Home server help

[mlalahoi]

Hi!
I'm looking to put together some kind of home media/file server and frankly I don't know where to start. Basically I want to be able to have a giant-ass HD with all my media on it that can stream to my TV/Stereo and my laptops can sync up files and get backed up. Would be great if I could get at it all remotely as well. I have a spare machine and am not too afraid of Linux, but also ready to buy Windows HS if that does the simple things I need for a couple-hundred bucks.
What do you guys recommend? Where should I start researching all of this? What do I need to look for in an HD TV so that I can easily access my files from it? Thanks a TON!!!!

[hidden_hunter]

Hi!
I'm looking to put together some kind of home media/file server and frankly I don't know where to start. Basically I want to be able to have a giant-ass HD with all my media on it that can stream to my TV/Stereo and my laptops can sync up files and get backed up. Would be great if I could get at it all remotely as well. I have a spare machine and am not too afraid of Linux, but also ready to buy Windows HS if that does the simple things I need for a couple-hundred bucks.
What do you guys recommend? Where should I start researching all of this? What do I need to look for in an HD TV so that I can easily access my files from it? Thanks a TON!!!!

From memory in the linux space you have MythTv which works fairly well, if you want windows you've got windows media centre which works very well. Given you are planning on doing file transfers may I suggest that you want 100mpbs wired+ or wireless N (large file copies are painful on wireless G)

[garethsimpsonuk]

I use Windows Home server and it's great. I used to run a Ubuntu server which was great to but was less compatible with stuff and took a lot more time.

Try them both out, you can get a windows 120 day trial.

Alternatively if you just want netowrk storage try FreeNAS. That's very good to.

If you need any help just PM me.

[rockerrock]

Just make sure that the storage harddrive is external so you can throw it out of the window if the police ever show up :) Myabe make a thermite cage or whatnot, hide the HDD in the wall or something. Maybe even get a high strength electromagnet in place on a switch or

Easiest of all:
Download and install truecrypt. Lock up that whole drive. Hell even add a hidden partition with Truecrypt. The power goes out and they have a fun of a time trying to guess a 37 character password :D

[GWelker62]

Setting up a ftp server on your desktop may be one solution.

I recently installed a Buffalo LinkStation like this one.

http://www.buffalotech.com/products/network-storage/linkstation/linkstation-pro-ls-xhl/

It is a network HD that can be accessed anywhere there is an internet connection. Since I am using it to share files with my independent contractors, the Buffalo Drive was a better option.

[mlalahoi]

Thanks for all the suggestions! I've got some things to google now and a place to start, I appreciate the help and will let you guys know how it works out!