Server / Client Mode + Selectable Audio source

[Lolo@350]

Started on : 2007-11-23
Last Update : 2007-11-23

Hi All,

First of all, I am quite new at MP and it really rocks. I think I've through all HTPC softwares available starting with the old MyHTPC, Meedio, JRMC, XLobby, MCE... All are quite dead and I understand why. MP Rocks.

But there is one feature that I deeply miss from XLobby and I've seen on the forums that other people too. It is the Server / Client feature.



Summary:

What does it NOT do ?
It does not provide you with a server to share your media library to different LAN users who can then in turn read them on the client. (like JRMC or Meedio) It is NOT a Sharing Server.

What does it do ?
It allows one server (let's say your HTPC connected to the beamer & your bose ampli) to be remotely controlled by any other PC running the client version of the software. Client version which looks exactly the same as the server. The only difference is that the media will be played from the server PC and not the client PC. (like XLobby)

Area:
General Control / Media diffusion around different zones (TV/Audio/Video)

Description:

What the h.... do we need that for?

My HTPC installation will demonstrate one of the many use of this :

I have a dedicated HTPC connected to the LAN, beamer, Ampli which is running the server.
I have a wireless touchscreen 15" Philips 150DM so-called smartdisplay.

This screen is connected to a PC on which is running the client version. When used in wireless mode, it will display the screen of the client. Which means I can control my hole HTPC on a good-looking wireless 15" screen (1024x768) which is standing in the room.
Another advantage is that it allows me to have my htpc in another room which means i do not spend money in silent fans, good looking box, ...

But... you will say... why don't you mount the smartdisplay on the HTPC and directly control the HTPC with the wireless display. I dream I could do this but God know why, when microsoft started smartdisplay distribution (which only works on XP Pro by the way) they made the driver such that when you take off the screen from its stand and use it wireless, it disables automatically the video output of your graphic card, so the beamer goes dead.
Strange but true. Some rumors about single user license, bla bla bla.

Another good use is to have on the server different Zones for Audio / Video outputs (real or virtual) which corresponds to different zones of the house. And one client in every zone which controls MP and streams the audio and video to the corresponding output.
It allows you to have some very basic client computers (or wireless displays) that do only require processing power to run the client software. Rather than costly separate HTPC's in every zone of your house.




My example of this :

I have at home a main "Cinema" room with a beamer and a 7.1 Audio system and a living room with a rather small LCD screen only to watch news, weather, basic television stuff.
On the server I have 2 sound cards and 3 video outputs. The first Audigy THX certified sound card's output is being directed to the "cinema" room with one of the video output (HDMI in this case) used as secondary sceen. The other basic Hercules sound card is being routed to the living room on the TV's audio input with the other video output (S-VHS) used as tertiary screen. The Primary screens runs the server.
In Xlobby I had created 2 different "Play" buttons : One for the cinema room and one for the living room.
I have a client in every room which can launch any media of the server.
Like said, I only have one costly HTPC PC with enough processing power to stream 2 Video and 2 audio flows to 2 different places. And 2 basic clients. One is the smartdisplay in the living room, the other one is my laptop in the cinema room when i need to watch a movie. And I can have kids watching a movie while we are watching news on the TV.

By the way, ideally, in order to this, you also need to be allowed to select in the configuration utility of the server HTPC software which sound output from a list you will link to what action button and which sceen (secondary or tertiary) will be used for full-screen projection. What I used with Xlobby is a combination of Foobar2000 for Audio and Zoomplayer for Video. IF it could be built-in, what a dream....


Interim Solution
From the forum, I've seen the solution about using Ultra VNC or TeamViewer to be allowed to remotely see the screen of another LAN connected PC and control it. It works, it is true but it consumes useless network bandwidth and ressources that makes the controls a bit "laggy" and non reactive. So you are facing a software that takes about 1" to sometimes 2" to react to the commands.... Beuurk...

A dedicated and built-in server / client mode which allow smooth and quick controls from the client perspective would be deeply appreciated.

It is my case and only one example of what a server / client mode can do.

I think that is all for my first post...

Cheers,

Lolo