Linux MCE - Media Center Edt. 710rc2 PVR DVR Automation

LinuxMCE
Version 710rc2 - i386




LinuxMCE (Linux Media Center Edition) is a software platform designed to allow a computer to act as a
home theater PC (HTPC), personal video recorder, and home automation system.

It allows control of everything in the home,
from lighting and climate to surveillance cameras and home security.

It also includes a full-featured VOIP-compatible phone system with support for video conferencing.





LinuxMCE may be used as a standalone home theater PC (without any other home network connectivity),
but it may also serve as a complete home LAN system in a Server/Thin client configuration.

In such a configuration, a central Core server does most of the storage and processing functions,
while peripheral PCs (and other devices) provide input and output services.

Thin client PCs can netboot over the LAN to serve as "Media Directors", which stream media
content from the Core to audiovisual devices which are connected to these thin clients.





This home automation/multimedia LAN can be expanded to include home automation systems,
surveillance cameras, high-tech remote controllers (called "Orbiters"), and telephone PBX systems.

The Core server co-ordinates the functions of all the devices on the home LAN.

The advanced networking capabilities of the Linux OS allow this high level of network co-ordination.


       


Features Include:

Audio-visual setup wizard featuring "Sarah," a woman who speaks English with a foreign accent
Optional "UI2" interface option superimposes UI elements on full-screen video, optionally with alpha blending
Daily gallery art from Flickr can be rotated full-screen
Inserted DVDs play automatically
Supports wireless Windows MCE remote control with wireless USB dongles
UI also works with mouse and keyboard, or gyroscope remote ("like Wii")
Lists do fancy 3D flips when paged
Lots of neat gyroscopic remote features, like jog shuttle random access, chapter step-throughs, volume setting, changing channels and so on
"Ambiance" button + gyro gestures can be used to set volume (with horizontal waving) or room lighting (with vertical waving)
Supports TV tuner cards with autodetection and authentication
Three EPG options, including LinuxMCE, MythTV or cable provider's
Various one-click recording options
30-second commercial skip button
"Plug-and-play" network storage device support
Search multimedia library by genre, keyword, and metadata
Can control other A/V equipment via infrared or serial connections
Task-oriented macros set up multiple devices into desired configuration
By default, turns off all devices not in use
Can control cablebox in high-def, with no latency
Can net-boot multiple remote thin clients for auxillary TVs
Move content easily between all using "follow me" button on remote
Can use bluetooth phones and WiFi tablets as remote controls
Can replace remotes for other devices
Supports DVD jukeboxes, and can rip multiple movies at once
Supports ZWave home automation devices such as thermostats and motion detectors
Supports YouTube, web browsing
"Orbiter" control software on old webpad for "low-cost graphical remote"
Supports Bluetooth dongles, enabling phones to control lights, start media, etc.
Supports various VoIP service providers and IP videophones
Auto-attendant with voice mail for each resident
Security system can archive video
Can manage security systems with compatible alarm systems
Can manage generic sensors
Alarm triggers can call your mobile phone, and allow audio interaction with "intruder"
Data-enabled phones can view sensor output when tripped



Hardware Requirements:

LinuxMCE can serve many different purposes.

In it's most basic use as a "Media Center" (watching TV, viewing video, pictures, etc..)
it will require at least an 800Mhz CPU and 384MB of RAM.

A PC running LinuxMCE would do best with at least a Dual Core CPU and 1GB of RAM.  More is better.

An Nvidia video card (GF6200 or better) is needed (don't use an ATI or on-board video card).

A PVR/DVR card that is supported by Linux is required for viewing and recording of TV via Cable, Satellite, etc.

An IR or Bluetooth remote control setup is highly recomended.

Having at least a 40GB hard drive is required for recording video.  More is definetly better.

DVD-ROM required for installation.  A DVD-RW is required if you want to archive video to DVD.