Browse Forums Home Theatre & Automation 1 Oct 25, 2009 7:28 am We're in the process of renovating our apartment and I plan to use a Media Server to take ALL of our media content, to hide as much of the kit as possible and to provide control via user-friendly remote controls. We will be building a false chimney breast with a niche for the TV (Panasonic Viera TX-32LXD600A 32") in the living room. The chimney breast will also house the speakers for the AV system. The chimney breast backs on to the WC which has a false ceiling (also used for aircon units) where I plan to house the AV system components and media server. The media server is required to store our collection of 600 CDs (mostly classical), 200 MP3 files (mostly pop) some MP4 & AVI files and possibly our collection of 100 Videos/DVDs (yet to be ripped). I also plan to put the existing Panasonic DVD player here. I plan to add CAT5 cabling from the Media Server to the study area of the bedroom where I want to add a new powerful PC for occasional gaming, DVD burning, web development, photoshop, ripping music/DVDs and general PC "cocking around" and another *very* user friendly all-in-one PC for my partner (touch-screen?) who is not very computer literate (and has some vision loss) and will use it for email and some web browsing. To control the above I need a *very* user-friendly remote which my partner can use and an infra-red repeater which will take the signals from the above from the living room and transmit it through the wall to the equipment in the WC ceiling. I have an Acer laptop running Win XP MCE about 3 years old which I will keep and we have another 5+ year old laptop also running Win XP which I plan to use as a print server and possibly web audio streaming. I also plan to put speakers in all rooms (in ceilings) but we mainly listen to the Radio which I plan to stream from the web so we need some way of being able to remotely control the audio level. My partner has some hearing loss so very high quality sound is not a big requirement. So the shopping list includes - Media Server with 1TB+ Raid - Tuner/AMP - High Spec PC - All in one user-friendly PC with high contrast screen - Remote control devices - Infra-red repeater - Ceiling speakers - Speakers in false chimney breast (5:1 surround sound) - Cabling Thanks to an inheritance, I have a budget of around AU$15K. I've worked in the IT industry for 20+ years so and I'm prepared to build systems although I would prefer to buy ready-built units to take advantage of warranty and negotiating discounts. Any suggestions/thoughts for components for the above welcome. Photos/plans of the unit available here http://www.tinyurl.com/85macleay Re: Hidden AV System & Media Server with remote access 2Oct 25, 2009 12:53 pm just a heads up if you are in IT you should be more then aware of alot of products out there for the PC sides of things... things like NAS's, Home theatre PC's both of which don't need to quad core I7/5 machines to do the job... any network cabling will need to be installed by a Ticketed person. who may aswell install most of the other cabling required for this.. you are more then welcome to provide such cabling to the guy (with advance knoledge to said guy of course) on the day. you can get very small profie/ size media players which saves having a whole HTPC sitting there and they are very easy to use. one of my favourite devices atm is the http://www.xtreamer.com.au/ also well as software like media portal, and alot of other software apllications out there..I'd highly suggest you get a consultant/ Installer in to make sure you have all your needs covered and you can discus with the him in person what of the other billions of options you have at your disposal... just a heads up aswell these are the specs of my Home File server and Media PC. Home File Server MB: Intel D915GAG CPU: Pentium 4 530 775 RAM: 2 x 512mb Legend DDR400 NIC: Intel PRO 1000CT OS: XP Pro SP3 32Bit HD 1: WD 80GB HD IDE HD 2 -5: 4 x WD 1TB HD SATA II HD 6 & 7 + Controller: 2 x 1TB WD SATA II + Sunix 2100 Case: CM 334 PSU: CM Extreme Power Plus 550w Media PC MB: GA-945GCM-S2L CPU: E6300 Ram: 4GiG Kit DDR2 (2 x 2G) 800mhz A-Data GPU: Asus 4670 512MB OS: Windows 7 RC 64Bit HD 1: WD 80GB HD 2: WD SATA II 640GB Optical: Pioneer SATA Case/ PSU: Antec Fusion Black/ 450W earth watts Screen: Samsung 42" Plasma PS42A410 Kodiak Data Cabling onFaceBook Consult*, Design and Installation Data, TV, Home Theatre/ AV Cabling, Multi Room Audio, IP CCTV and Door Intercoms Ask for a Quote. *DIY DATA Cabling Is Ilegal Re: Hidden AV System & Media Server with remote access 4Nov 01, 2009 9:18 pm We've got a sparkie in to wire up the place including the network cabling - although I fail to see why it needs a "Ticketed" person to do network cabling - the rest of the world seems to manage without having "registered" trades to do network cables - after all it's hardly high voltage - and with optical fibre - no voltage I plan to get a Netgear 1TB NAS - as I don't have any full size PC's I could hack apart plus I'd prefer to get something that comes with a warranty. The Xtreamer could be very useful if I want to add Video streaming - thanks for the heads up. The trend is towards Open Source in most popular software and this applies to Media Server software too (See http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/UPnP_AV_MediaServers) - the other trends are towards IP as the the address mechanism for multiple devices and the increased use of wireless as the carrier mechanism - the convergence of these is going to make many of these expensive proprietary systems worthless in the future IMHO. Without wanting to be rude to any of the AV installers on the board, I have been doing research on forums, specs and reviews and I'm experienced in doing my own installs. It's not exactly rocket science so it might just take me a bit longer to launch! Re: Hidden AV System & Media Server with remote access 5Nov 02, 2009 9:59 am I've heard a couple of times that you need a 'ticketed' person to install network cables, since ours are Cat6 cables complete with RJ45s, is in just the wiring and crimping to the network point that needs to be done by a 'ticketed' person? I can't see why you can't run long cables yourself through a house??? We could just be lazy and leave the RJ45s on there and plug them straight into the computers lol. Which is what we'll do when we first move in. Guess I could always go and get a 'ticket' myself. We were going to connect http://www.ncomputing.com/ between our server and LCD TVs, but will go have a look at the xtreamer. Skin Re: Hidden AV System & Media Server with remote access 6Dec 11, 2009 1:57 pm Pugs any network cabling will need to be installed by a Ticketed person. who may aswell install most of the other cabling required for this.. you are more then welcome to provide such cabling to the guy (with advance knoledge to said guy of course) on the day. Never heard this before - Don't see why this would be an issue - there's virtually no voltage, and it's all independent wiring. I'm in I.T. as well, i've got a HDX 1000 (http://www.hdx1080.com/) which I find great. A HTPC may be better, but this remote is pretty good, and it handles every file format i've thrown at it. Even the missus can use it (via the TV). Re: Hidden AV System & Media Server with remote access 7Dec 11, 2009 2:14 pm gully Pugs any network cabling will need to be installed by a Ticketed person. who may aswell install most of the other cabling required for this.. you are more then welcome to provide such cabling to the guy (with advance knoledge to said guy of course) on the day. Never heard this before - I've run straight 20m cat 5 cables through my house (under the floor through the skirting) but haven't neatened it up with wall plates yet. I can't see any reason why you need a ticket for this. There's virtually no voltage, and it's all independent wiring. I'm in I.T. As I'm really sick of explineing this to every newbie who decides they have an issue with this... please read this A registered Cabler must perform all customers cabling work in regards to the telecommunications network with in a structure. This includes all fixed cabling that connects to, or is intended to be connected to the telecommunications network. All data network systems that connect to or may be connected in the future to the telecommunications network are included in this requirement. http://www.acma.gov.au/WEB/STANDARD/pc=PC_300153 http://www.acma.gov.au/WEB/STANDARD/pc=PC_1455#16 Kodiak Data Cabling onFaceBook Consult*, Design and Installation Data, TV, Home Theatre/ AV Cabling, Multi Room Audio, IP CCTV and Door Intercoms Ask for a Quote. *DIY DATA Cabling Is Ilegal Re: Hidden AV System & Media Server with remote access 8Dec 11, 2009 3:08 pm Quote: As I'm really sick of explineing this to every newbie who decides they have an issue with this... All this does is try to protect the turf of the industry. Next I won't be able to dig up my own soil and lay turf, i'll need a 'licensed landscaper'. To be honest these rules seem quite vague and non-specific, and sound like they are designed for when you get an aerial or pay TV dude coming to your house, it's a requirement that he is 'ticketed'. Fair enough. But home owners in their own home? Wow, I know tons of people who did this in their new house, along with alarm systems, aerials and door bells. What if you're not connected to any grid-based system? What's the difference between running network cables under the carpet vs. under the floor? There's no termination required, no cable cutting, thus the cable manufacturers warranty stands. If what you are saying stands, then I couldn't even plug in a router/switch to expand the network unless a licensed person did it for me. From ACMA website: "A registered cabler must install data cabling for computer networks that connect to the telecommunications network." - I would love to test this - if there's no physical connection (ie. ADSL to WAP, then another WAP to 4 port home network) then there cannot be any safety issue. Re: Hidden AV System & Media Server with remote access 9Dec 11, 2009 3:27 pm gully Quote: As I'm really sick of explineing this to every newbie who decides they have an issue with this... All this does is try to protect the turf of the industry. Next I won't be able to dig up my own soil and lay turf, i'll need a 'licensed landscaper'. To be honest these rules seem quite vague and non-specific, and sound like they are designed for when you get an aerial or pay TV dude coming to your house, it's a requirement that he is 'ticketed'. Fair enough. But home owners in their own home? Wow, I know tons of people who did this in their new house, along with alarm systems, aerials and door bells. What if you're not connected to any grid-based system? What's the difference between running network cables under the carpet vs. under the floor? There's no termination required, no cable cutting, thus the cable manufacturers warranty stands. If what you are saying stands, then I couldn't even plug in a router/switch to expand the network unless a licensed person did it for me. From ACMA website: "A registered cabler must install data cabling for computer networks that connect to the telecommunications network." - I would love to test this - if there's no physical connection (ie. ADSL to WAP, then another WAP to 4 port home network) then there cannot be any safety issue. still has the potentional to be connected... Kodiak Data Cabling onFaceBook Consult*, Design and Installation Data, TV, Home Theatre/ AV Cabling, Multi Room Audio, IP CCTV and Door Intercoms Ask for a Quote. *DIY DATA Cabling Is Ilegal Re: Hidden AV System & Media Server with remote access 10Dec 12, 2009 12:34 pm skin Guess I could always go and get a 'ticket' myself. As a (recently quaified+employed) Communications Infrastructure Engineer I enquired about getting my open cablers 'ticket' but ontop of the course and test, they require 600hours on the job wiring experience! My job is to tell the guys what to do (building/maintaining Police stations) but little hands on. I understand the risks to those without forethought for safety, and the regulations thus stipulated. Slab poured 21/04/2011 Frame finished 27/05/2011 Moved in 07/11/2011 Re: Hidden AV System & Media Server with remote access 11Dec 13, 2009 1:49 am 71monaro skin Guess I could always go and get a 'ticket' myself. As a (recently quaified+employed) Communications Infrastructure Engineer I enquired about getting my open cablers 'ticket' but ontop of the course and test, they require 600hours on the job wiring experience! My job is to tell the guys what to do (building/maintaining Police stations) but little hands on. I understand the risks to those without forethought for safety, and the regulations thus stipulated. To the OP, to be honest your post is more help to me than I will be to you as I'm planning to do a similar set up, so you've given me a good bit of food for thought I'd love to hear what you decide on. I'm really keen on the QNAP NASes. I think you'll definitely be pleased as they seem to have 'home-server/media-server' in mind. Then use a simple HTPC or PS3 as the media receiver. Added advantages of the PS3 include the bluray player and an add-on called "Play-TV" which allows TV recording (i.e. PVR). It's not as great as stand-alone units but its a great value-add and I think a PVR like device should be apart of your over all solution. If your main priority for the receiver is user friendliness, I wouldn't bother with a home made HTPC unless you can stop yourself from constantly tinkering with it . I know as a fellow tech head that I'd constantly play with it and eventually drive my partner crazy as it got more and more unstable . If you haven't got your TV yet, you could even consider the more recent range of Samsung tellies that include DLNA streaming. My philosophy when it comes to home appliances (which is what your media receiver will be) is to take a leaf out of Apple's book - keep it clean, simple and pretty. Have you thought about how you're going to distribute your audio? Whether you want independant sources for different rooms etc? So far I've been looking into 2-zone amps just as a simple means to control music in the living room and adjoining alfresco. For reference, this is the Austlii reference. My take on this is, that they would be breaking the law denying access to a homeowner in Victoria, or their agent from having… 1 9093 The only thing to add to these comments is that where possible it's always good to try and work with people than just say "no" because you can. Having someone… 4 17148 |