I had an older mini-tower PC sitting around, and decided to set it up as a media server. The PC did not have enough resources to run Windows 10, and I already have a linux desktop...so I decided to install Ubuntu server edition (very basic install of Linux with no graphical interface). Install was very easy, just booted it up off a USB drive and went from there. Installed SSH to control it remotely, and then moved it down to the basement with no keyboard, monitor, etc.
Took me a little while to get the network sharing working properly, but once I got that setup I installed PLEX on it.
https://www.plex.tv/
PLEX is a free media server app that you can install on many different devices, I followed their instructions and installed it on my linux server. Once it is installed you access PLEX via a web browser - I do this with our laptop upstairs. I ripped some of the kids DVD's into the recommended format and put them on the server - now they can watch these movies without having to handle/change the DVD's - via a Roku box, or even on an iPad.
So far so good.
Media Server
- ricoman2737
- Member
- Posts: 100
- Joined: Mon. Apr. 13, 2009 12:22 pm
- Location: Cincinnatus, NY 13040 (Cortland Co.)
- Stoker Coal Boiler: EFM DF520
- Coal Size/Type: Buckwheat
- Other Heating: Lennox Fuel Oil boiler as a backup
Rob,
Very clever. Sounds like Geek Squad Stuff. John
Very clever. Sounds like Geek Squad Stuff. John
- Rob R.
- Site Moderator
- Posts: 18009
- Joined: Fri. Dec. 28, 2007 4:26 pm
- Location: Chazy, NY
- Stoker Coal Boiler: EFM 520
- Hand Fed Coal Stove: Chubby Jr
Update on this - I have added a significant amount of content to the Plex server, and enjoy being able to access it from any of our TV's. I also added a second hard drive to the media server and use it to back up pictures, etc.
- northernmainecoal
- Member
- Posts: 555
- Joined: Wed. Jan. 22, 2014 8:33 am
- Location: Aroostook County, Maine
- Stoker Coal Boiler: EFM 520
- Hand Fed Coal Stove: Hitzer 30-95
- Baseburners & Antiques: Herald Baseheater #6
- Coal Size/Type: Rice/Nut/Stove
Have you looked at running Kodi as your media server? Lots of free content available as well as the ability to store personal media
- Rob R.
- Site Moderator
- Posts: 18009
- Joined: Fri. Dec. 28, 2007 4:26 pm
- Location: Chazy, NY
- Stoker Coal Boiler: EFM 520
- Hand Fed Coal Stove: Chubby Jr
Yes....but I preferred the Plex interface, and that it is a simple install on our Roku boxes.northernmainecoal wrote:Have you looked at running Kodi as your media server? Lots of free content available as well as the ability to store personal media