Vista or Server 2003 for media server?

[fray_bentos]

I've just bought a new computer to act as a media server. GB-PVR will run on it with MVP attached (for downstairs tv) and a seperate pc acting as a client (in a bedroom).

The pc has Vista home basic installed but I have a license for Server 2003 that I could install. I don't intend to have a monitor or keyboard attached to the box and want to it work without any intervention (scheduling recordings via MVP and client PC and occassional checks on the machine itself using remote desktop).

Having had no experience of Vista will it handle this happily or will updates and their reboots happen that could affect recordings? I'm thinking that server 2003 would be better in the long term but it's the effort of having to install it and set it up, it's only worth it if it will be much more stable and easier to maintain.

So what do people who run a machine as a GB-PVR/media server use? Are there any things that are worth doing, or not?

[treads6464]

I have used Win XP Pro for a media server for the last 5 years. I set it up to reboot every 4 days at 2:00 in the morning. It has run flawlessly without mouse, keyboard, or monitor the whole time. I have only had to replace one case fan that burned out. i control the system using Microsoft's built in remote desktop. The box serves media to my two gb-pvr boxes, runs an FTP, a Mumble server, and a Slimm Server with no problems. It is an old socket A AMD 1800+ chip with 2 gigs of ram. XP Pro is really stable as long as it is rebooted once a week. Hope this helps.

[David]

The pc has Vista home basic installed but I have a license for Server 2003 that I could install.

So what do people who run a machine as a GB-PVR/media server use? Are there any things that are worth doing, or not?

I have GB-PVR running on W2k3. I had to manually install some codecs to support DVR-MS which would already be in place with a workstation OS. Power saving features of a workstation OS may also be desireable. I have my server set up headless (no monitor, keyboard or mouse) so a server OS seemed to make more sense, but probably doesn't really matter that much.

Try installing on Vista since it is already in place. Only change to W2k3 if you see some particular advantage.

[capone]

i control the system using Microsoft's built in remote desktop.

Quick question on this: how do you use this w/ getting the login screen when you disconnect?

I tried to use it, but when I ended the remote session, the PVR had the "click here to login" screen. I've been using VNC instead because of it.

[whurlston]

Quick question on this: how do you use this w/ getting the login screen when you disconnect?

I tried to use it, but when I ended the remote session, the PVR had the "click here to login" screen. I've been using VNC instead because of it.

Multiple RDP Sessions with XP:
http://www.golod.com/2005/10/enabling-mu...tion-2005/

I set up a separate user account that i use for RDP. I have not tested with logging in as the same user I use at the console.

[ACTCMS]

Quick question on this: how do you use this w/ getting the login screen when you disconnect?

I tried to use it, but when I ended the remote session, the PVR had the "click here to login" screen. I've been using VNC instead because of it.

I just moved from VNC ro Remote Desktop and when I end the RDC session, the PVR server is left in the ctrl-alt-del to login state - but the PVR server still runs fine - records, supports client and MVP, EWA OK too. what problems do you get with this?

[bgowland]

Quick question on this: how do you use this w/ getting the login screen when you disconnect?

Set the machine to autologin when it boots then run the RDC client from the command-line as follows...

mstsc /v:machinenameORipaddress /console

You'll go straight in to the desktop. When you're finished don't logout, use Disconnect instead.

Cheers,
Brian

[David]

W2k3 handles the remote connections a little differently, but I have had no issues using it to install GB-PVR updates or make configuration changes. One exception - I am not able to scan channels correctly, so have VNC installed for those rare occasions.

[flyswatta]

I was unable to get this to work (XP Pro), but then found this KB article which might explain why. Are you using Win2k3 when you pass the /console switch?

[bgowland]

I was unable to get this to work (XP Pro), but then found this KB article which might explain why. Are you using Win2k3 when you pass the /console switch?

Sorry - I was meaning XP Pro -> XP Pro. The destination must be logged in though. I seem to remember it doesn't work when the destination machine is at the login stage, i.e., there's no console.

[EDIT] I wouldn't bother about using /console for a W2K/W2K3 server as they allow one user session and two remote admin sessions by default. The /console switch is just useful to prevent logging off an XP user session.

Cheers,
Brian