PC Entertainment Server
Absolute decadance in computer nerdery!
The Story
I am a big fan of using old computers for new fuctions, and look or any excuse to get down and spend the time and money to tear one apart and upgrade it.I started using my dad's old Dell Optiplex GX150 as a 'studio computer' I set up in my basement last summer. I had all my new Canon Rebel XTi software installed on it, and was experimenting with camera / system calibration and editing photo variables in the RAW format after a photograph was shot.
When I started using the system, I decided some upgrades were needed. I added an old ASUS 32meg video card I obtained from a close friend. It held up, but the fan gave off a buzzing sound. The card is still in use in another one of my systems and is almost 12 years old. I added a 120 GB hard drive I had in another system that went kybosh after a heating issue. I found a couple of compatible RAM DIMMS on kijiji and maxed out the memory. I added a DVD burner and seperate drive reader, bth also from the burnt out system. The Hard drive I added fizzed out after a week of use. I think it may have been damaged in the meltdown. Regardless, I saw this as an excuse to get a new one, and purchased a mint 250GB Seagate from my friend's computer shop. While I was there, I noticed a massive (and heavy) 21" monitor on the floor. Obviously used but still in good shape, it had a $25 price tag. This was quickly reduced to $15, given the friend status and hard drive purchase. I added a card reader, borrowed my mother's photo printer and added some speakers. My studio system was now complete!
Then I got a new job. So I packed it up and moved it out.
The Challenge
Upon moving into my current abode, I was met with a challenge: sharing media I had acumulated over the years in the format and setting I was used to, in a setting that was simple to use. You see, as good intentioned and awesome as my roommates are, they are not the most computer savvy people in the world. Their internet experience is summed it with basic surfing, email and facebook. There's nothing wrong with that, but I am used to fixing various errors and bugs as I encounter them, and the boys wouldn't know how to deal with them.During the format and Windows XP installation, I was pondering what sort of software to install. Now, both my roommates have iPods, and though I was quite leary about it I installed iTunes on the computer to sync their players, something I would need to do anyway. iTunes is the only program to my knowledge tat will sync an iPod library or however they do it. I knew little about iTunes and generally heard bad things and stayed away from it. Little did I know, it is quite good. It can play multiple formats, doesn't eat up massvie system resources,and even works with my USB remote. That and it was free. The ads are annoying, but worth it for what I got.
For videos, I found VLC Media player. Amazing. Plays DVDs, many media formats, and was also free. I set up both programs as the default media players and have had few problems. We have combined the three of our music collections together and have almost 50 GB. We get more all the time, as each of us has a large CD collection. This is slowly being encoded into the MP3 format and added to the massive archive. For ripping, I've been using and older version of KRAC with the solid LAME Encoder. Loaded with features you would normally only find in a retail package, but as is everything else on the server, freeware (free license / distribuion, if you wanna be technical). I added the latest drivers and video codecs, and old version of Nero Express I had kicking around to burn audio CDs and the computer was finished.
I hooked the PC up to the stereo reciever, also with the radio tuner and TV. The TV was hooked up to the VCR and the XboX was hooked up to that, so only one input was used on the receiver. After wiring in and mouting 4 speakers, it was now fully operational. I setup a wireless router, ran a cable into my bedroom, then set up the internet and network settings and permissions. I've been dunping videos and music from my hundreds of discs compiled over the years ever since. There will always be room for improvement. Some of these that come to mind
The Specs
|
 |
I had my Logitech Extreme gamepad at a friend's place, but forgot about it entirely and picked up a cheapo no name one at Rat Shack, also known as The Source now. My friend reminded me of the other gamepad and brought it down, so now two controllers are in action!