Home theater media server?

Question

I have two TV's, and a home theater projector. Is there any way to hook up a central place to play dvd's, for my satellite receiver, etc. and then have the signal sent to the 3 different tv's depending on where I want to watch it? I didn't know if I could get some kind of media server (know nothing about them) or setup a computer to act as one. I have a spare computer, and would like to use it for a tivo. If anyone could point me in the right direction for info it would be much appreciated.

Answer 1

Here's what we do for people these days. We install all equipment into a rack in a central closet. We use all HDMI equipment. We connect the equipment together with an HDMI matrix switcher so any room can use any source device and multiple rooms can share a device. DVDs are either cared for by an Escient server or if the person can afford it, a Kalidescape movie server which is a legal way to have DVDs on a hard drive. Remote control from each room is transmitted back to the closet to control the source equipment. We pin the TVs to the wall and mount the speakers IN the walls or ceilings. Wives love this, as you might imagine.

For DIY, you might just get something like AnyDVD software and rip your DVDs directly to a hard drive. You'll still have to distribute it to the three TVs. If you are the only one watching, you can get HDMI (or component video, or s video, or composite video) splitters that are a lot cheaper than matrix devices. You only need to matrix if more than one person is watching TV at a time.

Contact me if you'd like. My email is not restricted here at Y/A

Answer 2

Well, there's a few challenges here...  First off, all your sources - your DVD player, satellite receiver, etc. - will be in a separate room from where your TVs are (or, at least some of the TVs) I assume.  So unless you want to keep running from one room to another to change stuff, this may not be the best setup.  You can get a universal remote which can operate through walls but they tend to be very expensive - perhaps more expensive than simply buying a separate DVD player for each TV...

Second is the cabling problem.  You'll have to run video and audio cables to each TV from your central A/V room.  I don't know how far your rooms are apart, but you may run into problems with the signal getting weak due to the long distances.  You can get signal boosters, but again, we're talking more money here.

The switching issue isn't too bad to solve.  You can get standard A/V switches for your various cable types, and simply use them "backwards" - that is, plug each TV into the switch's input ports, and the source (e.g. your receiver, DVD player, etc) will be the input.  Many switches come with a remote and can be programmed for use with an universal remote.  You may even be able to get a multi-input, multi-output switch (try http://www.monoprice.com - they carry inexpensive A/V switches and cable stuff.)

As for the Tivo Computer thing, check out MythTV (http://www.mythtv.org) - a free software DVR program.  You will need to read the site carefully to determine what TV card you'll need.