[How-To] XP as a streaming media box...

[Nakatomi2010]

So, I've got a whole host of files on my media center machine that just sits there during the day... I can do a "Poor Man's" streaming audio server by doing an RDP to the machine and playing MP3s through it's Media Player, but my issue is that I want to be able to stream video... RDP doesn't alot the bandwidth needed to do it....

So.... Basically what I'm wanting to do is install something that'd allow me to get an "on demand" streaming server, where I can "navigate" the files and pick and choose what I want to watch...

At the same time, I guess I'll need to know if doing this would mean having to re-encode all my .avi's to .wmv's or if .avi is streamable...?

Edit: I believe I've found a solution.... Stand By for a How-To update...

I'm ont good at these, so I apologize if it's not very clear...

[How-to]

The required software can be found at this link, it is a link to something known as Unreal Media Server, from there you click on the download button and download 1. Unreal Media Server and 2. Streaming Media Player... If you wanted to be able to stream live TV from a TV Tuner card then get 3. Unreal Live Server. If you're planning on streaming to a Pocket PC, or something running Windows CE then download 4. Streaming Media Player for Windows Mobile 5.0 OS devices.

If you want to install Unreal HTRPProxy.msi you'l need to install IIS first. (I'm not going to go through this one since I'm not usig it)

Once the Unreal Media Server is installed start the Media Server Configurator and do file>New Virtual Folder and select the locations of the media you wish to stream. Name the virtual folder, but make it something easy to remember as you'll need that name later on. Also set the delivery method you want (Unicast or Multicast), the type of user you want to allow access (Below is how to create the user account) and the authentication method you want required to be able to access that folder... Click Ok and we're done here.

Next, unless you want to allow everyone access to the server click File>Properties and change the Default Authentication Method to Internal Authentication (Well, I chose this one, you can use which ever), then in the Add Users bos click on Add, type in your user name, password and if you like a description, also select the group you'd like the user to be a part of make a note of the port it's using so you can configure your router to forward it if needed. Click Ok and we're done here.

That should be it for configuring the server.

Client side, install the Streaming Media Player, run it and open it, and click on View>Options... relect whether or not you want it to buffer, Click Ok, and click on File>Play Remote File or Playlist or Live Source and tell it the IP, protocol and virtual folder you're trying to open. When typing in the virtual folder (If you selected Remote File) you'll need to type in a specific location. Example: Virtual Folder\sub folder\media.avi

Should be as easy as that....

Sorry if it's not entirely clear... Ask and I'll try to clear things up... I'm not a very technical person so I don't know extreme specifics of things... Also, my initial testing is using my in home network.. Wont be able to tell if it really does work over the internet till I get to work a little later... Everything I seen, done and tested though indicate that it should....

Edited March 29, 2006 by Nakatomi2010

[cluberti]

Wouldn't just having the files on a share accessible by other machines suffice? Or are you looking for some sort of GUI front end other than WMP/WinAmp/iTunes/etc?

[Nakatomi2010]

My Media Machine is at home, I want to be able to stream movies to work from home....

I believe I've found a solution.... I'll modify first post...