New file server and media pc

[shadowpr]

Ok, I have a few questions/things I want to check.

Right now I have my desktop in my room, and my dad has his in his room. We each have a laptop as well.

I have two other desktops in the basement running 24/7 (F@H).

I want to take one of those, install Windows Server 2003, and use it as a file server. It should be able to automatically back up both desktops upstairs (mine and dads.)
This build has:
p5kpl-cm
q9450 (oc'd)
2x1gb ddr2-800
ocz 500 psu
and i think a 80gb seagate sata hard drive.

I plan on adding a 1tb drive for backup purposes, and then 2 more 1tb drives for my dvd collection.

Would that work?

Next question: how do I get all my dvd's on to the hard drive? I would need to compress them since I have thousands. How do I do that, and keep good quality?

I wil then need a computer in the living room to connect to the tv just for the purpose of watching those dvds from the server. Should I build one, or buy something like a eee box? (The catch is that it has to be small, and not look out of place, or my dad won' go for it.) If building, I have a spare ocz 500w psu, and a e6750. Cheap is the key. I also should have a 40gb ide drive laying around somewhere, and wouldn't need a dvd drive in it.

And the final question would be, other than just searching the server and media files, is there a program that would let me search by title, or episode of a season. I was looking at http://boxee.tv/ but not too sure about it.

[Khalil]

There are several software you can get that allow you to compress DVDs to AVI which will turn your DVD into a 699MB file instead of 8.4GB, very slow and tedious even with that Q9450. A 1TB drive will fit around 1400 movies.
Not sure what size screen you plan on watching the compressed movies on but anything bigger than a 24 the quality will be very low, remember VHS?

[shadowpr]

Originally Posted by Khalil There are several software you can get that allow you to compress DVDs to AVI which will turn your DVD into a 699MB file instead of 8.4GB, very slow and tedious even with that Q9450. A 1TB drive will fit around 1400 movies. Not sure what size screen you plan on watching the compressed movies on but anything bigger than a 24 the quality will be very low, remember VHS?

My tv and my dads are both 26". My computer is a 20" for now, but will get a 24 soon (hopefully.)

The living room tv is a 46" i believe.

Is there any particular software you know of that will compress but still let me watch decent quality?

I can alway add more hard drives later on.

[shadowpr]

I ordered the extra hard drives.

And got server 2003 installed.

Any ideas as to if the eee box would work as a means to watch movies from the server on a tv?

[not important]

For compressing DVD data, DVDFab ($49) allows the most selection i.e. Whole Movie--Movie with Menu--Movie Only.
DVDShrink is free but doesn't allow as much customization.

[EzyStvy]

You should have consider Windows Home Server...It'll automatically create and store complete images of all the other pc's and serve out media files locally or anywhere..

[shadowpr]

I was considering WHS, but then was able to get a good deal on server 2003. I figured it would be overkill, but also give me a chance to learn how it works in case I have a future client that uses it.

If it's not exactly what I'm looking for, then I'll get WHS. I've heard a lot of good things about it.

I'm also assuming that server 2k3 can do the same thing, and more...but I haven't played with it yet to know. About to go do that now.

[shadowpr]

Originally Posted by EzyStvy You should have consider Windows Home Server...It'll automatically create and store complete images of all the other pc's and serve out media files locally or anywhere..

It makes image backups automatically?

What about just file backups? (Say I just want certain folders backed up, and not my entire computer)

[EzyStvy]

Windows Home Server was designed for households and home-based businesses that have more than one personal computer. Your life has gone digital – it is time to simplify your life so you can easily access your files, photos, videos and music from any PC or TV in your home, or even while away from home.


Digital memories and media stored and organized in a central location

Home computers backed up daily, automatically

Simple restore of lost files or even entire hard drive contents

Complete access to files from both inside and outside the home

A secure and personalized website address for sharing photos and home videos

Easily add storage space and new software capabilities

http://www.microsoft.com/windows/pro...r/default.mspx