Choosing a Media Server

Choosing to run a a home media server can be a fun and educational hobby while also providing a central source to store, control and play all your media.

When selecting which media server software to invest your time (and sometimes $$) you should do so by asking yourself the following questions.

• How do you want to access your media?
  • Do you want to access your media only at home or also away from home?
  • Do you want to share your media with others?
• From what device(s) do you want to access your media? 
  • TV?
  • Projector?
  • Smartphone?
  • Computer?
  • Home audio devices?

What type of media do you want to serve from your media center?

• Video? For example, a movie library, TV show library, personal videos, etc.
• Audio? For example, a music library or streaming music service?

Do you want to integrate your media server into a Home Theater?

• Do you want to automate any processes of your media server? For example, automatically controlling lighting when a movie starts, stops or is paused.
• What visual or audio requirements will you have for content played to your Home Theater screen from your media server?
• Do you want a Cinema-like experience with trailers and/or bumpers before a movie starts?

How comfortable are you with Computing?

• Do you like to be "hands on" or do you "just want it to work"?