Suggestions on this build?

[ukulele_ninja]

Alright so Im trying to complete my Christmas List this year with the last few parts I need for my Media Center PC. The only two things im still having a toss up about it is the MoBo and Processor. Heres the run down thus far:

OS: Linux Media Center Edition with MythTV: http://linuxmce.org/

Case and PSU bundle: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811144231

Peripherals: Logitech Harmony 550 Universal Remote (X-mas gift)-http://www.amazon.com/Logitech-Harmony-550-Universal-Remote/dp/B000EUGX70/ref=pd_bbs_sr_3?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=12283678 30&sr=8-3

Microsoft Media Center Remote with Receiver (My understanding is you have to have one to train the Harmony, correct me if im wrong on this)- http://www.amazon.com/Windows-Vista-...8367975&sr=8-3

I already have a mouse and keyboard I will use for this when needed. Mainly, Ill use the remote for any on screen typing.

GPU: Geforce 8600 GS (Already Have)

Tuner: Hauppauge WINTV USB (xmas gift)- http://www.amazon.com/Hauppauge-1191...8373391&sr=1-1

Processor and Mobo bundle- http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.146142

RAM: 1GIG Corsair DDR2 Ram (already have)

DVD-Rom: Generic Brand (already have)

HDD: Western Digital 230GIG (already have)
Iomega 500GIG External HDD (already have)
Western Digital External 80GIG HDD (already have)

Any suggestions are welcome.

Any problems you can foresee?

[tkmedia]

I would skip the harmony remote... for lmce has universal remote capabilities.

I would get a usbuirt instead.




HTH


Tim

[ukulele_ninja]

I liked the harmony because in the future I want to be able to control my lights and thermostat with it and noticed this had the capability to do so with zwave equipment.

[totallymaxed]

I liked the harmony because in the future I want to be able to control my lights and thermostat with it and noticed this had the capability to do so with zwave equipment.

as tkmedia says... LinuxMCE does this anyway just by adding a ZWave usb interface... the Hramony is a total waste of time.

Andrew

[tschak909]

Also keep in mind, that you can install Orbiter on a number of devices to act as a remote too.

Ditch the Harmony. Throw it in a fire, and throw gasoline on it for good measure.

-Thom

[ukulele_ninja]

lol, wow lots of hate on the harmony!

What remote do you guys recommend with the usb-ir receiver then?

Also, would this board- http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813138079

with a P4 3.0Ghz be a better option? I can get the cpu used from ebay from a guy i know for $40. putting the whole set at a little over $100 with shipping.

[tschak909]

Honestly? Use the USB UIRT for IR blasting with a Xantech 286 double emitter....

and get yourself an orbiter...

either:

* Nokia N810
* A Nokia N70 Cell phone
* get a WebDT 366 from tkmedia with the orbiter software on it
* Install Orbiter onto any windows PC, especially tablets.

Much more powerful, and the software comes with LMCE.

-Thom

[ukulele_ninja]

Also, I will definatly be adding zwave support in the future, how difficult is it to implement into the system? How many devices can I have synced to the pc using their usb adapter?

[ukulele_ninja]

Honestly? Use the USB UIRT for IR blasting with a Xantech 286 double emitter....

and get yourself an orbiter...

either:

* Nokia N810
* A Nokia N70 Cell phone
* get a WebDT 366 from tkmedia with the orbiter software on it
* Install Orbiter onto any windows PC, especially tablets.

Much more powerful, and the software comes with LMCE.

-Thom

I already have a blackberry, so I have no care to buy a new cell phone for this system.

We have a Vista Laptop but that seems so clunky compared to a remote. Can I try out the windows software before I have the system setup? Or see it at least?

[tschak909]

Plug in USB interface (I use the MiCasaVerde Z-Wave stick..has the newest firmware out there.).. It will change to the setup wizard.. follow the setup wizard... done.

. o O (why do people want to make things so hard?) ;-)

-Thom

[tschak909]

Then

* Install JavaMO on your blackberry,
* Get a WebDT from tkmedia, or
* Get a Nokia N810 tablet to run Orbiter on.

Trust me on this one.

As for installing Orbiter, you must have a running system before installing Orbiter.

I do not recommend using an IR remote for LinuxMCE at all, It's so clunky.

-Thom

p.s. Some videos of my Orbiters in the house:

http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=1080865851585336899&hl=en
http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=2013509531300772806&hl=en
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JewXezrq8FY
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5ufVBOf1ir8

Honestly? Use the USB UIRT for IR blasting with a Xantech 286 double emitter....

and get yourself an orbiter...

either:

* Nokia N810
* A Nokia N70 Cell phone
* get a WebDT 366 from tkmedia with the orbiter software on it
* Install Orbiter onto any windows PC, especially tablets.

Much more powerful, and the software comes with LMCE.

-Thom

I already have a blackberry, so I have no care to buy a new cell phone for this system.

We have a Vista Laptop but that seems so clunky compared to a remote. Can I try out the windows software before I have the system setup? Or see it at least?

[ukulele_ninja]

Plug in USB interface (I use the MiCasaVerde Z-Wave stick..has the newest firmware out there.).. It will change to the setup wizard.. follow the setup wizard... done.

. o O (why do people want to make things so hard?) ;-)

-Thom

Just asking a question.

Thanks man, this is all new and very excited so excuse any dumb questions! Ive packed my brain with so many after looking at topics in the wiki and on these boards.

[ukulele_ninja]

Then

* Install JavaMO on your blackberry,
* Get a WebDT from tkmedia, or
* Get a Nokia N810 tablet to run Orbiter on.

Trust me on this one.

As for installing Orbiter, you must have a running system before installing Orbiter.

I do not recommend using an IR remote for LinuxMCE at all, It's so clunky.

-Thom

p.s. Some videos of my Orbiters in the house:

http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=1080865851585336899&hl=en
http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=2013509531300772806&hl=en
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JewXezrq8FY
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5ufVBOf1ir8

Honestly? Use the USB UIRT for IR blasting with a Xantech 286 double emitter....

and get yourself an orbiter...

either:

* Nokia N810
* A Nokia N70 Cell phone
* get a WebDT 366 from tkmedia with the orbiter software on it
* Install Orbiter onto any windows PC, especially tablets.

Much more powerful, and the software comes with LMCE.

-Thom

I already have a blackberry, so I have no care to buy a new cell phone for this system.

We have a Vista Laptop but that seems so clunky compared to a remote. Can I try out the windows software before I have the system setup? Or see it at least?

Awesome! I read one article on the wiki that must have been outdated because it said the blackberry support was not out yet. Awesome!

[ukulele_ninja]

Thom in your videos are you running everything off of one main HTPC? Also how many Media Directors are you using? Im at work so I couldnt turn the sound up to hear what you were explaining but everything looked very nice. Again, excuse any ignorant questions

[tschak909]

One core, one media director, with one additional media director that hops on and off for dev testing.

-Thom