User Manual

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LinuxMCE is the only all-in-one open source solution that seamlessly combines:

  • Media & entertainment with a server for music and video plus a PVR like TiVo or Sky+
  • Home automation to control everything from lights to heating with a touch-screen tablet or your mobile phone
  • Phone system with video conferencing
  • Security system that feeds live video to your mobile during a security breach

LinuxMCE is a complicated piece of software. Understanding the basics is very important to ensuring proper setup and ensures the user gets the results expected. CLICK HERE for a quick overview of the basics or CLICK HERE for an overview of the different software components used in LinuxMCE

If you have any questions you can visit our forums.

Understanding LinuxMCE

What is LinuxMCE

What can I do with LinuxMCE

General

Media

Home Automation

Security

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

Hardware

Hardware can be a difficult decision, but understanding exactly what functions are needed can greatly simplify this decision. You can review several wiki articles relating to hardware HERE

Installation of Software Components

There are currently two methods of installation. The DVD installation which only requires the downloading and creation of a single installation disk, and the 3 CD method which requires 3 disks, but offers more flexibility in installation.

DVD Installation

CD Installation

Setting Up LinuxMCE

To get started you will want to read the documentation on Getting Started

AVWizard

The Audio/Video Wizard is designed to allow for easy setup of components which allow the Core or a Media Director to output content to the connected display, which can range from a simple CRT, to HCTV with component and/or composite inputs.

Setup Wizard

The setup wizard is an automated series of screen which allows the user to enter information and devices that LinuxMCE will control. The Setup Wizard is broken down in to two modes: Media Player Wizard and House Setup Wizard.

Media Player Wizard

House Setup Wizard

Using LinuxMCE Admin Website

Although there are automated wizards to assist in setup, the most robust system for setup is the LinuxMCE Admin Website. The user can create and modify any and all devices that LinuxMCE can control.

Using LinuxMCE

LinuxMCE is a complicated piece of software, so proper understanding of each of the components makes for a better experience. CLICK HERE for a quick introduction and description of the terms needed to understand most to best use LinuxMCE. The orbiter is the primary interface for controlling functions within LinuxMCE. This guide will follow the menu items listed on the orbiter

Orbiter Interface

Lights

There are only going to be options listed here if you have setup an interface and created lights. The lights are specific to a room, so that the orbiter for a room will only show lights within that room

Media

Climate

Telecom

Security

Advanced

General Usage Pages

Lights

Media

Climate

Telecom

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

Security

Advanced

LinuxMCE Admin Website

Other Items of Concern