1381
Users / Re: Mobile Phone
« on: August 13, 2008, 12:03:45 pm »
"no dice" = "no luck" - it didn't work, in other words. You'll see that expression a lot on these forums 
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1382
Users / DIY slim client for use as media director (1.75") - Graphics
« on: August 12, 2008, 06:04:31 pm »
Hello All,
I am currently looking at building my own slim client using off-the-self components enclosed in a homemade metal case. Having produced a CAD model of the proposed design, I believe I can get it below 1.75" in thickness (allowing it to be fixed to the wall behind a flat screen TV, completely out of view).
My questions relate to the graphics options of my short-listed motherboards (all from www.icp-epia.co.uk). Could anybody please tell me what is the difference between "VIA UniChromeTM Pro II 3D/2D AGP" graphics, and "VIA UniChrome Pro AGP" graphics? Obviously(?) the latter precedes the former, but what is the difference regarding their support in LinuxMCE, and the quality of playback? I've been looking at these onboard VIA graphics as I read that they were relatively well supported, in much the same way as nVidia graphics; however, I also read that there may be problems due to drivers not being licensed, or something like this? Could anybody please clarify the situation?
Ideally I would want my media directors to work with UI2 alpha blending, but it's not the end of the world if alpha blending has to be turned off to improve playback quality (I have to do this with my nVidia card in my hybrid anyway, due to the dreaded horizontal tearing), although I would not be happy if I had to use the most basic graphics option (UI1).
Any thoughts would be very much appreciated, cheers.
I am currently looking at building my own slim client using off-the-self components enclosed in a homemade metal case. Having produced a CAD model of the proposed design, I believe I can get it below 1.75" in thickness (allowing it to be fixed to the wall behind a flat screen TV, completely out of view).
My questions relate to the graphics options of my short-listed motherboards (all from www.icp-epia.co.uk). Could anybody please tell me what is the difference between "VIA UniChromeTM Pro II 3D/2D AGP" graphics, and "VIA UniChrome Pro AGP" graphics? Obviously(?) the latter precedes the former, but what is the difference regarding their support in LinuxMCE, and the quality of playback? I've been looking at these onboard VIA graphics as I read that they were relatively well supported, in much the same way as nVidia graphics; however, I also read that there may be problems due to drivers not being licensed, or something like this? Could anybody please clarify the situation?
Ideally I would want my media directors to work with UI2 alpha blending, but it's not the end of the world if alpha blending has to be turned off to improve playback quality (I have to do this with my nVidia card in my hybrid anyway, due to the dreaded horizontal tearing), although I would not be happy if I had to use the most basic graphics option (UI1).
Any thoughts would be very much appreciated, cheers.
1383
Users / Re: Is LinuxMCE for me?
« on: August 08, 2008, 02:16:03 pm »
Why not give it a go? You have a fully functional Kubuntu desktop at your disposal as well as everything mentioned by jondecker76, so you could always do your music stuff in this with whatever program you wish. Don't forget to check out the rest of it though :-)
1384
Users / Re: bittorrent - no incoming connections (forwarded properly)
« on: August 06, 2008, 01:32:24 pm »
Yes, under "network" and then "firewall rules" off the top of my head - sorry if this isn't exactly correct.
1385
Users / Re: Controlling TV via orbiter (not with IR remote control)
« on: August 05, 2008, 05:03:47 pm »
freymann & jondecker76,
Thanks for the sound advice guys. It's good to know these little workaround solutions for known problems as well.
Thanks again.
Thanks for the sound advice guys. It's good to know these little workaround solutions for known problems as well.
Thanks again.
1386
Users / Re: Voip/Thin Clients
« on: August 05, 2008, 01:54:44 pm »
1. I'm going to have a stab at using Vonage with LinuxMCE over the next few weeks, so I'll let you know how I get on if you're still interested.
2. Thin clients, yes, pretty much anything, provided it can do a network (PXE) boot. Another hurdle is the graphics - if you're wanting to use the high end UI, then you'll need nVidia, or VIA UniChrome I believe, not sure about drivers for that though.
I've been looking at building my own thin clients using a mini-ITX motherboard. Having sourced the motherboard that I want to use (1 Ghz fanless processor, VIA Unichrome grpahics, S-video, DVI, gigbit LAN), along with the power supply etc, I intend on building my own case for it (due to the high cost/unavailablity/large dimensions of other thin mini-ITX cases that I have seen) which should end up around 1.5 - 1.75 inches thick. Not quite as good as the 1" Fiire ones, but remember this - I intend on mounting my computer to the wall, behind the TV, not on the VESA mount itself. This means that with a swing arm-type TV mount, I will actually be able to get the TV closer to the wall than would be possible with the 1" client. And for a much lower price.
For smaller TVs (where it really IS necessary to have the PC sandwiched between the TV and the VESA mount), I intend on building a custom all-in-one TV bracket and mini-ITX computer case. Ideally I want the PC and/or case to be removeable, but this may mean sacrificing how close you can get the TV to the wall. Not sure what I am going to do yet, but that's the fun of design. I'm working on the CAD for this now.
2. Thin clients, yes, pretty much anything, provided it can do a network (PXE) boot. Another hurdle is the graphics - if you're wanting to use the high end UI, then you'll need nVidia, or VIA UniChrome I believe, not sure about drivers for that though.
I've been looking at building my own thin clients using a mini-ITX motherboard. Having sourced the motherboard that I want to use (1 Ghz fanless processor, VIA Unichrome grpahics, S-video, DVI, gigbit LAN), along with the power supply etc, I intend on building my own case for it (due to the high cost/unavailablity/large dimensions of other thin mini-ITX cases that I have seen) which should end up around 1.5 - 1.75 inches thick. Not quite as good as the 1" Fiire ones, but remember this - I intend on mounting my computer to the wall, behind the TV, not on the VESA mount itself. This means that with a swing arm-type TV mount, I will actually be able to get the TV closer to the wall than would be possible with the 1" client. And for a much lower price.
For smaller TVs (where it really IS necessary to have the PC sandwiched between the TV and the VESA mount), I intend on building a custom all-in-one TV bracket and mini-ITX computer case. Ideally I want the PC and/or case to be removeable, but this may mean sacrificing how close you can get the TV to the wall. Not sure what I am going to do yet, but that's the fun of design. I'm working on the CAD for this now.
1387
Users / Re: Controlling TV via orbiter (not with IR remote control)
« on: August 05, 2008, 01:31:03 pm »
Thanks for your reply.
That is good news! So how would I go about using the on-screen orbiter to control that particular TV? I have never seen anything in the orbiter control menus that suggest I would be able to do this. Maybe a silly question, but how would I turn the TV back ON again using just the gyro mouse? Obviously in this case, the TV will be off, so I won't be able to use the on-screen orbiter!
Any help would be much appreciated. I've had a look on the forums and the wiki, but I couldn't find anything that answers these question - apologies if I've missed them.
That is good news! So how would I go about using the on-screen orbiter to control that particular TV? I have never seen anything in the orbiter control menus that suggest I would be able to do this. Maybe a silly question, but how would I turn the TV back ON again using just the gyro mouse? Obviously in this case, the TV will be off, so I won't be able to use the on-screen orbiter!
Any help would be much appreciated. I've had a look on the forums and the wiki, but I couldn't find anything that answers these question - apologies if I've missed them.
1388
Users / Re: My Future LinuxMCE Experiment
« on: August 05, 2008, 01:24:18 pm »
Lol, I was quite looking forward to actually giving something back to the community then, after all of the help that I have received! Better luck next time.
1389
Users / Controlling TV via orbiter (not with IR remote control)
« on: August 04, 2008, 02:46:35 pm »
Hi all,
I want to invest in a 3-buttoned gyro mouse for use with the bedroom media director (I intend on buying 1 Fiire chief, and that will probably stay downstairs for the lounge and kitchen).
My question: How do I control the TV? I'm assuming I would need the USB-UIRT, but my understanding was that this required the use of an IR remote control, in conjunction with the UIRT. Is it possible to gain control of the TV via the on-screen orbiter? This is a bog-standard CRT TV, no serial port.
Thanks.
I want to invest in a 3-buttoned gyro mouse for use with the bedroom media director (I intend on buying 1 Fiire chief, and that will probably stay downstairs for the lounge and kitchen).
My question: How do I control the TV? I'm assuming I would need the USB-UIRT, but my understanding was that this required the use of an IR remote control, in conjunction with the UIRT. Is it possible to gain control of the TV via the on-screen orbiter? This is a bog-standard CRT TV, no serial port.
Thanks.
1390
Users / Re: Just found out about Linux MCE
« on: August 04, 2008, 02:16:43 pm »
Not just your free time - time when you should be working as well 
1391
Users / Re: My Future LinuxMCE Experiment
« on: August 04, 2008, 02:08:31 pm »
As an INEXPERIENCED user of LinuxMCE, I would definitely recommend the standalone LinuxMCE installation DVD, as opposed to installing Kubuntu first.
What are the specs of your laptop, namely the graphics? This pretty much dictates which UI you will be able to use. Do you intend on using it wirelessly (purely as an orbiter), or as a diskless (wired) media director?
The media library is fantastic at reading tags, be it for videos, music, recorded TV shows, or whatever. I am very anal with the naming of my music, and quite sloppy with the naming of my videos (because they invariably get deleted if I don't burn them), and LinuxMCE copes very well with both. I don't think you'll be dissappointed.
Last but not least, don't get worked up over a given response, just because it wasn't what you wanted to hear! colinjones' answer was very concise in my opinion, and these forums have been a lifeline to me. Best of luck with LinuxMCE.
What are the specs of your laptop, namely the graphics? This pretty much dictates which UI you will be able to use. Do you intend on using it wirelessly (purely as an orbiter), or as a diskless (wired) media director?
The media library is fantastic at reading tags, be it for videos, music, recorded TV shows, or whatever. I am very anal with the naming of my music, and quite sloppy with the naming of my videos (because they invariably get deleted if I don't burn them), and LinuxMCE copes very well with both. I don't think you'll be dissappointed.
Last but not least, don't get worked up over a given response, just because it wasn't what you wanted to hear! colinjones' answer was very concise in my opinion, and these forums have been a lifeline to me. Best of luck with LinuxMCE.
1392
Users / Re: Z-Wave dongle for Europe - READ THIS
« on: July 31, 2008, 02:15:58 pm »
Would you happen to know if these are available in Britain?
Thanks.
Thanks.
1393
Users / Re: Hybrid vs Dedicated Core
« on: July 30, 2008, 07:24:20 pm »
May I ask why not? I would just try it, but judging by the fact that you have suggested that I do not do this, I can't help but think that something horrible will happen!
So is the orbiter part of the media director? What aspects of the system does "media station" refer to?
Thanks for your replies.
So is the orbiter part of the media director? What aspects of the system does "media station" refer to?
Thanks for your replies.
1394
Users / Re: Hybrid vs Dedicated Core
« on: July 30, 2008, 01:23:48 pm »
Coley,
Thanks for the reply. You refer to not starting the media station - is a "media station" the same thing as a "media director"? I noticed that on the admin page, a media director (for the core/hybrid) is present - can I simply delete this, or is this not the same thing? Or should I do both?
I also understood that the "main screen" as it were (with the menu containing media, climate, lights etc) is the "orbiter" - does this need removing as well, or again, is it all the same thing? I'm really starting to get a bit mixed up with my terminology here.
Thanks again for your reply, most helpful.
Thanks for the reply. You refer to not starting the media station - is a "media station" the same thing as a "media director"? I noticed that on the admin page, a media director (for the core/hybrid) is present - can I simply delete this, or is this not the same thing? Or should I do both?
I also understood that the "main screen" as it were (with the menu containing media, climate, lights etc) is the "orbiter" - does this need removing as well, or again, is it all the same thing? I'm really starting to get a bit mixed up with my terminology here.
Thanks again for your reply, most helpful.
1395
Users / Hybrid vs Dedicated Core
« on: July 30, 2008, 11:11:39 am »
Hi all,
I have a question concerning the exact differences between a hybrid and a dedicated core.
I am well aware of the difference in theory (through reading the wiki), but what are the physical differences?
Is it simply a standard LinuxMCE installation without a monitor connected to it? With regards to the software, what changes need to be made to the system that makes it a dedicated core, as opposed to a standard hybrid from the default installation?
I have a question concerning the exact differences between a hybrid and a dedicated core.
I am well aware of the difference in theory (through reading the wiki), but what are the physical differences?
Is it simply a standard LinuxMCE installation without a monitor connected to it? With regards to the software, what changes need to be made to the system that makes it a dedicated core, as opposed to a standard hybrid from the default installation?