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I installed LMCE on ESX 4.1. just for fun, and to see how the setup works. All is installed now, and would like to take a closer look at installing a USB tuner, or a USB dual or quad DVB-S2.

Any suggestions?

Regards,

The Satman

Hi,

I am running ESX4.1. My motherboard does not support VT-D, so that solves that question for me ... ;o). But do you have any idea if ESX 4.1 finds a PCI Quad DVB-S2 card, so that LMCE on a VM can pick it up?

What about USB tuner cards? I have tested USB-over-Ethernet, and that works fine.

What are my options?

Regards,

The Satman

Hi,

Not sure where to post this, but will start here ).

Managed now to download the final iso, error free. Installed it on VWware ESX 4.1. Kubuntu popped up. After install, I found the LMCE installer on the desktop. Activated the installer, needed to run it 2-3 times (due to some errors), but it finally came around. Now I am looking at the main orbiter. So far so good.

Indeed, as Evilecho described in the post dated July 23 2011, adding a room actually adds 2. I can + or - 2,4,6,8,..... Is there a way to fix this, or can I edit a conf file to fix it? (edit: I found out how to change this from the webadmin interface.)

Now, my main test will be to try to configure this core on VmWare. I have only a basic server, and need to look on what hardware to add, and how VMware will deal with it. Like soundcard, DVB-S2 tuners, etc. I know there are several issues on PCI pass-through, but have found that USB-over-IP works just great as well. Not sure what my options are here.

Any good advice to setup a basic testing unit?

PS: Is it possible to install VMware tools once LMCE is up and running? How to get to the command line interface?

Regards,

The Satman

Hi Hari,

I am sorry, you are right. Please re-read my message, but forget the conditional access module emulation question. The concept remains the same. If I was to receive only FTA, and have multiple TV's at home...

And then I quote myself again ... :

"It is here I came across the discusion MythTV vs VDR, where it was said that VDR is the only solution capable of running a "multi-seat" server. Iow, streaming multiple channels simultanious.

Does anybody have experience with regard to this topic?"

Ok, md5checksum error... I'll do a new download.

I just came to think on one issue I mentioned in another post, where I refered to the Dianemo system. LinuxMCE (and Dianemo) are a fullblown system, with lots of bells and wistles. But I am mainly intersted (for now) to stream live satelitte TV 2 multiple devices at the same time.

It is here I came across the discusion MythTV vs VDR, where it was said that VDR is the only solution capable of running a "multi-seat" server. Iow, streaming multiple channels simultanious. Doing a search on this topic resulted in a few links to "VDR+NEWCS+CCCAM". And basically, this is what I need. But I love gadgets, and like the additional features of LinuxMCE.

Does anybody have experience with regard to this topic?

Regards,

Edit: after a second download and md5 test, again error. AHA!!! The official download page still has the link to the rc1 download. Not the final download.... Just so you know ;o). Downloading final version now.

The Satman

Hi all,

I have been following LinuxMCE since 2007, but never came round to setting up a unit. Mostly a time issue (. But I feel I just need to take the plunge. Instead of putting it of because I am not sure if the hardware would do the trick, I just gonna do it ;o).

I have my VMware ESX 4.1 with Vcenter 4.1 up and running. Still looking into the View Connection option to improve streaming issues. But Rome isn't build on one day either, right?

Now here's the thing. I see some of you have installed this on ESXi. As far as O know, this is the same Linux based platform as ESX4.1. Correct? I still haven't figured out the entire LMCE setup as I want it. I have by Dreambox PVR600 as a part of my "joe Average" Home Theatre. I first wanted to try to make a DVB-S server, that could have all my subscription cards (read my posts elsewhere on this forum), but this seems to be a less doable solution. So now I use a card server, and can connect one or more satelitte receivers in my home. But I guess I will remain dependable on a Dreambox type solution for now. Unless somebody comes up with a better solution.

My question for now basically is: I created a VM with 2 nics. Just for testing. Default settings to see how LMCE responds to the drivers. I downloaded the 810 from h__p://linuxmce.iptp.org/release/LinuxMCE-8.10-rc1.iso. I uploaded the ISO to the VM datastorage, and use the image as boot DVD. No OS is found... I downloaded Kubuntu 810, and followed the same procedure. Boots and installs OK. On the LMCE image, I see that the root contains 2 .exe files... Is this also a windows version? It also contains linux folders. Anyway, I can not boot from it, so I wonder if I need to download another image?

Next step I will be investigating is how to set up a core, so the kids can watch TV from their PC on their rooms, without the need of investing in TVs, and other expensive equipment. No need for superb picture quality. They watch youtube and DVDs, and they are very happy with the quality. I wonder if it can be done to set up a VM core..... I welcome your feedback )

Thanks for now,

The Satman

In a case like this, where one chooses to develop/build a hardware unit that suites the technical requirements of the software, it is very important to draw the line in what it is one wants to charge to the end user. For example: A school wants to run Linux on all their computers, and decides to throw out MS Windows. The entire operation can be done by one of persons working at school. Or they call in professional help from a company that knows what they are doing.

The company that is helping them with the project can not charge them for the operation system. But they charge for possible new hardware, and for the time they are using on installing it and integrating it on their network.

Do they need to contribute to the makers of the Linux OS? Only if they want to. Is it required by the GPL? No.

This topic was started on the same foundation. If one looks at the many discussions out on the internet, people that are having problems with installing their downloaded software on their DIY server, becoming frustrated after a while and finally give up on the whole thing. Who benifits of this. The worst publicity it bad publicity. Even if the word is spread by a total newbee that doesn't know sh*t what he is talking about... The software sucks, got no support, the forums are talking hi-tech jargon, .... what ever. When the learning curve is long, people tend to give up if it is not really in their blood to fulfill the project.

So back to my own project. I tend to compare this with the school project described above. I am not selling it. I am selling computer configurations that we have tested and that we know will work with the software pre-installed. We charge for the hardware, and the time used to install and configure the OS and other software.

I discussed this matter with Pluto 2 years ago. They are talking about their core server, but it is not available. They are looking for resellers, but they don't have the core. So what is there else to do? Right, make your own system, test it, and if it works, I could consider to sell the hardware. I could also take it one step further and discuss with Plutohome if we could use this hardware to sell as approved hardware in the same line as they had thought to do their selves, as they announce it on their website (since 2 years)... and sell a concept of hardware + software license.

But it is here the situation becomes different from that with LinuxMCE. Here we are talking about a project that never intended to sell hardware in the first place. So if people would ask me to install this software on a server, and sell them the unit. Does this conflict with the GPL? I don't think so. And if I was to offer my professional services to help them install the system in their home surroundings, or even would offer them a monthly fee subscription to keep the system updated/fine tuned... I am not selling them the software. I am not modifying the software. I am just selling hardware and my knowledge on how to install and maintain the system.

So please guys, keep things in perspective before this thread is getting out of hand.

I wish you all a very entertaining and happy new year. Greetings from the land of Santa Claus ;-)

Harry

Hi Andrew,

About 2 years ago I got in contact with Plutohome, looking for more information in how this piece of software could become a new part of my business. We had a few emails back and forth, but I never felt comfortable about it, and I never took the plonge. Most because of the fact that I couldn't find one single piece of text on the internet about somebody having implemented Plutohome with success.

When I started reading about LinuxMCE I got the same impression, even though a hand full of brave men managed to get the basics up and running, often paired with a fair amount of sweat and tears. So you can imagine my joy when I found your entry on this forum. Finally a possible partner that knows what they are talking about?

My main business is ISP/ASP. But with a small twist. Finding a service that is different from all the rest that we can offer to a new target group. I spend a great deal of time in researching what technology was needed (and available) to offer tripple play to smaller communities in rural areas, without having to have access to f.ex. fiber broadband. How to stream VoD or nVoD over Wifi? MPEG-2 or MPEG-4? Low cost video servers for small ISP? But also hosted VoIP apps have been looked at with great interest. And last but not least video surveillance over IP. And, for those who really live in waste-land: internet, VoIP and video via satellite.

Just to give you an idea about the line of work I am in.

Back to LinuxMCE: I would love to set up a test/demo unit that will deal with the full range of possibilities it is capable of. There seem to be a 1000 issues one need to be aware of, before one can be sure he has the right hardware. One of those things is f.ex. the control of lights and other appliances. Pluto is speaking highly about x-10. On some website is found that other find z-wave has better solutions, but as a contradiction one or more units of the z-wave series are going out of production, and nobody can confirm what is going to be a working alternative...

I am interested in one of your test units. For starters one that can serve as core+MD. Where I live (scandinavia) there is close to none OTA tv, and all is coming in by (encrypted pay TV) satellite. So here is raised 2 questions: A- can this be done, B- do I then still need a tuner card (or 2 when opting for looking at one channel, record from another)?

What if the TV (or VCR, or SAT, or projector) hasn't got rs-232? What do I need to keep in mind there? What are the options?

If you think you have a working solution for me, please let me know. As by others on this thread already stated: There are lots of ways we could try to work together. Maybe this could be the start of something new.

Looking forward to hear from you,

Best regards,

Harry