Hardware recommendations

[tschak909]

Basically, at this point, your only saving grace would be multiple Hauppauge HD-PVR capture devices. These capture the component signal, but would essentially solve the distribution hell of doing HDMI switching.

However, since these devices are still relatively new, the driver is still in development. I do not have any of these devices here, so I can't attest to the stability of the current driver in Janne's mercurial repository.

Then a device template needs to be made to control the device.

-Thom

[tkmedia]

My point exactly pvr 150 svid in is what works currently out of the box with lmce.

and in his description of sat to md connection that would be the only OOB solution. with 0710

[emachala]

eh... maybe i'll just go with 2 pvr150's with cable feed and ir emitter to the front of the 2 STB's g100 and then have all the other STBs distribute with the rest of the a/v equipment through my ACA-E5 http://www.russoundsphere.com/acae5.html  it has RS-232 control systems so i should have no problem controlling it with linuxmce? correct?


and using the ir receivers in the keypads to control linuxmce MD OSD's in each zone??

Eric

[emachala]

would prefer not to use 6e to hdmi till matrix switchers are cheaper for 8x8 or larger .... will i have any problems doing vga to component i can get hardware converters for 720p and 1080i

Eric

[totallymaxed]

would prefer not to use 6e to hdmi till matrix switchers are cheaper for 8x8 or larger .... will i have any problems doing vga to component i can get hardware converters for 720p and 1080i

Eric

I would not recommend going VGA -> Component.

just go HDMI direct.

You dont need to go 8x8 if you look at my earlier post.... and unlike usinga PVR150/250 etc you will get full HD quality througout.

Andrew

[emachala]

so whats the big problem using a powered converter  to switch  the VGA from the MD to Component?? can it be done?....

[colinjones]

I would suggest you don't want to run component over those kinds of distances. In fact you don't want to run HD across any analogue technology. If you insist, then get graphics cards that already have component outs, don't convert analogue to analogue. If you are determined to keep the MD's away from their respective Entertainment Areas (although I still don't see a good reason) then I strongly suggest you follow Totallymaxed's advice - he and his company do this type of thing all the time, professionally, so he knows what he is talking about! Pity you are in Rhode Island and not Essex, he would have been able to do the work for you

[tkmedia]

RI Just happens to be right between TSCHAK  and TKmedia 

[totallymaxed]

I would suggest you don't want to run component over those kinds of distances. In fact you don't want to run HD across any analogue technology. If you insist, then get graphics cards that already have component outs, don't convert analogue to analogue. If you are determined to keep the MD's away from their respective Entertainment Areas (although I still don't see a good reason) then I strongly suggest you follow Totallymaxed's advice - he and his company do this type of thing all the time, professionally, so he knows what he is talking about! Pity you are in Rhode Island and not Essex, he would have been able to do the work for you

Your right Colin Essex is too far from RI ;-)...happy to help/advise from afar via the forum though.

... however it looks like tkmedia and tschak are reasonably local and could get involved directly if emachala was interested in that...and If I was him I would go that route for sure.

All the best

Andrew

[Marie.O]

RI Just happens to be right between TSCHAK  and TKmedia 

That's why I was asking, where Eric is located.

Maybe he wants to hire Tschak909 for 4 hour inspection tour. It probably is the best 1000USD Eric had spend on his installation. At the end Eric will know exactly what works, what does not work, and what should be done.

[emachala]

lol thanks for the offer but everything humanly possible is already run to each location so i can go either option... I have decided after some tests that Andrew is absolutely correct and utilizing my 2-6e's for hdmi 1 5e  for usb hub to each tv is great..... Also

Still not sure, andrew about your information about HDMI switch ... looking to purchase....
How many hdmi switches is this:
Cable Box1 -> HDMI -> 1-8 (or 1-16) HDMI switch with one HDMI out to each MD's 4-1 (or 6-1) HDMI switch (RS232 controlled) -> HDMI to CAT5 to HDMI ->screen
Cable Box2 -> HDMI -> 1-8 (or 1-16) HDMI switch with one HDMI out to each MD's 4-1 (or 6-1) HDMI switch (RS232 controlled) -> HDMI to CAT5 to HDMI ->screen
Cable Box3 -> HDMI -> 1-8 (or 1-16) HDMI switch with one HDMI out to each MD's 4-1 (or 6-1) HDMI switch (RS232 controlled) -> HDMI to CAT5 to HDMI ->screen
Cable Box4 -> HDMI -> 1-8 (or 1-16) HDMI switch with one HDMI out to each MD's 4-1 (or 6-1) HDMI switch (RS232 controlled) -> HDMI to CAT5 to HDMI ->screen

Thinking im just going to do ... will this work? every cable box has a PVR
each MD with one hdmi rs232 controlled switch 2-1

Cable Box -> HDMI ->  2-1  -
                                      | ----  HDMI to CAT5 to HDMI ->screen
Media Director -> HDMI 2-1 -

Andrew  where can these units do you know A online store?


I know Media Director HDMI is just Video but Cable box is HD video and audio .... can i separate the cable box audio because russound sphere will have to distribute the audio for cable boxes and media directors to each zone ....

[emachala]

Maybe i can hire you as tech later down the line...

RI Just happens to be right between TSCHAK  and TKmedia 

That's why I was asking, where Eric is located.

Maybe he wants to hire Tschak909 for 4 hour inspection tour. It probably is the best 1000USD Eric had spend on his installation. At the end Eric will know exactly what works, what does not work, and what should be done.

[Marie.O]

Maybe he wants to hire Tschak909 for 4 hour inspection tour. It probably is the best 1000USD Eric had spend on his installation. At the end Eric will know exactly what works, what does not work, and what should be done.

Maybe i can hire you as tech later down the line...

Eric,

with lmce preparation beforehand is key to success, and saves a BUNCH of time and money. "If I knew than what I know now..." I could have saved myself a lot of hassle, and a lot of false money spending.

And it is not me, as I am not nearly as qualified.  I do not know of anyone else than Thom, that *I* would hire to get things done.

Enough for now

[emachala]

HDMI mobo's coming in tomorrow will start to build the systems in a portable rack for testing prior to integration later into my home... 

What alarm system/panel is best .... can i use any panel with rj45 connector setup for communication?



Andrew ... thanks for all your help.... im gonna run the hdmi inputs to each plasma 2 6e to hdmi and and additional 6e like you said for a usb so i can add each plasma's rs232 commands to orbiters .... Im going to do as you say and leave the cable boxes completely out of the equation and just control them with linuxmce.....
 Im to transfer my service from cox to our new fiber optic service provider verizon fios... (just fiber to the side of the house) coaxial to cablemodem  .....

Im not sure how to interface with the fios boxes yet.... since all the boxes are in the media rack next to the core and MD rack... should i just use a gc100 or two as needed.... in case of interface issues ?? Besides im sure there are other devices that use ir that gc100 can solve... even my hdmi 2-1 switch is ir remote with port....

Core system and the Media director for the home theater room are CPU AMD|A64 X2 7750 AM2 with nvidia hmdi and 7.1 audio on board with 8 gig of ram in each the core with 4tb internal sata and 3tb usb and the MD home theater is disk-less.... those two systems good?  the other 6 media directors diskless will be 6 AMD Athlon 64 X2 4200+ with 2 or 4 gig in each??  all are NIB parts and being built for my houses linuxmce intergration...

sound all groovy?

Thanks guys
 

[emachala]

each plasma having a usb hub i can also attach a bluetooth dongles in each for follow me correct....  Whats the best plug and play model for that....