Where can I learn what is "safe to buy"?

[bongbastic]

Hi all, I have not started building my "media/entertainment" room yet and would like to be pointed in safe direction. After watching 0704 video http://wiki.linuxmce.org/index.php/Video I found that the project must have progressed much since the last time I checked.

Nonetheless I am very confused: what guidelines should I follow in order to equip myself with compatible media receiver, alarm panel, set top box, etc. Where do I find these information?

How do I know whether my cable set top box will work with LMCE? It does not have RS232, but there is one USB. (Would the RS232 by itself mean it would work?)

How do I know whether an alarm panel will communicate with LMCE or will it work only with Apex or DSC? I have never heard of those brands here in Czech Republic (is it apexsecurity.co.uk and dsc.com?)

I wish such info could be easily accessed from the front page.