Winsows 2003 server as MP HTPC backend?

[elsinga]

Hi all!

I searched the forum and read the docs, but I'm not sure if this can be done... so I ask for your opinion.

My setup (in the near future, the C2D still needs to be bought ):
- P4-1800/512MB/DX9 videocard running win2k3 server, as a webserver (with PHP/MySQL) and eMule/bittorrent client
- new Core2Duo/2GB running winXP Pro/Vista Ultimate as workstation
- P4/Mobile laptop with 54Mb wifi and 100Mbit ethernet connection
- both are connected to the same 20"widescreen TFT via a console switch
- both are connected to a 100Mb/s switched network
- both are only 10cm apart

I also intend to buy a Hauppauge WinTV PVR 500 MCE, PCI dual-tuner TC card to use as a PVR. I do not intend to watch tv or a recording on my television, but solely on my widescreen TFT screen.

Now I have two options:
A - put the PVR500 into the workstation and use it as a parttime HTPC, leaving it on if I want to record anything
B - put the PVR500 into the server, doing recordings with MP 24/7 if needed

If I go for option B (my current favorite), I can switch to the server console with the console switch if I want to control MP or watch anything. Since it is on 24/7 I will never miss anything on tv again.

Question: will option B work? My main concern is the eMule/MP combo, which could introduce choppy video...

Question: if I use option B, can I use another MP setup on the desktop to 1) view recordings (via a share on the server, accessing the files) without introducing choppy video along the way, 2) view live tv (not via an add-on streamer), 3)control the server-MP from the desktop-MP (e.g. setting up recordings, tuning the tv/radio, setting up extra internet radio streams, whatever)?

1) would be very nice, 2) would be very much appreciated, 3) is optional as a console switch is easy to use.

Question: If 1) works, would a 54Mbit wifi link be sufficient to watch recordings? That way, I could temporarily hook the laptop up to the tv set, if I want to watch anything on the tv set (that is, when the misses wants to see anything ).

Question: can I control MP's recording timer via a web interface (e.g. from work, while on vacation)? I can then use a streaming add-on (already mentioned here on the forum's tip&tricks chapter) to see the content.

Any other comments?

[mPod]

Read this info.

[elsinga]

The FAQ (which I read... see TS) has no answers to my specific questions...

I know I have to try win2k3 because it (maybe) lacks some API calls. This is about the only info in the FAQ that is relevant to my questions.

There is no info in the FAQ about running a second MP instance over a network to view tv recording, nor about changing another MP's setting from another computer. That's why I asked...

(that it's my first post, doesn't mean I a n00b, that's why I started saying I read the FAQ, docs and forum, actually I'm a forum admin of a 70.000+ msg GPS board)

[mPod]

Originally Posted by elsinga

There is no info in the FAQ about running a second MP instance over a network to view tv recording, nor about changing another MP's setting from another computer.

Currently live TV streaming over network (client/server) is not possible. The next major release version of MP will have that.

Playing recordings over a share works.

Web Interface also should work, but that's not part of the official MP distribution.

Can't tell if 54MBit is enough. Calculated, yes. But no idea how the overall performance is. Using Gigabit network here.

(With a bit more patience you'll get more answers here from other users. I did not say that the link I posted answered it all, it was just a note. Didn't know you expect all answers in 5 minutes and from a single user. )