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=My Benchmark System Attempt=
=Sample User Setup=
Note that I am in Canada and all prices are as paid before tax in CAD.
I have moved my sample user setup to the wiki topic [[Alx9r's Sample Setup]].
In May 2008, I began building a LinuxMCE test system.  I wanted to see if I could replicate at least part of what I saw in the [[Video]]. The test system system will hopefully become my main working home theatre system. 


AV gear-wise, I started with a completely clean slate here as I had nothing: No TV, no speakers, no receiver, no remotes -- a blank canvas. Nice. This is gonna be fun.  
=Extensions I'd Like to See Added to this Wiki=
*http://www.mediawiki.org/wiki/Extension:Cite/Cite.php for <ref></ref> style footnotes.
*http://www.mediawiki.org/wiki/Extension:ParserFunctions as needed for navboxes described at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia_talk:WikiProject_Transwiki
*A mainstream Common.css (I suggest just copying wikipedia's).


My criteria for the design of this system is as follows:
=Stuff that ought to be in a "Newbie Portal"=
#Wherever possible use known-compatible and mainstream components.
#Wherever possible follow recommendations from forums, reviews, [[Video]] and wiki.
#Use components in the price/performance sweet spot.
#Aesthetics should be living-room friendly.
#Keep it simple, but still test the broad capabilities of LinuxMCE.


I intend to document the design and results from this system as completely as I can.  That way, it can hopefully serve as a benchmark for others to replicate or at least learn from.
*Pointer to FAQ
*Hardware Selection
**graphics chips that work
**discrete codes, RS232 control
**general considerations
***esthetics
***noise
***slots
***storage
***com ports
**some summary of what is currently being used and pointer to sample user setups
*LinuxMCE Installation
**What to Expect
**Things to Contemplate Before the Installation
***Network Topology
***VDR vs Myth
***Audio and Video Connections
**Things you'll Probably Want to Have for the Install
***a monitor to use during some low-level operations
***another computer connected to the internet and the core
***an ssh client
***a keyboard and mouse, wireless is nice, synergy also works
*Some Common But Non-Automatic Setup Steps
**adding support for IR Remote
**controlling RS232 AV Equipment
*Organizing Media
*Getting Help
*Troubleshooting
**How to find and view logs (ie. /var/log/pluto, tail -f)


===Hybrid Box===
=Pages Under Construction=
I am starting with a hybrid topology to keep my costs down. If all goes well, this hybrid box will become my core server that lives in a closet, and I will go to a smaller dedicated media director in my living room.


====Criteria====
[[How to Select Mainboards for Your LinuxMCE System]] - A guide dedicated to making the most crucial hardware selection decision: Selecting a Mainboard.
In addition to the criteria I already mentioned, the design of my hybrid was also guided by the following:
#Only components available through ncix.com, preferably in stock.
#Tend toward components that lend themselves to eventual use as a dedicated core serving 2 or 3 media directors.


====Bill of Materials====
[[How to Select Components for Your LinuxMCE Computers]] - A guide to help you select all the other components that make up a good LinuxMCE computer.
{| border="1"
! Component !! Model !! each !! Notes
|-
| Motherboard
| [[ASUS M2NPV-VM]]
| $94.01
| used in [[Video]]
|-
| breakout
| ASUS [http://www.ncix.com/products/index.php?sku=111102044&vpn=SPDIF%2DOUT%2FOPT&manufacture=Asus SPDIF-OUT/OPT]
| $9.02
| SPDIF breakout board
|-
| breakout
| ASUS [http://www.ncix.com/products/index.php?sku=23285&vpn=14%2D000000094&manufacture=ASUS 9PIN Serial Port Header]
| $6.60
| two of these to breakout COM ports
|-
| CPU
| AMD Athlon 64 X2 4600+ EE Dual Core Processor AM2 Windsor 2.4GHZ 512KBX2 65W 90NM
| $80.92 
| [[Video]] used 4400+, 4600+ is cheaper and maybe faster
|-
| heatsink
| Scythe Mini Ninja Heatpipe Fanless Heatsink AM2
| $38.98
| should be good enough to cool w/o CPU fan
|-
| RAM
| Kingston PC2-5300 512MB DDR2-667 CL5 240PIN DIMM
| $16.70
| 2 sticks
|-
| second ethernet adapter
| ENCORE ENL832-TX-RENT
| $8.68
| based on [[Realtek_8139]]
|-
| TV Tuner
| [[Hauppauge WinTV-PVR-150 MCE]]
| $79.78
| comes with [[Windows MCE Remote]]
|-
| HDD
| Hitachi Deskstar P7K500 500GB
| $87.20
|
|-
| optical drive
| Pioneer DVR-212D Black
| $32.19
|
|-
| case
| Silverstone Lascala LC17B
| $129.99
| HTPC form factor, big enough to accomodate conversion to core
|-
| power supply
| OCZ StealthXStream OCZ500SXS 500W
| $61.99
| cheap, works, apparently quiet
|}


===TV===
[[Hardware Selection Portal]]
A 40" wall-mounted LCD seemed like the right thing for my condominium's living room.  The [[Video]] showed a Sharp Aquos LC-26D6U in the bedroom.  Sharp seems to have good RS-232 control support -- as long as the control port is actually there.


I settled on the [[Sharp Aquos LCD]] LC42D64U because it met the following criteria:
[[How to Integrate Blu-ray Support into Your LinuxMCE System]]
*Has RS-232 control.
*Very close to the TV used in the [[Video]].
*Countless positive reviews, only a few reported issues.
*1080p
*Got it for a decent price ($1499) and in my neighborhood.  No shipping, brokerage, or duty.


===Orbiter===
[[How to Select Media Storage Hardware for Your LinuxMCE System]]
The Hauppauge card in my kit comes with a [[Windows MCE Remote]].  Hopefully it will do the trick.
 
===Glue===
Miscellaneous items I ended up needing to put this system together:
*Wall Mount for Sharp Aquos LC42D64U

Latest revision as of 20:38, 29 May 2009

Sample User Setup

I have moved my sample user setup to the wiki topic Alx9r's Sample Setup.

Extensions I'd Like to See Added to this Wiki

Stuff that ought to be in a "Newbie Portal"

  • Pointer to FAQ
  • Hardware Selection
    • graphics chips that work
    • discrete codes, RS232 control
    • general considerations
      • esthetics
      • noise
      • slots
      • storage
      • com ports
    • some summary of what is currently being used and pointer to sample user setups
  • LinuxMCE Installation
    • What to Expect
    • Things to Contemplate Before the Installation
      • Network Topology
      • VDR vs Myth
      • Audio and Video Connections
    • Things you'll Probably Want to Have for the Install
      • a monitor to use during some low-level operations
      • another computer connected to the internet and the core
      • an ssh client
      • a keyboard and mouse, wireless is nice, synergy also works
  • Some Common But Non-Automatic Setup Steps
    • adding support for IR Remote
    • controlling RS232 AV Equipment
  • Organizing Media
  • Getting Help
  • Troubleshooting
    • How to find and view logs (ie. /var/log/pluto, tail -f)

Pages Under Construction

How to Select Mainboards for Your LinuxMCE System - A guide dedicated to making the most crucial hardware selection decision: Selecting a Mainboard.

How to Select Components for Your LinuxMCE Computers - A guide to help you select all the other components that make up a good LinuxMCE computer.

Hardware Selection Portal

How to Integrate Blu-ray Support into Your LinuxMCE System

How to Select Media Storage Hardware for Your LinuxMCE System

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