MCE Home Server Manager Update

Posted By: Steven Kerr Lindsay | Jan 16th @ 11:38 AM

It's been a busy Christmas and New Year in the Lindsay house-hold; I decided it was time I moved to an OCUR system. In addition I’ve been working hard on my MCE Home Server Manager application which allows automatic storage of your recorded shows on a Windows Home Server machine.

So I decided over Christmas that I would buy a new Media Center machine and take the plunge into an OCUR system. I eventually decided upon a Dell XPS 420 with Dual ATI Cable Card tuners. This is now setup and I have re-organized my setup substantially since the video interview with Brian Johnson (if you missed it, you can catch my original interview here: Show us your tech: Steve Lindsay edition)

I made a quick video of what I’ve done since the last video which you can see on this post.

In addition I was interviewed last week by Ian Dixon on his Media Center Show Podcast, you can catch the interview in a couple of weeks when Ian gets back from CES.

Apparently it seems someone over at ehomeUpgrade.com thought I was geeky enough to earn a Digital Home to the Max 2007 award over Christmas which was nice. All I can say guys with what is coming with Media Center and Home Server; 'you isn’t seen nothing yet'.

Finally I wanted to mention I'm about to go into beta on my MCE Home Server Manager application. So I wanted to reveal a few features in advance for you. I'll be posting here when I release so you can snag a copy for yourself. Here are some of the features.

Simple install.
Move recordings to Windows Home Server drive on scheduled intervals.
The ability to configure file types moved (i.e. commercial skip files etc).
The ability for the application to automatically cleanup files which the corresponding recordings no longer exist for (i.e. commercial skip files).
The ability to move recordings from multiple locations.
The ability to configure the watched folders in media center (thus letting you add the Windows Home Server recorded TV share).

Anyway that's all from me for now guys, I'll be back soon with more Media Center / Home Server tips and tricks.

Tags: Media Center

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Comments (26)

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jasonb

Thanks for the nice update Steve. I'm looking forward to seeing what you do next with your setup at home. Can't wait to get a hold of your Home Server Manager app - it sounds interesting!

Jason

tophfisher

Steve you are the man!!

I am going through a process of having a house built, and you just have me a GREAT idea with the server cabinet you have there. So excited!

ChrisAllen

Once again, nice updates to your home network and thanks again for your response in the forums...

aechevarria

Thanks for the update. I really enjoyed both videos. It's nice to actually see it in video form rather than just reading about it.

I do have a question for you since I am considering the same type of setup.

I remember from the first video that you had a box that was an HD Tuner that was just on the network and not actually hooked up directly to the Media Center PC. It was a QAM box so it could pick up the free (local network) HD channels from the cable signal. I didn't see the box as part of your setup anymore. Could you not add it in and give yourself 2 more tuners? Only the Cable Card tuners would give you access to HBO HD, Showtime HD and some of the others but you would have 4 HD tuners available for ABC, NBC, CBS, FOX, CW, etc. It would also give you 4 tuners for analog channels. Why is it no longer part of your setup?

Thanks and please keep posting! I look forward to hearing your interview on the Media Center Show.

EnglishBloke

Hey archevarria,

Yep I fully intend adding it back, I just haven't had a few minutes to do it yet. I will post an update in the next few days and let you guys know how it goes.

aechevarria

Steve,

Thanks for the reply. I look forward to the update when you finally get the time. I can definitely understand that the time gets away from you especially with a little one at home. Could you also post the brand and model number? I'm trying to find it online for sale but I have not yet.

Thanks,
Andres

jasonb

Steve,

I've been searching for an external hard drive enclosure and can't find one that meets my needs. I was wondering what the one you are using is and where you got it from?

Thanks,

Jason

umdivx

Steve,
I just had a few questions about your setup. In your first video/Interview you were talking about how you have WHS fully integrated into your media center pc. When you say that are you doing all of your DVR recordings with your MCE box and recording them directly toy our WHS box, or are the recordings first being stored on your HDD in your MCE box?

Secondly in your new video you show the Sony XLB 200 disc fire wire dvd changer, are you some how sharing those dvd's via the MCE box to the extenders?

Also I was wondering if you could do a post or just respond to here some of your fav. MCE addons/plugins.

thanks,
Josh

umdivx

woops double post....