HTPC? Media server? What do I need?

(Please treat me as though I'm completely ignorant, which I am on this topic.)

SWMBO is a TV junkie. We own a Samsung smart TV and an LG dumb TV with a ChromeCast.

I would like some sort of device onto which I could rip DVD and/or Blu-Ray discs onto a HDD and have them accessible, singly or on playlists, from either television. Not only accessible, but easily accessible by someone who is not at all a tech geek.

Can one of you smart folks tell me if this is possible, and if so, what I would need to make it happen?

I'd say a NAS box with UPnP/DLNA. Use a computer to rip DVDs and copy them onto there. The smart TV and Chromecast should have no problem accessing it. That's the most noob-friendly solution.

GameboyRMH wrote: I'd say a NAS box with UPnP/DLNA.

Would it be possible for you to translate this part into English?

NAS = Network Attached Storage

UPnP = Universal Plug and Play

Stefan (Not Bruce) wrote: NAS = Network Attached Storage UPnP = Universal Plug and Play

I'll go a bit further. Network attached storage: A box that holds data and is attached to your network. Can be a full computer with a hard drive or hard drives in it, can be an off the shelf item like this: http://www.amazon.com/Cloud-Personal-Network-Attached-Storage/dp/B00EVVGAD0/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1451858759&sr=8-1&keywords=nas

DLNA is a protocol that allows your NAS to stream video to a smart TV/Chromecast/Roku/what have you.

There are lots of options for accomplishing what Stefan suggests, but I think one of the better documented solutions is Plex Media Server.

Getting things to your smart TV is the big question. If they have a Plex app or some way to run Kodi, its a no brainer.

Tom_Spangler wrote: can be an off the shelf item like this: http://www.amazon.com/Cloud-Personal-Network-Attached-Storage/dp/B00EVVGAD0/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1451858759&sr=8-1&keywords=nas

That looks like precisely the answer I was looking for, and I like the price. Thank you!

This. I've been on plex for 2 years now, its simple to setup a netflix style interface that anyone can use from anywhere.

asoduk wrote: There are lots of options for accomplishing what Stefan suggests, but I think one of the better documented solutions is Plex Media Server. Getting things to your smart TV is the big question. If they have a Plex app or some way to run Kodi, its a no brainer.

My setup:

Old quad core desktop running: Plex Media Server SabNzbd - downloads from below queues CouchPotato - queues movies Sickbeard - queues TV shows

Roku on each TV running RARFlix (modified Plex client)

Everything downloads over usenet, encrypted, no uploading, crazy fast.