$20 bucks is peanuts for the use of the Iphone or other Windows mobile 6 as an orbiter

Count me in

Fantastic! and excellent work on locating pulseaudio.

Would everyone agree that this may be the answer we are looking for?

If so.... lets include on next distro.

Does it make a difference if you use flash memory on each machine let it buffer for 5 second before you initialize a simultaneous playback?

Several points....

First and most importantly... you mention that your "clients" won't put up with the sync issues. This seems to imply that you want to use LinuxMCE as a commercial offering. You need to be aware that you cannot do that without a licence for each device from Pluto. The majority of the code is released by Pluto under a GPL/LGPL however some of the critical core components are released under PPL (Pluto Public License), which for all intents and purposes is the same as GPL for amateur users, but definitely not for professional providers.... then you need a licence, otherwise you could be competing directly with Pluto with their own product!

I do know of the licensing and will definately support the product if it is able to do what we need it to do.  I think that this is one of the coolest systems I have seen to date.  Although I am able to replicate all of the functions within this system it costs much less then say a Kaleidoscape/ Crestron / IP PBX / Control 4 / ETC. would cost in order to replicate all of LinuxMCE's Functions.

I would place an order of 100 lincenses immediately if it is bug free.  (we have 6 houses about to go into design phase in the next 2 months and I am sure more to go soon after that)  All of these homes are large homes looking for Complete automation.  Which I think LinuxMCE is capable of doing almost completely on it's own.

So for now allow me to lend any hands I can in order to get this system up and going along with you and the community.  (do you guys need RS-232 hexstring info for any of the following devices?)

Russound
Lutron Radio RA

Hope I can help
Trevor

I will admit right away this is way over my head as for coding and I did do countless nights of research on this but never did find anything on multi-room within these forums or in the wiki.

But I still am able to create ideas and hopefully help get this on track.

Does anyone think the flash memory cards idea will work?

Initially this topic was posted on the users forum pages and I am making the move to move it to here.

First off the question was asked if we could use 8 media directors to play just audio and output the audio line out into 8 high output 2 channel amplifiers.

The way this would work in detail :

- All audio stored on the core as normal:
- Use barebones cheap CPU's because you only need audio playback.
- Use good -> great quality speakers 2 from each amplifier
- use the line out on the cpu and Y split from a 3/8 mini stereo (2 black lines on the connector) headphone jack to a left/right stereo RCA plug
- Use an orbiter, a MD with a gui interface on the TV etc. to control the AUDIO MD's

Should work right?

YES and it does.

BIG HICCUP....
 in that the system does not sync audio playback when using more then one MD to play the same song.
the only time this actually becomes an issue is when you are able to hear more then 1 zone of audio at a time.

I work for a high end home automation where our clients are not going to put up with this at all.

We very often install 12 or more zones of audio in a home in order to create sound ambience.  Very often these zones are capable of being heard in transition zones.  (The hallway between Zone 1, Zone 2, Zone 3 and Zone 4)

Some ideas I have thought of that might be possibilities.  Please give me your ideas on wether or not these might be possible.
Please keep in mind I have been researching this as best as I could in order to figure this out and that I am not normally a linux programmer.

first Thought....  If I incorporate a flash memory cards into my Media director can we buffer the audio file on each media director and then give them a simultaneous play command when selecting them all to play a particular playlist?   This should ensure synced playback if this is at all possible.

Second possible solution....  If I hook up 4 computers into a 4 source in and 4 source out Multi-room amp could I write a script that would check to see if more than one zone is playing the same file.  Then if there is could I then send a RS-232 command for both of those particular zones to play the selected file from only one MD.  (pretty sure this could be done and fairly easily but this is a more expensive solution)

I don't understand linux MCE code at all as I have never even seen it.  But in order to give back I could do the leg work on this project if someone is interested in taking this on and give me direction.

I am going to move this topic over to the development section as I am now going to try and see what I can do to give back.  I have some possible solutions that I would like some opions on  Please see this same topic in the development to carry on with this topic.

Andrew you and I are in the same business.  Do you ever install large 12-14 zones of Audio within your clients homes?

Having more speakers in ones house actually allows you to listen to music at a quieter level throughout the home.  Yes in most cases all the speakers are on the same audio source at the same time and on one floor.  Perhaps I will have to combine all of these zones into one

Our multi-room solution does usually begin with a Russound multi-room amplifier (They really are starting to suck lately)  But the promise of doing it cheaper this way is why I was drawn into Linux MCE.
     *I was really hoping for this system to do more*

Is there any plans to perfect this in the immediate future?

Thank You for the quick response!

I do realize that Multi-room can be done in many ways and perhaps my question on it was not properly spoken.
I guess the real question I am trying to ask is thus:

Can I force one Media director to command another media director what to do through its already implemented GUI?

IE tell the Media director which is set up to only run my deck speaker play such and such a song.

Another thought.... Can it tell multiple directors to all play the same song at the same time.

Alright I am at a loss.

I have done many sleep deprived nights trying to find a lot of questions out. Perhaps maybe I can ask.

I am wondering first of all about control on a Linux MCE multi-room.  The setup I attempting is this.

I would like to use 1 core for a 7.1 Theatre, 5 TV/Audio Media directors where all of these units will be placed at the TV/ projector locations.   
Now the Questions I am wondering about is this... 

Question 1   If I have 8 other media directors all located in a RACKMOUNT media closet... Can I control each media director from the ones located at the TV's?

Question 2.  Is there a replacement remote anyone knows of for the FIIRE cheif that is capable of using the follow me function?

Question 3   Will it be possible to use RS-232 for a Lutron Radio-RA lighting system with LINUX MCE

Question 4   has anyone looked into the Samsung Omnia for being a Orbiter (IPHONE KILLER) (possible remote)

Question 5   ARE YOU SICK OF MY QUESTIONS YET?

Question 6   HOW ABOUT NOW?

Thanks in advance;

Trevor

May I suggest you have a look at www.Logicsupply.com for your Media Directors?

To expand further on the Samsung Omnia..

It is a phone which is to be an IPhone killer.
Since the IPhone won't allow for 3rd party apps to be installed easily...
why not focus on the Omnia and get it as not only an orbiter... but also the best way to control linux MCE

Since the FIIRE cheif is no longer available, I have been looking for a way to get a bluetooth gyration remote
for linux and the Omnia seems to have everything required to replace the Cheif with the follow ME option.

The omnia has all of the following built in...   Accelerometer, Bluetooth, Touchscreen,JAVA + FLASH CAPABLE, does it need more to control linux MCE as well as the cheif?

Help me out here if I am wrong.

[MULTI-ROOM SOULTION TIP]

NO! why would you want to?



I have seen numerous requests for linux MCE to control Russound ACA-E5, Russound CAV6.6, Nuvo Multi-room amplifiers

HERE IS A COMPARISON as well as a solution for homes already prewired for these systems.


MULTI-ROOM SOULTION TIP

A lot of Homes are already prewired with Multi-room Audio Matrix amplifiers in mind.

Now lets wire our homes with a Linux MCE system in mind

Lets say we have 23 rooms with 2 speakers in each in mind.  All of the wiring in a typical multi-room system would have 46 Speaker wires and 23 Cat 5e wire wired into a Home theater rack of some sort with these all going into the Multi-room amplifiers such as Nuvo, Russound, Control 4, ETC.

We have to think out of the box when prewiring for a Linux MCE system as our brains for the house.

WE first off have a core capable of 1 HD video out and 1 audio out. Using our typical millionaires house with 23 rooms of sound and 1 home Theatre.... we use the core to run to the Home theatre in this example.
We throw in a 24 port GIG switch and run 23 Media directors off the core JUST to control the other 23 rooms of sound!!!   Sounds expensive...  YES!!!.. but this is the alternative....  Lets assume all we need is 2 channel audio... any barebones computer will do 2 channel audio.  no need to go get something with video needs it is not necessary... now we need 23 2 channel amps  UGH!!! lets assume 23 SONY STRDE-197 200 watt 2 channel amplifiers at $150 a piece... and a cheap barebones computer at $200 a piece.... that is $350 a room. = $8050.

Option 2...  (3) 8X8 multi-room amplifiers.  = $10500 and that is at a wholesalers cost point.  ( I am a Automation specialist)

DIFFERENCE in Options....
LINUX MCE = numerous networked inputs distributed to all 23 Audio zones + your Home theater.
8X8 Multi-room amplifiers = 8 sources to 24 audio zones

Linux MCE is also VIDEO distribution
add your $700 Media Directors for this feature as we need Video quality too.
and if this is an area where you have audio and video keep them combined by running the Audio back to the Sony amp you have located in your centralized closet.  to do this you will need 2 RCA's.... or 1 COAX with the audio now being decoded by a 5.1 AMP... if you have a CAT-5e to spare... there are baluns that convert cat 5e to RCA.  (balun = Balanced / unbalanced).


SOLUTION

The current problem
The home I am currently working on has 10 Zones of Audio and 7 Rooms in which have Televisions planned for Whole Home Audio/Video Distribution.  This home was prewired by a different company which had in mind a Russound (8X8) audio Matrix with a (8X8) video Matrix and (2) 2 channel amplifiers to combine 2 of the audio zones and have in wall volume controls to control the seperate zones.  They also have a Dedicated Theater room in which all of the wiring was run to a Home theater rack.

The solution
In the Home Theatre Rack we are going to have 1 core. and 1 2 channel amplifier with RS-232 control for each zone of Audio that has AUDIO ONLY.  For these zone we attach a barebones CPU loaded with LINUX MCE.  (barebones requirement is an Audio out.  does not matter if it is a 1/8 mini plug or 2 channel RCA.  If your barebones has coax out make sure your amplifier can except coax input and that you set your Amplifier to spit out only Stereo audio) in our case we have 5 Zones of audio only.  we now also have 5 Zones in which have TV's and 2 channel audio.  (For these 5 cases we use a $700 mini cpu which we shall hide behind the TV itself. )   In our special case because the previous company was planning on doing Distributed audio through cat 5 we have cat 5 behind the tv's.  In our case the previous compnay was also going to use IR using cat 5 to the TV we again can use this in conjunction with balun's to send audio back down to our Theatre rack to power up the 2 channel amp in that zone.  Our System also has a 5.1 sound system and a TV in the family room.  Again we have 2 cat 5 for control and video behind the TV.  This time our Mini computer MUST HAVE digital coax out in our to send it again back down to the Rack in the Theatre.  Our last ZONE is the theatre itself in which there is no problem with any wiring as it is all there already.

COMPARING COSTS

Linux MCE system costs (equipment only what would be relevant to switching to a Multi-room system (speakers and tv's etc would eb the same regardless)
5 Barebone computers at $200/ cpu = $1000
5 mini computers at $700 / cpu =$ 3500
10 (2 channel) amplifiers @ $150 =$1500
1 5.1 Amplifier @ $800 = $800
1 7.1 Amplifier @ $1800 = $1800
5 (pairs as you need one on both sides of the cat 5) RCA baluns @ 60 = $300
1 (16 Port) Gb switch @ $215 = $ 215
5 remote controls @ $1500 = $1500

TOTAL COST = $10,615

Multi-room cost (note these are at My companies cost yet. If you are buying retail expect these prices to be marked up %40 or so
(8X8) multi-room amp with 40 watts per channel no keypads = $3600
2 (2 channel) amplifiers @ $150 = $300
(8X8) video matrix switch = $2100
zone keypad @ $420 each = $3360
media server(pictures and cd's only) = $3200
400 Disc DVD changer = $1500
RF Controller @ $1400
5 Remote controls @ $500 = $2500

Approx (40 hours for non profressionals to program this) $3000 or more for you to get a pro to do it for you

TOTAL COST $17,960 (and it still doesn't even compare to what the linux mce system can do!!!!)
RETAIL APPROX = ($25,144) + 3000 for remote programming
$18000 more for a much lesser system.


I'm SOLD!