Project: TV SRVR

[Diddums 4,346]

A new little project I'm starting on which will have tons of issues but should be great once it's done. The legality of this is questionable so if you aren't a fan of people with eye patches and wooden legs, steer clear. The aim of this is to be as cheap as possible and still be as multifunctional and epic as it can be.

 

 

The aim:

 

To have a server automatically download all our favourite TV shows as soon as they're out, put them in the corresponding folders, sort them into the right categories, find the right metadata (cast, synopsis, reviews, etc), and then stream them on to any device anywhere in the world. Without me having to click a single button.

 

Here's a bit of a demo of Plex:

 

[media]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9yXTQN-IXxQ[/media]

 

What I've got:

 

Media PC:

 

i3 3220

4gb DDR3

750ti 2gb

80gb SSD

2tb HDD

 

1x Smart telly.

1x Non Smart telly.

1x Chromecast.

1x Xbox 360

2x PS3

1x PS4

 

For the actual media server side of things, I'll be using Plex. This is a fantastic server application which has apps for anything you can think of. I can have Plex running at home and watch any show I want anywhere in the world on Android, iOS, Chrome, Firefox, you name it.

 

The Smart telly in the lounge already has Plex installed, so that's one room covered. The Chromecast will go in the telly in the main bedroom so that's another room covered. The Xbox will go in the spare bedroom so that's another room covered.

 

My home internet is a bit rubbish sometimes so I need to get that sorted first. I ordered a Homehub 5 today which I bagged for £37.50 from work, and I bought a couple of Devolo dLAN 650+ homeplugs. I went for homeplugs over wifi because it's not only more reliable, but I can also use Wake On Lan (wake the PC from the sleep state over the internet) which means the PC can go to sleep when not in use, saving a bit of leccy. I've tried some cheap homeplugs before with dire results so I'm hoping that by throwing a decent amount of money at them this time, it'll work. If not, I'll have to run an ethernet cable through the ceiling which will definitely work.

 

Stay tuned for updates!

[Drifter 851]

 

The legality of this is questionable

 

That's the best kind of project

[Sennex 1,903]

I have 2 plex servers here at home.

I cut the cord over a year ago, and have been rocking my roku, plex, and media center pc for a while now.

 

I will read this and reply more in depth soon.

[Sennex 1,903]

oh, and to DL and file into plex, you will want to look at setting up a Sickbeard machine

 

http://www.reddit.com/r/sickbeard/

[Diddums 4,346]

Cheers bart, I'll look in to that. I was going to use a simple RSS feed in uTorrent to scan once a day or so, then use TED to download the torrent after which point uTorrent takes over. Then after that I'll run TVRename to rename everything and go from there, obviously using Task Scheduler to sync it all and automate it.

 

Can I run Sickbeard off the same machine?

[deterioration 443]

That would be pretty freekin’ sweet!

 

You just answered this but maybe the last part could be utilized: How would the server automatically "download all our favourite TV shows". Via torrents, through a paid subscription, with a cable box? What software is needed to schedule downloads? Times/days change, can it be programmed to use existing/updated online information about when shows are on like http://epguides.com/grid/.

 

Will this be further cataloging your activities since you'd be downloading items then are using online to gather info about, access and watch them.

 

Great info, if I ever get my living room renovated I'll be in the market for solution like this.

[Sennex 1,903]

Cheers bart, I'll look in to that. I was going to use a simple RSS feed in uTorrent to scan once a day or so, then use TED to download the torrent after which point uTorrent takes over. Then after that I'll run TVRename to rename everything and go from there, obviously using Task Scheduler to sync it all and automate it.

 

Can I run Sickbeard off the same machine?

 

I prefer sickbeard to Utorrent, mainly as it honestly just works better. That being said, I do have both.

 

and yes you can run Sickbeard and Plex from the same server. As well as uTorrent, and Minecraft lol

[Diddums 4,346]

So what does Sickbeard download from? And what do you use to control uTorrent?

[Drifter 851]

[Baabcat 1,646]

^^^^ I'm waiting for the English language version

[BO7H B4RRELS 2,453]

I have a similar system going myself.  I get online and look for shows I want to watch or games I want to play.  Download them.  Try to figure out what the fuck file type they are.  Burn them.  See that they don't work right.  Read about the file type.  Try another program.  Burn them again.  Fuck.  Two wasted discs.  Give up.  Find the files months later.  Delete them.  Never watch the shows or play the game.  

[Diddums 4,346]

Discs? Are you in the 90s Tommy? Grab yourself some USB sticks, all consoles can read them, and most tellies can too

[BO7H B4RRELS 2,453]

I have 3 USB sticks; 1 GB, 2 GB, and a 32 GB (just got this one).  I've always used discs, lol.  But, you're right, I should start putting them on the memory sticks.  My living room TV is an older HDTV and doesn't have a USB port, but my bedroom one does.  I'll give that a try.   

[Jason 1,245]

The only part I understood was "sick beard machine," thought you guys were talking about me for a second.

I'll see myself out.

[Diddums 4,346]

I have 3 USB sticks; 1 GB, 2 GB, and a 32 GB (just got this one).  I've always used discs, lol.  But, you're right, I should start putting them on the memory sticks.  My living room TV is an older HDTV and doesn't have a USB port, but my bedroom one does.  I'll give that a try.  

Start making sure you download stuff in either avi or mp4 format, anything can read those, includong the last gen consoles. Don't you still have your 360? Simply copy onto usb, plug into console, go to apps, system video player, play. I used mine in the bedroom for ages before I got this new telly.

For the price of a spindle of discs you can pick up a super speedy 16gb USB3.0 drive. You'll never look back.

Anyways, Jason, we were talking about you. You weren't supposed to click though

I spent a good few hours with this last night and got nowhere. The downloading sites that this service uses have all cottoned on so they've either made their services invite only or pay monthly. i paid someone and got an invite ($20) but I cant get that to work. May have been an alcohol induced user error though, dunno. I started again this morning and made much more progress.

On a side note, I'm used to about 30-35mbps internet, but with my new homeplugs that jumped to 75ish last night. The morning I paid for a VPN ($40 a year) and it's sitting pretty at over 100mbps. My new router arrives this week too, I'm estimating a max of between 120 and 135mbps when I'm done, which is mental.

I'll carry on later. Really enjoying having a project to sink my teeth in to.

[Sennex 1,903]

MKV format is better

 

Tommy I have no idea hwat you are trying to play them on, but burning them or putting them on a memory stick seems like a waste. List your stuff and I will try to help you.

 

 

Dave, Hope I was at least somewhat helpful last night in chat. Also, you never showed up for the nightfall...... bastard

[Diddums 4,346]

Mkv is better but sadly not as widely recognised as it should be, although it's almost there. The only device I own now which can't play MKV is my 360.

You were as helpful as always man, I felt bad nagging you 'cos you were at work. The guide I asked you about was once complete, then the OP decided to modify it for other software apps and stuff and apparently lost interest half way through. Naturally I only twigged this after about two hours of "what the fuck is he talking about?" And "I dont have that fucking tab / button / checkbox / setting".

Might be on for the Nightfall this evening, but I really want to get this damn server working first.

[Sennex 1,903]

No worries man, I got New monarchy 3, which is what I was after with the nightfall's rep bonues.

[BO7H B4RRELS 2,453]

I downloaded the new Season 5 of Downton Abbey, I'll let you guys know if I have any issues.  I'll put them on a USB stick and try watching them on my bedroom TV.  

[Plumbers Crack 4,062]

You're going to watch Downton Abbey in bed??? I thought only people my age did things like that! (Not that I've watched a single episode of DA)

[BO7H B4RRELS 2,453]

My wife and I love that show. Diddums made dun of me last year for watching it. It has interesting characters, and the story has been great.

[Plumbers Crack 4,062]

OK.......but did it work on the memory stick?

[BO7H B4RRELS 2,453]

OK.......but did it work on the memory stick?

I've been at work all weekend.  I'm going to try it this week.  

[deterioration 443]

Try to figure out what the fuck file type they are.

I don't get this? Do you have known file extensions hidden?

(Computer/Tools/Folder Options/View/Hide extensions for known file types)

Or you could just right click/properties.

 

I used to do the stick and move. I'm impatient. It takes too long. Then getting cinavia blocks, unknown file type when it was a known one BS, having to delete things to put other things on only to have to put them back on later, the stick not working and needing a format after a while from constantly putting things on and taking them off... It gets old quick but is the best way if you aren't running a solution like in this tread or using your TV as a second monitor.

 

I was looking at at this the other day. It's $100 at Sam's Club. Was thinking about busting it out of the case and trying to use it in my PC but it might work for you if you wanted to put a bunch of stuff on and not have to delete things to put other things on.

 

 

 

 

Diddums made fun of me last year for watching it.

May I join in!?

[Sennex 1,903]

How old are the TV's you guys are working with?