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The switch works good.  Its been up since I got it a few months ago, haven't had to reset it or anything.  I'm always doing large transfers and streaming video through it.  I haven't verified the exact throughput I'm getting, but I'm pretty sure its hard drive limited.


I guess on a side note, I gave up on linuxmce for a while, after working on it for a few weeks.  Problems with networking, getting my tv to be controlled by serial, getting the other buttons on my remote wonder to work, it took a long time for remote media to be added to database (a few videos would be added per day), couldn't control cable box with usbuirt.  Really sucked troubleshooting the network problems too without the internet because I simply could not get an external IP address assigned, but I think it was partially my ISP's fault (requires spoofed mac address, which I couldn't get to stay after restarts).  I'm sure a lot of it was hardware issues, but I didn't have the patience to figure out that many problems.

I got mythbuntu up and running, and am using unraid for storage, and it works goods for now, but I would like some of the features in LMCE, so I will probably give the next version a try, and hopefully will have better luck.

Anyways thanks for the help all,

Just an update,

Finally ordered some hardware.  Even got some delivered, but not enough to complete the box yet.

I just couldn't bring myself to pay $170 for the Asus deluxe on ebay, so I ended up ordering an Abit AN-M2, which seems to be highly regarded and plug and play.  My main problem with them is lack of expansion, and lack of serial rs-232 ports, only 1 nic, but I already ordered some usb to serial adapters and extra gbit nic so I don't expect to have too many issues getting my hybrid installed.  If i run into expansion problems, maybe I'll try a newer full atx motherboard, and move the abit to MD duties.

Dave, good news. I got a basic unraid server up and running on my old hardware, xp1600, 512mb ram.  Problem is I have no SATA raid slots on the board, so I can't hook up my 1.5tb hdd's yet.  I do have newer hardware on order for a real one, but this one may prove to be enough for now, then I can use my newer hardware as a MD.  If I build an array on one, do you think I will have much problem switching out motherboards at a later date?  I think it is supposed to find all the harddrives again regardless of controller.

indulis and collinjones, I have no idea what you guys are talking about.  Maybe someday 

Thanks for the help everyone.  I'll be sure to update the wiki with my experience once I get this thing going.

Thanks again guys, lots of good advice.

I read up on unraid, and it looks like a pretty good way to set up media server.  Easy to set up, stable, expandable, don't need all drives the exact same size so I can use my numerous older drives.  I also like the fact that the drives are still readable outside of the raid (array isn't striped, the data drives are normal file systems).  I will have to look and see if I can use some of my current hardware with it (i have an old amd xp2100 system with 4 pata ports and a 4 port sata pci add on card, promise tx4200 i think i remember that sata controller card listed on their site, but the cpu might be too slow, ill have to see).  I dled the free version for now and I'll try to get something up and running before getting a license.  Can't wait to try it.

Yes, I agree 500 watts is a little overkill.  I will probably still get that same power supply for a mediaserver, but I picked out a 380w seasonic for my hybrid.  I've had 2 psu's die in the 6 months  , so I think I'm done with el-cheapo psu's that come free with the case.

I also noticed that the 8600gt took up two slots, but only after I posted, oops.  I did like the look of the specs on the 8600gt compared to the 8500gt (another 2x faster), and for only $20 more.  However, all I need is something fast enough to run UI2 w/ ablending or overlay at 1366x768.

I haven't done a lot of research on hdd's lately, but I will look into the samsungs.

I was planning on getting a USBUirt, but I didn't think I would need one until I set up my 3rd room (no rs-232 tv there).  My cable company DVR is a model DCT 6416 III, which I was hoping to control/stream/record with firewire, but some quick research finds this is kind of spotty at best.  I will definitely want to control this device, so a USBUirt may be the way to go.  (this device also has an IR-in plug, if that will help me any)

As far as getting a xorg.conf MODELINE for my display from an XP system, I don't have a system with a pcie slot.  But if I have issues, I can always install xp on my hybrid on a spare drive, and get it there.  (I'm getting a card with dvi, vga, and s-video, just in-case there are issues with one or the other)

Also FYI, the display for this hybrid will be a LG 42LG30- 42" and my other is a 20" LG 20LS7D.  They both have RS-232.  They are not in the wiki yet (i will add them), but the wiki says LG's with rs-232 are generally plug and play.
And about the tearing, I'm aware that there is no fix, unless the opensource ati drivers can surpass nvidia, or nvidia patches it.  I'm not too worried about it, it can't be any worse than streaming over wireless B (with a flaky router) to my laptop, which is what I do now. (i'm serious  )

I looked at the GIGABYTE GA-MA78GPM-DS2H.  Its got a lot of good features, and is much newer.  The cons for me compared to the asus are: less expansion slots because it is microatx, no 2nd nic, no coaxial spdif, need to buy a serial/rs-232 header or usb to serial adaptor, and the spdif is untested so far.  After a little more research, it seems to be popular for MCE under windows, but many linux users are reporting problems with the on-board ALC889a audio chip, mainly spdif doesn't work for 5.1 and the driver won't capture audio with the audio-in jack (mythtv).  Anyways, I'm not ruling this board out.  I do like the onboard video, I gather that in the (near) future, it will be possible to decode h.264 with this chipset.  Here are some links discussing the audio issues:
http://ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?p=4653915
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductReview.aspx?Item=N82E16813128341 (newegg review, not entirely reliable but it was one user that had problems)
http://article.gmane.org/gmane.linux.alsa.devel/55108 (probs with the spdif)
http://ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?t=755110
most of these are a few months old, maybe realtek released a new driver since then.

indulis, have you experienced any of these issues?  I know you haven't tried the spdif yet, but have you used the on-board audio-in to capture yet?  and is the volume control problem only with the orbiter?

I do have one other question that I can't seem to find in the wiki or forum.  What network card/chipset are best supported for a 2nd network card.  I would like to look at a usb nic to save pci slots if I were to get the gigabyte board.  Would this question best be answered by looking up the general linux compatibility of the different chipsets.  I do remember reading about issues where you have to have certain ones on the internal/external network or you run into issues.

Most of the hardware above still stands, but I'm still deciding on mobo.  here are some links to my most recent selections:
psu: SeaSonic S12 II SS-380GB 380W  http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817151032
vidcard: MSI 7300GS 256MB 64-bit GDDR2 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814127241 (thanks for warning colin)
cpu: AMD Athlon X2 4850e 2.5GHz Socket AM2 45W http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103255

For the cpu, since this one comes with a hs-fan, I will probably see for myself how that performs noise-wise before I purchase a fanless.

Anyways, I'm trying to be really careful about my hardware selection (if you haven't noticed ), This is because my linux experience is Zero.  But, I have built several PC's, can troubleshoot most hardware or software issues (i think), and can do some light programing, so I think I should be able to catch on.  The biggest thing is, if I spend this much, it better work, or my wife will kill me 

First off, thanks for great feedback guys.

Based on your comments and a little more research, I think I've refined and improved my hardware choices some, but I still have a few things up in the air: case, how/where I will store media, tuner, and input devices.  I will probably try to nail down what I'm doing with that stuff tomorrow.

Motherboard: ASUS M2N-SLI deluxe http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131013
Video Card: ASUS EN8600GT SILENT/HTDP/512M GeForce 8600 GT 512MB http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814121098
PSU: PC Power & Cooling Silencer PPCS500 500W http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817703015
Passive cooler: Ninja Mini from Scythe http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835185046
CPU: AMD Athlon X2 BE-2400 Brisbane 2.3GHz http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103215
DVD: Pioneer Black SATA DVD Burner DVR-216DBK http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827129032
Case: Silverstone LC10B-E http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811163118

My displays are native 1366x768 so I will either try that resolution or 720p.  I will either try UI2 w/ overlay or alpha blending if I find I can stand the tearing.  Once I get one room working, I will try to throw together a MD with existing hardware, and if that doesn't work build one new.

indulis, about the MSI K9N6SGM-V V2.  There has been little to no positive feedback about it on the wiki or forums (other than being mentioned in the newbie packs)  The features look good, but noone is talking about it much.

I will drop the NAS off my list and just get some drives to put in the hybrid at first.  I will definantly have to read up on Unraid and samba.  For years I've wanted to put a linux software raid5 fileserver together, but I've never gotten around to it.  Right now all my data is spread accross multiple 300 and 200 gig drives and I would like to get it all on one volume

Have been reading about Linux MCE since June, After getting most of my house wired with cat5e and getting a descent display for my living room, I am finally going to order some hardware for a hybrid/core.  I'll worry about my 2 needed MD's later.

Motherboard:  http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131013
I scoured the forums and wiki looking for the best feature-filled no headache mother board.  Every good one I found seems to be discontinued and not for sale.
I've kind of decided on ASUS M2N-SLI deluxe but also have considered ASUS M2NPV-VM and ABIT AN-M2 or ABIT AN-M2HD
I like the deluxe because no one seems to have problems with it, 2 onboard network cards, plenty of expansion, onboard digital audio, a serial port, and passively cooled northbridge.
cons are I can only find it on Ebay, no onboard video.

Videocard: I picked ASUS EN6200LE.  http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814121249
From what I gather this isn't a big decision, mainly just an Nvidia chipset

Ram, I'm thinking 2gigs of kingston value ram, have used it before and it works ok.  http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820134117

processor, AMD Athlon X2 BE-2400 Brisbane 2.3GHz.  Fast, low power consumption, 45w, cheap.  http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103215
procossor heat sink, haven't picked one, I'm thinking a passive cooler, any suggestions?

Harddrive.  I always get seagate drives, will get a smaller one (250gb or so) for the OS.  That will be the only one in my hybrid for now.

NAS, DNS-323 NAS with 1 or 2 1TB drives as JBOD with periodic backup.  I would like to do a raid 5 eventually, but I've heard of too many horror stories of datalose so far, will try it later.  I plan on using the print server cababilities of it as well.

Case: SILVERSTONE LASCALA 10 CS-SST-LC10B ATX Media Center / HTPC Case.  http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811163033   I haven't reserched much on cases, but this seems like an OK one.

Power supply:  SeaSonic M12II SS-430GM 430W  http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817151057

Tuner, Hauppauge PVR-500 or 150 or SiliconDust HDHomeRun http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16815327005

Pointing device: I haven't decided.  I'm thinking a few RF gyro mice, wiimote, or the even the fiire chief if I have some extra money.  I may go the route of IR in some rooms to save money, but I'm not sure.

optical drives:  maybe a few slot loading dvd drives, but perhaps blue-ray.  I haven't read much about support for blue ray in lmce yet.

other misc stuff:
gb switch  NETGEAR GS608  http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16833122141
D-Link DBT-120 USB 2.0 Wireless USB Bluetooth Adapter
Slim Devices Squeezebox (wireless network mp3 player)

I am in the US, my cable company is mediacom, I'm not sure if they encrypt their thier digital channels, which might hinder my hdhomerun.
Through my cable company I have a motorola HD DVR that I plan to connect with the a firewire cable.  I hope to be able to share and control this device on any md with firewire.

I have 2 LG lcd displays that I will control with RS-232.  A 3rd display I will either have to get a new TV with RS-232 or get a usb sert to control it with ir.
I plan on using coax spdif for audio.

In the future, I plan on using some of the home automation, VOIP, and security camera control, but for now all I'm looking for a mediaserver/DVR with a good UI, where I can share my media across 3 rooms and set up recording from any room.  It looks like lmce will do this fine.

Just posting this hoping to get any suggestions on my hardware selections or other advice.  I plan on ordering this weekend.

Thanks,