Vortexbox - Free software for NAS [Archive]

aquapiranha

06-06-2010, 00:11

Hello. I have just put together a basic server to host FLAC using a VIA mini-ITX board and free software called Vortexbox. It is very easy to use and has quite a few options that make it flexible including ripping to FLAC (and MP3 if you wish) assuming the PC you use as the server has a CDrom drive.

Just though I would point it out in case anyone is interested.

www.vortexbox.org

:)

Themis

06-06-2010, 06:05

Very nice Steve, thank you. :)

Krisbee

06-06-2010, 15:47

I bet this self build was a lot cheaper than the ready built boxes sold at http://www.vortexbox.co.uk/

Which VIA board did you pick and how is it powered?

I've been thinking of building something along the lines of the Auraliti, which is essentially a Linux computer configured as an audio player. If the m2tech hiface had Linux drivers things would be simpler.

Apparently the Xonar DS audio card is now fully supported in latest ALSA and kernel with up to 24/192. So if you only need digital out to a DAC this is a very inexpensive option for a Linux user. This audio card is available as a low profile option and so makes the choice of case for a mini-itx build a little easier and you don't have to use a m/board that has spdif out which may not be of great quality.

aquapiranha

06-06-2010, 19:57

I bet this self build was a lot cheaper than the ready built boxes sold at http://www.vortexbox.co.uk/

Which VIA board did you pick and how is it powered?

I've been thinking of building something along the lines of the Auraliti, which is essentially a Linux computer configured as an audio player. If the m2tech hiface had Linux drivers things would be simpler.

Apparently the Xonar DS audio card is now fully supported in latest ALSA and kernel with up to 24/192. So if you only need digital out to a DAC this is a very inexpensive option for a Linux user. This audio card is available as a low profile option and so makes the choice of case for a mini-itx build a little easier and you don't have to use a m/board that has spdif out which may not be of great quality.

Hi and thanks for your comments. I was given the board, so no charge there. I have ordered a case / psu for it from pixmania for £17 (I think this has been removed from sale now since it is over £49 everywhere else) add a 2Tb drive at about £100 and there you go... £120.

the server is just that, a low cost low power server to host FLAC files that can be accessed wirelessly as the server is plugged onto my wireless router. Therefore I can access the files using for example any Squeezebox type streamer, and with the introduction of Vortexbox 1.4, any PS3 etc. The software itself will rip the CDs assuming you have a drive installed, and can be told to download all album art etc. I have tested this and it has no problem locating CD cover art etc.

All in all it is a quick and easy option, and you can use ANY old PC you have lying around for the job, simply download and install the software. You can access the GUI on another PC and do any configuration you want. Lovely piece of software based on fedora.

Steve

Krisbee

07-06-2010, 15:52

With a freebie m/board and bargain case/psu I can see why you did this. Hopefully the vortex project will be long lived. Otherwise Debian with MPD (Music Player Daemon) might be a useful alternative.

Of course an old PC can easily be used as a (headless) Linux server, but if you want low energy consumption then a project like this might be the way to go:

http://cheap-silent-usb-linux-music-server.blogspot.com/

or even a sheevaplug PC from: http://www.newit.co.uk/

aquapiranha

08-06-2010, 16:33

With a freebie m/board and bargain case/psu I can see why you did this. Hopefully the vortex project will be long lived. Otherwise Debian with MPD (Music Player Daemon) might be a useful alternative.

Of course an old PC can easily be used as a (headless) Linux server, but if you want low energy consumption then a project like this might be the way to go:

http://cheap-silent-usb-linux-music-server.blogspot.com/

or even a sheevaplug PC from: http://www.newit.co.uk/

Brilliant Chris, never seen those before! I will have to have a better look at their site thanks.

ReggieB

08-06-2010, 17:39

Nowadays its rarely cheaper to build a PC from components than buy a cheap ready-built PC. In that vain, I'd be interested in how this OS performed on one of the cheap atom based platforms such as:

http://www.novatech.co.uk/novatech/pc/range/ion.html

or

http://www.ebuyer.com/product/182588

aquapiranha

08-06-2010, 18:17

Nowadays its rarely cheaper to build a PC from components than buy a cheap ready-built PC. In that vain, I'd be interested in how this OS performed on one of the cheap atom based platforms such as:

http://www.novatech.co.uk/novatech/pc/range/ion.html

or

http://www.ebuyer.com/product/182588

The Vortexbox software is based on fedora linux and wil run very easily on virtually any old pc. The only problem with the pc's you have there is the size of the hard drive, for FLAC I would be looking for at least 2 Tb to offer some scope for adding music in the future. :)

bmartins

11-06-2010, 17:14

The Vortexbox software is based on fedora linux and wil run very easily on virtually any old pc. The only problem with the pc's you have there is the size of the hard drive, for FLAC I would be looking for at least 2 Tb to offer some scope for adding music in the future. :)

Thanks for the tip Steve! I do have a (very old) PC around... it's a Pentium 200MMX ...a true classic! It is filled up with 256Mb of RAM but the HDD is only 4Gb...:lol:

Will have to find a way to instal a larger HDD at minimal cost! :scratch:

aquapiranha

11-06-2010, 17:24

Thanks for the tip Steve! I do have a (very old) PC around... it's a Pentium 200MMX ...a true classic! It is filled up with 256Mb of RAM but the HDD is only 4Gb...:lol:

Will have to find a way to instal a larger HDD at minimal cost! :scratch:

Perhaps you could use a USB drive? I am not sure if Vortexbox supports this tbh, but it does support a 'one touch backup' facility to a USB drive so it may do.

ReggieB

11-06-2010, 17:35

Perhaps you could use a USB drive? I am not sure if Vortexbox supports this tbh, but it does support a 'one touch backup' facility to a USB drive so it may do.

A solution that would also work for the netop boxes I suggested. :lolsign:

aquapiranha

11-06-2010, 17:47

A solution that would also work for the netop boxes I suggested. :lolsign:

Yes indeed! :)

bmartins

11-06-2010, 17:56

Perhaps you could use a USB drive? I am not sure if Vortexbox supports this tbh, but it does support a 'one touch backup' facility to a USB drive so it may do.

That's a good idea and can always keep the drive for future use. Need to investigate this, I'm pretty sure that the old PC is USB1.0 standard...:rolleyes:

aquapiranha

11-06-2010, 17:57

It may well be USB1, but you could always add a USB2 PCI card?

http://www.novatech.co.uk/novatech/prods/Components/ControllerCards/USB/Novatech/NOV-USB4PO.html

bmartins

11-06-2010, 22:11

Indeed! They're pretty cheap these days!

I went (briefly) through the Vortexbox forum and couldn't find a reference to the use (or not) of an external HDD... I guess it's a matter of suck it and see...

I've got this old PC at my parent's so I'll give it a go next time I'm there and report back the results!

aquapiranha

13-06-2010, 11:03

Do let us know how you get on. My project is waiting to be rehoused in a nice new case but it looks like pixmania are dragging their heels on delivery. If they can't come up with the goods there is another nice case available from xcase..

http://www.xcase.co.uk/ProductDetails.asp?ProductCode=XC-ATOMIC-CUBEBK&Show=ExtInfo

It will accept a full size 3.5" drive and a stardard DVDRW drive too which is what I was after.

I will have a look and see if an external drive is mentioned.