CentOS as media server

I have a headless CentOS 6.4 box with no GUI installed, and a WinXP netbook without a DVD drive. How can I stream a DVD from the CentOS box over the network to watch it on the netbook? (I imagine this can be done using vlc on both ends somehow?)

Kev

Posted 2013-07-10T20:17:25.683

Reputation: 1 069

Answers

I use PLEX media server. No head required and it can stream to pretty much anything. Just log into the web interface. http://www.plexapp.com/ As for running the DVD itself... Rip it and put it in your video library on the CentOS box.

Atari911

Posted 2013-07-10T20:17:25.683

Reputation: 718

So Plex will do the ripping? – Kev – 2013-07-10T21:21:22.850

I am pretty sure all you would have to do is 'copy' the contents of the disk to a directory where plex is looking for your video files. The PLEX server can read .ts files without a problem and should be able to pick them up and stream them.

So technically no, you would have to manually copy the contents to a directory on your CentOS box but yes, PLEX will handle the files without having to manually do 'ripping'. – Atari911 – 2013-07-10T23:56:57.123

Here is some info on converting the files to MKV for plex using handbrake: http://forums.plexapp.com/index.php/topic/40457-best-setting-for-ripping-dvds/

– Atari911 – 2013-07-10T23:59:23.713

So...Plex should be able to read the DVD directly without ripping, yes? – Kev – 2013-07-11T01:11:46.240

I have not pointed my server directly to the dvd itself but I would assume that it could be possible. Try it out, its all free. – Atari911 – 2013-07-11T03:23:27.370

I would probably create an image of the DVD on the CentOS box and then copy that image to your netbook and mount it using virtual drive software.

But if you prefer to stream your DVDs, and your network is fast enough, you can always mount a samba share of the DVD drive on CentOS and then connect to that share on the netbook and launch any DVD playing software. (VLC works great)

dtmland

Posted 2013-07-10T20:17:25.683

Reputation: 2 281

I'm going to try this first just because I'd like to test out Samba anyway. Thanks. – Kev – 2013-07-10T21:21:54.490