I am going to be highlighting the entries for the 2009 Windows Media Center Ultimate Enthusiast Entry. Go to the thread on the forums and checkout the pictures in the Flickr stream and them go to the vote page and select the winner. The winner will be featured on a future edition of The Media Center Show
Below is a description of my Home Media and Autoamtion setup. It’s a bit unique in that I’m the probably the only person who use 2 TiVo HDs as the Media Center "tuners" by auto-downloading shows to the Windows Home Server so I can have central management and deleting throughout the house. I also use a HAI Omni IIe home automation/security controller; I chose it because it has user interfaces for Windows Media Center, Windows Home Server, and Philips Pronto Remotes (all of which I was already using.) Here are the details (I apologize in advance for the length):
Zone 0: Equipment Room:
Microsoft Windows Home Server
8.5TB of storage for DVD backups, Blu-ray backups, TV show archives, lossless music collection, photos
MyMovies for WHS for movie metadata (cover art, movie descriptions, etc.)
PlayOn for serving streaming video (Hulu.com, etc.) to Windows Media Center computers, Xbox 360
HAI WL3 for Windows Home Server to control security, lighting, thermostat, and to allow remote viewing and motion-detection based video capture of IP-based security cameras
KeepVault add-in for automated off-site data backup
Linksys WRT600N:
DD-WRT firmware to serve static IP addresses and assign local DNS names (htpc1.carltonbale.net, ipcam1.carltonbale.net, etc.)
Gigabit Ethernet
Dual-band 802.11n; capable of wireless Blu-ray movie steaming (I use wired Gigabit Ethernet except when the laptop is undocked)
Zone 1: Home Theater Room
JVC HD730 1080P projector w/Stewart Firehawk 123" diagonal screen and Chief micro-adjust projector mount
Custom Home Theater Personal Computer
Microsoft Windows Vista Ultimate 32-bit
Media Browser Plug-in
Arcsoft TotalMedia Theatre Blu-ray player
VMCPlayit client for Windows Media Center
HAI Home Control plug-in for Windows Media Center
Intelliremote remote control software
LogMeIn remote desktop client
Xenarc touchscreen installed in Atech Fabrication rack-mount case
Griffin Technology scroll/select wheel
nVidia 9400-based chipset for HDMI video and 7.1 channel LPCM HD Audio, Gigabit Ethernet
Lite-On Blu-ray drive
TiVo HD TV tuners: not directly controlled by Windows Media Center so no live TV; web-based recording scheduling; automated script downloads recorded shows from TiVo HD, runs commercial-skip, and stores files on the Windows Home Server shared folder for playback in Media Center
TiVo HD
1 TB drive
Over-the-air antenna HD content
Netflix WatchNow, Amazon VOD
Anthem Statement D2 Preamp Processor with Room Correction, HD video switching and processing
Sherbourn 72100A 7-channel amplifier
Panamax Max 5300 surge protector
Velodyne HGS15 subwoofer
PolkAudio front speakers RT16 (x2), CS350-LS (all hidden behind floor-to-ceiling and wall-to-wall frames with speaker grill cloth covering)
Sonance Cinema Ultra II SUR (x4) side and rear surround speakers (in-wall, hidden behind fabric panels)
9 Bass Industries Executive-series home theater chairs; motorized recline, Mustang Brown color
8 Aura bass shakers; Sony 4-channel receiver for amplification
Middle Atlantic Equipment rack and custom rack shelf for TiVo HD, retractable light
50 custom-made 2’x4′ audio panels; Ownens Corning SelectSound Black Acoustic fiberglass panels, 45-degree beveled MDF 2" frame, Guilford of Maine (GoM) fabric covering
The fiberglass acoustic panel room treatment was by far the single largest contributor to audio quality.
60% room coverage; 2 layers installed on the front wall and corners
Zone 2: Family Room
Mitsubishi LT-46131 LCD flat-panel TV
Chief Manufacturing extending/pivoting/rotating wall mount
All other components hidden behind wall in closet
Custom Home Theater Personal Computer
Microsoft Windows Vista Ultimate 32-bit
Media Browser Plug-in
Arcsoft TotalMedia Theatre Blu-ray player
VMCPlayit client for Windows Media Center
HAI Home Control for Windows Media Center
Intelliremote remote control software
LogMeIn remote desktop client
nVidia 9400-based chipset for HDMI video and 7.1 channel LPCM HD Audio, Gigabit Ethernet
TiVo HD TV tuners: not directly controlled by Windows Media Center so no live TV; web-based recording scheduling; automated script downloads recorded shows from TiVo HD, runs commercial-skip, and stores files on the Windows Home Server shared folder for playback in Media Center
Microsoft Xbox 360
Media Center Extender, Netflix WatchNow client, PlayOn client
TiVo HD
1 TB drive
Over-the-air antenna HD content
Netflix WatchNow, Amazon VOD
Zone 3: Bedroom/Office:
ThinkPad T61 running Windows Vista Ultimate 32-bit
Dell 3007WFP 30" monitor
Used for viewing recorded TV show (auto-downloaded from TiVo HD) and movies stored on the Windows Home Server
This is the "development system" to test and configure new Windows Media Center setting / plug-ins / software before implementing changes on the "production" Home Theater and Family Room HTPCs
RF Wireless Remote Controls:
Philips Pronto TSU9400
Controls every piece of equipment in the house, connects via WiFi
Direct IP: HTPCs (Intelliremote), TiVo HDs, Vudu XL, HAI home automation system (ProntoLink)
IP-to-RS232 serial via RFX9600 base station: Anthem D2 Pre-amp Processor, JVC HD750 projector, Monoprice HDMI Switch
IP-to-IR via RFX9600 base station:: Mitsubishi flat panel TV, Xbox 360
Direct Network Security Camera viewing using modified Panasonic ProntoLink module
HAI ProntoLink Module to control security, thermostat, and lighting
Apple iPhone 3G (x2)
IP based control of HTPCs (Intelliremote IntelliPhone app, full keyboard and mouse control), TiVo HDs (DVR Lite app), Vudu XL (Vudu app), Sonos (Sonos app), HAI Home Automation systems (H@me app)
Thinkpad T61 laptop, MSI Wind netbook
LogMeIn.com remote desktop control; does not blank the remote computer monitor/TV/Projector during remote control session; allows for screen resolution adjustment and troubleshooting
Remote access, maintenanc
e, administration, and trouble-shooting from any browser
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