Advice on home theatre pc/backup solution

[RELEASE]

After some advice on the best fit for my needs around a backup solution and home theatre pc all in one.

I need a solution that's going to back up my harddrive/(s) in some sort of RAID config hence my initial thoughts were a NAS. But I also want to be able to plug it in (via HDMI probably) to my receiver and play files from my drives to the TV - this one probably not a massive requirement as its only temporary until the house it done. Once our house is finished being built I want to put it in the study and network it into all my rooms.

Currently have about 2TB drive full so need at least initially 4TB capacity + same amount for RAID backup and it will need to built to allow for normal growth.

Cheers

[protecon]

NAS + Stand-alone, networked media player?

I wouldn't want the noise of a NAS anywhere near my TV.

EDIT: http://hdcity.com.au/index.php/media-player.html

[to4garret]

I use a Synology DS213+ NAS for sharing of media, an External USB 3 Drive connected to the NAS for backups and a WDTV Live for Home Theater duties.

http://www.synology.com/products/product.php?product_name=DS213%2B&lang=us
http://www.wdc.com/en/products/products.aspx?id=330

The Synology does everything from FTP to NFS, normal windows shares, remote access etc etc. Has a great Web Based UI and you can get any size you want.

This is all low power and super low noise.

[protecon]

I use a Synology DS213+ NAS for sharing of media, an External USB 3 Drive connected to the NAS for backups and a WDTV Live for Home Theater duties.

http://www.synology.com/products/product.php?product_name=DS213%2B&lang=us
http://www.wdc.com/en/products/products.aspx?id=330

The Synology does everything from FTP to NFS, normal windows shares, remote access etc etc. Has a great Web Based UI and you can get any size you want.

This is all low power and super low noise.

+1 for Synology.
I've got a 12-bay running RAID6 - also runs Surveillance Station for all the IP cameras.

[mod]

+1 for Synology.
I've got a 12-bay running RAID6 - also runs Surveillance Station for all the IP cameras.

More info on this setup :D

I have a 5TB HD on my main comp and just stream all my movies/show/porn via WD TV Live works 95% of the time

[evo5aurus]

do you seriously want to backup all your media or do you actually have 2TB of irreplaceable data? Chances are fairly low that a drive will fail spectacularly and you will lose everything and even if it does, if its just media, not really a loss?

IMO you are best off separating sensitive data you actually need to backup from any media. Just host media on a HTPC with a 2TB hdd and keep any other data on a separate, backed up server?

[Lonewolf]

i had a similar need.
Built around a HP Microserver - has 4x HDD bays for RAID.
slotted in a blu-ray burner and a low profile fanless ATI video card with HDMI out for video/sound.
Slotted in 2x 2TB drive in RAID (leaving 2 free for additional RAID array if i need the space), and a logitech wireless keyboard with trackpad.

I run win7 pro + XBMC for management of AV files.

Plays back youtube, downloads torrents, blu-ray, all in one unit and nice and quiet whilst small enough to sit next to TV.
Picked up the microserver dirt cheap new, newer model is still available or pickup one 2nd hand.

[protecon]

More info on this setup :D
I have a Silverstone with full remote functions (Logitech 1100i for the whole lot) in the lounge.
(Sorry for the phone pics)

http://i.imgur.com/UMZjHN8.jpg

Runs Windows 7 - went with Noctua cooling rather than passive so I can still play decent games.

http://i.imgur.com/BYcOori.jpg

55" Samsung is getting a bit small tbh. Might hook up the projector but means moving hanging lights.
18" Behringer with a B&W ASW1000 on top in the corner, Monitor Audio Silvers for mains - can't seem to find another midrange I prefer.
Runs off Conrad Johnson CT5 preamp and Audio-GD Master C1 monoblocks (why the cat is heating her vagina on the class A). The Behringer runs through an active crossover and Australian Monitor amplifier. I've tweaked both subs so not only do the waves radiate perpendicular to each other but the 18" doesn't start until around 45Hz.

http://i.imgur.com/jgi3TOd.jpg

Server setup out in the man cave.
Simple E8500 system running Win7 on the right for downloads and the RAID6 Synology DS2411+ on the left running primarily 2TB drives but slowly migrating to 3TB.
Both run off HP 1100 UPS as I've had trouble with power spikes killing the NAS mainboards before.

http://i.imgur.com/9ytXJmo.jpg

Cameras are accessible with a browser or I use IP Cam Viewer on the Android phones.
Need to fuck off some vinyl.

[DBLDOSE]

Need to fuck off some vinyl.

What vinyl you looking to get rid of? PM me if you want.

[_S9_]

NAS: HP Microserver N36L (running CentOS 5) with 120gb SSD, and a few 1-2TB HDD's in RAID for storage. Also does RSS torrent downloading, etc. SUPER QUIET and low power - hidden away in a cupboard.

http://www.thereefuge.com.au/attachments/proliant1-jpg.9954/
GbE LAN.

Media: Raspberry Pi running latest XBMC - Completely invisible (thrown behind cupboard - the only thing visible is the IR receiver itself)
http://www.projects.naturallightwebdesign.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/T2eC16Zy8E9s2flCuuBQyHvCrfm60_12.jpg

[duste]

^ Have offered Dean my essentially unsured spare N40L w/ 8GB RAM and Windows Server 2008 R2 pre-installed. :) Purchased for the in-laws but they didn't require it for their business anymore so it's been chilling in its box on my office floor for months now.

[cplagz]

How does the Raspi go with 1080p streaming? I've been very tempted to get rid of my HTPC and use a Raspi + HP Microserver upstairs in cupboard over Gbe LAN

[_S9_]

I'll be honest - its not as quick as my old PopcornHour (c200)

It takes about 5 seconds to start/buffer and begin playing. And then seeking forward is another 5second affair.

No biggie at all for me. YMMV.

[jmp]

NAS: HP Microserver N36L (running CentOS 5) with 120gb SSD, and a few 1-2TB HDD's in RAID for storage. Also does RSS torrent downloading, etc. SUPER QUIET and low power - hidden away in a cupboard.

http://www.thereefuge.com.au/attachments/proliant1-jpg.9954/
GbE LAN.

Media: Raspberry Pi running latest XBMC - Completely invisible (thrown behind cupboard - the only thing visible is the IR receiver itself)
http://www.projects.naturallightwebdesign.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/T2eC16Zy8E9s2flCuuBQyHvCrfm60_12.jpg

What IR receiver are you using?

[cplagz]

Hmm no dice then, I'm already impatient with my Core i7 HTPC hah.

[SimonR32]

I've got a Qnap NAS (2x1TB) and run a WDTV Live on both TV's... Works mint and cheap.

If you want to run in raid config just get something similar with more slots

[_S9_]

What IR receiver are you using?

http://www.ple.com.au/ViewItem.aspx?InventoryItemID=601351

Hauppage MCE remote


Works out the box - no setup required.

Oh, and with my HarmonyOne too.

[jzx_andy]

If you want to use network streaming later down the track might I suggest an oppo or WDTV Live Hub - they are so good that we have an oppo in the home theatre and 2x live hubs in the living room and mancave, they feature much compatibility and you can sort out your media library in a really nice way, i can post some pics of how it looks when browsing through media on the wdtv if you'd like.

With regards to HTPC's, you can go mini ITX these days as the latest core i5/i7 cpu's and ITX motherboards feature integrated graphics that are powerful enough to view/stream 1080p.. for around $1k you can buy a mini itx case, mobo, cpu, ram, RAID card and quite a few hdds and you're set! I've seen people fit in roughly 16 hard drives in a bitfenix prodigy case and those things are tiny compared to regular desktops!

[Nugs]

If you want to use network streaming later down the track might I suggest an oppo or WDTV Live Hub - they are so good that we have an oppo in the home theatre and 2x live hubs in the living room and mancave, they feature much compatibility and you can sort out your media library in a really nice way, i can post some pics of how it looks when browsing through media on the wdtv if you'd like.

I currently use a PS3 and PS3 media server for my media streaming but it shits me sometimes.
Unfortunately it's over wifi and not hardwired which is a lot of the problem I think.
Do you think these will work much better?

[mod]

WDTV Live(not sure about the 1st gen) run with 5ghz wireless will play 1080p files flawlessly, I do it all time and mine is about 10m away with few walls inbetween.
I also use PS Media server to host the files

[Nugs]

Cheers I'll look into that.

[RaGH*]

I'm using a Netgear readyduo NAS and a Dlink Boxee Box. That works a treat and I'm a huge fan of my Boxee!

[RELEASE]

I'm probably going to go down either path of NAS or Mini ITX with WDTV Live at each room connected via ethernet back to the study where the NAS/ITX will live

Netplus have the N54L on special for $259 for those interested- http://www.netplus.com.au/product/NBHPMI%252DN54L%252D04/
The fact that it only does RAID 0 and 1 has me not interested in one anymore.

[cplagz]

I'm probably going to go down either path of NAS or Mini ITX with WDTV Live at each room connected via ethernet back to the study where the NAS/ITX will live

Netplus have the N54L on special for $259 for those interested- http://www.netplus.com.au/product/NBHPMI%252DN54L%252D04/
The fact that it only does RAID 0 and 1 has me not interested in one anymore.

What other RAID config would you want to run? It's only a NAS setup... ?

[RELEASE]

What other RAID config would you want to run? It's only a NAS setup... ?RAID 5

[Mistikal]

Chasing a decent set top box that supports high-def TV, recording of TV and also with networking capabilities so it can access my NAS via SMB/Samba/Windows File Sharing. Has to be an off the shelf solution with a remote that is easy to use as it is for my mother.

Suggestions?

Edit: Must also have normal RCA out, as her screen does not have HDMI and she refuses to change it... otherwise I would have just got her a brand new Smart TV.

[_S9_]

RAID 5

Use Software RAID5.

I wouldn't trust the el-cheapo RAID0/1 onboard RAID cards as far as I could throw them anyway.

1xSSD for OS/System
4x HDD's in Software RAID5

ezpz