Make old PC into media extender

Forums › Home Theatre (including HTPC and EPG Collector) › Make old PC into media extender

Mudz12

71 posts

Master Geek

#43550 20-Oct-2009 15:49

Hi guys,

Sorry if this has been asked before, but at home I have my main PC in the office which holds all my Music, Photos etc. I want to be able to access these from my tv and stereo in the living room. Now ive managed to hook up a xbox 360 as a media extender which works well other than the xbox isnt mine and I do not want to buy one.

I have an old PC running xp upstairs doing nothing and I was wondering if I could get a wireless card install it into the pc and set it up as a media extender in the same fashion as the xbox 360? Could somebody please lead me in the right direction from here to any tuorials and software. My pc in the office is not a media center pc but ive seen other free software like xbmc,moovida and geexbox which might do the job but im not sure what they are capable of.

cheers

Mudz

Mudz - Software Developer

vinnieg

2260 posts

Uber Geek

Trusted

#265417 20-Oct-2009 18:48

Hi,

Yeah sure, you could set it up as a media centre extender, run movies, videos, recorded TV(Not live without a few hacks and plugins unfortunately and even then it's fiddly to setup), pictures, music etc.

Great use for an old PC.

XBMC is a great app.

For any HD decoding(720p, 1080p) you'd need a decent video card, anything like a 6600gt, 7600gt or anything more recent should play HD content well

I have moved across the ditch. Now residing in Melbourne as a VOIP/Video Technical Trainer/Engineer.

Mudz12

71 posts

Master Geek

#265435 20-Oct-2009 19:54

Ok thanks, do you know any tutorials that will help me with this. Im not worried so much about hd and movies just music and pictures. Do I install xbmc on the old pc connected to the tv? does it have a facility to stream my music from my main pc?

Mudz - Software Developer

vinnieg

2260 posts

Uber Geek

Trusted

#265457 20-Oct-2009 21:27

Yeah sure :) http://xbmc.org/download/ get the one for Windows, assuming XP is installed?
On the same page, click "Wiki" and you'll find the online manual for it.
It's being update constantly with new skins and patches too!

For streaming music from your main PC, you need to share it first.
If you've got Win Media player 11, when the new PC is attached with XBMC on it and to the TV, open your PC, Win Media player, then click "library, then Media sharing"
It should pickup the TV PC name and you can click this and click "Allow"
That should be all that you need :) then in XBMC should pickup your PC and start sharing it's content

I have moved across the ditch. Now residing in Melbourne as a VOIP/Video Technical Trainer/Engineer.

itxtme

2102 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 557

#265477 20-Oct-2009 22:36

Be aware of the draw backs to streaming wireless audio and photos, really you need Wireless N support (router and server PC). Without it throughput will likely be too slow and you audio could/will be buggy and interrupted.

vinnieg

2260 posts

Uber Geek

Trusted

#265533 21-Oct-2009 08:33

Wireless N would be nice, but 802.11g would suffice for the odd picture streaming/music streaming? Since all the work is done on the Extender side?

I have moved across the ditch. Now residing in Melbourne as a VOIP/Video Technical Trainer/Engineer.

smac

338 posts

Ultimate Geek
+1 received by user: 40

#265561 21-Oct-2009 09:41

G is absolutely fine for music.

Lego

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Mudz12

71 posts

Master Geek

#265585 21-Oct-2009 10:43

Thanks guys for your replies I give it a try and let you know. What do you guys use for keyboard and mouse combination, ive seen this Logitech diNovo Mini Keyboard which looks great but is their any other cheaper alternatives.

Also ive found this tutorial which I might try aswell, it lets your share your itunes library with another pc but also if you edit/create a playlist or add music it will sync back to the computer with all your music on it.

http://lifehacker.com/software/itunes/hack-attack-share-your-itunes-music-library-over-your-home-network-230605.php

Mudz - Software Developer

bjhoogs

183 posts

Master Geek

#265587 21-Oct-2009 10:51

itxtme: Be aware of the draw backs to streaming wireless audio and photos, really you need Wireless N support (router and server PC). Without it throughput will likely be too slow and you audio could/will be buggy and interrupted.

G works fine for streaming standard definition video using mythtv. If it can't keep up with audio or photos you have other issues.