Home Theater Review

Everything You Need To Know About Home Theater Media Servers and Music Servers

1.0 Overview of Media Servers and Home Theater PCs (HTPC)
2.0 Apple's iPod and Beyond
3.0 Dedicated Music Servers
4.0 Dedicated Video Servers
5.0 Home Theater PCs (HTPCs)

5.1 Frankenstein Home Theater PCs

1.0 Overview of Media Servers and Home Theater PCs (HTPC)
Media servers have become an integral part of any home theater and/or home automation system. With solutions ranging from a simple iPod connected to an AV receiver to a multi-terabyte Kaledescape distributed audio and video system, consumers have options for media servers that range from under $100 to well over $20,000, with the sky as the limit as to price, storage and functionality.

There are two basic types of products in the server category. The first is the dedicated, close-ended system designed for one or just a few functions, such as being a music server. The second type of product is more of a computer designed with home theater functionalities in mind. These are known as media center or home theater PCs (HTPCs). These powerful, often Microsoft Vista-driven systems can be a music and video server with affordable and large storage capabilities. Downloading music at standard-definition (128 kbps) levels, as well as above CD-resolution HD music files, is also possible through companies like Music Giants. Apple's "HD" files have much less resolution than a compact disc at this stage. HTPCs can do much more, including surfing the Web, managing photos, computer functionality, recording HD video from cable TV at blazingly fast speeds, and much more. The best HTPC or Vista systems, such as Life-ware, provide complete home automation functionality that can compete with close-ended home automation systems such as Crestron, AMX and Control 4.

2.0 Apple's iPod and Beyond
The easiest way to add a media server to a home theater is to simply connect an Apple iPod. The iPod, dominant in the handheld music server arena, is affordable and the iPod docks required to make them work in your music system are equally affordable (or included with today's receivers.)

The problem with Apple's iPod is that its native file format is a small fraction of the resolution of a compact disc, somewhere in the neighborhood of 75 percent less. This is such low resolution that even non-audiophile listeners will notice the poor sound on the most modest of music playback on home theater systems. While high-end companies like Krell and Wadia have high-end iPod docks, there is only so much you can do with a purchased low-resolution music file. Users can rip or store their CD collection at higher bit rates, even equal to the CD itself, but out of the box titles and tracks from services like Apple's own iTunes or Amazon are hugely compromised and compressed.

AppleTV Take 2 is a wireless networking device that allows you to connect files bought from iTunes (at relatively low resolution), as well as files you rip from your compact discs at their native resolution of about 1100 kbps throughout your home. AppleTV, in conjunction with the ever-evolving iTunes, also allows users to view, rent and purchase video content on their HDTVs. While the video quality differs, depending on the title or age of the release, many current or "new" releases are offered in HD for a nominal fee. AppleTV Take 2 also offers you the chance to link together other Apple TVs and Apple network devices into a single home theater system. Sadly, AppleTV Take 2 still doesn't have RS-232 control so that it can be integrated into serious home automation systems.

3.0 Dedicated Music Servers
Dedicated music servers are often purpose-built for one function, which is to give the music enthusiast control of his or her music collection in the main home theater system, as well as possibly other rooms or zones. These systems usually download meta-data from a subscription-based service and allow you to rip one CD at a time while setting the resolution of the rip as you go. Many systems can connect to services like Music Giants for HD downloads or even iTunes. At the very least, they will synch with an iPod or two (or more). The best dedicated music systems allow slick control of music via album covers, playlists and other parameters and will even suggest music for you to buy based on your likes and dislikes. It is important with any media server, especially a music server, to back up your data. The investment in secondary hard drives when making a purchase of this type is small compared to the heartbreak that comes from losing all of the music you spent weeks ripping to your dedicated music server.

Some dedicated music servers can be wireless network devices, such as Sonos or Apple TV. Most are hardwired components designed for audiophile or home automation use.

4.0 Dedicated Video Servers
Dedicated video servers are much like dedicated audio servers and often also can manage music files, yet have the storage capacity to record and archive movies. While the high-end home theater world has moved on to Blu-ray as a format, most dedicated video servers are still dealing in the standard-definition world of 480i DVD-Video. The ease of use and convenience of having a large collection of DVD-quality movies in your theater, as well as possibly throughout your home, has been something home automation clients have been willing to invest tens of thousands of dollars to have.

5.0 Home Theater PCs (HTPCs)
Home Theater PCs are purpose-built for audio and video use, but offer a much more robust feature set than dedicated systems do, thanks to the power of Microsoft's Vista operating system. It's not uncommon to see home theater systems capable of recording HD video from digital cable (not satellite) system and surfing the Internet, as well as managing full home automation systems. Home Theater PCs can control lighting, electric shades, motorized or "masking" screens, HVAC control and much more. Some installers stay away from home theater PCs because of the open-ended nature of the devices and fears of service and programming issues, but even these detractors will admit that the possibilities with an HTPC are gigantic and that HTPCs are getting more and more powerful and stable.

5.1 Frankenstein HTPCs
Frankenstein home theater PCs (HTPCs) are pieced together using more mainstream consumer parts and can make for a powerful music or video server with all sorts of neat DIY add-ons for the more adventurous and advanced home theater consumer who has some solid IT chops. You can make a Frankenstein HTPC from a Mac, but they are more often than not built from PCs and use a Windows or Linux-based operating system. Frankenstein HTPCs are only good for the most advanced enthusiasts.