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Can anyone suggest a good solution for sharing media resources in the home environment for a family of 5. Hardware currently in the home includes -
- Windows Home Server
- 4 Laptops
- 1 desktop
- 3 xbox 360's
- 3 mobiles
Network connections include a 40Mb (getting 37Mb) FTTC internet connection.
The hardware is spread across -
- Living Room, TV and 360
- Conservatory, TV and 360
- Dining Room, Nothing, need something to stream to here
- Main bedroom, TV (need something to stream to here)
- 13 yo Daughters bedroom, TV (need something to stream to here)
- 10 yo sons bedroom, TV, 360
- 4 yo sons bedroom, TV (need something to stream to here)
- Office, desktop PC, need to be able to stream to here
What I'm looking for is a way to get all the music and dvd's onto the Windows Home Server, which I've already found software to do. Then I want to be able to share all the music and dvd's across all the devices. In addition I would like to be able to make use of streaming media services to the tv's (eg youtube, iplayer, etc).
Requirements include being able to watch the media on the tv's (currently acheived through xbox 360's but I need to add the ability to 3 more rooms which at the moment is looking like needing the purchase of 3 more 360's + something for the dining room ). Also be able to watch on the laptops and download to the phones for use on the go. Each user should be able to have their own favourites, playlists and ratings independently of each other.
Ideally looking for a consistent user experience across the devices as the user's aren't all overly tech savvy, especially my wife.
I've searched the internet and specifically searched SuperUser, but can't find any good suggestions that meet all the requirements. My current thought is using Zune on the 360's and laptops, with the addition of swapping current phones for windows phones to use zune on them as well. This would require adding more 360's though as mentioned earlier and also Zune Pass seems to support only 3 pc's and 3 devices, I'll need alot more than that. Whilst I like the 360's, having 6 in the house sounds excessive especially when they are for media streaming.
Hope that all makes sense, and if it does, any thoughts? Main thing I'm struggling with is the independent favourites etc and consistent ui experience.
unless you need the gaming capabilities of the additional 360s i would say just get some Media Center Extenders for the additional TVs. from what i understand of the WHS (which is admittedly very little) it should be able to serve up the media to them as well. – Xantec – 2010-12-02T14:27:46.063
Hmmm, would they offer the full zune experience though to enable streaming video and music from internet as well as WHS? Also the older 360's are selling really cheap, to the point they are not much more than an extender? – ChoccyButton – 2010-12-02T23:13:58.270