There are many ways to setup the application depending on your needs. Below are some common ones:

One computer connected to TV or Monitor

In this setup, everything runs on one computer.   The “Movies by CraigWorks” application is installed on a computer and all media files are stored on local (internal) hard disks.   A wireless keyboard with trackball is used to control application from sitting area.  Media file locations are specified with local drive letters like “d:\movies\starwars.mkv”.

Pros: Good when computer sole purpose is to play movies in a home theatre setup.  The application can be installed as a Window service and run on system startup.  A browser should also run on start up in kiosk mode (no menus or address bar) to have the application’s homepage show when system is turned on.

Cons: Only one computer can access and play media files because files are stored on local hard disks.  However, if there are other computers on the network they can browse the collection but just not play the movies. With the release of version 0.1.8+ this con has been rectified. The media player (VLC) can now access media files through the webserver. See 0.1.8 release notes for more details.

Multiple networked computers using Network Attached Storages (NAS)

In this setup, the “Movies by CraigWorks” application runs on one computer and all media files are stored on Network Attached Storages (NAS).   All computer attached to the network (wireless ones also), can access and play movies.  VLC must be installed on all computers to play movies.  Media file locations are specified with NAS’s server names like “\\NAS1\movies\starwars.mkv”.

Pros: Multiple computers can access and play movies simultaneously.

Cons: Cost of extra hardware. The computer with “Movies by CraigWorks” application and all NASs must be available to access and play movies from other computers.

Multiple networked computer using Network Attached Storages (NAS) with remote

Similar to previous setup, but with one computer (preferably with touch screen like iPad), acting as a remote controller to other computers.  The remote control computer if stationary can be situated in a common area and used to browse the movie collection and start and control movies playing on other connected computer displays.

Pros: Multiple computers can access and play movies simultaneously.  Allow starting movies on many displays from a single access point.

Cons: Similar to previous setup.