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title: Media Server - 5 Simple Steps to Convert Your Old PC Right into a Media Streamer

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# Media Server - 5 Simple Steps to Convert Your Old PC Right into a Media Streamer

Yesterday while hanging out in my attic among most of the old stuff I come across my old PC. This computer has been laying there the past for at the very least a few years. Considering discarding it properly I started trying to find articles on disposal on the internet. While trying to find handful of minutes I found a site suggesting the idea of converting a classic PC in to a media server. Having some bucks to spare and some spare time on my hands I went for it.
![](https://i.imgur.com/PsdrLRj.png)

Just What is a Media Server?

First thing first I am certain that a number of you are wondering like I initially was, just what's a Media Server. A Media Server is really a PC system designed to get **[How to install an ExpressVPN on LG Smart TV](https://blackfridayvpndeals.com/how-to-install-an-expressvpn-on-lg-smart-tv/)** and record TV programs, play back video and handle the digital music and photo libraries available in its storage through a Television unit attached to it. The primary elements are a powerful storage system with ample hard disk drive space and processing power and Random Access Memory sufficient enough to deliver seamless playback of HD content.

1. Check the performance of one's old pc:

Analyzing the old PC, I figured out so it features a 2.4 GHz Pentium IV processor with 256 MB of RAM. While checking the minimum specifications I found that it may struggle when attempting to play the HD 1080 videos so I went **[mediastreamer expressvpn](https://blackfridayvpndeals.com/how-to-use-mediastreamer-on-expressvpns-router-app/)** for a RAM upgrade to 1 GB and stay glued to the same processor in order to save some bucks in the event I also had a need to upgrade the hard drive.

2. Check storage; examine hard disk drive capacity and speed:

The storage capacity of the old PC is about 40 GB IDE drive; that will be much less as set alongside the latest media servers. Generally for a media server you will have a capacity of 500gb to own enough space to put on the same of hundreds of DVDs. Speed of the hard disk drives can also be a consideration. Luckily both of these problems can be corrected with a raid hard disk drive array.

RAID vs Single Hard disk drive:

The RAID array includes more than one hard disk drives embedded as a single unit for high capacity and speed compared to single hard disk drive by having an external backup. Depending on how the RAID array is configured you can also configure the array for back up security. This is an additional benefit as no data would be lost in case of a hard disk drive crash.

3. Think about buying a Digital TV tuner Card:

An electronic digital TV tuner card is really a basic component of media server used to get and record video content from the area cable or satellite system to the area hard drive. This card is invaluable as it will allow to input TV into your PC and record your preferred shows. With several companies charging fees as high $6 per DVR box monthly, usually the one time cost of a TV tuner card could save a great deal of money in the long run.

4. Choosing software for you personally media server:

Windows XP Media Center Edition is a good range of software for a media server; having a beautiful graphic interface and easy configuration, it's however a little expensive. If you are strapped for cash Linux based systems could be the ideal choice since they are totally free and have Myth TV software for media server purpose; but they may be hard to configure.

5. Connecting Server to the TV:

The last step associated with this project is establishing an association involving the PC and the TV. At this point you have to help make the decision on whether to get in touch the media server through a wired or wireless connection. Wireless systems can be far more convenient and will enable you to access your media server from through your house. 

Furthermore in terms of the keeping the wireless systems the server can be hidden out of view. The drawback to wireless systems is that they can be expensive. If merely a single TV unit is present then simply running a cable from the server to the TV may be better both in terms of cost and speed of setup.

