When one has a large media collection, it is important to be able to access it from other devices. With smartphones able to view video, it is becoming more important to be able to access your media. The problem with storing it on your computer is the difficulty networking it to all your devices. Enter Libox, a P2P streaming service allowing you to have remote access to your media collection. Just install the desktop application and you can view your collection from a web browser. Provided you have a worthy smartphone.
Libox Explained
Libox is a desktop application you install on the computer housing your media collection. For now, it is Windows only. Once installed on your computer, run the application and begin adding your media files to Libox. To do so, you import media, which connects to your online account and lists all media imported. Your media is NOT installed on Libox’s server; the media remains on your computer. Libox notes the media and it’s location on your PC so it can access it remotely. With media on your computer, you are in total control. You can add or delete data at will. However, if you turn your computer off, or close the Libox application, access to your media will be disconnected. This means you need to keep your desktop on if you want to access your media remotely.
This is a major weakness, as you need to keep your computer up at all times if you wish to access your media. If this is not a concern, then this solution is for you. The advantage is no one but you hosts the media, making sure your files are only in your hands, and not sitting on a company server.
You can share your media collection with your friends, and in turn access their media collection. In a way, Libox is social media for well, your media. It is a nice tool to share with your friends. Do note, if you are sharing with your friends, your upload speed may determine how fast they access it, and at what quality videos will run. As Libox is able to handle both music and video, a good upload speed is important. Dial up modems or slow DSL need not apply. The higher your upload, the faster and better your experience.
Libox’s Interface
Libox’s Interface is straightforward. View the screenshot below to get an idea. You can access photos, music and video easily. It previews your media in a nice looking manor.
While the interface looks nice, it is far from perfect. It is difficult to organize your library. You can create playlists for your music, but it is not yet possible to organize your library into folders or groups. This is a feature they intend to work on, as Libox is still in Beta.
Importing Problems
Importing your media collection will take a long, long time. It took me about 6 hours to import around 600 gigs of media files, with a quad core Athlon 3.0 gig computer with 4 gigs 1600 DDR3 Memory, with a Harddrive of 10,000 RPM. In other words, with a fast computer it took me time, way to much time. I am not sure what it was doing during this period, but importing videos took the longest time. At one point I had to shut down the program and restart. The importing process is painful, best to do overnight. Once done, you do not need to do it again. You can set folders to watch for new media, but so far this does not appear to be working.
HD Video, Well, Sorta.
One of the main selling points for Libox is being able to stream HD video. This is only half true, as this works only if you are streaming to a computer with the Libox desktop application installed. This means you will not have HD media on your smartphone, not until they develop apps for smartphones. The web interface (which is the same as the desktop) will only show you standard definition video. As of now they are working on apps for IPhone, IPad and Android smartphones. I could not get Libox to work on my smartphone, an At&T Tilt. I could also not get it to work on the PS3. For me, I only could get it to work on windows based machines.
A Beginning
Libox is far from perfect. There needs to be a better method to organize your library, and it does not yet support most mobile devices. However, it is a beginning that in time could become an easy method for sharing your media. Try it out and see what you think.
Positives:
Easy to setup.
Web Interface is the same as desktop, making access to your media easy.
Works with your existing media plugins.
Runs fast if you are on a good connection.
Negatives:
Does not work on many mobile devices.
Library organization is lacking.
Importing Media is painful.
Rating: 3.5 out of 5.
Signup for Libox Here.
About the author: Psychcomp is owned and maintained by Nathan Driskell, a Licensed Professional Counselor - Intern specializing in Internet Addiction and Asperger's Disorder. Nathan is also a Web Designer and Network Administrator.
Contact Nathan at the following locations:
dami...@psychcomp.com">E-Mail
Twitter
Related Posts
- Install Windows from a USB Drive
- Slmgr.vbs –rearm Error
- Linux: Remount a Directory
- Is Broadband Internet Access a Right?
- Get Listed in Google Faster
- Want Windows 7? Go to Ebay
- Using scanpst.exe in Windows 7 64bit
- How to Establish Yourself Online – Part 3: Setting up WordPress
- uTorrent: Disk Overload 100% Error Fix
- PayPal Scam Exposed
Loading ...
You’re so smart with computers, Nathan – tbh I haven’t got a clue and a lot of this is above my head, but many thanks for your wise advice on the deriamis blog.
Greatly appreciated.
Becky x
Not a problem. It is best not to let anyone get you down, especially on the Internet. There are to many sad, pathetic people who exist only to make others feel as bad as they do, and the Internet is their home. I refuse to talk with someone who is that way. It is alot less stressful that way.