Generic PC - Revision history

Zaerc at 19:34, 1 October 2010

2010-10-01T19:34:04Z

←Older revision		Revision as of 19:34, 1 October 2010
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	[[Category: Hardware]]		[[Category: Hardware\| Ge]]
	{{versioninfo}}		{{versioninfo}}
	[[Category: Media Directors]]		[[Category: Media Directors]]

Zaerc at 16:49, 28 September 2010

2010-09-28T16:49:54Z

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			[[Category: Hardware]]
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	[[Category: Media Directors]]		[[Category: Media Directors]]

Wierdbeard65 at 08:27, 5 May 2010

2010-05-05T08:27:44Z

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			{{versioninfo}}
	[[Category: Media Directors]]		[[Category: Media Directors]]

Ray N at 03:05, 11 August 2009

2009-08-11T03:05:36Z

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	~~[[Category: Hardware]]~~
	[[Category: Media Directors]]		[[Category: Media Directors]]

Langstonius: /* Basic Hardware Requirements: Processor, RAM */

2008-09-08T19:26:54Z

Basic Hardware Requirements: Processor, RAM

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	===Basic Hardware Requirements: Processor, RAM===		===Basic Hardware Requirements: Processor, RAM===

	For a Media Director PC, a ~~Celeron~~ processor ~~with 512Mb RAM~~ is ~~usually sufficient~~. ~~A low power consumption/low heat emission motherboard/CPU is desireable~~.		For a Media Director PC, the proper choice of a processor is very important. You should base it upon the most demanding media you expect to display, such as high definition content. While storage of media can be on the core, nas or other device not local to the media director, all decoding takes place locally at the media director, requiring the necessary hardware to properly display it.

	===Case requirements===		===Case requirements===

Perspectoff: /* Example Systems */

2008-05-05T00:02:35Z

Example Systems

←Older revision		Revision as of 00:02, 5 May 2008
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	The [[Asus Essentio-CS5110]] is a dedicated multimedia PC optimised for multimedia uses. Like several other high-end home theater PCs, it is ideal as a hybrid Core/Media Director PC.		The [[Asus Essentio-CS5110]] is a dedicated multimedia PC optimised for multimedia uses. Like several other high-end home theater PCs, it is ideal as a hybrid Core/Media Director PC.

	~~<strong>~~Setup of the Media Director~~</strong>~~		==Setup of the Media Director==

	It is easiest to allow the PC which will serve as the Media Director to start from a network boot, as mentioned above, from the Core server. Make sure the BIOS is set for network boot. With this method, the Media Director PC will boot over the network from the Core server automatically, every time you turn on the Media Director.		It is easiest to allow the PC which will serve as the Media Director to start from a network boot, as mentioned above, from the Core server. Make sure the BIOS is set for network boot. With this method, the Media Director PC will boot over the network from the Core server automatically, every time you turn on the Media Director.
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	The alternative manual process, which is described below, should no longer be required. In fact, it can cause problems with the auto detection process, so is not recommended. The auto-detection process is always looking for new hardware, and it can get confused when a new Media Director machine is added manually.		The alternative manual process, which is described below, should no longer be required. In fact, it can cause problems with the auto detection process, so is not recommended. The auto-detection process is always looking for new hardware, and it can get confused when a new Media Director machine is added manually.

	====Manual Setup of a Media Director====		===Manual Setup of a Media Director===

	Add a new MD in the LinuxMCE-admin site: Go to Wizard --> Devices --> Media Directors. On the MD page press the button 'Add device'. In the new window chose 'Generic PC as MD' and press the button 'Add device'. After that you will see a message about preparation a data for new device. It can take 2-4 minutes. When setup procedure of the MD is finished you'll see a message on all active Orbiters that new device is configured and ready to use. The field 'IP Address' should contain IP address given by DHCP server. This IP will be assigned to PC when it starts to boot. Type MAC Address of your PC in the field 'MAC Address' (it'll be displayed when PC tries to boot from network). Now it's time to prepare ISO for new diskless MD. To do that just press the button 'Setup Diskless Media Directors' and wait till operation will finish (you'll see a log output to the web page):		Add a new MD in the LinuxMCE-admin site: Go to Wizard --> Devices --> Media Directors. On the MD page press the button 'Add device'. In the new window chose 'Generic PC as MD' and press the button 'Add device'. After that you will see a message about preparation a data for new device. It can take 2-4 minutes. When setup procedure of the MD is finished you'll see a message on all active Orbiters that new device is configured and ready to use. The field 'IP Address' should contain IP address given by DHCP server. This IP will be assigned to PC when it starts to boot. Type MAC Address of your PC in the field 'MAC Address' (it'll be displayed when PC tries to boot from network). Now it's time to prepare ISO for new diskless MD. To do that just press the button 'Setup Diskless Media Directors' and wait till operation will finish (you'll see a log output to the web page):
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	Quick reload the router and boot MD. In my case (I have a 64bit Core/Hybrid and a 32bit MD) it took about 2 hours.		Quick reload the router and boot MD. In my case (I have a 64bit Core/Hybrid and a 32bit MD) it took about 2 hours.

	~~<strong>~~Troubleshooting~~</strong>~~		==Troubleshooting==

	~~<u>~~Problem:~~</u>~~ Diskless MD cannot find ISO.		===Problem: Diskless MD cannot find ISO===

	~~<u>~~Solution:~~</u>~~ It's possible that the Core DHCP assigns an IP address which is different from the IP address listed in the Media Director properties. Change the IP manually (you can find the assigned IP in the /var/log/pluto/PlutoDHCP.newlog), then press 'Setup Diskless' button. Wait while the setup finishes, and for the quick reload of the router.		Solution: It's possible that the Core DHCP assigns an IP address which is different from the IP address listed in the Media Director properties. Change the IP manually (you can find the assigned IP in the /var/log/pluto/PlutoDHCP.newlog), then press 'Setup Diskless' button. Wait while the setup finishes, and for the quick reload of the router.


	~~<u>~~Problem:~~</u>~~ Display of Media Director goes down after boot.		===Problem: Display of Media Director goes down after boot===

	~~<u>~~Solution:~~</u>~~ Something is likely wrong with your MD video adapter card. As I mentioned above I had the same problem with my S3 Trio 64+ card. When I replaced it (nVidia recommended) the on-screen Orbiter for the Media Director loaded successful.		Solution: Something is likely wrong with your MD video adapter card. As I mentioned above I had the same problem with my S3 Trio 64+ card. When I replaced it (nVidia recommended) the on-screen Orbiter for the Media Director loaded successful.

Perspectoff at 00:00, 5 May 2008

2008-05-05T00:00:47Z

←Older revision		Revision as of 00:00, 5 May 2008
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	I'm not sure if it is possible to watch TV and display the Orbiter at the same time.		I'm not sure if it is possible to watch TV and display the Orbiter at the same time.

	~~<strong>~~Hardware~~</strong>~~		==Hardware==

	''Basic Hardware Requirements: Processor, RAM''		===Basic Hardware Requirements: Processor, RAM===

	For a Media Director PC, a Celeron processor with 512Mb RAM is usually sufficient. A low power consumption/low heat emission motherboard/CPU is desireable.		For a Media Director PC, a Celeron processor with 512Mb RAM is usually sufficient. A low power consumption/low heat emission motherboard/CPU is desireable.

	''Case requirements''		===Case requirements===

	Any generic PC can be used as an MD. There are a couple of recommendations, however. Most important is that the PC is quiet (i.e. quiet fans or no fans) yet has a low heat emission. Since it will be next to your TV, you don't want noisy fans disturbing your TV-watching. The case muse be as stylish as your TV, small, and unobtrusive.		Any generic PC can be used as an MD. There are a couple of recommendations, however. Most important is that the PC is quiet (i.e. quiet fans or no fans) yet has a low heat emission. Since it will be next to your TV, you don't want noisy fans disturbing your TV-watching. The case muse be as stylish as your TV, small, and unobtrusive.

	''Netbootable''		===Netbootable===

	The PC used should be able to support PXE, so that it can boot over the LAN network from the tftp (Core) server. LinuxMCE allows the PC used as a Media Director to either boot its own installation of LinuxMCE or to boot over the LAN network from the Core, but a network boot is easiest. Obviously, the PC would then have to be network boot capable. (Most modern PCs are network bootable by setting an option in the BIOS, but it is always worthwhile to make sure.)		The PC used should be able to support PXE, so that it can boot over the LAN network from the tftp (Core) server. LinuxMCE allows the PC used as a Media Director to either boot its own installation of LinuxMCE or to boot over the LAN network from the Core, but a network boot is easiest. Obviously, the PC would then have to be network boot capable. (Most modern PCs are network bootable by setting an option in the BIOS, but it is always worthwhile to make sure.)

	''Good graphics card''		===Good graphics card===

	The video adapter used in the Media Director PC can also be an issue. I tried to setup an MD with an S3 Trio 64+ video card but without luck -- during bootup, the monitor went out as soon as X started up. After replacing the [http://wiki.linuxmce.org/index.php/Category:Graphic_Cards video adapter card] (an nVidia card is usually recommended), it worked correctly. Note that the Via Unichrome Pro II chipset drivers are ideal drivers (which usually accompany nVidia cards).		The video adapter used in the Media Director PC can also be an issue. I tried to setup an MD with an S3 Trio 64+ video card but without luck -- during bootup, the monitor went out as soon as X started up. After replacing the [http://wiki.linuxmce.org/index.php/Category:Graphic_Cards video adapter card] (an nVidia card is usually recommended), it worked correctly. Note that the Via Unichrome Pro II chipset drivers are ideal drivers (which usually accompany nVidia cards).
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	Note that the video card ought to have a TV output compatible with your TV, otherwise, what's the point? Only some nVidia cards have this output, so be careful.		Note that the video card ought to have a TV output compatible with your TV, otherwise, what's the point? Only some nVidia cards have this output, so be careful.

	''Good sound card''		===Good sound card===

	How about 5.1 or 7.1 output capability and output jacks for your soundcard?		How about 5.1 or 7.1 output capability and output jacks for your soundcard? See [[:Category:Audio]].

	''Input interfaces''		===Input interfaces===

	Make sure you have a way to connect your remotes (see above). Have extra USB ports for iPods, video cameras, and that sort of thing.		Make sure you have a way to connect your remotes (see above). Have extra USB ports for iPods, video cameras, and that sort of thing. See [[:Category:Input]].

	''DVD drive''		===DVD drive===

	Yeah, this is how you play DVDs and CDs. Don't forget one.		Yeah, this is how you play DVDs and CDs. Don't forget one.

	Also, if you plan to use a VHS machine, don't forget to plan for an extra input TV card to ~~accomodate~~ it.		Also, if you plan to use a VHS machine, don't forget to plan for an extra input TV card to accommodate it.

	~~'''~~Example Systems~~'''~~		==Example Systems==

	[[MD_Newbie_Pack_Slim_I\|Here]] is an example list of components that can be used to put together a "newbie's" Media Director PC.		[[MD_Newbie_Pack_Slim_I\|Here]] is an example list of components that can be used to put together a "newbie's" Media Director PC.
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	The alternative manual process, which is described below, should no longer be required. In fact, it can cause problems with the auto detection process, so is not recommended. The auto-detection process is always looking for new hardware, and it can get confused when a new Media Director machine is added manually.		The alternative manual process, which is described below, should no longer be required. In fact, it can cause problems with the auto detection process, so is not recommended. The auto-detection process is always looking for new hardware, and it can get confused when a new Media Director machine is added manually.

	Manual Setup of a Media Director		====Manual Setup of a Media Director====

	Add a new MD in the LinuxMCE-admin site: Go to Wizard --> Devices --> Media Directors. On the MD page press the button 'Add device'. In the new window chose 'Generic PC as MD' and press the button 'Add device'. After that you will see a message about preparation a data for new device. It can take 2-4 minutes. When setup procedure of the MD is finished you'll see a message on all active Orbiters that new device is configured and ready to use. The field 'IP Address' should contain IP address given by DHCP server. This IP will be assigned to PC when it starts to boot. Type MAC Address of your PC in the field 'MAC Address' (it'll be displayed when PC tries to boot from network). Now it's time to prepare ISO for new diskless MD. To do that just press the button 'Setup Diskless Media Directors' and wait till operation will finish (you'll see a log output to the web page):		Add a new MD in the LinuxMCE-admin site: Go to Wizard --> Devices --> Media Directors. On the MD page press the button 'Add device'. In the new window chose 'Generic PC as MD' and press the button 'Add device'. After that you will see a message about preparation a data for new device. It can take 2-4 minutes. When setup procedure of the MD is finished you'll see a message on all active Orbiters that new device is configured and ready to use. The field 'IP Address' should contain IP address given by DHCP server. This IP will be assigned to PC when it starts to boot. Type MAC Address of your PC in the field 'MAC Address' (it'll be displayed when PC tries to boot from network). Now it's time to prepare ISO for new diskless MD. To do that just press the button 'Setup Diskless Media Directors' and wait till operation will finish (you'll see a log output to the web page):

Perspectoff at 23:57, 4 May 2008

2008-05-04T23:57:31Z

←Older revision		Revision as of 23:57, 4 May 2008
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	[[MD_Newbie_Pack_Slim_I\|Here]] is an example list of components that can be used to put together a "newbie's" Media Director PC.		[[MD_Newbie_Pack_Slim_I\|Here]] is an example list of components that can be used to put together a "newbie's" Media Director PC.

	The [[Fiire Station]] is a ~~commerical~~ offering of a PC optimised as a Media Director for LinuxMCE. A PC similar in components will work optimally.		The [[Fiire Station]] is a commercial offering of a PC optimised as a Media Director for LinuxMCE. A PC similar in components will work optimally. Also see [[:Category:Media Directors\|this list of other Media Directors]].

	The [[Asus Essentio-CS5110]] is a dedicated multimedia PC optimised for multimedia uses. Like several other high-end home theater PCs, it is ideal as a hybrid Core/Media Director PC.		The [[Asus Essentio-CS5110]] is a dedicated multimedia PC optimised for multimedia uses. Like several other high-end home theater PCs, it is ideal as a hybrid Core/Media Director PC.

Perspectoff at 23:56, 4 May 2008

2008-05-04T23:56:06Z

←Older revision		Revision as of 23:56, 4 May 2008
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	[[MD_Newbie_Pack_Slim_I\|Here]] is an example list of components that can be used to put together a "newbie's" Media Director PC.		[[MD_Newbie_Pack_Slim_I\|Here]] is an example list of components that can be used to put together a "newbie's" Media Director PC.

	The [[~~Fiire_Station~~]] is a commerical offering of a PC optimised as a Media Director for LinuxMCE. A PC similar in components will work optimally.		The [[Fiire Station]] is a commerical offering of a PC optimised as a Media Director for LinuxMCE. A PC similar in components will work optimally.

	The [[~~Asus_Essentio~~-CS5110]] is a dedicated multimedia PC optimised for multimedia uses. Like several other high-end home theater PCs, it is ideal as a hybrid Core/Media Director PC.		The [[Asus Essentio-CS5110]] is a dedicated multimedia PC optimised for multimedia uses. Like several other high-end home theater PCs, it is ideal as a hybrid Core/Media Director PC.

	<strong>Setup of the Media Director</strong>		<strong>Setup of the Media Director</strong>

Perspectoff at 23:55, 4 May 2008

2008-05-04T23:55:37Z

←Older revision		Revision as of 23:55, 4 May 2008
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	'''Example Systems'''		'''Example Systems'''

	[~~http://wiki.linuxmce.org/index.php/~~MD_Newbie_Pack_Slim_I Here] is an example list of components that can be used to put together a "newbie's" Media Director PC.		[[MD_Newbie_Pack_Slim_I\|Here]] is an example list of components that can be used to put together a "newbie's" Media Director PC.

	The [~~http://wiki.linuxmce.org/index.php/~~Fiire_Station ~~Fiire Station~~] is a commerical offering of a PC optimised as a Media Director for LinuxMCE. A PC similar in components will work optimally.		The [[Fiire_Station]] is a commerical offering of a PC optimised as a Media Director for LinuxMCE. A PC similar in components will work optimally.

	The [~~http://wiki.linuxmce.org/index.php/~~Asus_Essentio-CS5110 ~~Asus Essentio CS-5110~~] is a dedicated multimedia PC optimised for multimedia uses. Like several other high-end home theater PCs, it is ideal as a hybrid Core/Media Director PC.		The [[Asus_Essentio-CS5110]] is a dedicated multimedia PC optimised for multimedia uses. Like several other high-end home theater PCs, it is ideal as a hybrid Core/Media Director PC.

	<strong>Setup of the Media Director</strong>		<strong>Setup of the Media Director</strong>