Sore and Tired
I am so freakin sore and tired today. Yesterday's work definitely took it's toll on me. I will post tomorrow on my shopping list, total cost and hopefully put some pictures up. Maybe some video. Today was a day of rest.
Task 1 Complete
Whew!!! What a day. If you read my "back on track" post you saw my project task list. It was by no means complete, but it was a good start.
Well I am happy, proud and excited to announce that task 1 is 100% complete. The wired network is now in place.
I was just so happy to get this done that I had to post. I am sooo freakin' tired so I will wait until tomorrow to get into the details. It sucks that we still cannot find our camera or I would have taken a lot of pictures. Maybe I will do a flip video. We'll see.
Need sleep now....
Well I am happy, proud and excited to announce that task 1 is 100% complete. The wired network is now in place.
I was just so happy to get this done that I had to post. I am sooo freakin' tired so I will wait until tomorrow to get into the details. It sucks that we still cannot find our camera or I would have taken a lot of pictures. Maybe I will do a flip video. We'll see.
Need sleep now....
MCE - Launch Live TV
One of my day 1 settings that I would like to have is the option to have the media center launch directly into Live TV.
If you have used Media Center before then you know that by default it launches into the Start page. From there you have to choose what you want to do with Live TV and Recorded TV as just two of a number of options.
Since I am trying to replace the cable box in the living room, I need the experience to be very similar to what we have now. When my wife goes to watch TV today she turns on the TV and then turns on the cable box. At that point live TV is on and she can choose to either continue watching live TV (channel surf or guide surf) or choose to watch recorded TV. The media center needs to provide a similar experience.
So I went to The Green Button and asked my question. I got two responses that look promising. When I have a solution that will work through an extender I will post my results.
If you have used Media Center before then you know that by default it launches into the Start page. From there you have to choose what you want to do with Live TV and Recorded TV as just two of a number of options.
Since I am trying to replace the cable box in the living room, I need the experience to be very similar to what we have now. When my wife goes to watch TV today she turns on the TV and then turns on the cable box. At that point live TV is on and she can choose to either continue watching live TV (channel surf or guide surf) or choose to watch recorded TV. The media center needs to provide a similar experience.
So I went to The Green Button and asked my question. I got two responses that look promising. When I have a solution that will work through an extender I will post my results.
Multiple MCE Digital Cable Card Tuners
One of the goals in this project is to build a robust DVR. Robust to me and my family means a DVR that has more than 2 TV Tuners. Why do I care about that? Not because we are TV junkies but because some of the best shows sometimes compete head to head on the same night. I want a solution that does not force me to make choices. So in order to record 2 TV shows while we watch a third, we need at least 3 tuners.
This also becomes very important as I add Media Center Extenders into the network. As each extender watches TV they will be using one of the tuners. Because of that 4 tuners should be the sweet spot.
I will start out with 2, possibly 3 tuners. I would like to have 4 but the cost starts to become a little prohibitive to jump out of the gate with 4.
Unfortunately this is where the Media Center solution shows itself to not be for the faint of heart. In order to get more than two tuners working you need to update the registry of the Media Center PC. Instructions on how to do that can be found here: Multiple Analog/Digital Tuners.
If you are going the Cable Card route like I am planning on doing, you also need to buy tuners beyond what comes with the Dell package. Right now Dell only gives you the option of 1 or 2 digital cable card tuners. The only store selling the tuner separate that I know of right now is surprisingly Sony (HERE).
Getting the multiple tuners up and running with no hiccups will be a huge factor in the WAF for this project. We will definitely hold onto the DVR from Time Warner for at least a month until we feel comfortable with the MCE. We will probably hold onto it for a month on the main TV and then another month on an upstairs bedroom TV.
This also becomes very important as I add Media Center Extenders into the network. As each extender watches TV they will be using one of the tuners. Because of that 4 tuners should be the sweet spot.
I will start out with 2, possibly 3 tuners. I would like to have 4 but the cost starts to become a little prohibitive to jump out of the gate with 4.
Unfortunately this is where the Media Center solution shows itself to not be for the faint of heart. In order to get more than two tuners working you need to update the registry of the Media Center PC. Instructions on how to do that can be found here: Multiple Analog/Digital Tuners.
If you are going the Cable Card route like I am planning on doing, you also need to buy tuners beyond what comes with the Dell package. Right now Dell only gives you the option of 1 or 2 digital cable card tuners. The only store selling the tuner separate that I know of right now is surprisingly Sony (HERE).
Getting the multiple tuners up and running with no hiccups will be a huge factor in the WAF for this project. We will definitely hold onto the DVR from Time Warner for at least a month until we feel comfortable with the MCE. We will probably hold onto it for a month on the main TV and then another month on an upstairs bedroom TV.
Finally back on track
Almost a year later, I am finally back on track.
One of the main reasons for the delay was a technology wait. I have been waiting for the right Media Center PC with Cable Card support that was actually usable. It's finally here: The Dell XPS 420 with Dual ATI Cable Card Digital Tuners. I will be placing my order with Dell on Feb 15th and I cannot wait!!
So am I just sitting around on my thumbs waiting for the computer to arrive? No at all. Here is the list of task that need to get done in the next 25 days:
Over the next few days I will blog about the above list and my progress on those items. I hope this blog is informative for anyone coming behind me doing the same thing. I'm just glad that the project is finally underway!
One of the main reasons for the delay was a technology wait. I have been waiting for the right Media Center PC with Cable Card support that was actually usable. It's finally here: The Dell XPS 420 with Dual ATI Cable Card Digital Tuners. I will be placing my order with Dell on Feb 15th and I cannot wait!!
So am I just sitting around on my thumbs waiting for the computer to arrive? No at all. Here is the list of task that need to get done in the next 25 days:
- Run all the network cable
- Investigate, select and purchase upgrade router/switch
- Investigate optimal setup for MyMovies MCE Plugin
- Investigate, select and purchase third digital QAM TV tuner
- Investigate and create plan for integrating Windows Home Server
- Investigate additional plugins (i.e. caller id, weather, news, etc)
- Create Day 1 plugin install package
- Create Day 1 settings guide
Over the next few days I will blog about the above list and my progress on those items. I hope this blog is informative for anyone coming behind me doing the same thing. I'm just glad that the project is finally underway!
