Advice on using MCE for Home automation with current structured wiring

[tschak909]

send a private message to tkmedia. He sells WebDT 366 orbiters with the orbiter software pre-installed on them.

Demo Videos:
http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=1080865851585336899
http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=2013509531300772806

Using the PadOrbiter with the LinuxMCE Phone System:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gNaWUM4bX3I
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-dUE9_s6EnI

Enjoy
-Thom

[cpayne]

A couple of quick tips, take 'em for what they're worth.

• With a wiring closet, it sounds like you want a core, not a hybrid.  Build it yourself using the mobo guide (http://wiki.linuxmce.com/index.php/How_to_Select_Mainboards_for_Your_LinuxMCE_System) and the components guide (http://wiki.linuxmce.com/index.php/How_to_Select_Components_for_Your_LinuxMCE_Computers).  For your setup, find a case with room for lots of hard drives and lots of PCI slots.
• Pluto is out of the hardware business, and Fiire is out of business (http://wiki.linuxmce.com/index.php/Fiire).
• For your Media Directors, have patience and see how the Acer Aspire Revo works out (ie: follow what others say on the boards: http://forum.linuxmce.org/index.php?topic=7929.msg53809#msg53809).  If VDPAU support is added (either 'PnP' or thru hacking), you'll be all set.
• For your distributed home audio, find an amplifier with discrete channels.  It doesn't sound like you want the same audio playing in all parts of the house, so you'll need 1 channel per speaker pair.  The amp will go in your wiring closet.  If the world were perfect, you'd be able to find an amp that had an RS232 port (or ethernet port) for control.  I don't know about the availability or cost of such a beast.
• For your 5.1 theater room, find it's own amp with an RS232 control port (or ethernet port).  You'll be glad you did.
• With LinuxMCE controlling you whole house audio, you'll likely not need the volume control boxes in each room (someone correct me if I'm wrong).  Just connect the wires so that the lines aren't interrupted and put blank cover plates on.  Orbiters will control the audio (and much more!).

Bryce

Anyone see anything wrong with repurposing this machine as a core to start with?
Compaq 6000 Pro WS dual p4 at 2ghz  2 GB. nvidia quadra . I added a sata controller and have 1 TB for the OS and esata port for  drive in it. This box is about 7 years old.

Charles

[ivanp]

Anyone see anything wrong with repurposing this machine as a core to start with?
Compaq 6000 Pro WS dual p4 at 2ghz  2 GB. nvidia quadra . I added a sata controller and have 1 TB for the OS and esata port for  drive in it. This box is about 7 years old.

DOnt know about quadro support, but if Youa re planning to use it as headless core (not as Media Director) i think it should be fine. Dont forget the second NIC!

[cpayne]

Anyone see anything wrong with repurposing this machine as a core to start with?
Compaq 6000 Pro WS dual p4 at 2ghz  2 GB. nvidia quadra . I added a sata controller and have 1 TB for the OS and esata port for  drive in it. This box is about 7 years old.

DOnt know about quadro support, but if Youa re planning to use it as headless core (not as Media Director) i think it should be fine. Dont forget the second NIC!

Thanks. I have a couple lying around.