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HTPC and Multiple Zones

  • 24-09-2007 8:25pm
    #1
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 907 ✭✭✭


    Hi folks - I've just joined the forum. It's like a good book.. so hard to stop reading.

    I've a question I'm sure someone will be able to answer.
    Will a HTPC setup support streaming of multiple videos or even audio to distinct 'zones'?
    Or are HTPCs only meant to function as a one output stream to one destination sort of thing.:confused:

    I'm planning a new build.. very early days. Wiring won't be a problem but getting educated for what is possible in the AV world is a challenge.

    The hope is that I can centralise most of the technology in a seperate Node-Zero and distribute everything from there.
    So would ultimately like that e.g. 3 different rooms could access the HTPC and choose what they would like to see or listen to. Can this be done?

    If not with a HTPC, then what can accomplish this?


Comments

  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 6,949 ✭✭✭SouperComputer


    Its a had question to answer because it depends very much on what exactly you want on the client end.

    There is nothing out there in the home market that you can control zones for TV from the server as such. However accessing content initaited from a client is easy enough.

    Again, it depends on what you want, so you need to paint a more detailed picture of what you evisage on both the server and client end.

    On the audio only side, slimserver (Open source and free) will allow you to control zone via a web interface as well as being able to use hardware boxes called squeezeboxes
    So would ultimately like that e.g. 3 different rooms could access the HTPC and choose what they would like to see or listen to. Can this be done?

    For music and video, you dont need a HTPC for this, you just need a NAS and some thin clients. However if you plan having TV/DVR functionality then a HTPC is the way to go.

    A common setup is to setup a HTPC running Windows MCE and use Xbox 360's as frontends (aka Media Centre Extenders) in each room that you want to access the content (including the EPG guide, live tv and recorded TV)

    This is the most streightforward setup for distributed media.

    Cabling/Networking wise, CAT6 is a good way to go, but can be spendy to do right. Ideally a 1Gb backbone to the server/HTPC and 100Mb to each client. That way one device doesnt hog the network. In a setup like this availability is more important than bandwidth


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 907 ✭✭✭rampantbunny


    Thanks SouperComputer.

    Sorry for being a bit vague with the detail in last post.
    I'll try again but can't get too specific as that would imply some knowledge on my behalf of things AV\HTPC (so not the case) :o

    At the server end I want to centralise ALL media.
    At the client end (per room) I'd like to just have the TV and special programmable remote - but I'm beginning to see that maybe this is just wishful thinking.

    At the server end I'll have DivX encoded media (and other formats) along with pics and audio files.
    I'll also want to route my Sky Digital signal to the HTPC.
    (Would this mean that I need to take the output from the Sky box AFTER decoding (maybe the RF2 from the box))?
    If this is possible then I could use the HTPC as a PVR and have more media for distribution.
    I may want to also route any CCTV through the HTPC - but not so important for now.

    I want the server to do ALL the work.
    It's my understanding that having a NAS means that I need seperate special clients for each room - which do all the labour? The NAS is only a file server.
    Or i could use extenders for MCE - which do the work once more as opposed to the server.
    Are the above points accurate?

    I've read the following - http://thegreenbutton.com/forums/thread/200885.aspx[/url])
    With this the server dishes out music to different zones albeit you need multiple soundcards. Do you have any knowledge of this SouperComputer?
    Think it might have APIs to allow a person to program a remote to directly access the server for music selection.
    So far it sounds the most suitable (for audio at least).


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 6,949 ✭✭✭SouperComputer


    At the server end I want to centralise ALL media.
    At the client end (per room) I'd like to just have the TV and special programmable remote - but I'm beginning to see that maybe this is just wishful thinking.

    Routing the signals from the HTPC to each screen and back woudl be a nightmare! You will need some sort of STB in each room, if you plan using MCE, then an Xbox360 is the way to go. Another way is to get an LCD\Plasma TV with a PC built in. They exist, but I havent looked at any recently.

    Long story short, you really want some horsepower at the client end, otherwise you are talking a pro install costing huge bucks.
    At the server end I'll have DivX encoded media (and other formats) along with pics and audio files.

    Easy peasy, ifyou are using an xbox 360 on the client on the you will need to instsall transcoding software on teh HTPC so that it will convert the video format to one that the Xbox likes on the fly. Rumour has it that the next set of MCE extenders will support Xvid.

    I'll also want to route my Sky Digital signal to the HTPC.
    (Would this mean that I need to take the output from the Sky box AFTER decoding (maybe the RF2 from the box))?
    If this is possible then I could use the HTPC as a PVR and have more media for distribution.
    I may want to also route any CCTV through the HTPC - but not so important for now.

    Yes, you will need to take the signal after the box. However RF is a bad idea, you will be wanting svideo. There are ways to buy tuners and feed the signal from your Sky sat into the HTPC, but its far from streightforward.

    CCTV shouldnt be a problem, I know its easy with MythTV.
    I want the server to do ALL the work.
    It's my understanding that having a NAS means that I need seperate special clients for each room - which do all the labour? The NAS is only a file server.
    Or i could use extenders for MCE - which do the work once more as opposed to the server.
    Are the above points accurate?

    A NAS is a file server, correct. The reason I mention it is because most people have the HTPC in a living/entertainment room. Its not a good idea from a heat and noise POV to have 5 or 6 HD's whizzing away in there, thats where the NAS comes in. You can put it in a location where you dont need to hear it.

    You will need client hardware for each room, regardless of wether you use a NAS or not.
    I've read the following - http://thegreenbutton.com/forums/thread/200885.aspx[/url])
    With this the server dishes out music to different zones albeit you need multiple soundcards. Do you have any knowledge of this SouperComputer?
    Think it might have APIs to allow a person to program a remote to directly access the server for music selection.
    So far it sounds the most suitable (for audio at least).

    TBH runing multiple audio cards and streams like that from a HTPC is not somthing id bother with. Also, the software is at version 0.1! Like I say, for multi room audio thats decent quality at a reasonable price ive used slimserver and their squeeezeboxes.

    HTH


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 907 ✭✭✭rampantbunny


    thanks for the follow up SouperComputer.

    It sunk in today that what i'm looking for is difficult if not impossible. I would be in the realm of specialist hardware and like you said, a pro install :(

    I've seen these on Crestron:
    http://www.crestron.com/products/show_products.asp?type=residential&cat=1012&subcat=1052&id=250 & this also:
    http://www.crestron.com/products/show_products.asp?jump=jump&model=cnxrmclv
    We're prob talking megabucks.. I was only actually looking for Crestron touch screens as I heard they are the biz..was wondering if they could be used to control the Xbox extenders and any other automation I end up introducing (I've sorta posed a question like this in another post).

    It still doesn't provide a full solution though as I'd need a HTPC anyway and other devices to feed audio and video INTO this setup.
    There are so many devices available its easy get sidetracked.

    Thanks again for all your pointers.


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