £37 , CPU £49 , memory £52


its actually overkill as when being worked hard , cpu usage is less than 10% and memory about 3%


openelec will run on a raspberry pi (700 processor and 512 memory)


if you are adamant about the recon computer forget windows , use standalone openelec , book drive will be partitioned as 200 meg , so any drive will do , you will need a machine with onboard HDMI or buy a vid card.


if you want any further help , PM me

SandLake

I'll have a look at Ebuyer systems and the diy option is good too. Any time I look at diy options I was end up increasing the spec and he-ho it costs a fortune but what you have spec'ed looks pretty good and I have an ssd and a 2Tb hdd already

Thanks

enfield_freddy

yup go for the cheaper pc option and run openelec look at http://www.morgancomputers.co.uk/c/507/Towers-Desktops/ for a simple system , then a HDMI v/card http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B004TCM634?psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_detailpage_o03_s00 vcome with low profile bracket


the original hard drive will be formatted as a Linux format , and will be useless for storeing data , you can get a 30g ssd for about £30 , and you are up and running!

prowla

How about a Mac mini?

tronator

prowla wrote: »

How about a Mac mini?

Maybe because of the "ability to hold 3 HD's (one for the OS and 2 for storage)

I use a HP Microserver as my media server with 4 hard disk in the removable drive bays and an SSD with the OS in the CDROM bay.

tavernman

enfield_freddy wrote: »

I think I might have built something that you are after


media case (xcase)
Asus h81 motherboard
2 x 4g ddr3
intel g3420
240g ssd
2t wd blue
dvd reader
r/control and sender


loaded with openelec (Linux) , boots into openelec within 15-20 secs , lighteningly quick menu , on site storage of obver 1000 films and 10,000 audio tracks , accesss to other media on network


this box (set up properly can stream UK TV , plus access to 1000s of online films (istream) , and of corse my own media


motherboards on offer on ebay £16.99 , case £37 , CPU £49 , memory £52


its actually overkill as when being worked hard , cpu usage is less than 10% and memory about 3%


openelec will run on a raspberry pi (700 processor and 512 memory)


if you are adamant about the recon computer forget windows , use standalone openelec , book drive will be partitioned as 200 meg , so any drive will do , you will need a machine with onboard HDMI or buy a vid card.


if you want any further help , PM me

Please don't pm him see below

enfield_freddy wrote: »

yup go for the cheaper pc option and run openelec look at http://www.morgancomputers.co.uk/c/507/Towers-Desktops/ for a simple system , then a HDMI v/card http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B004TCM634?psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_detailpage_o03_s00 vcome with low profile bracket


the original hard drive will be formatted as a Linux format , and will be useless for storeing data , you can get a 30g ssd for about £30 , and you are up and running!

He cannot even to be bothered to read carefully his own thread , where others have tried to tell him how network file sharing works, dear me https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/5162709 freddie don't put yourself forward as an expert

OP if you do use openelec then please use linux formatted disks(ext3/ext4), they are generally better for that system

enfield_freddy

thank you tavernman , just come home from the pub have you?


experience is gained by reading and asking advice , I have been doing this , both on this forum , other forums and by asking local advice.


I have now perfected my setup , and happy to pass on my finds (good finds and failures) to anyone that cares to ask.


I see you are still sticking your savage dagger in my back everytime I post ,


quote:


He cannot even to be bothered to read carefully his own thread , where others have tried to tell him how network file sharing works, dear me


now try re reading the OP s post , he did not say he wanted to do "network shareing" , he wants to build a "media server" with self contained media


have a nice evening


AB

tavernman

enfield_freddy wrote: »

thank you tavernman , just come home from the pub have you?


experience is gained by reading and asking advice , I have been doing this , both on this forum , other forums and by asking local advice.


I have now perfected my setup , and happy to pass on my finds (good finds and failures) to anyone that cares to ask.


I see you are still sticking your savage dagger in my back everytime I post ,


quote:


He cannot even to be bothered to read carefully his own thread , where others have tried to tell him how network file sharing works, dear me


now try re reading the OP s post , he did not say he wanted to do "network shareing" , he wants to build a "media server" with self contained media


have a nice evening


AB

Alan, Nope just got back from the hospital , but SandLake did say he wants a media server , now Windows expert which part of server do you not understand , what is he going to do plug everthing via usb/hdmi/wet string. I am not trying to "still sticking your savage dagger in my back everytime" you post, I am trying to help someone, which I also have tried to do on your thread, but you didn't come back to that thread , presumably you are still down the pub:beer:
OH and I did read the thread from the beginning, he wants a server , that needs network and a method of sharing.

enfield_freddy

I am thinking of building a media server but I think I might be better to just buy a refurbished PC that can be adapted for the purpose. I am having some difficulty finding something close to the right spec, a dual core processor 2.6Ghz or higher, SATA III, gigabit ethernet, ability to hold 3 HD's (one for the OS and 2 for storage) and I would like at least one USB 3 port. Happy to try out linux but quite a few refurbs have Win7 thrown in.




actually I read that as being a stand alone media server with a gigabit Ethernet in order to watch online media.


the fact that he states ability to hold 3 HD's ,one for the OS 2 for storage tells me that he is not going to be networking the thing and YES he does state that usb will be used as an input method