Remoting into proposed mini PC from my main desktop.

[cmr_for3]

Dear all,

Looking to get a mini pc to use as a server (mainly for recording radio/tv) I would like to be able to remote to it from my main desktop, to avoid having to have extra kit on the desk, pc mouse etc. is it possible to do this using the built in Windows Remote Desktop Connection feature?

I've sent the Humax back...

Any advice appreciated...

[Anastasius]

Can't help as I'm a Mac-ophile.

Why did you send the Humax back, out of interest ?

[Dave2002]

I think a lot depends on how tech savvy you are, and what you want to do. Personally I’d go for a Mac Mini, rather than a PC, but I know some people think that Apple stuff is overpriced, not so good, etc. Other people seem to be making a go out of Raspberry Pi’s, which are fairly cheap and seem up to the job. You have to make your own case I think. You’d also have to become a little familiar with Linux.

Re software, look into Plex, which I think can function as the video server. There are tuners for PCs if you want to pick up broadcast TV, and if by any chance you did opt for Macs, then Elegato have some tuner kit which I’ve heard is very good.

Possibly the easiest solution is to buy a modern and up to date PVR, and not try to roll your own. Also some smart TVs can do part of what you want, though if you want to be able to extract files to play on other equipment PVRs such as those by Humax may still be the best option, as a lot of kit will encrypt files making them hard to use on anything else. However the Mac mini “solution” beats that easily, I’m told. Using boxes like the Humaxes often gives a slow transfer via a USB cable - works (if encryption avoided), but slow. That can be avoided with Mini+Elegato+Plex.

[cmr_for3]

Dear all,

Looking to get a mini pc to use as a server (mainly for recording radio/tv) I would like to be able to remote to it from my main desktop, to avoid having to have extra kit on the desk, pc mouse etc. is it possible to do this using the built in Windows Remote Desktop Connection feature?

I've sent the Humax back...

Any advice appreciated...

Very clunky/slow interface and unreliable recording..

[cmr_for3]

I think a lot depends on how tech savvy you are, and what you want to do. Personally I’d go for a Mac Mini, rather than a PC, but I know some people think that Apple stuff is overpriced, not so good, etc. Other people seem to be making a go out of Raspberry Pi’s, which are fairly cheap and seem up to the job. You have to make your own case I think. You’d also have to become a little familiar with Linux.

Re software, look into Plex, which I think can function as the video server. There are tuners for PCs if you want to pick up broadcast TV, and if by any chance you did opt for Macs, then Elegato have some tuner kit which I’ve heard is very good.

Possibly the easiest solution is to buy a modern and up to date PVR, and not try to roll your own. Also some smart TVs can do part of what you want, though if you want to be able to extract files to play on other equipment PVRs such as those by Humax may still be the best option, as a lot of kit will encrypt files making them hard to use on anything else. However the Mac mini “solution” beats that easily, I’m told. Using boxes like the Humaxes often gives a slow transfer via a USB cable - works (if encryption avoided), but slow. That can be avoided with Mini+Elegato+Plex.

Thanks Dave, not an Apple fan but I'll still need the batch file you helped me create to convert the recordings!

[OldTechie]

There are a couple of problems using remote desktop.

The first is that I think the server end of it is missing from the home version of Windows - so you need the pro version. I think that the missing bit is the user interface to turn it on, so you may be able to start it using power shell.

I was using it to control a machine with my music on it, but on one of the early Windows 10 updates a new problem appeared. If I disconnected from the remote machine, it caused a momentary break in the sound connectivity which caused Foobar2000 to stop playing. I gave up with it a long time ago and I have not tested to see whether they have fixed it.

[Mal]

Maybe a chrome box would work?