All built...now what?

[oksurb]

Hi all,

 

I'm new into the home media server thing.  Been doing a lot of research and am ready to build an Unraid server.

 

I have been building my own (windows) pcs for years, so I know what I am doing in that regard, but I have a few basic questions AFTER the build.  I'm probably gonna sound like an idiot to you guys, but I'm a noob to this so be gentle...haha.

 

Assume I have built my Unraid box and it's all ready to go.  I have my bootable flash drive and it's all setup.

 

Now I'm stuck on 2 basic questions.

 

1) How do I physically connect this thing to my TV?

2) How do I navigate the movies that I have on it and get them to play on the tv...I guess I'm asking what the UI is for this thing.

 

Thanks for any help...much 'preciated!

 

Andy

 

 

[StevenD]

1) You don't. Its a SERVER, not a media player.

2) You need a media player (HTPC, Popcorn Hour, Dune, Boxee)

 

Here is a good thread to get you started:  http://lime-technology.com/forum/index.php?topic=21589.0

[oksurb]

StevenD...thank you very much for the reply.

 

I think I'm catching on.  So you have some other device (a pc, or a media type box as you list below) that networks to the server and physically connects to the tv and plays the media?

 

The Unraid server itself does not double as the "player"?

 

Thanks again,

Andy

[wreck]

Correct, the unraid box just holds all the files, the media player is what is actually connected to the tv and plays the files. The two are connected over your network (ideally wired gbit, wireless could work for some files though, but it's pushing it for hd content).

[oksurb]

Excellent...thanks very much buxton (and StevenD).

 

I'm on my way!

 

Andy

 

[binhex]

Just to throw in a more specific example of a device you would connect to your tv, have a look at zotac ID41 boxes, these will run a completely stripped down linux os with xbmc running, this is done by installing openelec, then simply connect to your unraid server and voila! :-)