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Topics - junior1

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Compatible Products & Services / Planning ahead...
« on: January 02, 2008, 02:03:31 am »
Hey all,
I am currently having a home built and the Home theater guys are suppose to do the wiring instillation here in the next few weeks.  I am trying to plan ahead and have an idea about what I want to do, but am not really sure how to get there... 

What specifically should I have done to this home, (ie pre-wire)  so that I can take advantage of everything LMCE has to offer?  Initially,   I may not be able to have everything I want up and running on day one (too much money all at once), but Id like to plan ahead properly and atleast have the most advanced wiring done now, while the walls are still uncovered, and put all the components in later. 

I am planning on building myself or having someone else more knowledgeable build me a HTPC that will serve my needs of today and tomorrow.  I saw both videos describing the features of LMCE and honestly, I like it all.  I know I want to have security cameras set up outside as well as some type of self monitored security system on particular doors and windows.  Lighting inside/outside would be nice, but probably last on my list of wants.  Most of all, Id like to get all the wiring done today and be able to have some type of "central server" running LMCE and be able to manage everything, from anywhere in my home.  Id also like to have a "central nas" where all my media is stored for easy access.  Heck, Im not sure if it matters, but the "HDD" could be inside the HTPC as part of the HHD or established in a seperate location in the home. 

Another question is this.  I already have a few of my components (Vizio 50 Plasma, Onkyo 7.1 dual channel HDMI receiver, 5.1 Polk audio speakers)  others I'm guessing I will have to buy later.  From what I understand about LMCE, It really only works well, if you have the exact items that its compatible with, so in planning ahead, is there a list of specific items that I should start looking at, or can I get what I want and then just look to see if there is a patch for what ever component that I bought?  How limited are we when using LMCE? 

Also, I am starting to look at putting together a kick butt HTPC.  If you were going to build your dream HTPC, what would you put in it?  I dont want to spend my money uselessly in areas that dont really require big expenditures.  (ie getting 4G of ram when I really only need 2G, something like that)

I really appreciate any advice and replys that I get, 

Junior
jhill1023@gmail.com

PS  I live in Louisville KY (USA) and was curious what the best medium for LMCE is, DirecTV or Cable?  Im thinking Cable.  I love my DTV but hate the bill for all the DTV boxes (2 Tivo's, 1 HD DVR and 2 regular boxes)  Is it possible for LMCE to distribute a TV signal to every TV in my home using just one DirecTV HD DVR receiver and watch seperate TV channels at the same time in different places in the home?  Would I need to have an extender in ever room that had a TV do this or will the RG6 line work to get the signal out?  I would want to have access to LMCE's DVR tech in each room, but I think I would need the extenders to give me this function.  I can see Cable being able to do this because the basic cable signal is distributed throughout the entire home and to every room, but DirecTV requires a receiver box in every room that you want TV.  Its great TV, but expensive and a pain in the arse...  Any ideas? 

Thanks

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I came here earlier today looking for a way to get Kubuntu and Linux MCE off my computer, Needless to say, everyone had the same answer, "It can't be done"

Well, after some thought, I figured out a way to do it and just did it to my computer and it worked fine.  I now have a clean HHD... 

Id read the whole post B4 committing to this procedure.

I']m not a very smart Computer guy compared to most of the guys (and girls) on this forum, heck, trying to figure out Linux MCE was eating my lunch, so just know that this is the most elementary of ways to do this.  When I did the following procedure, I knew I would end up wiping my HHD, but hey, I was only experimenting with Linux MCE in the first place and didnt know my experiment would be Permanent. 

Here is what I did... 

1.  You will need a program called "Partitian Magic"  or any other type of partitian program that has deleting and formatting capabilities... 

2.  Open the program and Identify the specific HDD you want to "clean" 
(In my case, I had two seperate HHD on my computer and was using one of them as basically a storage place.  Figured Id install Kubuntu and Linux MCE on the seperate one, and on occasion, go and experiment with it...  Oooops)

3.  Right click the HDD that you want clean and select "Delete", make sure you do both sectors of the specific HDD.  Why Delete instead of "Format"  I tried Format, but the program kept failing on me.  Originally, I was going to do a seperate partition, knowing that Partition Magic would "Format" the Drive B4 it created the partition, well, I didnt really want to create a partition just to format a HDD)

4.  I think deleting only really deletes the info, not the drive.  Once the HDD is deleted, then go back and "Format" each sector. 

5.  At this point, Kubuntu and Linux MCE should be gone, Reboot and either reinstall you original software or in my case, go to "My Computer" and see if the drive is there and clean.  In my case, it was and I transferred a few files just to make sure and everything worked like it should.  I hope this was able to help... 

Regarding Linux MCE.  Ive not given up on it, I just installed the program to get a feel for it, I know to ge tthe full benefit from LMCE, you need to have everything hooked up, My PC is just a regular PC at this point with no media on it or hooked up to it, except for whats inside it, Not even a TV card or a decent video card.  Just a basic Dell, running MS-XP...  My goal is to get up to speed on this by March so I can plan for my new home that is currently being built.  Originally, I was going to go with Windows Media Center, but then got hooked when I saw the LMCE video's...  If only it were really only plug and play for "non computer experts" like me... 

Now, on a side note, If you have a little time and if your knowledgeable about Linux MCE, If you want to help an old novice like me, Id be grateful.  Please e-mail me and hopefully I can get get comfortable with this program.  I know I must "READ, READ, READ and READ to get sharp on Linux, but to be honest, (hate making excuses), with a wife, and 3 kids under the age of 5, Im doing the best I can to get to my computer for 30 minutes a day. 

Ill check in later... 



Anyway, I'm rambling and its my first post... 

I hope I was able to help... 

Junior1
jhill1023@gmail.com

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