What can I do with LinuxMCE?

Following is a list of things you can do with LinuxMCE. Each link takes you to a how-to page which has 3 parts: 1) How to set it up, 2) How to use it, 3) Where to find the source code and how it works.

The list is not complete, and many of the topics do not yet have the documentation, and not all documentation pages have screen shots and pictures. Feel free to add your own documentation and commit it into our document tree, like a wiki; there's a how-to for that.

Most people gradually add more and more to LinuxMCE over time, this page will become a comfortable alternative to the full user's manual, allowing you to quickly see what can be done, and how to do it.

Everything listed below presently is tested and works even if the documentation is not written, except those items in italics which require modules still in development or only partially complete. Items with an * are coded, and should work, but are not fully tested.

What modules are in development?

General

• Control LinuxMCE using a Windows device as an Orbiter
  
• Control LinuxMCE using a Symbian Series 60 mobile phone with Bl
  
• Control LinuxMCE using other types of mobile phones
  
• Control LinuxMCE using an Infrared remote
  
• Add support for new remote controls
  
• Change the look and feel of the Orbiter
  
• Create my own skins or GUI for LinuxMCE
  
• Translate the GUI into another language
  
• Automatic diskless boot of media directors
  
• Restrict which users can use use which Orbiters or control w
  

Add to/edit the online documentation, wiki-style

Media

• Have LinuxMCE automatically control the TV and Stereo
  
• Control the media director's volume using either a receiver
  
• Use network audio players for a whole-house music solution
  

Watch TV using the built-in Myth PVR, and schedule recordings

• Use a satellite/cable box with the PVR
  
• Control a TV or cable/satellite box
  
• Watch a DVD/Listen to a CD
  
• Rip a CD/DVD to the Core
  
• Watch/Listen to media stored on the Core
  
• Play the same media in multiple rooms simultaneously
  
• Flag media stored on the core as private
  
• Flag whatever media I am watching now as private
  
• Catalog media with attributes
  
• Search for media by attributes using the Orbiters
  
• Control regular A/V equipment
  
• Control A/V equipment with RS232/USB/Ethernet
  
• Make LinuxMCE do something when I start media
  
• Upload a pronto file into the Orbiter's pronto emulator
  
• Have my media follow me
  
• Make announcements
  

Home Automation

• Control lights/climate using scenarios
  
• Control lights or climate with a floorplan
  
• Adding support for home automation devices
  
• What if you don't have a driver for my home automation devic
  
• Make things happen at sunrise/sunset
  
• Make things happen when I enter a room
  
• Have my lighting or climate settings follow me
  
• Have external devices control LinuxMCE
  

Security

• Monitor surveillance cameras
  
• Arm or disarm the alarm using the Orbiters
  
• Arm or disarm LinuxMCE's alarm using proximity sensors
  
• Automatically take pictures when sensors are disturbed
  
• Have LinuxMCE notify me of security alerts
  

PC Computing

• Have LinuxMCE's screen saver turn my regular TV off when there's no activity and back on automatically, like a PC monitor with power save
  
• Browse web pages on the media directors
  
• Browse web pages on the orbiters
  
• Use open office on the media directors
  
• Access a KDE/Gnome desktop on the media directors
  
  

Telecommunications

• Make phone calls using a VOIP provider
  
• Make phone calls using a regular phone line (POTS), ISDN or T1
  
• Do video conferencing