DVD Jukebox Suggestions?

[CuTN]

Hi. i have recently remodeled my home and have added a home theater. I am currently using an old gaming rig to watch movies on. It will soon be replaced with an HTPC im think up and am planning to buid.

The problem is. I want to rid all of my dvds and build a dvd server (which means LOTS of disk space XD).

I was wondering what the best method would be.

If the hds were put into the HTPC... CAN YOU SAY LOUD HISSING BEAST?!?!?! XP

i was thinking nor on the lines of creating a nas like unit or even buying a nas server with about 2 tbs of storage space.

If i were to build one, does anyone have suggestions.

Your input is very much appreciated
Thanks

(edit)
btw i am planning on running the entire house with cat6 cables, and upgrading my router and getting a switch to obtain gigabit networking throughout the house.

[Hdale85]

You wouldn't need a ton of CPU power. like 1-2ghz should be good as your just sharing data and not actually processing the data on that machine. You may want to put this in the Tower of Power section though. But i would say something like a AMD 64 1.8ghz with like 512 ram running linux would be quite capable. Gigabit network would be nice for HD stuff Also get a good case. Something like a Lian Li with 120mm fans would be great (what I currently use and wow is it a nice case). I'm not sure what your looking for exactly but the majority of your money will be spent on Hard drives. Onboard video is more then enough and if you know linux well enough you could make the whole thing setup so you could use it remotely from a PDA or another computer in your house if you wanted although after initial setup you wouldn't need to do much with it. There is that new windows home server software haven't used it though.

[mjb]

Another idea would be to look at Apples AppleTV, although theres currently no support for full surround sound.

[sokoban]

For a DVD changer, right now I would go with one of the 200 disc sony units instead of HD based storage. The VGP-XL1B2 is available for under $400, though I believe they are discontinued. I store CDs as Apple Lossless, but am probably going to pick up one of these for DVDs. Apple Lossless or FLAC can usually store a full length CD in about 350 MB. Recompressing video requires a lot more processor power, and still takes up several GB per hour to get full quality.

[CuTN]

Should this be in the tower of power thread? X/ if so im sorry and could an admin move it. i just thot that the tower of power was more of a section to show what you have already set up and this seem more like a section for questions

You wouldn't need a ton of CPU power. like 1-2ghz should be good as your just sharing data and not actually processing the data on that machine. You may want to put this in the Tower of Power section though. But i would say something like a AMD 64 1.8ghz with like 512 ram running linux would be quite capable. Gigabit network would be nice for HD stuff Also get a good case. Something like a Lian Li with 120mm fans would be great (what I currently use and wow is it a nice case). I'm not sure what your looking for exactly but the majority of your money will be spent on Hard drives. Onboard video is more then enough and if you know linux well enough you could make the whole thing setup so you could use it remotely from a PDA or another computer in your house if you wanted although after initial setup you wouldn't need to do much with it. There is that new windows home server software haven't used it though.

Yeah i was thinking more on the lines of dougie085 here XD. I was planning on turning an unused comp with a 2.0ghz intel with a gig of ram. and probably puttin like 3-4 500gb hds into the current case which is a thermaltake and also (man is it a nice case) XD. That means 1.5-2TB of storage. The main problem is the Operating system as i have no idea how to set up such a rig. I am oblivious to anything linux because i have never touched it (but willing to learn). and Windows... its windows XD never seems to be very stable. I looked the the internet mayb FreeNAS?. but id rather go the linux route if theres some website or somthing to give me a jump start as to how to configure it because i could also use the server as a webserver with the linux and apache route.

anyone wanna help a kid out and show him linux? XP

Another idea would be to look at Apples AppleTV, although theres currently no support for full surround sound.

I dont see how an appletv would help here... or am i just retarded XD

For a DVD changer, right now I would go with one of the 200 disc sony units instead of HD based storage. The VGP-XL1B2 is available for under $400, though I believe they are discontinued. I store CDs as Apple Lossless, but am probably going to pick up one of these for DVDs. Apple Lossless or FLAC can usually store a full length CD in about 350 MB. Recompressing video requires a lot more processor power, and still takes up several GB per hour to get full quality.

The thing is I like the idea of having it backed up so that there is no use of the dvds and they can be kept away and not worn out from reading. also the file server can also be used for music and other files that the entire house could use not just the movie room XD

Thanks fo all your input its very much appreciated

[Hdale85]

It's really not hard to backup dvd's and takes not that much time (10 min or so it used to take me). As for the operating system I know some will laugh but I have 0 stability issues with vista. And like I mentioned before if you don't know linux then there is that new windows home server thing coming out soon. Linux isn't hard but if you don't make it your main OS it takes a long time to learn your way around it

[bigburner]

What Jukebox software do you plan to use?

[CuTN]

What Jukebox software do you plan to use?

I think imma go a new route and make the server pc a NAS using linux and using Windows Vista or XP Media Center with some modifications i saw around on the web as the jukebox.