Ok, let's say that I want to create a system where I store every piece of media onto one central PC with a crap ton of hard drive space.

To get every other computer to access those files is it something as simple as sharing the drives so that anyone on the network can see and access them?

Is there a program that would organize this better?

Or is setting up a server the better option?

X

Plex is awesome for media streaming.  If you're just looking for a simple file share, though, you can do that natively through Windows.


-b0b
(...can provide details if desired.)

Synology?  It's a SAN/NAS/Media Server/etc. all in one.  They're somewhat more expensive than competing products, but they are absolutely rock solid.  I've got a DS1812+ and I absolutely love it.  I've already got the 8x4TB config pretty much maxed out, so I'll be buying a five-bay expansion sometime this summer.


-b0b
(...data!)

Sure.  The same software runs on pretty much all of the Synology products ranging from their sub-$200 desktop models to their $5k+ business models.  If you're going to store a ton of important stuff, I'd recommend going with at least a four drive model so you can use RAID 6.  That will leave you with two parity disks and two data disks, allowing up to ~8TB of capacity with 4TB drives.

The reason for this is the incredibly long rebuild time on high-capacity disks, especially with the slower 5400RPM disks you'll probably want to buy for a SAN/NAS.  With only one parity drive (RAID 5), your data is in jeopardy when you lose a disk.  You have no spares, so you'll be running with no data protection while you order a replacement drive, install it, and wait for it to rebuild.

If the data isn't super important, you can go with a three disk model, or a four disk model with one parity disk (12TB usable).  This might also be a workable option if you use an offsite backup system like CrashPlan.


-b0b
(...will totally do a CrashPlan write-up soon.)

So, here's my thinking with everything so far.  Definitely going to be a while before everything falls into place.

It looks like a Roku 3 with Plex might be the best set up.

I'd like to set up something like the four-bay model you've got there, bob.  Storage of movies and audio files are probably the main items that would be on the device

I saw a review of it and the interface and options look pretty awesome.  It also has the ability to store footage from IP cameras, which I want to install at least 3 of them at the new place.

Briney, I know you and I talked about WD Live TV but it seems like Roku 3 works best with Plex.

Plex seems great as it will allow access to mobile devices as well.  Being able to access podcasts and other audio files (and vids) would be a great help.

Any thoughts from the peanut gallery?

X

Will do!  Thanks for the heads up.

With the IP cameras I'm looking at, it looks like the footage is just dumped to its own licensed software...but I will give one a try when I get all the toys.

X
(..first one is always free...that's how they getcha!)

Wait...MS was suppose to support that to begin with?!?!

I keed I keeeed!

X
(/salutes - General Support)

Just a couple questions to confirm:

1) You were originally trying to install using AHCI mode, right?  This is the one you want, as you'll have to do a registry hack to switch from IDE to AHCI later, and you definitely want to operate in AHCI long-term.

2) You can see the drive in BIOS, correct?

3) You're using a Win 7 SP1 disc, not a vanilla Win 7 disc, right?  Vanilla Win7 has issues with advanced drive types.  The same key will work for both versions.


Assuming your responses are yes, yes and yes, here's a way to determine if the "Diet Windows" environment used for the install can see the disk at all.  Switch the disk back to AHCI mode before moving on.  When you boot from the Windows 7 installer disc, hit Shift + F10 simultaneously.  This should bring up a command prompt.

At the command prompt, type diskpart and hit enter.  Next, type list disk and hit enter again.

You should be able to see your SSD.  If not, let me know.  Take a look at the number associated with the disk and type select disk X where X is the number you saw next to the disk.

Finally, you can rewrite a new MBR by entering the command clean.  Since you have a prior history of formatting volumes inadvertently (ha!), be aware this will effectively blow away anything you have on the SSD.  Since you have nothing on the disk this won't be a problem.

If you run into any problems or this doesn't work, let me know.


-b0b
(...good luck!)