Many dream of having a multimedia setup at home. Few know what that actually entails.
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In essence, it means music and video stored on a computer are streamed through client devices, appearing anywhere from a high-definition television, to a stereo to an Internet radio.
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But how does it work, one might ask. At its core, the system is controlled via a media server — armed with the right software — that directs the flow of media recorded and played back throughout a home, so the right song appears right where you want it.
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The basic question is whether one’s server should be one’s computer or a dedicated network-attached storage (NAS) device, says Volker Zota of c’t, a German technology magazine.
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Many NAS devices designed for home use come with media servers pre-installed. Those can be configured via a computer’s web browser. Once the right accounts are set up, it’s time to start streaming data.
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Software like Twonky Media Server offer NAS streaming and multimedia services for most devices, says Andreas Arndt of Buffalo Technology, which manufactures such devices. Such software is the most common solution to the problem of how to create a network, says Zota.
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It’s important when streaming data via a NAS to upgrade software regularly. Then there’s good reason to be optimistic that new, up- and-coming data formats will be installed eventually.
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If you opt to turn your PC into the server and use Windows 7 or Vista as your operating system, then programs like Media Connect can stream data with the Windows Media Player, says Christoph Elzer of Chip, another German computer magazine.
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It’s easy for beginners to set up and, besides, it’s recognized as a client device. Media Connect can be downloaded for free for Windows XP.
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The real question is which software to use if a person opts against both NAS and Media…