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[MB]

Sorry if this is a rookie question.  I'm currently evaluating MC/MJ, and have a question about how storage can be configured.

Can I run MC/MJ on a "lightweight" PC in my family room, and have it "point to" a larger, raid-configured file server in my home office for all media storage?  The idea here is to minimize noise in the listening room by running MC/MJ on a quiet laptop (or other silent pc), while keeping the big honkin' storage server neatly tucked out of the way.

If it can be configured this way, will performance suffer at all?  I expect to mainly use the system for music, but it's possible that down the road it might evolve into a TV/PVR system as well.

Thank you!
Matt
 

[JimH]

You can do that with either MJ or MC.  Check the Help section in the program for info on "Media Server".

[AnalogRoaming]

You can use the Media Server feature, but I'm actually just building my llibrary like this:

1. Share out your files like so:  
   \\server\media$

2. Import the files by doing File | Library | Import Media

3. Put the UNC path in the Import box, NOT a drive letter.
   \\server\media$

4. Do the import

5. Backup the library by doing File | Library | Back Up Library.  Choose your \\server\media$ share to store this backup on.

6. On your Viewing computer in the family room, do a Library restore by doing File | Library | Restore Library. Navigate to your \\server\media$ share.

All your playlists and views will be brought in.

7. Now, rock with the Theater View.  Get a StreamZap remote or an ATI Remote Wonder. Either one works well with this program.

All of this works great in version 10. I don't recommend using Theater View in version 11 yet becase there's still some isues that don't make for a smooth experience, but I have total faith in J River... eventually it will be great.

I know that there is a way to actually share the library instead of doing the backup / restore thing I mentioned above, but I also know that I ahve managed to erase my media library several times doing this, and I can't figure out why that happens, nor can I reliably reproduce this enough to inform J River that there is a bug in their software.  So I use the method I described and I find that it works very, very well.

By the way, I have a wireless network running (802.11b) and I don't notice much of a problem, but I do recommend a USB wireless adapter so you can get the receiver away from the PC .

[Jakester]

MB -

I'm using a PC in my home office to rip and store the media and another PC with a single, slow, quiet HD in my theater room to play back.  On the office PC I enable Windows sharing of the directory structure containing the media and the library itself.  On the HTPC I simply pointed all directories at the shared versions.  Works like a peach.  I can update anything from either computer (Server/Client doesn't allow this).  Just make sure to only run MC on one of the PCs at a time!

I'm using the widely popular Linksys switch/firewall/wireless access point to connect the PCs (and share internet access).  They are wired - I put in a ton of CAT5 and RG6 when I built the house.  With them wired this way (100Mb) there is essentially no difference whether I'm sitting at my office or HTPC.  I would imaging the 54Mb wireless spec would work well, but wired is always better.

Also, I'm using my standard def RPTV as the interface in my theater room (haven't made the HD jump yet).  TV-out video card set to 800x600 works just fine even with MC in normal display mode (Theater View is very lacking in my opinion) by just tweaking fonts.  And I found an excellent wireless keyboard that is only $17! : http://www.newegg.com/app/viewproductdesc.asp?description=23-107-114&DEPA=0

Finally, a bit off subject but maybe it will be of interest, here is a link that shows how to get bit-perfect playback using a $26 audio card (assuming you used a lossless format such as .ape and Secure ripping mode): http://www.hometheaterforum.com/htforum/showthread.php?s=&threadid=190009