Best format / software for storing music / blu ray
Discussion
Jason
It really depends on how you want to do it, there are multiple streaming solutions from low £££ to many ££,£££
Have a look at things like the Logitech Squeezebox, Sonus etc. These are capable of streaming high quality music from a server.
I myself use the Squeezebox and have 5 of them at different locations in the house, each connected to an amp and speakers, though a Squeezebox Boom may meet some of your room requirements. The Squeezebox can handle many meadi formats, but if you want lossless then FLAC is probably the way to go, though it will handle MP3s. If you are an existing iTunes user then you can point the Squeezebox Server (SqueezeCenter) at your iTunes database.
With egard to DVD/BluRay, have a look at a Network Media Tank, like the Popcorn Hour A110 or HDX1000 (see www.ripcaster.co.uk) these can stream video and audio, and will handle BluRay files, usually ripped with something like AnyDVD HD and converted to a .mkv file. Beware through that uncompressed BluRay files will be big 25-40Gb per movie and if you are going to ncompress them, whats the point, you might just as well have ripped a DVD in the first place!
I've recently got an HDX-1000, very pleased with it, does everything that it's advertised to do, fairly simple to set up.
HTH
davidy
It really depends on how you want to do it, there are multiple streaming solutions from low £££ to many ££,£££
Have a look at things like the Logitech Squeezebox, Sonus etc. These are capable of streaming high quality music from a server.
I myself use the Squeezebox and have 5 of them at different locations in the house, each connected to an amp and speakers, though a Squeezebox Boom may meet some of your room requirements. The Squeezebox can handle many meadi formats, but if you want lossless then FLAC is probably the way to go, though it will handle MP3s. If you are an existing iTunes user then you can point the Squeezebox Server (SqueezeCenter) at your iTunes database.
With egard to DVD/BluRay, have a look at a Network Media Tank, like the Popcorn Hour A110 or HDX1000 (see www.ripcaster.co.uk) these can stream video and audio, and will handle BluRay files, usually ripped with something like AnyDVD HD and converted to a .mkv file. Beware through that uncompressed BluRay files will be big 25-40Gb per movie and if you are going to ncompress them, whats the point, you might just as well have ripped a DVD in the first place!
I've recently got an HDX-1000, very pleased with it, does everything that it's advertised to do, fairly simple to set up.
HTH
davidy
My HDX-1000 has an internal HDD, and I have streamed video from it from both the internal hard disk and my server. You can also use the HDX as a NAS on your network.
I have yet to check out if the audio is resampled at 48kHz (as per many PC type soundcards) as CD is at 44.1 kHz and I have nearly 10,000 tracks on my server in uncompressed format (FLAC) so I I want to keep the quality up. I can do this fairly easily as my DAC Processor reports the input frequency, I just need to get round to doing it! I usually use a Squeezebox into the DAC Processor for two channel playback.
My only minor niggle with the HDX so far, is that when outputing video to my projector I get two thin vertical black lines near the edge of each side of the image. I don't get these on the TV, and I don't get them on the projector with any other source (BluRay or SkyHD), I need to have a look at the output settings on the HDX and with the input settings on the projector. It my be a scanning issue as it looks as if the couple of lines outside the vertical black lines are just repeats of the first line inside the black lines.
It does however pass DD/DTS perfectly
For the money I think the HDX-1000 is a cracking piece of kit, it looks the part and is much more substantial than the Popcorn Hour A110. Even my wife rates it which has got to be a good thing!
davidy
I have yet to check out if the audio is resampled at 48kHz (as per many PC type soundcards) as CD is at 44.1 kHz and I have nearly 10,000 tracks on my server in uncompressed format (FLAC) so I I want to keep the quality up. I can do this fairly easily as my DAC Processor reports the input frequency, I just need to get round to doing it! I usually use a Squeezebox into the DAC Processor for two channel playback.
My only minor niggle with the HDX so far, is that when outputing video to my projector I get two thin vertical black lines near the edge of each side of the image. I don't get these on the TV, and I don't get them on the projector with any other source (BluRay or SkyHD), I need to have a look at the output settings on the HDX and with the input settings on the projector. It my be a scanning issue as it looks as if the couple of lines outside the vertical black lines are just repeats of the first line inside the black lines.
It does however pass DD/DTS perfectly
For the money I think the HDX-1000 is a cracking piece of kit, it looks the part and is much more substantial than the Popcorn Hour A110. Even my wife rates it which has got to be a good thing!
davidy
Edited by DavidY on Tuesday 27th January 07:49
Plotloss said:
There are a number of pro install solutions that fulfil you requirements, they're not DIY though as such.
Solutions from Escient, AMX, Kaleidescape and the like paired up with a multiroom solution.
Chicken or egg! My problem is that I'm not ready for a custom install but will be after I have started to rebuild the house. In the interim, I want to start sorting my media onto a single, future proof platform.Solutions from Escient, AMX, Kaleidescape and the like paired up with a multiroom solution.
Could I get a HDX1000 that DavidY has and then connect this to one of the custom solutions you describe further down stream?
DavidY said:
If thats the case then you should be worrying more about the format of the data to be stored rather than the actual physical system. If you store it all uncompressed then you can easily convert to other formats in the future.
davidy
OK, Penny drops - sounds like a bog standard server with lots of storage space should do the jobdavidy
Thanks
It depends if the compression is lossy or not. If its lossless then it's the equivalent of a zip file (ie FLAC for WAV). If it's lossy then you need to decide if the result is acceptable for you. Some people are happy with a certain level of lossy files and others are not.
I take the view that HDD space is cheap (in relative terms) and therefore for future proofing, I store everything in either original form or using a lossless codec.
davidy
I take the view that HDD space is cheap (in relative terms) and therefore for future proofing, I store everything in either original form or using a lossless codec.
davidy
DavidY said:
It depends if the compression is lossy or not. If its lossless then it's the equivalent of a zip file (ie FLAC for WAV). If it's lossy then you need to decide if the result is acceptable for you. Some people are happy with a certain level of lossy files and others are not.
I take the view that HDD space is cheap (in relative terms) and therefore for future proofing, I store everything in either original form or using a lossless codec.
davidy
David YHMI take the view that HDD space is cheap (in relative terms) and therefore for future proofing, I store everything in either original form or using a lossless codec.
davidy
Shadytree said:
I've still seen 'better than DVD' quality from compressed Blu-Ray's. MKV's around 10gb for example.
How much are you actually losing by compression. Will it take a 1080p down to the equivalent of 720 or lower? Please expalin a bit more if you can ?
cheers Shady
Matroska (MKV) isnt a compression codec its a container which can carry material compressed by just about codec.How much are you actually losing by compression. Will it take a 1080p down to the equivalent of 720 or lower? Please expalin a bit more if you can ?
cheers Shady
Most BD films you happen across in MKV containers are H.264 coded files.
DavidY said:
My HDX-1000 has an internal HDD, and I have streamed video from it from both the internal hard disk and my server. You can also use the HDX as a NAS on your network.
My HDX arives tomorrow 
Here's my plan:
QNAP-509 connected to my router. Streaming media to the HDX and Desktop PC via DLAN200 ethernet homeplugs.
Desktop PC connected to Hi-Fi that feeds speakers throughout the house.
Iphone remote app, gives mobile itunes capability for Sonus like experience.
(p.s. sorry for the slight hi-jack)
Edited by Shadytree on Friday 30th January 09:10
Good News, when outputing audio files (WAV/FLAC) the HDX is outputting at 44.1kHz and therefore not resampling the data at 48kHz (like many PC soundcards do). This means that in theory it should make an excellent audio transport. I've not directly compared it to my Squeezebox Digital Output, and probably will keep using the Squeezebox for audio output as the interface is a lot slicker (and faster than the HDX).
But for thouse of you looking for a single box solution, the HDX should neatly fit the bill.
davidy
But for thouse of you looking for a single box solution, the HDX should neatly fit the bill.
davidy
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