Pre-install Questions

[abc123]

I'm not sure if this is the right section to ask these questions, but I'll ask anyways.  I have these questions because I'm considering replacing my current Windows MCE setup for a LinuxMCE setup, I just want to know how much better it'd be to my current setup.

I read on the that I have to setup LinuxMCE as the DHCP server to get the plug and play network related features, such as plug and play IP cameras, plug and play NAS, and so on.  Is this true?  How would I integrate this DHCP server with my current router?  I have IP Forwarding on my router, will the router be able to forward if it isn't the DHCP server?  Do I want LinuxMCE between the modem and the router, or after the router?

What TV Tuner cards would you recommend?  I have an ATI HDTV Wonder, an ATI TV Wonder, and an iTVC16 something or other which is apparently similar to a Hauppage tuner.  Are these usable with little to no tweaking or should I buy a new one?

In the computer I'd be (hopefully) using, I have an ATI 200m.  I have a PCI Nvidia 5xxx something I could put in, which would be better?

If I set up the PC as a backend and DHCP only, what specs should I have?  What if I make it a frontend as well?  What specs should I have for the frontends (one or more would be hooked up to an HD display, I don't have HD through cable or anything, just through downloaded videos)?  Am I right to assume that I need one tuner per frontend?

I currently have a FreeNAS box setup, does LinuxMCE have the same SMB features and everything?  Can I access it via SMB the same way as FreeNAS (as in via browsing the network)?  Can LinuxMCE access shares on Windows/Mac/Linux?

Is there a WebGUI to configure LinuxMCE with, if I make the backend just a backend?

How many, and which, file formats can LinuxMCE play?

Is there a way I can get the LinuxMCE interface, or access my LinuxMCE through a standard Ubuntu computer?

I'm not really planning on doing the home automation, the main appeal to me is Follow Me, but it doesn't appeal enough to me to go through the setup, and DHCP things.  Are there any other advantages to LinuxMCE over Windows MCE, Linux vs Windows arguments aside?

Thanks for reading my questions, and responding if you choose to.

[Zaerc]

I don't mean to be rude, but most of these questions are already answered either in the wiki or on this forum.  And the ones that aren't usually do not have a simple answer or are related to specific hardware that I for one do not own.

[abc123]

It's ok, I'd think they are, I was just asking because I thought this'd be faster, and someone would know better from experience than I could read in the wiki.

[Hagen]

I read on the that I have to setup LinuxMCE as the DHCP server to get the plug and play network related features, such as plug and play IP cameras, plug and play NAS, and so on.  Is this true?
Yes, if you do not set it as a DHCP server it woun't notice these items automatically. They can still be added manually though.

Do I want LinuxMCE between the modem and the router, or after the router?
Between

In the computer I'd be (hopefully) using, I have an ATI 200m.  I have a PCI Nvidia 5xxx something I could put in, which would be better?
I have still to get an Ati card to work, my Nvidias work.

Am I right to assume that I need one tuner per frontend?
No, If I have understood correctly you only really need one tuner and that can stream the content to the other machines. Now if you want to record a show while watching another, then that is another matter

Can LinuxMCE access shares on Windows/Mac/Linux?
Yes, and also FreeNAS

Is there a WebGUI to configure LinuxMCE with, if I make the backend just a backend?
Yes

How many, and which, file formats can LinuxMCE play?
I would love to say "all of them", but I haven't tested all possibilities.

Are there any other advantages to LinuxMCE over Windows MCE, Linux vs Windows arguments aside?
Yes, accessing media is a lot quicker, and is done with a lot fewer clicks. (when I tried WinMCE I was shocked, I could just as easily just have used a normal desktop version and windows explorer)

Thanks for reading my questions, and responding if you choose to.
As mentioned, all the answers can be found elsewhere, but this project seriously needs some documentation on these things.
(Minimum reqs for different application scenarios), but my guess is we will all add our experiences .
For instance it was just confirmed that a setup similar to Zonbu works ok.

[abc123]

Thanks for the answers, I'll try LinuxMCE when I get a spare PC.  The only question I still have is what the requirements are, but I'll look that up, thanks.

[cckrobinson]

Go with as fast a CPU as you can afford especially if you doing HD playback.  My Athlon64 3500+ is barely enough to get smooth 1080i playback with an nvidia 6600GT.  The video card doesn't offload as much of the processing in Linux as it does in Windows.  I'd seriously consider a dual core CPU and you can go lighter on the video card.  Generally a 6000 or 7000 series nVidia card will allow you to run the UI and the highest setting (UI2 with alpha blending).