Difference between revisions of "User:Alx9r"

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=My Benchmark System Attempt=
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=Sample User Setup=
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Note that I am in Canada and all prices are as paid before tax in CAD.
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I have moved my sample user setup to the wiki topic [[Alx9r's Sample Setup]].
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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. 
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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.  
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=Extensions I'd Like to See Added to this Wiki=
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*http://www.mediawiki.org/wiki/Extension:Cite/Cite.php for <ref></ref> style footnotes.
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*http://www.mediawiki.org/wiki/Extension:ParserFunctions as needed for navboxes described at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia_talk:WikiProject_Transwiki
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*A mainstream Common.css (I suggest just copying wikipedia's).
  
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My criteria for the design of this system is as follows:
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=Stuff that ought to be in a "Newbie Portal"=
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#Wherever possible use known-compatible and mainstream components.
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#Wherever possible follow recommendations from forums, reviews, [[Video]] and wiki.
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#Use components in the price/performance sweet spot.
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#Aesthetics should be living-room friendly.
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#Keep it simple, but still test the broad capabilities of LinuxMCE.
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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.
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*Pointer to FAQ
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*Hardware Selection
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**graphics chips that work
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**discrete codes, RS232 control
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**general considerations
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***esthetics
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***noise
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***slots
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***storage
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***com ports
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**some summary of what is currently being used and pointer to sample user setups
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*LinuxMCE Installation
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**What to Expect
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**Things to Contemplate Before the Installation
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***Network Topology
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***VDR vs Myth
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***Audio and Video Connections
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**Things you'll Probably Want to Have for the Install
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***a monitor to use during some low-level operations
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***another computer connected to the internet and the core
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***an ssh client
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***a keyboard and mouse, wireless is nice, synergy also works
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*Some Common But Non-Automatic Setup Steps
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**adding support for IR Remote
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**controlling RS232 AV Equipment
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*Organizing Media
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*Getting Help
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*Troubleshooting
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**How to find and view logs (ie. /var/log/pluto, tail -f)
  
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===Hybrid Box===
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=Pages Under Construction=
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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.
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====Criteria====
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[[How to Select Mainboards for Your LinuxMCE System]] - A guide dedicated to making the most crucial hardware selection decision: Selecting a Mainboard.
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In addition to the criteria I already mentioned, the design of my hybrid was also guided by the following:
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#Only components available through ncix.com, preferably in stock.
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#Tend toward components that lend themselves to eventual use as a dedicated core serving 2 or 3 media directors.
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====Bill of Materials====
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[[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.
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{| border="1"
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! Component !! Model !! each !! Notes
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| Motherboard
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| [[ASUS M2NPV-VM]]
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| $94.01
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| used in [[Video]], now out of production
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|-
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| breakout
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| ASUS [http://www.ncix.com/products/index.php?sku=111102044&vpn=SPDIF%2DOUT%2FOPT&manufacture=Asus SPDIF-OUT/OPT]
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| $9.02
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| SPDIF breakout board
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|-
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| breakout
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| ASUS [http://www.ncix.com/products/index.php?sku=23285&vpn=14%2D000000094&manufacture=ASUS 9PIN Serial Port Header]
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| $6.60
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| two of these to breakout COM ports
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|-
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| CPU
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| AMD Athlon 64 X2 4600+ EE Dual Core Processor AM2 Windsor 2.4GHZ 512KBX2 65W 90NM
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| $80.92 
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| [[Video]] used 4400+, 4600+ is cheaper and maybe faster
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|-
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| heatsink
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| Scythe Mini Ninja Heatpipe Fanless Heatsink AM2
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| $38.98
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| should be good enough to cool w/o CPU fan
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|-
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| RAM
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| Kingston PC2-5300 512MB DDR2-667 CL5 240PIN DIMM
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| $16.70
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| 2 sticks
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|-
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| second ethernet adapter
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| ENCORE ENL832-TX-RENT
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| $8.68
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| based on [[Realtek_8139]]
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| TV Tuner
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| [[Hauppauge WinTV-PVR-150 MCE]]
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| $79.78
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| comes with [[Windows MCE Remote]]
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|-
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| HDD
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| Hitachi Deskstar P7K500 500GB
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| $87.20
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|-
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| optical drive
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| Pioneer DVR-212D Black
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| $32.19
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|-
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| case
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| Silverstone Lascala LC17B
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| $129.99
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| HTPC form factor, big enough to accomodate conversion to core
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|-
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| power supply
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| OCZ StealthXStream OCZ500SXS 500W
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| $61.99
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| cheap, works, apparently quiet
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|}
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===TV===
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[[Hardware Selection Portal]]
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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.
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I settled on the [[Sharp Aquos LCD]] LC42D64U because it met the following criteria:
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[[How to Integrate Blu-ray Support into Your LinuxMCE System]]
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*Has RS-232 control.
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*Very close to the TV used in the [[Video]].
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*Countless positive reviews, only a few reported issues.
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*1080p
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*Got it for a decent price ($1499) and in my neighborhood.  No shipping, brokerage, or duty.
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===Orbiter===
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[[How to Select Media Storage Hardware for Your LinuxMCE System]]
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The Hauppauge card in my kit comes with a [[Windows MCE Remote]].  Hopefully it will do the trick.
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===Glue===
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Miscellaneous items I ended up needing to put this system together:
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*Wall Mount for Sharp Aquos LC42D64U
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Latest revision as of 21:38, 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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