Sylvain, what you are thinking about is reasonable and very doable. You would not need slimserver or any other product like it. Since this is going in your entertainment center I would be concerned with the PC's noise level. There are several mfg that make fanless very low noise level units.

I use a fanless IBM Laptop, but the only thing I use it for is control. The battery and ac power makes it have its own UPS. It acts as a "crestron" control unit taking tcpip commands from the pronto PRO. It normally just sits on a shelf, closed, taking about 1" of space. There are quite a few mfg making PC's that tend to look like A/V equipment but from what I have seen they are not cheap. In fact the Moneual units are some of the less expensive ones.

Just to clarify there are no servers in my entertainment center. The servers are in a utility closet, rack mounted and sit on the house LAN. I use servers from Superlogics.com and have no issues with them. My requireents are for 24x7 unattended operation, and they meet the bill. All computers in the house run Win XP PRO

Lyndel/Barry, thanks for the follow-up.

Even if it will be a new computer, I will probably only get Windows XP and run WMP. It sounds like I should get a good sound card and a good (quiet) video card with an HDMI output (assuming it exists). I will have to settle to wireless though because I don't have any CAT5 installed in the house (I could check if I could manage to run one through the basement but a couple of the walls are insulated walls that are tricky to mess with).

I noticed the advice for the wireless keyboard/mouse combo but wonder if I need one at all if I can manage the computer remotely. As pointed out by Barry, I obviously need a quiet case. I have started to look for those but some sales folks are not really knowledgeable. I like the idea of the laptop that could easily be hidden behind the TV (let's say) and pulled out for maintenance or other purposes. I am not sure about video capabilities though or, if HDMI is available in a laptop, it would be very expensive (as compared to the regularly assembled PC).

I have noticed the HTPCs that some mfg are offering but also noticed the hefty price tags in many cases (noting that Moneual is potentially one of the less expensive ones). That's why I had started a thread about Media Servers compatible with PadOne (to get ideas/input on setting up a PC instead of an Escient machine). Sorry for screwing up my statement about your setup Barry, I did not remember all the details. I also noted you run XP Pro; any intent to move up to Vista? I certainly don't see the need. I hear Vista can slow things down...

Where to begin, Vista, Why. XP Pro is rock solid and does everything I want. I even run XPembedded on my touchscreens with no moving parts on any of them (flash memories for disk and good old ram).

My Theater Laptop is an old IBM A20. It is fast enough for me, but remember I do not use it as an audio or Video player, just as a controller. It does have dual monitor output. Use a card from Villagetronics called the VTbook (about $270). It is a PCMCIA card and adds full dual monitor capability to the Laptop. The main screen always shows system status (21" lcd monitor) while the VTbook is connected to the Video projector and drives it through VGA to Component converter (It also puts out DVI) at 1280x720 60 hz HD at 24 bit color. The only thing I show using it is the DVD library, including full info about every DVD and cover art, or I run slide shows from good digital photos using software I wrote.

I use Famatech remote administrator to run any machine in the house from my one Development system. Each one of the machines runs the Remote Admin as a service, and logging onto any of them is trivial. In fact If I was adventurous I could do it from anyplace in the world but why?

The laptop normally stays closed (the aux monitor is connected to the laptops main VGA port) and just sits on a shelf making no noise. Sails through must minor power outages since there is a battery. If I need to touch (sometimes it is just easier than remote control) it I slide it out and open the cover. It is ready and waiting. I have never been a proponent of using PC audio. I do use it to accompany the slide shows however. I have always driven audio from server based files; initially using an Audiotron, then a Roku photobridage and finally Slim Server.

I have seen cards with DVI output but not HDMI. I am sure they either exist or will soon. Being old school I think of PC's as computers not players, that's just me.

I don't know how your house is built but running wire is fairly easy (IMHO); a couple of tricks of the trade (I worked as an electrcian during my college years), but relatively simple. I run cat5 regularly but my house has a full attic with access to every wall from the attic (also remember I am approaching 70 but still go up in the attic). The walls have fire breaks (horizontal 2x4's between the studs "cats" as they are called), but I either drill right through them from the attic or just notch the plasterboard. Plasterboard is infinately repairable with only moderate skills required. Wireless is OK but as Philips has proven, roaming is still a problem. 100 mbit full duplex ethernet is a pleasure.

Wow.

Lowpro/Barry - you really are extremely talented gentlemen!

I'm on vacation at the moment, but return to the UK next week, and will follow-up then.

Thanks again for the follow-up Barry.


I would prefer to stick to XP as well but it seems I may have problem getting XP if I am buying a new computer with Windows at the same time.


I thought about using a laptop but get the impression that it would be more expensive than a simple PC and limiting (as far as Hard Disk size is concerned for example).


That's why I feel I may not need a keyboard/mouse attached to the computer I would use as my music server. I would maintain it from my other computer.


That looks like neat stuff but as discussed previously, I just feel that sticking a PC in my home entertainment centre would allow me to "streamline" my setup (avoiding to have too many components)


Actually, I think I have seen DVI to HDMI cables.


I understand that your setup maybe a bit more "accommodating" as I have a two storey house and no access to the walls of the ground floor from the second floor. While somewhat of a hassle, I suspect my basement is probably a good option. Having said that, wireless at 54mbps (or even a bit less) should be fine for file transfers (remember, I don't intend to stream to my entertainment centre).

As a potential PC option, Dell as a new line of computers that would do the trick (at least physically). The Vostro 200 Slim Tower would look nice in my entertainment centre but wonder what kind of processor I would need. A bottom-of-the-line processor would work for audio (even uncompressed WAV files I think) but I am not sure about video though (that usually takes more power). Noise is also a key concern.

Sylvain, I really do get ticked with Microsoft sometimes. I guess you can always get a copy of XP and put it on the machine. Ethically I wouldn't even care if it was a bootleg copy as "Vista" was paid for.

Most machines will not boot without a keyboard conected. That is why KVM switches do a phantom keyboard. Maybe there is such a thing as a physical phantom keyboard? Keyboards are very cheap if you just want a simple bottom line one. I just like the keyboard mouse and Monitor to be there for those bad times when something is badly broken. In my "Server room" there is one of each and a KVM switch to share them with the servers. I guess you could somehow do a network boot from another machine.

DVI is a sort of subset of HDMI they have common signals for those that exist in both so the adapter is a physical plug/wire changer if you get my drift, hence it is inexpensive. I have one to connect my scaler (HDMI 1.3) to my Projector (DVI).

Thanks again Barry,


I'll have to see if I can still find a new computer with XP...


Good point. I don't think I would like to let my music server run all the time (if only for energy saving considerations). If it does not start without a keyboard, that won't be convenient.


Interesting. Maybe a little tiny keyboard one could leave plugged in (and hidden).


I understand but don't forget my PC will be in the living room entertainment centre. Not a place where you can stick too much ugly looking equipment.


That was my intent, to remotely manage the PC to be used as the music server.


Yep. I believe they are fairly easy to find.

It looks like the HP s3100 series slimline PCs would be a good fit for me. The s3020n even comes with WiFi built-in. However, they only have a VGA output.

Can someone get a VGA to component cable? (my TV nor my receiver have VGA inputs)

No such thing as a VGA to component cable converter. The signals need to be changed. What you need is commonly called a Transcoder. They run between $150 and $300. You may be better off getting a video card that puts out component or what ever your set accepts.

Audio Authority makes a transcoder that goes for about $125, Key digital makes one for about $350. Maybe you can find cheaper. here is a link that might help you.

[Link: digitalconnection.com]

Rather than purchasing a transcoder I'd recommend purchasing a media center pc which offers component video output in addition to s-video and composite if you have a need for that. Either that or upgrade the video card in the media center pc to one which supports the video output options that you need. You'll most certainly end up with a much better video card which will be an overall upgrade in addition to providing the output options that you need.

Of course Lowpro is right, I was just answering your specific question. I use a transcoder merely because the PC I use is a laptop.

Thanks to Barry and Lowpro. I have found that PCs such as the reasonably good looking HP s3100n Slimline PC actually has an S-Video output in addition to a digital audio out. The previous model (s3020n) can also be found at a good price and also has both connections. Acer has a very nice and small PC that has VGA and DVI outputs. I guess a DVI to HDMI cable is easier to find but my receiver will not accept either of those connections...

So have you had an opportuntity to check out the Pronto SlimServer activity? :-)

To follow-up on my own comment, I did get the s3100n PC which is actually quite nice for the price. The S-Video output looks pretty crappy though on a large screen. Given that it is for music, that does not matter but if I get something that plays movies as well (will SlimServer/SoftSqueeze do that?), the S-Video connection will not be satisfactory. I'll have to get a VGA-to-component or an S-Video-to-component transcoder (which I find a bit expensive, thanks for the link Barry).

Or put in a video card that supports DVI/HDMI output and 1280x720.

Thanks for trying to help Lyndel but note that I am going through a receiver that can only accept composite, s-video or component connections. My HDTV does not have VGA and the only HDMI input it has is used by the DVD player. In addition, my s3100n computer is a slimline computer that will not take any kind (size) of video cards. As you can see, that limits the options a little...