Creating a Media Server

[zoobernut]

Hello BG Techies,

I have a question regarding setting up a media server. Does anyone know of any softwares or ways to set up a media server for people to watch videos streaming over the LAN without allowing them access to the actual files to browse? I am looking essentially to set something up that works like Netflix where people can locally browse videos available to watch and then watch them over the LAN without having access to copy the files or pull them local to their computers.

I have been looking everywhere for something like this and I haven't found anything and I think part of that problem is I don't know how to describe it accurately to create accurate search results. Oh and it has to run on OS X.

Thanks!

[BerenTebogo]

Plex has something like this I believe, but it has a monthly fee.

[zoobernut]

Plex has something like this I believe, but it has a monthly fee.

This is for my work so that isn't completely out of the question if I can find something that works well and fits my needs. I will look into plex thank you.

[zoobernut]

Any experience with VLC as a media server software package? The other thing I might mention is that whatever it is needs to be relatively easy to setup for clients. We have a lot of guests that come through at any given time so I want people to be able to easily access the server watch what they want and then leave.

[SephYuyX]

XBMC

[Mrf]

I use plex to stream through my LAN / over the internet. There is no fee as long you log in with the same account on each device, if you are using the app.

You can also setup your plex server as a DLNA server so that it's files can be viewed by DLNA capable devices such as TV/DVD/PS3 players over the LAN.

My server's structure is sorted by:
TV Shows
Movies
Anime
Sports

So to watch a movie on bedroom / living room DLNA capable DVD player I just navigate to the Video - Server:Hermes -> Video -> Movies
make a choice from the list, and it starts streaming. DLNA isn't very good for items with multiple audio streams / subtitles, but if you are using a plex native app it can work well.

[zoobernut]

XBMC

I was looking at XBMC and it looks the most promising. It is known as Kodi now btw. Though I am reluctant to build an entire video library for a business based on freeware. How good is the support?

Also this system would have to allow for many multiple streamers at the same time as well as being free/easy to install on the end user level or better yet all done through an intranet web portal.

[Obiron]

I was looking at XBMC and it looks the most promising. It is known as Kodi now btw. Though I am reluctant to build an entire video library for a business based on freeware. How good is the support?

Also this system would have to allow for many multiple streamers at the same time as well as being free/easy to install on the end user level or better yet all done through an intranet web portal.

I use both Kodi and Plex. I use Kodi at home for the nice interface, easy to use with a remote, extra apps I can set up, etc. I use Plex for acess to my library outside of my home network.

Based on what you've said so far, I would probably lean towards Plex. I think Kodi is more powerful, but more complex to set up for end users. If you want easy setup, Plex is as simple as going to plex.tv in a web browser and logging in with an account that has access to that library (it doesn't have to be the main account, you can share your library to other plex accounts). Only thing I'm not sure of there is if you could lock it down to your intranet and not make it available externally.

Edit: I just checked my Plex account. There is an option where I have enabled remote access. It looks like you could turn that off if you only want it available to your local network.

[zoobernut]

I use both Kodi and Plex. I use Kodi at home for the nice interface, easy to use with a remote, extra apps I can set up, etc. I use Plex for acess to my library outside of my home network.

Based on what you've said so far, I would probably lean towards Plex. I think Kodi is more powerful, but more complex to set up for end users. If you want easy setup, Plex is as simple as going to plex.tv in a web browser and logging in with an account that has access to that library (it doesn't have to be the main account, you can share your library to other plex accounts). Only thing I'm not sure of there is if you could lock it down to your intranet and not make it available externally.

Edit: I just checked my Plex account. There is an option where I have enabled remote access. It looks like you could turn that off if you only want it available to your local network.

So with Plex the end user doesn't need an app or program to access the library? That does sound good I will investigate plex further. It would be really sweet if I could tie plex in with Open Directory to create access to different libraries depending on login credentials.

Thank you everyone this has been incredibly helpful along with my research.

[Ratatapa]

On a PC they just need to access the web address

On exemple a table they need the app which is free

[zoobernut]

On a PC they just need to access the web address

On exemple a table they need the app which is free

Perfect that is the closest I have seen to what I am looking for. Now to set up a temp server and try out the trial.

[Arkanna]

You could also check out Serviio. http://serviio.org/

I use it at make recorded TV available on the internet via web browser. Sounds like Plex has you covered, but Serviio should provide an alternative.

[Ratatapa]

Plex having Chromecast support is sex too

[zoobernut]

You could also check out Serviio. http://serviio.org/

I use it at make recorded TV available on the internet via web browser. Sounds like Plex has you covered, but Serviio should provide an alternative.

I was reading about serviio too it looks interesting very similar to kodi/xbmc.

[Arkanna]

For me, Serviio fills a different role, though.

TV in my home is 100% reliant (right now) on Windows Media Center, a Ceton InfiniTV 6 CableCard tuner, a Comcast M-Card, and two Ceton Echo WMC extenders. The problem here, obviously, is the abandonment of WMC by Microsoft. It has me itching to find a good replacement, which I think I have found. I wanted to simply move the HTPC/server itself to Windows 10, then install that hacked WMC pack that's floating around out there. What spoiled this for me, was learning that the Ceton Echo is essentially a dead product that ONLY works with Windows 7, due to a change in how Remote Desktop Protocol works in Windows 8 and newer.

So I've gone with (or am starting to go with, more accurately) Plan B. I built a new HTPC on Windows 10, with NextPVR functioning as the DVR backend, and with Kodi sitting on top of it as the frontend. Kodi offers a much nicer "media center" experience, while NextPVR (which added support for cablecard tuners in August) fills the need for tuning channels from my cable provider. Then I added a year subscription to Schedules Direct ($25) to cover EPG needs, and a purchase of Serviio ($25) to make all my media (recorded TV, video library, and music library) all available outside my home in a web browser.

It's not fully implemented yet because I need to spend some time exploring how well Kodi/NextPVR handle scheduled recording, and because I need to replace the Ceton Echoes with small, low-power Windows boxes, but it has been super-promising so far.

My wife is a fucking TV lunatic, so I have to be really picky about what I do here, and this setup is looking to fit the bill nicely. The only caveat is, it's impossible for NextPVR to record premium channels due to how DRM is done on cable systems. Additionally, some cable systems mark all their high-def content as "Copy Once", which NextPVR cannot record. Fortunately for me, Comcast in my area is all "Copy Freely" aside from premium channels, which I don't subscribe to anyway.

Ok, sorry for rambling, but this is one of my favorite subjects. lol

[zoobernut]

Downloaded Plex server in the process of setting up a new macmini as the server and getting it set up to test. I will let everyone know if it works out. I hope that Plex can handle multiple ip ranges and subnets ok. We have several different VLAN's.

[RKenshin]

Too late now, but yeah... adding my two cents towards trying Plex. I tried a few different options and ways to go about it, but Plex has been my favorite solution by far.

[BerenTebogo]

There are things I REALLY do not like about Plex via Roku, but it might be app implementation on Roku's end.

Shit like not being able to browse shit as folders, only as individual episodes. Such a pain in the ass.

[zoobernut]

I got an initial proof of concept working with plex on my server at work. Now I need to see if it is accessible across different vlans/subnets. Then I need to figure out how to lock into read only mode and keep them from having access to any server preferences or settings. I also need to test performance when multiple people are streaming at the same time.

[Obiron]

I got an initial proof of concept working with plex on my server at work. Now I need to see if it is accessible across different vlans/subnets. Then I need to figure out how to lock into read only mode and keep them from having access to any server preferences or settings. I also need to test performance when multiple people are streaming at the same time.

To test locking down to read only, just create a second account and share your library with that account. You'll notice for example that in the primary account you have the option to download a video file, but that option is not available to the shared account. Any server settings will also not be available. I've shared my library with a couple friends, as well as having their libraries shared with me, and we can't mess with each others stuff.