At present I have a Vortexbox appliance running LMS and the Vortexbox software. I access it through my IMac which works most of the time although there can be the occasional glitch with file permissions etc. I can also access LMS over the web on the IMac although it won't play any files (it finds them though) as the Mac does not support FLAC. At least I assume this is the reason.
The VBA streams music content over wifi to my Raspberry Pi running PiCorePLayer and thence, via SPDIF, to my stereo. I control the interface with Squeezepad on an IPad.
Given that LMS support no longer exists I am wondering whether I can start again with something else - and hopefully run everything (normal PC functions like Office, web browsing, mail etc) AND music and film library from one box.
BUT my technical knowledge is sadly lacking and I'm always struggling to understand much of the terminology and way forward.
SO, in as simple terms as possible, can I do this ? I was thinking;
1) Build a fanless, quiet Windows PC.
2) Create 2 partitions (if necessary) - one to run all the usual PC stuff and the second to accommodate Plex Media Server and libraries.
3) Install a Plex client on the Raspberry Pi (I assume there is one)
4) Install another Plex client on the Ipad to act as a remote control
5) Ensure I have an optical drive on the PC to rip files when needed (will Plex do this or do I need other software, like EAC, to manually rip).
6) Ensure I have large enough disk storage to accommodate music, films and general PC stuff.
7) Ensure I have a backup drive
But I've loads of questions, for example;
Does Plex offer the convenience of the Vortexbox software for certain functions (eg auto-CD ripping, incremental backups etc) ?
I'm thinking of a Windows based PC but not wholly averse to Apple - although I find their very closed universe very limiting when it comes to upgrading, peripherals etc.
Has anyone done anything similar ?
I've been surfing to try and find information at a beginner level but just seem to be wading through very difficult technical discussions most of the time.
So, can I do this, is Plex a viable substitute for LMS / Vortexbox, and where do I start ?
Thanks
The VBA streams music content over wifi to my Raspberry Pi running PiCorePLayer and thence, via SPDIF, to my stereo. I control the interface with Squeezepad on an IPad.
Given that LMS support no longer exists I am wondering whether I can start again with something else - and hopefully run everything (normal PC functions like Office, web browsing, mail etc) AND music and film library from one box.
BUT my technical knowledge is sadly lacking and I'm always struggling to understand much of the terminology and way forward.
SO, in as simple terms as possible, can I do this ? I was thinking;
1) Build a fanless, quiet Windows PC.
2) Create 2 partitions (if necessary) - one to run all the usual PC stuff and the second to accommodate Plex Media Server and libraries.
3) Install a Plex client on the Raspberry Pi (I assume there is one)
4) Install another Plex client on the Ipad to act as a remote control
5) Ensure I have an optical drive on the PC to rip files when needed (will Plex do this or do I need other software, like EAC, to manually rip).
6) Ensure I have large enough disk storage to accommodate music, films and general PC stuff.
7) Ensure I have a backup drive
But I've loads of questions, for example;
Does Plex offer the convenience of the Vortexbox software for certain functions (eg auto-CD ripping, incremental backups etc) ?
I'm thinking of a Windows based PC but not wholly averse to Apple - although I find their very closed universe very limiting when it comes to upgrading, peripherals etc.
Has anyone done anything similar ?
I've been surfing to try and find information at a beginner level but just seem to be wading through very difficult technical discussions most of the time.
So, can I do this, is Plex a viable substitute for LMS / Vortexbox, and where do I start ?
Thanks