LinuxMCE - User contributions [en]

Telecom

2014-04-29T10:07:31Z

Domtheo:

==Links==

*[[:Category:Phone_Lines|Phone Lines]]
*[[:Category:ATA|Analog Telephone Adapters]]
*[[:Category:IP_Phones|IP Phones]]
*[[:Category:Telecom_Tutorials|General Telecom Tutorials]]
*[[Voice Applications]]

==About==

LinuxMCE has very powerful and flexible telecom capability. Examples include:
* VOIP phone line provider with an IP Phone (the Cisco 7970 even doubles as an orbiter).
* VOIP phone line provider with Analog Telephone Adapter (ATA) to use a standard phone.
* Regular telephone line with ATA

Telecom in LinuxMCE is enabled by the integration of an open source PBX system for Linux called [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Asterisk_%28PBX%29 Asterisk].

The basic Asterisk software includes many features available in proprietary PBX systems: voice mail, conference calling, interactive voice response (phone menus) and automatic call distribution [http://www.tokobungasabana.com Toko bunga], [http://www.tokobungasabana.com Toko bunga jakarta], [http://www.goldenfibreglass.com/product-atap-fiberglass.php Atap fiberglass berkualitas], [http://trimasjaya.com/products/railing_tangga/index.html Railing tangga].

To attach ordinary telephones to a Linux server running Asterisk or to connect to PSTN trunk lines, the server must be fitted with special hardware. Digium and a number of other firms sell PCI cards to attach telephones, telephone lines, T1 and E1 lines, plus other analog and digital phone services to a server.

Perhaps of more interest to many deployers today, Asterisk also supports a wide range of Voice over IP protocols, including SIP, MGCP and H.323. Asterisk can interoperate with most SIP telephones, acting both as registrar and as a gateway between IP phones and the PSTN. Asterisk developers have also designed a new protocol, Inter-Asterisk eXchange (IAX2), for efficient trunking of calls among Asterisk PBXs and to VoIP service providers who support it. Some telephones support the IAX2 protocol directly for communicating with an Asterisk server (see Comparison of VoIP software for examples).

VoIP telephone companies have begun to support Asterisk; many now offer IAX2 or SIP trunking direct to an Asterisk box as an alternative to providing the customer with an ATA.

Telecom functionality involves 5 basic steps. Wiki contributors should cover all 5.

1. Install hardware.

2. Configure LMCE phone device. This tells LMCE how to communicate with the new hardware

3. Configure LMCE phone line device. This tells LMCE how to communicate with the VOIP provider or telephone company.

4. Configure Asterisk using FreePBX. This is LMCE's telecom brain

5. Configure the new telecom hardware. This tells the VOIP phone or ATA how to communicate with LMCE

Media Director

2014-04-29T10:05:12Z

Domtheo:

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This page defines what a Media Director (MD) is, what it does, how it fits in the LinuxMCE system, and how to select the components necessary for an enjoyable media experience.

== What is a Media Director? ==
A '''Media Director''' (also known as a '''Media Station''') is a PC which channels the audio and video content managed by the LinuxMCE system to the audiovisual devices which are connected to it.
[[Media Directors]] (MDs for short) are Home Theater PCs (HTPC) with outputs to connect to a television and to speakers. A MD can play all your streaming music and videos, whether from the Core, from network attached storage (NAS), or from other MDs in your system.

{{p}}

== Media Directors and the LinuxMCE system ==
A LinuxMCE system is made of a single [[Core]] and multiple Media Directors. While it is possible to run the Core as a Media Director also, making it a [[hybrid]] Core/Media Director, you still need a dedicated Media Director for each room or entertainment area where you would like to receive the media. With multiple rooms, this results in multiple Media Directors present in the LinuxMCE system.

Each Media Director is connected to the LinuxMCE [[Core]] server through the home automation/multimedia LAN by its LAN port (NIC). It is also fitted with connections for the TV, stereo or other AV devices through which content is output to the AV devices connected to it. A Media Director PC needs LAN and A/V ports (such as VGA, HDMI, S-video or RCA jacks), and is generally located close to the viewing/listening area [http://andreweweww.wordpress.com/2014/01/19/lovely-mwo-muslim-wedding-organizer Wedding organizer].

{{p}}

== Media Director PC components ==
A Media Director is selected based on the quality of the images and sound it can produce, and the connections necessary for the A/V application. Choosing or building a PC that will be used as a Media Director must be done carefully with respect to the input and output capabilities of that PC.
These demands are more easily met with a Media Director than with a Home Theater PC, since many of the functions of a standalone HTPC have been moved to the Core in a LinuxMCE system, reducing the hardware requirements of each Media Director, making the Media Director much less expensive than a Home Theater PC.

This section explains the role of each component, and gives you the understanding you need to select Media Directors.
{{p}}

==== Audio and video ====
Because media is served through the graphics and sound cards of the Media Director PC, it needs to have a good (nVidia) graphics card and a good sound card (e.g. with 5.1 or 7.1 outputs). Outputs to TV and stereo are directly from a Media Director, so quality output cards are needed.

The Core generally has the TV tuner card for the entire system. A Media Director does not typically need one. {{p}}

==== Remote controls ====
A Media Director also provides the interface for input devices. Remote controls (USB-UIRTs, bluetooth devices, etc), in general, are connected to a Media Director. {{p}}

==== Environmental considerations ====
While a dedicated core can be hidden in a closet or somewhere else, each Media Director is generally attached to a TV or entertainment center. As such, it has requirements similar to a [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Home_theater_PC Home Theater PC]: it should be whisper-quiet (either with very quiet fans or a fan-less heat sink), have low heat emission (which usually implies low power consumption) and be small and unobtrusive (in a stylish case). {{p}}

==== Storage ====
Unlike a Home Theater PC, the Media Director does not require a large storage capacity. Storage functions are provided by the Core (or hybrid), not the Media Director. You can, however, add storage to a Media Director, but it is not necessary since the Core carries the PVR and all network media storage functions for the entire system. Only the Core needs a large hard drive storage capacity. {{p}}

==== Processor ====
It is important to note that video decoding takes place locally on the Media Director. It would be prudent to ensure that the processing power of the Media Director is sufficient for your media, be it standard definition or high definition content.

{{p}}

== Media Director OS ==

A Media Directors does not require an OS. It can act as a thin client, [[netboot]] from the Core, and be fully operational within minutes.

{{p}}

== Hybrids ==
When a [[Core]] is also used as a Media Director, it is called a [[Hybrid]]. Since a Hybrid Computer performs all the Core functions and the Media Director functions also, it needs to be capable and all the recommendations for Media Directors apply.

{{p}}

==Links==

*[[:Category:Media_Directors|Possible Media Director platforms]]
*[[:Category:Laptops|Laptop Media Directors]]
*[[:Category:Nettops|Nettop Media Directors]]

[[Category: Media Directors]]
*[[:Category:MediaDirectorTutorials|General Media Director Tutorials]]

Installation Guide

2014-04-29T10:04:11Z

Domtheo:

[[Category:Installation Tutorials| Installation Tutorials]]
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For the most up-to-date Final Release see the [[Installing 1004|'''LinuxMCE 1004''']] install

==About Installation (Version 0810 Final)==

This page covers what we'll call mainstream installation. It shows how to get a LinuxMCE hybrid running with minimum bells and whistles. Once the basic installation is complete, users can look at the other sections of the wiki to learn how to add more advanced features. The basic hardware consists of the computer, display, and speakers. Look at the "Core & Hybrid" section of the wiki for hardware selection articles. Here is some pre-flight advice before installation.

*The computer must be connected to the internet for a successful installation.
*Recommend using a monitor for the initial install. Monitors are better than TVs for adapting to a wacky resolution setting (it could happen). You probably don't want to mess about with xorg.conf on your first install. Also recommend using a VGA cable because that is the default setting when the LMCE wizard pops up. I'd specifically advise against using an HDMI cable and expecting it to pass video and sound to your TV. It might work, but more likely it will require extensive tinkering. Its easy to swap to a different display or connection after things are up and running.
*For sound, you can use computer speakers, or use an spdif connection to an external AV receiver. This is also easy to change later.
*If you have a TV capture card, it will be configured during the installation. The wizard will ask where to get program guide information. In the US this is usually "schedulesdirect.org". Set up your account and know your username and password before starting the install.

==Caveats==

*LinuxMCE is an extremely powerful, fantastic piece of software; have no doubt about that. But, please bear in mind that it is a project, not a product.

*LinuxMCE 0810 is based on Ubuntu 8.10, which means that brand new hardware might not work out of the box. For this reason, if you are buying hardware specifically for your home automation system, you might want to use hardware that is a little older and save yourself some money at the same time. That said, in nearly [http://digiadvertise.wordpress.com/2014/04/07/jasa-seo-di-jakarta Jasa seo] all cases you [http://digiadvertise.wordpress.com/2014/04/07/jasa-seo-di-jakarta Jasa seo jakarta] will be able to get through any issues with a little patience and some help from the community. Unrecognised NICs is the most common issue.

*<span style="color:#FF0000">Please please please be patient. Some parts of the installation can sometimes take hours. If in doubt, leave it overnight.</span>

==Basic Installation Steps==

I might help to think of installation as a 3-step process.
*Run the DVD. This formats your drive, installs Kubuntu, and preps for LMCE installation. This step finishes by prompting reboot and DVD removal.
*Install LinuxMCE. The reboot will take you to the Kubuntu screen. You'll recheck your internet connection, then click the LMCE install icon. More software will load and it will prompt another reboot.
*Complete the 3 wizards (AV, House Setup, Media). This is where you tell LMCE about your system.

===Run the DVD===

'''<span style="color:#FF0000">Caution: Installing LinuxMCE 0810 Final will wipe your entire drive! It is not designed to be dual-booted!</span>'''

'''If you just want to quickly try LinuxMCE, then consider setting it up temporarily as a virtual machine on your Linux, Mac, or Windows box. [http://www.virtualbox.org/ VirtualBox] will allow you to do this'''

# Download the LinuxMCE 0810 Final ISO from [http://linuxmce.iptp.org/release/LinuxMCE-8.10-final.iso here]. ''Note: Always burn at your DVD drive's lowest speed to reduce the chance of errors.''
# Boot from the DVD.
# Select your language
# Select the top option "LinuxMCE"
# Wait until the installer loads, and then...
## '''Welcome''' - Select your language.
## '''Where are you?''' - Select your location and time zone.
## '''Keyboard layout''' - Select your keyboard layout.
## '''Prepare disk space''' - Set up your partitions as you wish, but the second option "Guided - use entire disk" is perfectly OK.
## '''Who are you?''' - Set up your username, password and the system name (call it whatever you want). This username/password is specifically for the underlying system i.e. Kubuntu, it is NOT for LinuxMCE; this is handled separately.
## '''Ready to install''' - Check everything is as it should be, and press "Install".
# Let installation run through, and then remove disk and press enter when instructed to do so.

===Install LinuxMCE===

# Once the new Kubuntu installation has finished booting back up, check that your internet connections are working. If you have a NIC that is not plug-and-play (like the Intel gigabit card) then now is the time to install the driver and confirm operation. Then click the "LinuxMCE" icon on the desktop. This will start the LinuxMCE installation. You may need to enter your Kubuntu password.
# Wait until the LinuxMCE installation has finished running through. You will see the following message when the installation is complete:

The first phase of the install process is completed
Reboot the system to start the final process.

===Complete the Wizards===

Upon reboot, you will not see Kubuntu. More software will load, then the AV Wizard will start. If you connected the display with something other than a VGA cable, the screen will go black. You will have to press a number on your keyboard (just the number, don't hit "enter") to tell the wizard what connection to use. The default value is 2: VGA.

<pre> Keys for choosing a connector:

1: DVI
2: VGA
3: Component
4: Composite
5: S-Video
Q: DVI-2
W: VGA-2
L: LVDS</pre>

Then follow the wizards as described in the following links.

*[[AVWizard_Step_by_Step|AV Wizard]]
*[[House_Setup_Wizard|House Setup Wizard]]
*[[Media_Player_Wizard|Media Setup Wizard]].

Tip: After LMCE is up and running, the LinuxMCE installation icon on the Kubuntu desktop becomes a hazard. Clicking it will begin a reinstall and ruin your day. Best to right click and delete the icon!
==Links==

*[[:Category:AV_Wizard|AV Wizard]]
*[[:Category:Installation_Tutorials|General Installation Tutorials]]