Did some more digging and the Mini2440 looks nice!

I'd love to find the version with the 7" screeen available somewhere. That might be just about perfect for what I hope to do.

Where do we find details/updates on the framebuffer orbiter?  Not seeing it in the wiki.

Thanks!

Why don't use a pocketpc for this function?

I guess you could with the poe extractor.  I would prefer something larger and more substantial as I plan for this unit to be the main home automation hub for the house.

Ok a bit of Googling rendered "poe extractors" (de-injector was close  ) which I'd never heard of before so thanks for letting me know this was a possibility.  Here's one in case someone's doing searches on this forum in the future: http://www.shireeninc.com/osc/product_info.php?products_id=90

However, my panel will still need some kind of processor & storage (some kind of mini computer) in it right?  I can't just have a panel with an ethernet plug (if there even is such a thing).  The interface can't be fed directly to an orbiter (panel) from the core... correct?

Yeah, I love the idea of POE too. 

I guess what I'm wondering is whether or not MCE will "see" this device (or another poe panel) as an orbiter or not.  Doesn't it need some sort of storage (RAM, HDD, Compact Flash, etc.) to be able to load the orbiter software?

I'd love to see support for a POE panel (power over ethernet) as I'm just getting ready to wire our house.

Something like this:
http://www.smarthome.com/12007/INSTEON-and-ISY-99-Compatible-Power-over-Ethernet-PoE-In-Wall-Touch-Screen-EASYTOUCH-P/p.aspx

There isn't already support for poe devices is there?

(I came here today to specifically research this topic.    )

Since these units cost so much more ($30-$45 for a light switch), I want to be sure to invest in the right infrastructure.  Seems like X-10 is fading and not always reliable.  Insteon looks better to me but maybe doesn't have full support in LMCE.  ZWave seems popular in Europe and I don't really know much about it.

What home automation technology has more longevity... so I don't have to throw out my $40 switches in 3 years?

I wouldn't be as interested in the lojack side of things but if LMCE could notice when I entered my neighborhood and turn on my front porch light (only if it was night of course) that would be really cool.

Lowjack would be a bonus though.

... Hopefully, the mpaa learns something from them.

      Yeah that's funny.  Heh.

@ teedge77 -  Don't know as I don't even have the cable box in my hands yet.  This is all theoretical.

So overall, as it stands now, LMCE isn't the best choice to be a HD DVR... good for QAM/OTA HD but not for premium content.  Right?

Yeah, that looks like it might work but I couldn't DVR the premium content. Right?

Possible to do:

Cable box (controlled by IR) ---> LMCE Box ---> HD Projector

and have a High Def DVR?

Gotcha.  So will I never be able to watch premium cable content on LMCE? 

Possible workaround: getting a cable box from my cable company and using some kind of USB-UIRT thing to control it.... maybe?

Anybody doing anything like this? (I just gotta get ESPN HD)

And, yes, Time Warner Cable sucks!

Hi all,

Wondering if LMCE / Myth support CableCARDs to allow for digital cable in the US yet?  I found this post from several months back:

http://forum.linuxmce.org/index.php?topic=1622.0

and wondered if any progress had been made in this area. 

This would be the only way I could get premium HD content (like sports & HBO) from my cable company (I think).

...
why do you need two wireless routers? just wondering. just for ease of setup if you decide to change anything...having linuxmce issue the dhcp addresses is probably going to be your best bet. ...

Not 2 wireless - 1 wired and 1 wireless.  Wireless for home laptop and 2 laptops brought home from work.

Wired gigibit switch for core, media directors, desktops and Tivos.

So does the core "prefer" to be the DHCP server?  Trying to think about my topology & where to add a core in.  Currently have:

DSL Modem ---> Wireless Router/DHCP ---> Wireless and wired clients

Thinking about:

DSL Modem ---> LMCE Core & DHCP ---> Wired Ethernet Switch (with clients off of it) ---> Wireless Router---> Wireless Clients

But could/should I do:

DSL Modem ---> Wireless Router & DHCP ---> LMCE Core ---> Wired Ethernet Switch (with clients off of it) ---> Wireless Router (with clients)
 

Or does it even matter?