INTERACT FORUM

More => Old Versions => Media Center 11 (Development Ended) => Topic started by: JustinChase on January 30, 2004, 12:21:13 pm

Title: How to 'stream' ape files over internet as mp3's?
Post by: JustinChase on January 30, 2004, 12:21:13 pm

I have all of my files stored on my work server (I spend most of my time there)  as ape files.  I do want to listen to them at home, however, and don't want to copy them all to another computer at home.  I actually use my laptop as my work and home computer.  It only has a 60 gb hard drive, and I have about 180 gb worth of music, another reason I have it stored at the office.

I connect to the office via a VPN connection from my laptop at home.  The problem is that I can't actually listen to my library at home because the ape files are too large to 'stream' across the internet.  I know MC can convert "on the fly" since it does this for the TiVo HMO.  It allows you to select what rate to convert to.  I realize that this is actually being done by Media Server for the TiVo option, not Media Center, but I run a Linux server at the office and cannot install media server on that machine.

I would be willing to install MC on a different machine at the office, a windows machine, and use that to run Media Server from that machine, but i still don't know how I would connect to the Media Server after it has done the conversion to mp3, so I can listen at home.

I'm hoping someone can give me some help in this endeavor, either by allowing this in MC directly, or some help with the logistics of setting this up with the third machine at the office.

Thanks for any help anyone can provide.

Title: Re:How to 'stream' ape files over internet as mp3's?
Post by: JimH on January 30, 2004, 12:39:50 pm

You could set up a second library of MP3 files and share that library.

File/Library/Library Manager/Add.

Import your files into the new library.  Convert as many as you want, but be careful to NOT DELETE the original files.  Try a few before you do a lot.

Title: Re:How to 'stream' ape files over internet as mp3's?
Post by: KingSparta on January 30, 2004, 01:32:50 pm

We talked about a On The Fly Conversion Of Media Types At One Time To Something With A Lower Bit Rate.

I think The Answer Was, Maybe Later

Title: Re:How to 'stream' ape files over internet as mp3's?
Post by: JustinChase on January 30, 2004, 01:37:51 pm

Unfortunately, I don't have enough room to store another library full of mp3's.

I'm gonna try to set up a space computer to run Media Server, and see if I can't connect to that through the VPN connection, but I'm not sure if Media Server will still convert "on the fly" for this type of application, instead of TiVo.

Anyone?

Title: Re:How to 'stream' ape files over internet as mp3's?
Post by: JimH on January 30, 2004, 01:50:10 pm

Quote from: JustinChase on January 30, 2004, 01:37:51 pm

I'm not sure if Media Server will still convert "on the fly" for this type of application, instead of TiVo.

Not at this time.

Title: Re:How to 'stream' ape files over internet as mp3's?
Post by: JustinChase on January 30, 2004, 01:55:05 pm

Any guestimate on when?

I promise to not hold you to it, I'm just curious if it'll be in a few weeks, few months, maybe someday?

Title: Re:How to 'stream' ape files over internet as mp3's?
Post by: JimH on January 30, 2004, 01:56:37 pm

Some day.  I really can't say.

Title: Re:How to 'stream' ape files over internet as mp3's?
Post by: JustinChase on January 30, 2004, 02:02:30 pm

Fair enough.

Thanks.

Looks like I'm in the market for another hard drive  :)

Title: Re:How to 'stream' ape files over internet as mp3's?
Post by: JustinChase on January 30, 2004, 02:23:21 pm

Jim,

Is there any way to keep the 2 libraries snychronized with one another?

I'm still working on updating the ratings, cover art files, playlists, etc in my main library, in addition to finishing ripping all of my music.

Or am I going to have to 'finish' my main library first, then convert to the new mp3 library?

Title: Re:How to 'stream' ape files over internet as mp3's?
Post by: gbdesai on February 01, 2004, 04:46:42 pm

We were having a similar discussion in this thread:

http://yabb.jriver.com/interact/index.php?board=3;action=display;threadid=18891

Life would be much simpler if you could maintain a synchronized library of APE and MP3 files.