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| | years from now keeps me striving for perfection. As I have had more time recently in my schedule to work | | years from now keeps me striving for perfection. As I have had more time recently in my schedule to work |
| | on LMCE projects I have found new possible ways to contribute such as dce device implementation, template | | on LMCE projects I have found new possible ways to contribute such as dce device implementation, template |
| − | creation and eventually (I hope) code development. | + | creation and eventually (I hope) code development. Recently have devoted a few hours per day to reading C++ |
| | + | textbooks, most of them are old but the principles are still relevant. |
| | | | |
| | ==Current Equipment: Graphical== | | ==Current Equipment: Graphical== |
| | | | |
| − | | + | Previous pictures are still available by selecting the view history tabs. I needed to completely redo this |
| − | My current setup is a Hybrid Core mounted in a wall between my office and living room. In this image I am
| + | page as almost every component has been changed and/or reissued to other duties. Since the graphical display |
| − | showing what pipes to the office and what pipes to the living room. The gray area is actually the hidden
| + | was such a hit, I will make sure to spend an equal amount of effort detailing the new setup. |
| − | space behind a full wall entertainment center. As described in forum post about my video card, my CORE is
| + | |
| − | pulling triple duty and functioning as the core, a media director and another media director. I refer to
| + | |
| − | this setup as my hybrid-hybrid.
| + | |
| − | | + | |
| − | | + | |
| − | [[File:Current_Setup.jpg]]
| + | |
| − | | + | |
| − | | + | |
| − | '''Red Lines are:'''
| + | |
| − | | + | |
| − | Power Lines showing both the Core and another non-LMCE computer protected by the UPS, to
| + | |
| − | | + | |
| − | save a lot of line drawing I will just state that half of the system is UPS protected but didn't want to
| + | |
| − | | + | |
| − | draw all of that
| + | |
| − | | + | |
| − | '''Green Lines are:'''
| + | |
| − | | + | |
| − | From the non-LMCE PC out to a KVM switch under my office desk
| + | |
| − | | + | |
| − | From the CORE to the same KVM switch
| + | |
| − | | + | |
| − | From the CORE out to my LG TV and to a stereo preamp, and Sony Receiver located in the living room
| + | |
| − | | + | |
| − | '''Blue Lines are:'''
| + | |
| − | | + | |
| − | Network cables starting with input from a 4G wireless card to my external router
| + | |
| − | | + | |
| − | From the external router to the CORE (eth0)
| + | |
| − | | + | |
| − | From the Core (eth1) out to a Linksys 10/100/1000 five port switch
| + | |
| − | | + | |
| − | From the switch out to non-LMCE PC
| + | |
| − | | + | |
| − | From the switch out to VOIP adapter (not working yet)
| + | |
| − | | + | |
| − | From the switch out to HD Homerun
| + | |
| − | | + | |
| − | From the switch out to Netgear Wireless N router (functioning as a wireless switch only)
| + | |
| − | | + | |
| − | '''Yellow Lines are:'''
| + | |
| − | | + | |
| − | Connecting RJ-11 phone line from VOIP adapter to a standard cordless phone (not working yet)
| + | |
| | | | |
| | ==Current Equipment: Detailed== | | ==Current Equipment: Detailed== |
| − | <span style="color:#FF0000">Items in Red are not in use or not yet integrated w/ LinuxMCE</span>
| |
| − |
| |
| − | '''Computers:'''
| |
| − | ID: Core/Hybrid
| |
| − | Case: Generic 4U Rackmount Case (lockable)
| |
| − | Installed OS: LinuxMCE 10.04 - (Snapshot generated DVD install)
| |
| − | Room: Home Theater (physically mounted half in Office, half in Home Theater)
| |
| − | Mainboard: MSI P45 Neo3 FR
| |
| − | Processor(s): Intel Core 2 Duo E6300 Processor
| |
| − | Memory: 2x OCZ Reaper Series 1gig RAM DIMM
| |
| − | Video Card(s): XFX GeForce 7600 GT PCIe 256MB
| |
| − | Sound Card(s): (onboard 7.1 configured for 1 analog and 1 digital output)
| |
| − | Storage Drive: Seagate 160G SATA - 25G ext4 install partition, 120G xfs media partition (public audio)
| |
| − | Storage Drive: Seagate 1000G SATA - 1000G xfs media partition (public all except audio)
| |
| − | Storage Drive: Seagate 250G SATA - 250G xfs media partition (user1 private)
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| − | Storage Drive: Seagate 250G SATA - 250G xfs media partition (user2 private)
| |
| − | Optical Drive: Generic DVD Drive
| |
| − | PCI Extras: 10/100/1000 NIC (eth1)
| |
| − | PCI Extras: WinTV-150 MCE Edition
| |
| − | <span style="color:#FF0000">USB Extras: Gyration GYR3101US RF remote dongle -sadly fried recently, looking for replacement</span>
| |
| − | USB Extras: Aeon Labs Z-Wave dongle and inclusion controller
| |
| − |
| |
| − | <span style="color:#FF0000">ID: Non-LinuxMCE Desktop (possible future NAS)
| |
| − | Case: Generic 4U Rackmount Case (non-lockable)
| |
| − | Installed OS: Ubuntu 10.04 LTS, Windows 7, Windows XP Pro SP3,
| |
| − | Room: Home Theater (physically mounted half in Office, half in Home Theater)
| |
| − | Mainboard: MSI K7N2 Delta
| |
| − | Processor(s): AMD Athlon XP
| |
| − | Memory: 1.5G PC2700 RAM
| |
| − | Video Card(s): ATI Radeon AGP 8x 128MB (? model)
| |
| − | Sound Card(s): (onboard analog)
| |
| − | Storage Drive: Seagate 160G IDE - partition tables changed frequently
| |
| − | Storage Drive: Seagate 160G IDE - 160G FAT32 storage partition
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| − | Optical Drive: Generic DVD Drive
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| − | USB Extras: WD 500G MyPassport USB drive - 250G FAT32 storage partition, 250G FAT32 recovery image storage
| |
| − | Extras: LIRC serial to IR</span>
| |
| | | | |
| − | '''Media Directors:'''
| + | "Custom Custom, loud nasty IO machine" ... lol, seriously details to come shortly I promise. |
| − | ID: Test Media Director
| + | |
| − | Case: "we don't need no stinking case!"
| + | |
| − | Installed OS: -
| + | |
| − | Room: Office - test bench
| + | |
| − | Mainboard: varies
| + | |
| − | Processor(s): varies
| + | |
| − | Memory: varies
| + | |
| − | Video Card(s): varies
| + | |
| − | Sound Card(s): varies
| + | |
| | | | |
| − | '''Orbiters:'''
| |
| − | Web DT 366
| |
| − | iPhone4 - using Web Orbiter 2.0, RoamingOrb app, Dianemo app
| |
| − | Roommate's Phone - changes often, uses Web Orbiter 2.0
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| − |
| |
| − | '''Network:'''
| |
| − | Pantech UML290VW USB 4G Wireless dongle
| |
| − | CradlePoint Technologies CTR35 External Network Router
| |
| − | Linksys Gigabit 5-Port Workgroup Switch
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| − | Netgear N Wireless Router w/ 4 wired 10/100 Ports (DHCP disabled, statically assigned IP for access to MAC filtering)
| |
| − | <span style="color:#FF0000">Netgear N Wireless Router w/ 4 wired Gigabit Ports - not currently in use, attempting to replace firmware
| |
| − | Cisco 10/100 5-Port Workgroup Switch - not currently in use
| |
| − | AT&T 3G Cell Device - not currently in use, investigating legal options for cell broadcasting</span>
| |
| − |
| |
| − | '''Telephone Systems:'''
| |
| − | <span style="color:#FF0000">Generic VOIP Provider supplied adapter - still working on this one
| |
| − | Generic wired phone - still working on this one
| |
| − | Generic wireless phone - still working on this one</span>
| |
| − |
| |
| − | '''PVR Devices:'''
| |
| − | Generic OTA antenna
| |
| − | SchedulesDirect subscription
| |
| − | Silicon Dust HD Homerun
| |
| − | WinTV-150 MCE Edition PCI card
| |
| − |
| |
| − | '''Security (Video):'''
| |
| − | D-Link 930L IP Camera
| |
| − | <span style="color:#FF0000">GE Wireless Camera - in development to use proprietary interface
| |
| − | 3x BunkerHill Color analog cameras w/ IR - not currently integrated w/ LinuxMCE
| |
| − | 3x Generic USB Webcams - not currently integrated w/ LinuxMCE</span>
| |
| − |
| |
| − | '''Climate:'''
| |
| − | <span style="color:#FF0000">5x DS18S20 1-Wire Temperature Sensors - not yet assembled</span>
| |
| − |
| |
| − | '''Lights:'''
| |
| − | Intermatic CA3500 Split-Duplex Receptacle
| |
| − |
| |
| − | '''Automation (Z-Wave):'''
| |
| − | Aeon Labs USB dongle
| |
| − | ''Intermatic HA07 12 Channel Controller - Used to complete setup, removed from system until I get a power adapter to it instead of relying on batteries''
| |
| − | Intermatic CA3500 Split-Duplex Receptacle
| |
| − |
| |
| − | '''Automation (X-10):'''
| |
| − | <span style="color:#FF0000">Generic X-10 Exterior Motion Light - not yet in use other than stand alone motion light<span>
| |
| − |
| |
| − | '''Automation (1-Wire):'''
| |
| − | <span style="color:#FF0000">5x DS18S20 1-Wire Temperature Sensors - not yet assembled</span>
| |
| − |
| |
| − | '''Automation (other):'''
| |
| − | <span style="color:#FF0000">MicroLogics 1000 PLC - not currently integrated with LMCE, working on observation mode plugin
| |
| − | Allen Bradley (model?) PLC - not currently in use, working on 1-Wire command station idea</span>
| |
| − |
| |
| − | '''Power Protection:'''
| |
| − | HP RS2500 2U Rackmount w/RS-232 Interface UPS - currently operating in "dumb" mode
| |
| − | <span style="color:#FF0000">2x Best Power Axxium 2000U w/ Best Power RJ-45 Module 2U Rackmount UPS - in development
| |
| − | 4x Best Power 2U Rackmount Battery Packs - not in use, requiring battery replacement
| |
| − | 20x 12"X48" Solar Panels - still being evaluated for functionality</span>
| |
| − |
| |
| − | '''AV Equipment:'''
| |
| − | <span style="color:#FF0000">Sharp Aquos 46" LCD w/ RS-232 Control</span>
| |
| − | LG (series?) 60" Plasma w/ RS-232 Control -Home Theater Room
| |
| − | Acer 23" Desktop Monitor -Office
| |
| − | Sanyo (series?) 32" LCD -Office, test bench
| |
| − | Dell 19" CRT Monitor -Office, test bench
| |
| − | Sony STR-K850P Surround Sound Receiver
| |
| − | (make/model?) Generic Amp/Preamp - necessary due to the low output of the hybrid/core on-board audio
| |
| | | | |
| | ==Photos== | | ==Photos== |
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| | | | |
| | [[User:Armorgnome2photos]] | | [[User:Armorgnome2photos]] |
| − |
| |
| − | ==Concepts and Projects==
| |
| − |
| |
| − | One of the very exciting things about this project to me when I first dug into it was that support for
| |
| − | devices came from users and developers who using what they had, got it working and wrote support for those
| |
| − | devices into LinuxMCE. Because of this, just as I have noticed with many flavors of Linux, the latest and
| |
| − | greatest hardware might not have support written for it yet. Tried and true hardware that is now bottom
| |
| − | shelf or eBay fodder probably has several varieties of code written for it. Though some might not care
| |
| − | for it, I am a duck taper. I love finding a new Goodwill store that may have a serial cable for me to
| |
| − | tear apart and make a 1-wire device out of. I slam the brakes when I see a computer tower at a yard sale.
| |
| − | At any given time I have four to five half assembled devices on the bench going through RAM testing or
| |
| − | waiting on parts from eBay to show up.
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| − |
| |
| − | Though it may not seem the Linux way, I am developing and creating some hardware with the intention of
| |
| − | selling it. Obviously I am not selling software, it is free to me and it will be free to everyone else.
| |
| − | I hope to sell my time and solder to users who appreciate custom components and want something unique.
| |
| − | Any development or templates I have to create to make my creations work under LinuxMCE will be offered to
| |
| − | the community freely. A percentage of profit from sold will go directly to LinuxMCE as a donation and profit
| |
| − | remaining will go to adding new equipment to my setup. Time will tell how well this works out for me...
| |
| − | if nothing else it keeps my soldering iron hot and keeps me trying to learn more about the way things
| |
| − | work inside LinuxMCE.
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| − |
| |
| − | Case Moding Media Directors:
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| − |
| |
| − | As much as I like the clean look of a vesa mounted nettop behind a flatscreen, I can not ignore that in
| |
| − | most setups there will always be some type of entertainment center. A TV can be mounted in a wall but
| |
| − | not many non-custom built walls will allow you to recess a PS3 or a receiver. This is where my media
| |
| − | directors come in. Using 100% compatible and tested hardware I will create one of a kind 'showcase'
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| − | media directors. Some could be described as contemporary HTPC designs and some can be called nothing
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| − | short of radical.
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| − |
| |
| − | Ideas and Current Projects:
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| − |
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| − | Entertainment Center Typical: Mini and Micro ATX computers modded to fit inside electronics. An old
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| − | cable box which actually houses a full media director, A receiver that contains a working media director
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| − | AND retains function as a receiver,
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| − |
| |
| − | Component Hidden: In-wall touchscreen orbiters. In-TV hidden receiver and media director (imagine a
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| − | child's bedroom television, tube style case with a flatscreen tv inside that allows all that empty room
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| − | for me to cram in components)
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| − |
| |
| − | Radical: Pressure sensitive doormat, voice recognition services from everything like orbiter commands to
| |
| − | front door locks, 'orbiting' orbiter using robotics such as Roomba, LinuxMCE operated fireplace (this
| |
| − | one is a little scary... )
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| − |
| |
| − | ==More Content to Come==
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| − |
| |
| − | A lot. As you might have gleamed already, I like to type.
| |
Like a lot of people currently involved in this project, I am a victim of THE video. I can not even
remember how I stumbled onto it, but since that moment I have been fascinated with its development. It has
been my introduction to the Linux experience. That software this impressive comes from the combined efforts
of brilliant people working for free and on their own time amazes me. I truly believe in the open source
concept and feel it is my responsibility as a user to contribute wherever possible. I have never programmed
anything more complex than a VCR, but I do have some artistic ability so I plug away at UI skins while
those more apt at programming contribute their abilities. The reward then for me goes beyond integrating
components in my home. The thought that a skin I draw might be the preferred choice of a new user two
years from now keeps me striving for perfection. As I have had more time recently in my schedule to work
on LMCE projects I have found new possible ways to contribute such as dce device implementation, template
creation and eventually (I hope) code development. Recently have devoted a few hours per day to reading C++
textbooks, most of them are old but the principles are still relevant.
Previous pictures are still available by selecting the view history tabs. I needed to completely redo this
page as almost every component has been changed and/or reissued to other duties. Since the graphical display
was such a hit, I will make sure to spend an equal amount of effort detailing the new setup.
"Custom Custom, loud nasty IO machine" ... lol, seriously details to come shortly I promise.
Due to the size of these photos I have created another page for them. To view these photos please follow this link:
