View Full Version : streaming media from one PC to another?
Following on from this thread: http://www.sxoc.com/vbb/showthread.php?t=442211
I have two PC's one with all my music videos etc on it, and one with nothing at all on other than xp.
Id like to hook the "empty" one up to the TV downstairs and be able to stream videos etc from the one upstairs. Ideallly id like to get to a point where all my DVD's are on a harddrive and they are viewed over this home network upstairs and downstairs.
My question is whats the best easiest way to do this, I have just downloaded XBMC and have read the manual about sharing media and it points to Filezilla but is this the best most user friendly way?
Thanks in advance SXOC gurus :notworthy
What OS you running on the pcs? xp , vista , 7?
What OS you running on the pcs? xp , vista , 7?
Xp :)
What TV have you got?
I know it sounds like an odd question but some TVs (like my Pioneer) will hook directly up to the PC over the network (via DLNA) and stream any pictures, music and most video files from it without extra effort.
I can't help beyond that because it's not something I've tried to set up or want to set up. The thought of ripping all my DVDs to a computer hard drive sends a shiver down my spine. I've got something approaching 1000 DVDs and Blurays :wack: . If I want to listen to music downstairs then I'll grab the CD off the shelf and play it the easy way :D . Sorry :o
What TV have you got?
I know it sounds like an odd question but some TVs (like my Pioneer) will hook directly up to the PC over the network (via DLNA) and stream any pictures, music and most video files from it without extra effort.
I can't help beyond that because it's not something I've tried to set up or want to set up. The thought of ripping all my DVDs to a computer hard drive sends a shiver down my spine. I've got something approaching 1000 DVDs and Blurays :wack: . If I want to listen to music downstairs then I'll grab the CD off the shelf and play it the easy way :D . Sorry :o
Thers nothing like that im the tv's but i think ill look into that for when I buy my next one.
This would work for me beause everyone would have access to all films music etc all of the time instead of taking from my room and losing scratching etc :annoyed:
mandelbug
15-01-2010, 13:52
Media player should do it, free. Tools, options, share library and it should work :thumbs:
Media player should do it, free. Tools, options, share library and it should work :thumbs:
How will it share it though?
mandelbug
15-01-2010, 14:13
It will use built in sharing and should appear on the machine downstairs. From memory it will show up as an additional library and you can then select that on the left and browse. No need for transferring files etc
Do you need to stream HD content?
Good choice with XBMC. :thumbs: You need to decide if you want to use it on Windows or use the bootable LIVE (Linux) verion that works out of the box. I've gone for an installed LIVE version only because I could use the GPU video acceleration offered by VDPAU. You need a compatible gfx card, though most new nvidia cards will support it.
If you install it on Windows you don't need to worry about FileZilla. It's only needed if you go down the Linux or Live route and need SSH access to XBMC / or the underlying Linux OS.
Just share a folder on your other XP PC and map to it in XBMC.
It's pretty straight forward.
For info I have my main Win7 PC upstairs and stream media from it to my PC via an Acer Revo 3610 and a few 200Mbps Homeplugs. I've tried that many different solutions I can honestly say XBMC is the most impressive and stable. There's also a massive support base on the forums and constant development on all platforms.
Do you need to stream HD content?
Good choice with XBMC. :thumbs: You need to decide if you want to use it on Windows or use the bootable LIVE (Linux) verion that works out of the box. I've gone for an installed LIVE version only because I could use the GPU video acceleration offered by VDPAU. You need a compatible gfx card, though most new nvidia cards will support it.
If you install it on Windows you don't need to worry about FileZilla. It's only needed if you go down the Linux or Live route and need SSH access to XBMC / or the underlying Linux OS.
Just share a folder on your other XP PC and map to it in XBMC.
It's pretty straight forward.
Fore info I have my main Win7 PC upstairs and steam media from it to my PC via an Acer Revo 3610 and a few 200Mbps Homeplugs. I've tried that many different solutions I can honestly say XBMC is the most immpressive and stable. There's also a massive support base on the forums and constant development on all platforms.
Yup , what he said ^^^
Thats what i do , stream to a xbox in the lounge on an old sdtv and to a HTPC in the cinema room for HQ.
Yup , what he said ^^^
Thats what i do , stream to a xbox in the lounge on an old sdtv and to a HTPC in the cinema room for HQ.
Yeah I still have my old softmodded xbox in the loft. For an sdtv it's probably still as good as it gets.
Hugh Janus
15-01-2010, 15:00
iTunes already has a feature built in ( certainly in the mac version it does anyway) that allows sharing of music files across a network, I'm sure the same can be done for films too
btw I haven't read the entire thread so not sure if it was films/music you want to stream
mandelbug
15-01-2010, 15:04
iTunes doesn't do Movie streaming unfortunately, am sure that Media player does but would need to check :)
So both PC's wil need to be connceted to my wireless network then just use XBMC as above, sorry for the stupid questions.
mandelbug
15-01-2010, 15:19
yes, both need to be connected to the network :)
oh and the PC that will be going downstairs is an old Emachines 3210 very basic, running XP
AshmanS13
15-01-2010, 15:56
Orb ?
Right then going to give it a whirl tonight had to order some bits for the old machine, RAM etc to help it cope a bit better. Only thing I didnt realise with it was I must of put some ancient 6 Gb!! yes 6 Gb drive in it years ago and XP seems to use up 5 Gb of it :wack:
So going to install XBMC tonight, and connect it to my home network and see what its like streaming movies from the other computer, wish me luck (ill defo need it :D) .
Ah you'll be fine! haha XBMC for Windows? Just use Live, it's tons better!
Is that the boot from USB stick Jobbie? I did look at that but am a bit unsure about what to do, it would be good to get rid of xp all together.
Well its all on, and ive found the main PC (Media server in XBMC) but it seems to frezze up whenit trys to open up the video stream :confused:
Well its all on, and ive found the main PC (Media server in XBMC) but it seems to frezze up whenit trys to open up the video stream :confused:
Could be anything. Are you connecting to a SMB share on a windows PC? What are you trying to watch i.e what bitrate? Are you streaming over wifi? When trying to watch something press i on your keyboard for info. It'll tell you CPU usage along with the network buffer and a ton of other info. also see how much free RAM you have.
If you use Live you can download the image and either just boot from a cd or use the same cd to do a perm install on either usb or fixed HDD. What video card do you have in this PC? Are you wanting to play HD stuff?
AshT_200
20-01-2010, 20:08
The thought of ripping all my DVDs to a computer hard drive sends a shiver down my spine. I've got something approaching 1000 DVDs and Blurays :wack: . If I want to listen to music downstairs then I'll grab the CD off the shelf and play it the easy way :D . Sorry :o
Lol I know how you feel, I gave up making a catalogue after 700 or so DVDs and still had well over half as much again to go. I'd hate to spend the time ripping them.
Besdies you'd lose quality due to compression..... 1000 DVD's is like 9TB. Moreso for Blu-ray:eek:
Could be anything. Are you connecting to a SMB share on a windows PC? What are you trying to watch i.e what bitrate? Are you streaming over wifi? When trying to watch something press i on your keyboard for info. It'll tell you CPU usage along with the network buffer and a ton of other info. also see how much free RAM you have.
If you use Live you can download the image and either just boot from a cd or use the same cd to do a perm install on either usb or fixed HDD. What video card do you have in this PC? Are you wanting to play HD stuff?
Errmm what's an SMB, no HD stuff just DVD files sorry for the short reply my iPhone makes it hard to see the whole screen lol.
SMB (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Server_Message_Block)
Have you shared a folder on a PC and connect to it via \\PCNAME\SHARE ?
Are you using the XBMC PC to host media or just using it to stream media off other devices?
SMB (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Server_Message_Block)
Have you shared a folder on a PC and connect to it via \\PCNAME\SHARE ?
Are you using the XBMC PC to host media or just using it to stream media off other devices?
Ill have a look at the SMB thing when I finish work, cheers for the advice :thumbs:.
Ive now got two PC'S with XBMC on them one with all my films music on and one with nothing on it but XBMC and XP.
I'm not sure how you want it configured but to stream media you only need XBMC on the PC doing the streaming. The PC that's acting as the server (where all the media is stored) doesn't need XBMC on it.
I'm not sure how you want it configured but to stream media you only need XBMC on the PC doing the streaming. The PC that's acting as the server (where all the media is stored) doesn't need XBMC on it.
Aha so my main PC doesnt need to have XBMC running on it. So do I use something like windows media connect to chosse folders I want to share?
Correct! You could use UPnP with Windows Media Player 11 (http://windows.microsoft.com/en-US/windows-vista/Sharing-media-on-a-network-using-Windows-Media-Player) on the Server PC but I prefer to just share folder and connect to it with a username and password.
It's all in the manual (http://xbmc.org/wiki/?title=XBMC_Online_Manual) :thumbs:
Correct! You could use UPnP with Windows Media Player 11 (http://windows.microsoft.com/en-US/windows-vista/Sharing-media-on-a-network-using-Windows-Media-Player) on the Server PC but I prefer to just share folder and connect to it with a username and password.
It's all in the manual (http://xbmc.org/wiki/?title=XBMC_Online_Manual) :thumbs:
Ive tried Upnp and it sees the main computer over the network, weird thing is it can see the video file (artwork etc) but as soon as I click to play them a box just comes up with streaming and nothing happens??
Also it cant see my music files which is very weird?
The only thing I can think of is because theres hardly any space left on the drive it hasnt got enough space to buffer the stream???
Proably best if I put some screen shots up later.
What's the speed of the network?
What's the speed of the network?
It says 100 mbs
ok, so not wireles then, that's good. That pretty much rules out any bandwidth issues. What about playing something locally attached to the XBMC box from something like an external HDD or flash drive?
On the streamer are you using the Windows version of XBMC?
ok, so not wireles then, that's good. That pretty much rules out any bandwidth issues. What about playing something locally attached to the XBMC box from something like an external HDD or flash drive?
On the streamer are you using the Windows version of XBMC?
Ill try that tonight see what happens, yeah its the windows version the PC only has a 6Gb harddrive :wack:
Right so I decided to install the "live version of XBMC on the 6gb PC but ive downloaded the release and I cant find a .iso file to burn to disc in the unpacked download :confused: i almost give up :mad:
I've just downloaded the live version and once extracted all it contains is a single iso image?
http://www.sxoc.com/vbb/attachment.php?attachmentid=66371&d=1264102966
Right then finished work and straight to it, seems WINRAR was my problem with the .iso once id uninstalled that and used winzip all was fine and I now have the .iso file burnt to a disc.
Only thing worrying me now is when this PC goes down to its new home itll be connected to my wireless network not my LAN, will the live.iso have the correct drivers to use a USB wireless dongle do you think?
will the live.iso have the correct drivers to use a USB wireless dongle do you think?
I doubt it. :no: It'd be possible to get it working i reckon but it wouldn't be straight forward. Maybe go with the windows or Ubuntu version for ease.
I doubt it. :no: It'd be possible to get it working i reckon but it wouldn't be straight forward. Maybe go with the windows or Ubuntu version for ease.
Might have a look at the ubuntu version then :thumbs:
Yeah you could do a minimal (set-top box) install of Ubuntu and have XBMC on top. Works very well.
http://www.springydevelopment.co.uk/2009/11/08/minimal-install-of-xbmc-on-ubuntu-karmic-koala/
http://blog.xbmc.org/forum/showthread.php?t=61172
cheers for all your help :thumbs: going to go destress from playing with the live version and have a crack at this install . :)
Big fail :annoyed: I cant get my PC to boot from the USB stick so now have an empty live install on the PC lol, plugged an ethernet cable in to it and it cant see the netwrok i dont think either lol i should cry really :wack:
Update :whip: I gave up in the end got it all working and it turned out the on board graphics on the E machines comp was no where near good enough :cry:
Im just going to buy a second PS3 to stick downstairs, my question now is all the files I copied over to my external drive are just straight DVD copys (over 4Gb a file) I understand that I need to convert them to MP4 to be able to see them on the PS3 can anyone reccomend a programme to do this :confused:
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