Getting Started - Revision history

Perspectoff: Undo revision 12492 by Perspectoff (Talk)

2008-05-24T19:27:42Z

Undo revision 12492 by Perspectoff (Talk)

←Older revision	Revision as of 19:27, 24 May 2008
Line 1:	Line 1:
		#REDIRECT [[LinuxMCE]]

Perspectoff: Removing all content from page

2008-05-24T19:26:21Z

Removing all content from page

←Older revision		Revision as of 19:26, 24 May 2008
Line 1:		Line 1:
	~~#REDIRECT [[LinuxMCE]]~~

Perspectoff: Redirecting to LinuxMCE

2008-05-24T18:58:05Z

Redirecting to LinuxMCE

←Older revision		Revision as of 18:58, 24 May 2008
Line 1:		Line 1:
	#REDIRECT [[~~Usage Intro~~]]		#REDIRECT [[LinuxMCE]]

Perspectoff: Redirecting to Usage Intro

2008-05-24T18:56:03Z

Redirecting to Usage Intro

Show changes

Perspectoff: /* Pre-installation Setup */

2008-05-24T18:42:41Z

Pre-installation Setup

←Older revision		Revision as of 18:42, 24 May 2008
Line 88:		Line 88:

	# Make sure you have an Internet connection prior to starting! After LinuxMCE installs, it will need to access the Internet and download the latest patches. (More often than not, you want this!)		# Make sure you have an Internet connection prior to starting! After LinuxMCE installs, it will need to access the Internet and download the latest patches. (More often than not, you want this!)
	# Confused about which internet adapter should be your "main" when that option is given to you during the install? Just click on one. You have a 50/50 chance of getting it right. You can easily change it later in the [[LinuxMCE-Website ~~Admin~~]] pages by selecting "Advanced -> Network -> Network Settings" from the drop-down and clicking "Swap Interfaces".		# Confused about which internet adapter should be your "main" when that option is given to you during the install? Just click on one. You have a 50/50 chance of getting it right. You can easily change it later in the [[LinuxMCE Admin Website]] pages by selecting "Advanced -> Network -> Network Settings" from the drop-down and clicking "Swap Interfaces".
	# Use the core's DHCP server to give machines on your network a dynamic IP address. Turn off the DHCP server on any other devices you may have on your network! <i>This is very important!</i> You probably already have your home router giving out addresses. Check the configuration and turn that feature off. LinuxMCE uses the DHCP requests from machines that come online to figure out what they are and what to do with them.		# Use the core's DHCP server to give machines on your network a dynamic IP address. Turn off the DHCP server on any other devices you may have on your network! <i>This is very important!</i> You probably already have your home router giving out addresses. Check the configuration and turn that feature off. LinuxMCE uses the DHCP requests from machines that come online to figure out what they are and what to do with them.
	# A map of your home. This is actually a very important step because LinuxMCE seems to need the map to properly finish the installation of some devices. It is easy to create a map using any drawing software or just draw one by hand and scan it. You don't need anything fancy, just some squares representing your different rooms. If the file is too big, LinuxMCE will scale it to fit. You can always upload a new map later on when you feel like being more creative. You can also make multiple maps, say, one for each floor or section of your house. This will all make more sense later when you get into configuring the devices.		# A map of your home. This is actually a very important step because LinuxMCE seems to need the map to properly finish the installation of some devices. It is easy to create a map using any drawing software or just draw one by hand and scan it. You don't need anything fancy, just some squares representing your different rooms. If the file is too big, LinuxMCE will scale it to fit. You can always upload a new map later on when you feel like being more creative. You can also make multiple maps, say, one for each floor or section of your house. This will all make more sense later when you get into configuring the devices.

Rwilson131: Merge Completed, Please Delete this page as it contained incorrect information and was leading to problems.

2007-10-28T16:31:32Z

Merge Completed, Please Delete this page as it contained incorrect information and was leading to problems.

←Older revision		Revision as of 16:31, 28 October 2007
Line 1:		Line 1:
	{{~~merge\|QuickStart Guide~~}}		{{delete}}

			''' All relevant content has been merged with other pages, this will eliminate possible confusion as this page had incorrect information which was leading to problems.'''

	==Equipment: Picking The Right Components==		==Equipment: Picking The Right Components==

Zaerc: /* Adding Other Devices */ added note to outdated pluto info

2007-10-24T14:45:57Z

Adding Other Devices: added note to outdated pluto info

←Older revision		Revision as of 14:45, 24 October 2007
Line 115:		Line 115:
	<em>LinuxMCE Core; After boot-up menu</em><br><br>		<em>LinuxMCE Core; After boot-up menu</em><br><br>
	<p>You don't need to do anything. Your Core is up and running. Just make note of the IP address - you will need it to configure the system. </p>		<p>You don't need to do anything. Your Core is up and running. Just make note of the IP address - you will need it to configure the system. </p>
			'''''Note:''' The information directly above applies to pluto-home, not linuxmce and needs to be updated or removed. --[[User:Zaerc\|Zaerc]] 07:45, 24 October 2007 (MST)

	<p>If you chose a "Hybrid", that is you are using your Core as a Media Director, it will boot up to the same welcome menu as any media director. Note that the welcome menu will appear on the first boot. After that, it will boot to the normal main menu, however, you can click the LinuxMCE logo in the lower left corner of the main menu to see the advanced options, including all the buttons on the welcome menu.</p><br>		<p>If you chose a "Hybrid", that is you are using your Core as a Media Director, it will boot up to the same welcome menu as any media director. Note that the welcome menu will appear on the first boot. After that, it will boot to the normal main menu, however, you can click the LinuxMCE logo in the lower left corner of the main menu to see the advanced options, including all the buttons on the welcome menu.</p><br>
	[[Image:Welcome.jpg\|200px]]		[[Image:Welcome.jpg\|200px]]

Jman: /* Adding Other Devices */

2007-10-23T16:11:25Z

Adding Other Devices

←Older revision		Revision as of 16:11, 23 October 2007
Line 132:		Line 132:
	<p>After specifying [[Basic Info]] on the first couple wizard pages, like family members and rooms, you get to [[Interfaces]].		<p>After specifying [[Basic Info]] on the first couple wizard pages, like family members and rooms, you get to [[Interfaces]].
	Here you add all the devices that are used to interface with, or control other devices. So, the gc100 is an interface device, but the tv's and stereo's it controls are on the a/v page. The CM11A, Vantage, Lutron, etc. are also interfaces, the lights, blinds, drapes, etc. they control are on the [[Lights\|lighting page]]. The alarm panel is an interface, the motion, glass break, smoke alarms, etc., are on the [[Security]].		Here you add all the devices that are used to interface with, or control other devices. So, the gc100 is an interface device, but the tv's and stereo's it controls are on the a/v page. The CM11A, Vantage, Lutron, etc. are also interfaces, the lights, blinds, drapes, etc. they control are on the [[Lights\|lighting page]]. The alarm panel is an interface, the motion, glass break, smoke alarms, etc., are on the [[Security]].
	Some home automation devices do not require an interface, some do. An IP-based camera does not require an interface device-add it directly to [[Surveillance Cameras]].		Some home automation devices do not require an interface, some do. An IP-based camera does not require an interface device; add it directly to [[Surveillance Cameras]].
	Analog cameras do need some sort of interface device, like a camera capture board, which you must first add to the interfaces page. Add the interface devices first on the interface page, and then the devices they control on the respective page. If you want to add EIB lights (on the lights page), you won't be allowed to do that until you first add the EIB interface on the interfaces page, because an EIB light cannot be used with an interface. If you add interfaces for both an EIB Lighting system, and an X10 lighting system, then on the lighting page you will be able to add both types of lights, and the 'Controlled Via' field will show you what interface is being used.</p>		Analog cameras do need some sort of interface device, like a camera capture board, which you must first add to the interfaces page. Add the interface devices first on the interface page, and then the devices they control on the respective page. If you want to add EIB lights (on the lights page), you won't be allowed to do that until you first add the EIB interface on the interfaces page, because an EIB light cannot be used with an interface. If you add interfaces for both an EIB Lighting system, and an X10 lighting system, then on the lighting page you will be able to add both types of lights, and the 'Controlled Via' field will show you what interface is being used.</p>
	<p>Back to our example: Plug one of your gc100's into the network, and click the 'add gc100' button on the interface page. gc100's are treated special because they are IP-based, but their network configuration is a bit different and does not allow them to be plug-and-play. Once you got the message that it was found and configured, click on the Interfaces page again--now you'll see it there. Maybe give it a descriptive name so you can remember which is which. Now plug in the 2nd gc100, and repeat.		<p>Back to our example: Plug one of your gc100's into the network, and click the 'add gc100' button on the interface page. gc100's are treated special because they are IP-based, but their network configuration is a bit different and does not allow them to be plug-and-play. Once you got the message that it was found and configured, click on the Interfaces page again--now you'll see it there. Maybe give it a descriptive name so you can remember which is which. Now plug in the 2nd gc100, and repeat.

Jman: /* Adding Other Devices */

2007-10-23T16:09:47Z

Adding Other Devices

←Older revision		Revision as of 16:09, 23 October 2007
Line 127:		Line 127:
	Here's an example for setting up an ultra low-cost smart home setup based on X10. The equipment we mention will cost under $1,000, although the procedure is exactly the same with a $100,000 high-end based on Lutron, Vantage, EIB, etc. So, please read the example regardless of your system type, so you understand the techniques.</p>		Here's an example for setting up an ultra low-cost smart home setup based on X10. The equipment we mention will cost under $1,000, although the procedure is exactly the same with a $100,000 high-end based on Lutron, Vantage, EIB, etc. So, please read the example regardless of your system type, so you understand the techniques.</p>
	<p><b>EXAMPLE: Adding other devices</b></p><p>Example:		<p><b>EXAMPLE: Adding other devices</b></p><p>Example:
	You have 2 gc100's which give you Infrared control of ~~you're~~ a/v equipment, extra serial ports to plug other stuff into, ttl inputs and relays. You have some tv's and stereo's to control, and also a CM11A module to control X10 devices, plus some X10 lights and thermostats.		You have 2 gc100's which give you Infrared control of your a/v equipment, extra serial ports to plug other stuff into, ttl inputs and relays. You have some tv's and stereo's to control, and also a CM11A module to control X10 devices, plus some X10 lights and thermostats.
	You will plug the CM11A into one of the rs232 serial ports on the gc100. You also have an alarm panel with a serial interface, some squeeze box audio players, and some network cameras.</p>		You will plug the CM11A into one of the rs232 serial ports on the gc100. You also have an alarm panel with a serial interface, some squeeze box audio players, and some network cameras.</p>

Jman: /* I will use my own PC's */

2007-10-23T14:41:25Z

I will use my own PC's

←Older revision		Revision as of 14:41, 23 October 2007
Line 51:		Line 51:
	<p><b>First a warning</b> LinuxMCE is Linux-based, but don't worry. Sometimes drivers are not available for Linux as soon as they are for Windows. Particularly, if you bought some new, exotic hardware there may not be drivers. If you're looking to get some new hardware to run LinuxMCE you may want to check sites like http://www.linuxcompatible.org to be sure it's supported under Linux before you buy. Or maybe post a "will this work?" message in our forum. If you already have the hardware it can't hurt to try.</p>		<p><b>First a warning</b> LinuxMCE is Linux-based, but don't worry. Sometimes drivers are not available for Linux as soon as they are for Windows. Particularly, if you bought some new, exotic hardware there may not be drivers. If you're looking to get some new hardware to run LinuxMCE you may want to check sites like http://www.linuxcompatible.org to be sure it's supported under Linux before you buy. Or maybe post a "will this work?" message in our forum. If you already have the hardware it can't hurt to try.</p>

	<p>You will need one PC to run the <b>Core</b> software. Although you could install the Core on top of your existing Windows/Linux o/s, or build from source, it will be tricky and you will miss out on a lot of features. You really ~~needs~~ to use our own distribution because, in addition to our own software, LinuxMCE also includes lots of other open source projects, like Asterisk, Firefox, Xine, VideoLan, etc. We built "wrappers" for all of them which is how we get them all to work together seamlessly. For example, if you start watching a movie in 1 room, LinuxMCE will use Xine on that local media director. Use the orbiter to move that movie to 2 rooms, and LinuxMCE seamlessly detects the network capabilities (multi-cast switch, etc.), moves the video source to the Core using VideoLan, broadcasts to both rooms, uses VLC to do the rendering and changes the UI on the remote controls. If you use the vanilla packages from, say Fedora, none of that will work. Plus, a lot of LinuxMCE's more advanced, kernel-level modules, like plug-and-play, bandwidth shaping to ensure your phone calls are clear, network boot, and so on may not work on other Linux distributions and definitely cannot be done under Windows.</p>		<p>You will need one PC to run the <b>Core</b> software. Although you could install the Core on top of your existing Windows/Linux o/s, or build from source, it will be tricky and you will miss out on a lot of features. You really need to use our own distribution because, in addition to our own software, LinuxMCE also includes lots of other open source projects, like Asterisk, Firefox, Xine, VideoLan, etc. We built "wrappers" for all of them which is how we get them all to work together seamlessly. For example, if you start watching a movie in 1 room, LinuxMCE will use Xine on that local media director. Use the orbiter to move that movie to 2 rooms, and LinuxMCE seamlessly detects the network capabilities (multi-cast switch, etc.), moves the video source to the Core using VideoLan, broadcasts to both rooms, uses VLC to do the rendering and changes the UI on the remote controls. If you use the vanilla packages from, say Fedora, none of that will work. Plus, a lot of LinuxMCE's more advanced, kernel-level modules, like plug-and-play, bandwidth shaping to ensure your phone calls are clear, network boot, and so on may not work on other Linux distributions and definitely cannot be done under Windows.</p>

	<p>Note this PC should always be left on since it becomes the 'brains' for the whole house and all the other pieces won't function unless they can find the <b>Core</b>. In our commercial product, the Core is a fail-safe, redundant server.</p>		<p>Note this PC should always be left on since it becomes the 'brains' for the whole house and all the other pieces won't function unless they can find the <b>Core</b>. In our commercial product, the Core is a fail-safe, redundant server.</p>