Hi all,
I'm a long-time Media Center user, but only recently have I attempted to use the Server to broadcast media throughout my home. I attempted to do this several months back, with bad results. I made assumption on how this worked, and ran into issues with the serving computer vs remote computers accessing the library.
Rather than bumble through again, I figured I'd better get some advice. I'm afraid this may be "Media Center Server 101" but I do appreciate the help. Note, I have no issues with connectivity and setup. I'm just not sure how I should lay out the network diagram, as it were.
What I'm working with:
- Lightweight HTPC box is hooked up to my TV/Receiver. This is always on.
- Various devices, mostly mobile, that run Media Center to view/categorize/sort my media library.
- Primary workhorse computer where I would like to do most Media Center management. This is NOT always running. It is the place I want to do most media management.
So where I ran into trouble is that I was using the HTPC as the primary Media Center instance, and everything else would be served from there. So far, so good. The issue really became in managing things from my Primary Computer. I wasn't aware of the limitations that remote libraries have.
What I'm trying to achieve:
- HTPC that serves everything else content.
- Primary PC that has full management over my library.
One solution *appeared* to be that both my HTPC and Primary have full libraries based off of the same content location (basically duplicate libraries). I just had to be sure to shut down one or the other so that any given computer could have "full control".
I have a strong suspicion that I'm simply ignorant of how this, seeming simple, setup is supposed to be achieved using Media Center. Any advice is appreciated!