Uh, I'm lost - A/V from computer - servers??????

[Oz]

Yesterday my neighbor and a buddy were helping a little with my basement, and started mentioning how I could hook up a server program on my PC to control all my shit in the closet (stereo, dvd, modem, tv box, etc) and that there is a way I could control all that shit over my Iphone from where ever I was. They mentioned I could stream music off my home PC to my work PC. They mentioned a bunch of different sources - Microsoft Home Audio Server XP - We Got Served.

I did a little digging up - but am totally lost about all of this :(

Does anyone have any input for idiots? Ya - that would be me!

I need the 3rd grade version (since in 4th grade they're already programming shit for large corporations).

Anything would be helpful. Thanks.

[Quads]

OK, as a third grader...... here is your first step:
Make everything work as it is NOW.
Once that is complete, we'll talk about piping (connecting) a server (XP / media of whatever sorts) to your A/V system which will allow you to them push MP3's and Video (ripped from DVD) to the A/V system. And in some cases, (depending on how badassbob you get, you can record media (movies) to the server as well. See below)

Oh, you wanna get all tweaky now?
We open your firewall so that you can access said server from the interwebs. (yeah... and control it while you're not there, you know... just in case the walls want something to listen to instead of arguing with the carpet).

First things first, get it working, enjoy it, then we'll discuss mods.

[CRAW]

Subscribed, and very interested as well.

[pond007]

Pulling out pen and paper to take notes. Let's go!

[Shadow]

Hmm..... Me likey where this is going.

I already have a server on my home network full of mp3 and use an OmniFi streamer. I might be interested in seeing what I could do with it as far as movies and shit goes...

[CRAW]

I ran across this (www.sonos.com (http://www.sonos.com/Default.aspx?rdr=true&LangType=1033)) a couple weeks ago, and it has an iPhone application. Is this basically what this thread pertains to?

[Oz]

I ran across this (www.sonos.com (http://www.sonos.com/Default.aspx?rdr=true&LangType=1033)) a couple weeks ago, and it has an iPhone application. Is this basically what this thread pertains to?


Not what I was looking toward in whole - but a little bit of the equation.

My buddy directed me towards www.wegotserved.co.uk and also microsoft xp home server for AV. Even after they were talking about what all the stuff you could do - I was lost. Running all of your home theater shit off a pc, video, surround sound (tweaking the sound to the best audio), coordinating music to run through your home theater off your pc, while being able to operate the controls off the Iphone if you wanted. But, like Q mentioned - I'm gonna get my shit hooked up right and operational before jumping into it. But it's good to get information so you can do research.

[Quads]

There are many superbobbitchebadass all in one systems out there that you can build, piece together, hack, add on, etc. etc .etc.

For the same ofthis conversation Oz, think of it like this:
Windows Vista Media Server Edition, a couple of cables (connecting the machine to the appropriate inputs on your receiver and possibly your TV / Projector if you go that route), and a wireless keyboard / mouse to control it from the easy chair.

All you're doing is taking a PC with a bitchen video card and a bitchen audio card, loading it with all your [pirated] movies and muzak, and connecting it to your A/V system. There's really nothing tricky about it.

Where it becomes tricky is when you start playing with software on top of which to catalog your muzak, movies, pr0n, slick navigation / menus, and of course the endless list of features that each package offers, etc.