Media Streaming

Hi All,

I am using a NAS for storing all my media files (photos, DVDs, music etc)
and was interested in the possibilty of using this drive to stream the info
around my house but all the systems I can find rely on a PC to at least
facilitate this. Are there any systems that would be able to read the NAS
directly without the need for the PC to be on?

Also are there any systems that would take the signal from my rooftop aerial
and stream that back to the PC/NAS so that I could effectively use the
PC/NAS as a PVR (the PC has a TV tuner card but the reception on it's local
aerial is rubbish and the rooftop one is much better)?

Cheers

"Endulini" wrote in message
om...
Hi All,

I am using a NAS for storing all my media files (photos, DVDs, music etc)
and was interested in the possibilty of using this drive to stream the
info
around my house but all the systems I can find rely on a PC to at least
facilitate this. Are there any systems that would be able to read the NAS
directly without the need for the PC to be on?

I believe you need something like
http://www.scan.co.uk/Product.aspx?WebProductID=689633

What I have yet to establish is whether this device "sleeps" when not in
use. Don't want disks whirring 24/24.


Also are there any systems that would take the signal from my rooftop
aerial
and stream that back to the PC/NAS so that I could effectively use the
PC/NAS as a PVR (the PC has a TV tuner card but the reception on it's
local
aerial is rubbish and the rooftop one is much better)?

Cheers

Vortex5 wrote:

I believe you need something like
http://www.scan.co.uk/Product.aspx?WebProductID=689633

What I have yet to establish is whether this device "sleeps" when not in
use. Don't want disks whirring 24/24.



It doesn't.

As a Logitech Squeezebox user I just had to check that thing out - and
still am biased towards a Acer Revo PC thing. Anyway, there's this in
their forum from a user comparing it with more costly NAS kit.

http://forums.slimdevices.com/showpost.php?p=445845&postcount=7

" Thecus N299 is built with cheap plastic and the fan sounds like a old
Chevette disel with a broken tailpipe. Thecus N299 also had zero
firmware update since its introduction, had no spin down for hard disks,
their so called support never answered my repeated email for help, not
even once.

Whatever you do, think twice before buying Thecus."

--
Adrian C

Endulini wrote:
Hi All,

I am using a NAS for storing all my media files (photos, DVDs, music etc)
and was interested in the possibilty of using this drive to stream the info
around my house but all the systems I can find rely on a PC to at least
facilitate this. Are there any systems that would be able to read the NAS
directly without the need for the PC to be on?


Have a look at items like

Hisense 1080p HD TV Media Player
http://www.expansys.com/d.aspx?i=186127

--
Adrian C

"Endulini" wrote in message
om...
Hi All,

I am using a NAS for storing all my media files (photos, DVDs, music etc)
and was interested in the possibilty of using this drive to stream the
info
around my house but all the systems I can find rely on a PC to at least
facilitate this. Are there any systems that would be able to read the NAS
directly without the need for the PC to be on?

Also are there any systems that would take the signal from my rooftop
aerial
and stream that back to the PC/NAS so that I could effectively use the
PC/NAS as a PVR (the PC has a TV tuner card but the reception on it's
local
aerial is rubbish and the rooftop one is much better)?

Cheers



If you run a Upnp server in the NAS then you can connect to it with a Upnp
compatible device such as a Roberts WM 202 radio.
Some NAS such as the Netgear Readnas Duo come with a Upnp server built in.
Some Hifi amplifiers will connect to Upnp servers. The quality is the same
as playing a CD if the CD has been ripped using a lossless format.


With regard to your second question there are things that you can do with
Mythtv which can be split between a backend and a front end PC.
Alternatively you can also use Windows 7 Home Premium and a Linksys Media
Center Extender.
http://www.linksysbycisco.com/UK/en/products/DMA2100

--
Michael Chare

On Fri, 27 Nov 2009 20:08:00 -0000, "Endulini"
wrote:

Hi All,

I am using a NAS for storing all my media files (photos, DVDs, music etc)
and was interested in the possibilty of using this drive to stream the info
around my house but all the systems I can find rely on a PC to at least
facilitate this. Are there any systems that would be able to read the NAS
directly without the need for the PC to be on?

Also are there any systems that would take the signal from my rooftop aerial
and stream that back to the PC/NAS so that I could effectively use the
PC/NAS as a PVR (the PC has a TV tuner card but the reception on it's local
aerial is rubbish and the rooftop one is much better)?

Cheers


Checkout Netgear EVA 9150

http://forum1.netgear.com/forumdisplay.php?f=99

"John Rumm" wrote in message
o.uk...
Endulini wrote:

"John Rumm" wrote in message

Which NAS do you have? Many already include a capability to act as a
media server.

It's a Buffalo LinkStation Live (1TB) so I think I'm ok for it streaming
the

OK then that already has a built-in DLNA streaming media server...

media. Unfortunately I can't run an aerial feed to the PC as it's a
rented house and
the landlord isn't too keen. It's something I'd consider when we buy but
I'd
be interested in any other options that avoid the need e.g. something I
can
plug into the aerial that will be able to feed the signal around the
network.

I think you may be confusing the options a bit here. The media server will
basically allow media already stored in suitable files on the NAS to be
streamed to players on the network (hardwired / WiFi / Home plug). The
player could be a PC, or a dedicated media player.

If you want to distribute TV as well via the same mechanism, you would
need some way of capturing the broadcast to a file. This could be done
with a suitably equipped PC with tuner card, or I suppose you could use
something like a networked Topfield PVR to record stuff in a format
useable on the NAS.


--
Cheers,

John.

I've got a tuner on the PC unfortunately the reception on the local aerial
is rubbish and I've no way of hooking it up to the main aerial, what I would
like to do is send the signal from the main aerial back to the PC so I can
record and then watch programs...

I've got a tuner on the PC unfortunately the reception on the local aerial
is rubbish and I've no way of hooking it up to the main aerial, what I would
like to do is send the signal from the main aerial back to the PC so I can
record and then watch programs...

Why not give all the detail? You did in the DIY group;

"It's a Buffalo LinkStation Live (1TB) so I think I'm ok for it
streaming the media. Unfortunately I can't run a feed to the PC as
it's a rented house and the landlord isn't too keen. It's something
I'd consider when we buy but I'd be interested in any other options
that avoid the need e.g. something I can plug into the aerial that
will be able to feed around the network.

One other constraint that occurs is that my TV is around 5-6 years old
and only has scart inputs.

Thanks for all the help.much appreciated "

"John Rumm" wrote in message
o.uk...
Endulini wrote:

I've got a tuner on the PC unfortunately the reception on the local
aerial is rubbish and I've no way of hooking it up to the main aerial,
what I would like to do is send the signal from the main aerial back to
the PC so I can record and then watch programs...

You seem to be in a situation where you can distribute a computer network
easily enough, but not an RF feed for the TV tuner. Hence your only real
option is to move the tuner to a place where there is an aerial feed, and
capture what you want to the digital domain as soon as you can. Once there
you have more options.

--
Cheers,

John.

I was beginning to get that feeling

Cheers