Messages

At this point, I don't see any reason to use Zwave... Insteon seems to have a more reliable protocol and the pricepoint is the same as Zwave.  At least, for the basic things.  I'm not sure how much the more complex things are.

I talked to the wife.  She's not interested in spending the cash on this house (cheap, $125K "starter home" in the midwest).  I'd love to play around with it, but I understand where she's coming from.  I think I'll end up getting some X10 switches as toys.

I'm not familiar with LMCE well enough to know for sure, but I think it's just as easy as changing the Myth settings.  I've used MythTV (without LMCE) for about a year now and I have it go to a menu w/out TV when I start it up just because my current crappy video capture card likes to lock up a lot.

Actually, I just got done learning about Insteon.  I like your concept of using X10 for low-priority devices and Insteon to control.  It definitely seem like a good bet for the future.  And with a price point == to Zwave, Insteon is my favorite so far (tho, I think my budget will get me on X10 to start).

I too am worried about a HD capture device not working as I want it to in the future.  Hence, my post here.

Thanks everyone for your comments, keep the advice flowing!!!

Goodness, I definately need some help with X10:

http://www.x10.com/promotions/rca_expansion_home_2.html

Talk about used car ad-style... wowzers.

What I need is something to control 2-3 light switches and 2 plugs and whatever I need to make it work with linux MCE.

That's good info on the X10.  I'm definitely on the "wife budget."  Last year I set up a MythTV setup with her old computer (which crashes too much IMO -- need a new Mobo) and she's about 1/2 converted to the cause.  If I can keep the costs low, $30 here, $30 there. I can sneak stuff into the setup and she'll be none the wiser.

My other question from the first post about the TV - anyone have ideas there?  What should I be looking for? Or is every HDMI TV good to go.

Ohh, noob question.  Because I'm getting receivers for the HD signal, I can get a "HD ready" TV, right?  There's no need for my TV to have a receiver built in - or is there?

Is there any reason to shy away from HDHomerun?  I haven't seen many posts saying how wonderful it is whereas on other media center sites I see that.  It seems the most economical way to do a dual tuner setup that I can see -- I just don't want to throw good money away on something that won't work wonderfully.

Also, Zwave?  I don't know anything about it really - I've been reading different sites and it seems that I can replace my wall outlets and light switches for about $35 a pop.  Any suggestions here?

[Motherboard / HD Capture:]

Motherboard / HD Capture:
http://secure.newegg.com/WishList/PublicWishDetail.aspx?WishListNumber=9313926&WishListTitle=LinuxMCE

I have the processor, Harddrives and RAM from my wife's old computer.

TV:
In addition to those, I'm also purchasing a HDTV soon (Xmas & Bday gift from in-laws).  I have a $1200 budget (shipping and/or tax included) for the TV.

I like the idea of LinuxMCE controlling the TV and integrating my components.  So, what TV should I be getting to allow this (some sort of serial connection?)

DVD "upscaling" Player
-About a 100-150$ budget... I can put this one off obviously because my current DVD player works.
What am I after here?  I also want this to communicate to LinuxMCE.

Lightswitches & Home control stuff
-Zwave? What's the easiest/cheapest way to do it?

Remote or Orbiter
I'd LIKE to have my iTouch act as an orbiter.  I can't find anywhere in the wiki that shows how to set up the web orbiter.  I'm assuming this is just a webpage that I haven't found the link to yet.

The Tilt remote is my second option.  Fiire Chief seems awfully expensive.  Second choice is the Gyration remote just because I can get it off of ebay for about $65.  I understand this does not have full support, but it's mostly supported, right?

It does not work.

http://wiki.linuxmce.org/index.php/Hauppauge_WinTV-PVR-350