Messages

61

Users / Compatibility Questions

« on: February 10, 2008, 03:52:29 am »

Hi again guys,

I have a question about some compatibility with LinuxMCE. I recently replaced my old Yamaha (non-RS232 port) AV/Receiver with a MUCH nicer (and more powerful) Marantz SR5002 which features a nice RS-232 port.

I also have an off-brand 42" Plasma TV, Element is the maker, and it's model PLX-4202B. This TV also features an RS-232 Port.

I just purchased a new Media Director specifically for this room. The following are the specs:

SolidLogic T-3310 Mini-ITX System
Mainboard: MSI MS-7199 1GHz
Case: Morex T-3310 Mini-ITX Case - Black
Daughterboards: None
Memory: DDR2 667 RAM 1GB
Hard Disk/Flash: 2.5" Toshiba 5400rpm 40GB
A/C Adapter (brick): A/C Power Adapter 60W (PW-AC 60W)

The motherboard has 2 Serial ports on it. And I'm Crossing my fingers hoping that it supports PXE-Boot (as there is no CD-Rom attached to this machine).

If I plug both the receiver and the tv into the 2 available serial ports, will the Media Director Software be able to use these devices out-of-the-box? Or am I screwed?

Also, I have the Motorola DCH3200 HD Set-top box through Comcast. It has available Firewire ports on it, however, i'm not 100% sure what the capabilties / steps are to hook it up to the main server. How does this differ from hooking up a tv to the bare coax? Also, this box has Optical Audio Output for 5.1 Audio channels. This output is currently directly connected to my AV Receiver and NOT the LinuxMCE Server. I'm not exactly sure how I can hook up this Box to the Server, and broadcast to all the Media Directors. Also I currently have the Hauppauge WinTV-PVR-150 MCE card, however, this card obviously does not support storing content in HD. Is there a card available out there that's compatible with LinuxMCE that I can use to record HD content?

Also, I currently have VoiceEclipse as a VOIP provider... I have 2 IP Phones (Linksys SPA942 phones) in different locations in the house. The wiki says this provider is supported, yet, it is not an available option to choose in the LinuxMCE server setup. Is there some other way this needs to be setup?

62

Users / Re: Fiire

« on: January 15, 2008, 10:53:17 pm »

Well....

I can tell you this much... I "almost" jumped on the FIIRE bandwagon early on. I tried contacting them, and even went through their "FIIRE STORE" and got the contact information for their rep. FIIRE sells their products through another company. Took em 7 days to answer my e-mail and return my phone call...

Just my short experience... but thought you might like to know.

63

Users / Re: 1" and or 2.2" Low Power Stations

« on: January 15, 2008, 10:34:33 pm »

So the thing I don't like about mini-ITX is that you still have to supply a seaparte Processor, which means, power consumption is not much different from a standard mATX or ATX board. It's still a bigger form factor, so you'd have to fit in a bigger case, etc...

the nano-ITX seem to be the right choice, because they're fully integrated (minus RAM which is SODIMM based), they were made as a small form factor, minimize power consumption and fit in an incredibly small case.

Doesn't seem like there's an NVIDA based nano-ITX board out there. Just how different is the UI1 interface from the UI2 interface on 3 Plasma TVs? I mean... am I going to be losing out on a lot of "functionality" or interfaceing that I wouldn't normally have by going this route? I would imagine I should still have no problem PXE booting from the VIA Nano-ITX board.

64

Users / Re: 1" and or 2.2" Low Power Stations

« on: January 15, 2008, 07:00:58 pm »

Hmmm.... bah... well that's no good. Essentially FIIRE won't release em' unless of course their sales improve, and of course THATS not easy feat for them, esepcially when the primary marketing product (LINUXMCE) is an open source OS in the first place that's free to the public...

On the otherhand, it's nice to note people are working on this. I for one, am NOT adept in coding new drivers. I'm a DB designer. Has anyone, "purchased" a FIIRE Station, and tried looking at the driver FIIRE uses? I imagine, the source isn't provided... so scratch that thought....

Has anyone checked with VIA to see if a release is coming?

65

Users / Re: 1" and or 2.2" Low Power Stations

« on: January 15, 2008, 06:08:47 pm »

Thanks for the info TotallyMaxed.

So in reference, to what you're talking about the Via EPIA NX board... UI1 is only supported. There aren't any other drivers, except those through "FIIRE" that will allow UI2 + Overlay? I don't suppose FIIRE has any intent on offering those drivers either... ??

Is there NO other driver available that would support UI2 + Overlay, or at least something someone else is working on?

66

Users / Re: 1" and or 2.2" Low Power Stations

« on: January 15, 2008, 04:44:25 am »

What about this! Not sure if it would support UI2 with the component outs... says HDTV outs. Not sure what compatibility would be like either... I was thinking this:

VIA EPIA NX - ITX-Nano based board
http://www.via.com.tw/en/products/mainboards/motherboards.jsp?motherboard_id=470

and

SilverStone Lascala LC08 Home Theater PC Case
http://sharkacomputers.com/silalcsi1.html

By the way the Wiki has the SilverStone case spelled wrong... it's not LaCase... its Lascala. Had a hard time finding it at first.... anyways what kind of UI could use with a board like this?

Hook it up with 1GB of Ram for $25
http://www.mwave.com/mwave/skusearch.hmx?SCriteria=BA21371&CartID=done&nextloc=

And the LVDS Module
VIA LVDS Video Module - LVDS-08G
http://www.google.com/product_url?q=http://www.e-itx.com/via-lvds-08g-epia-nx.html&fr=AIOtD6JpWtL7ytd7mtb9ZBfxLNv-ueuKbQAAAAAAAAAA&gl=us&hl=en&sa=title

Seems to me like a total solution for $443.85 for a Media Center... Low power, Small as heck on the form factor, high quality parts.... just not sure if it's compatible and supports UI2. Could just add a component adapter too since it has that on-board.

Am I off here?

 

v/r

67

Users / Re: 1" and or 2.2" Low Power Stations

« on: January 14, 2008, 07:04:27 pm »

Was looking at this:

MD Newbie Pack Slim I

Particularly the MSI_Media_Live_Mainboard that's used in it.

Doesn't appear to allow PXE boot ... ?? Or am I off on that one. Is there anyway I could use this entire setup with a different board that's capable of both UI2 and PXE Boot?

??

68

Users / Re: 1" and or 2.2" Low Power Stations

« on: January 11, 2008, 01:13:04 am »

We're talking a thin client... a Media Director... I already have a core. I don't know necessarily whether or not my Core can record in HD (but that's another question)... my primary concern right now is for my MDs.

Got 3 Plasma HD tvs... need 3 HD capable MDs, smallest most unnoticeable form factor possible, ultra low power consumption, and supports UI2 with alpha-blending. Doesn't have to be a manufactured thing per say, could be components i buy separately and build myself. That's it... bada bing bada boom.

69

Users / Re: 1" and or 2.2" Low Power Stations

« on: January 10, 2008, 11:13:12 pm »

Ok, well... so that gets back to my original question... I want something that's small, that I can either build myself or purchase pre-built in the US that is 1) Low Power 2) Supports UI2 with alpha-blending 3) HD capable 4) small like the 1" but don't have to be exact.

I still don't know what my options are really...

70

Users / Re: 1" and or 2.2" Low Power Stations

« on: January 10, 2008, 09:52:39 pm »

So... does anyone know anything else about this? I still haven't figured out what to go with for thin clients...

71

Users / Re: 1" and or 2.2" Low Power Stations

« on: January 08, 2008, 05:11:42 pm »

I saw this, the MM220 from convergenthome:

Features
Software: LinuxMCE 0704 or 0710
User Interface: UI2 with Overlay
Processor: Intel 1.86Ghz Celeron M440. Low power under 45W with ultra low noise fan cooling system
RAM: 512MB
Internal Optical drive: Slot-in Multi UJ-85J Panasonic
Network: Gigabit Ethernet
Video: Embedded Intel 945GM - External via DVI-I Port ; 85Hz Refresh Rate:1600x1200 pixels, up to 32bit Colors
IO: DVI-I port, S-Video, USBx4, DC-in jack, IEEE 1394, AV-in, Headphone/ Line out jack share w/ SPDIF out, Microphone/ Line in jack, RJ-11/ RJ-45, 3-in-1 Card Reader , CIR MCE Remote Control
Dimensions: 42 (h) x 172 (w) x 226 (d) (all dimensions in mm)
Weight: 1300g

Specifically noting the UI2 with Overlay... is this the best? Or is this not AlphaBlending?  Also... I noted this was only available to the UK... So anyone have more specs on this for someone like me in the US?

72

Users / Re: 1" and or 2.2" Low Power Stations

« on: January 08, 2008, 04:38:57 pm »

Yea I already checked into this section... and it lists eamplesof the miniPC and others, but really not specifics that one could compare to the 1" or 2.2" stations. The real goal is to find compatible hardware with the most functionality for the thin clients, to fit in the smallest form factor available, and is the "least" noticeable and least power hungry.

Hmm something more along the lines of the "MD Newbie Pack Slim I" I would think... supports UI2, but only 720p... I'd be more inclined to this solution but with 1080i.... ideas?

73

Users / 1" and or 2.2" Low Power Stations

« on: January 08, 2008, 04:31:15 pm »

Posted in wrong thread... re-posting here.

Hi all,

Currently working on getting all hardware up-front before installing LinuxMCE in my home solution. Currently, just built my own version of the "FiireEngine" based on the specifications of the motherboard and other components listed on the wiki and some pre-existing case equipment I had for an old server. I haven't seen a whole lot of "confirmed" specifications for 2.2" or 1" build-your-own replicas. So I thought I'd ask.

Currently I have 3 HDTV TVs (NTSC not European), main one is downstairs, most of my components utilize RS232C. I'd like to equip each of these TVs with the "smallest" un-noticeable, quiet, and Energy-efficient specs as well. Obviously, my first choice was the 1" FiireStation. However, I "prefer" to pay with AMEX, and guess what... the FiireStore doesn't allow payment via AMEX...

So I was wondering if all the components, drivers, etc. were available to build my own 1". I'd like to keep it as close to the specs of the 1" FiireStation as possible. I haven't seen much posting on this. Again, my biggest concerns are: Size, Power Consumption (very important), Quiet, and compatibility.

I haven't "installed" LinuxMCE on my server yet, however the following are the specs:

ASUS m2npv-vm motherboard BIOS version 0901 with the Component Video adapter attached and SPDIF
AMD Athlon 64 X2 3600+ CPU
4 1TB each Seagate SATA hard drives + 250GB Main
Realtek 8139 as the 2nd network card
Hauppauge WinTV-PVR-150 MCE
1GB RAM
generic CD/DVD +/-RW
Disk Drive

I'd be curious if there's anything I can also add to this that will allow me record HD from Comcast (Motorola DCT3400, which has Componenet, HDMI, 2 Firewire Ports, a USB Port on the front, an Ethernet jack). Also have a Sony BDP-S300 for Blu-Ray, and was curious if I can Rip BD Discs somehow to stream them over the other TVs.

Anyways, I realize these are loaded questions, but I'd appreciate any answers. Thanks!

v/r

USAF-LT-G

74

Users / Re: 1" and or 2.2" Low Power Stations

« on: January 08, 2008, 05:36:30 am »

So are what are my other options for what I want to go with?

75

Users / 1" and or 2.2" Low Power Stations

« on: January 07, 2008, 05:49:03 pm »

Hi all,

Currently working on getting all hardware up-front before installing LinuxMCE in my home solution. Currently, just built my own version of the "FiireEngine" based on the specifications of the motherboard and other components listed on the wiki and some pre-existing case equipment I had for an old server. I haven't seen a whole lot of "confirmed" specifications for 2.2" or 1" build-your-own replicas. So I thought I'd ask.

Currently I have 3 HDTV TVs (NTSC not European), main one is downstairs, most of my components utilize RS232C. I'd like to equip each of these TVs with the "smallest" un-noticeable, quiet, and Energy-efficient specs as well. Obviously, my first choice was the 1" FiireStation. However, I "prefer" to pay with AMEX, and guess what... the FiireStore doesn't allow payment via AMEX...

So I was wondering if all the components, drivers, etc. were available to build my own 1". I'd like to keep it as close to the specs of the 1" FiireStation as possible. I haven't seen much posting on this. Again, my biggest concerns are: Size, Power Consumption (very important), Quiet, and compatibility.

I haven't "installed" LinuxMCE on my server yet, however the following are the specs:

ASUS m2npv-vm motherboard BIOS version 0901 with the Component Video adapter attached and SPDIF
AMD Athlon 64 X2 3600+ CPU
4 1TB each Seagate SATA hard drives + 250GB Main
Realtek 8139 as the 2nd network card
Hauppauge WinTV-PVR-150 MCE
1GB RAM
generic CD/DVD +/-RW
Disk Drive

I'd be curious if there's anything I can also add to this that will allow me record HD from Comcast (Motorola DCT3400, which has Componenet, HDMI, 2 Firewire Ports, a USB Port on the front, an Ethernet jack). Also have a Sony BDP-S300 for Blu-Ray, and was curious if I can Rip BD Discs somehow to stream them over the other TVs.

Anyways, I realize these are loaded questions, but I'd appreciate any answers. Thanks!

v/r

USAF-LT-G