I NEED HALP!
Anyone, Please feel free to conrtibute.
Here's the story.
It's been a long time since i undertook a heavy integration of my home, into my PC lifestyle. as such, over the years, things have gotten, well, cobbled together. It's annoyed me to no end, and its finally time to "rebuild" as one problem always sems to be caused by another, and another, and another, resulting in a "deal with it attitude".
The latest "Issue" has cause me to decide its time to reconstruct, and i want opinions/solutions, based on the limited hardware complement i have. Some if this i have been unable to find decent solutions too, others, its easier if another pair of eyes looks at it.
First off, here's a hardware list.
PC 1
EPIA-M10000
Hardwired 24 port 10/100 switch
OS: Ubuntu 7.1 (yes, its old....)
PC 2
Dell GX-280
OS: XP Pro
PC 3
Dell GX 50
OS: XP Pro
PC 4
Dell GX 50
OS: 2000
PC 5
Dell GX 260
OS: XP Pro
PC 6
Dell GX 260
OS: XP Pro
PC 7
Gateway LT-2104
OS: Win7
PC 8
Gateway fx-6831
OS: Vista
PC 9:
Custom built E6800
OS: Vista
PC 10:
Custom Built AMD 3200+
OS: None(m$ stopped supporting the prerelease XP versions from trade shows some time ago)
PC 11:
IBM R31
OS: XP Pro
PC 12:
IBM R31
Os: XP Pro
PC 13:
OLD sony viao, P233, operating at speeds able to BURN you after 15 minutes of usage if your not careful.
OS: XP Pro/98SE
Now, i can get more specifics on the hardware operating each, as while i have service tags for each of the dells, they have been altered with regards to the ram, OS, video, etc.
Roles:
PC 1: Not sure anymore, it used to provide firewall services, but its headless, and i've been too lazy to fix it. It's built into an old stereo case(some of you may remember this!) with a 40g HD and slot load CD rom.
PC 2: File Server
PC 3: Kids PC
PC 4: Kids PC
PC 5: Media PC - More on this later.
PC 6: Not sure, it just sits there running.
PC 7: Wife's Netbook. Also used for all Video transcoding/backing up of my movie collection.
PC 8: Gaming Laptop. Has a 8800GTS 512 video card, but wife uses it to play Pogo..... i use it for mobile gaming when we leave town.
PC 9: Main Rig, i do all my gaming from this box.
PC 10: Since M$'s decision, its been borked. Has a 6800GS, this is my old gaming rig.
PC 11: Laptop - Used for repairing other's of its kind
PC 12: Laptop - Used for repairing other people's PC's, and a laptop for the kids when we go away.
PC 13: COMPLETELY USELESS, except for FUN. It operated my car entertainment system, back when i had the car.
Now, i do have a plethora of old PC cases and parts, including a 486SX Server FUll tower(back when full tower meant 3 ft tall, not this new crappy 4 slot business), SATA PCI controller, So chances are i may have a random assorment of additional pieces that can be used.
There is also a Gigabit Wireless N router, a firmware hacked PCX2200 Cable Modem(to stop ISP's from bandwith throttling on my router's end) and an interesting assorment of wiring and cables connecting a majority of the house.
I will mention I have Charter for an ISP, simply because without telling you, they block CERTAIN ports that are needed to accomplish important tasks, such as running a webserver on standard ports.
Cost is a tad bit of a concern as i don't exactly have money growing out of my ears. So if i need to buy something, it needs to be inexpensive. and by that, REAL cheap.
Now for the fun part. Given the materials above, the budget, or lack there of, Help me solve the problems, or optomize the setup, and make current use of what i have accordingly. Also, i gotta be able to ask you for HELP if i get clueless in it. lol.
No Warez. I've reached the age where legitimacy is important. This is a hypocratic statement depending on the entent which you wish to take it.
Problem 1.
This kind of ties into a large portion of everything at this point.
Streaming Video.
By this i mean, both streaming video Internally AND Externally. Inside my home, AND outside. More on this later.
I've tried using VLC for on the fly transcoding, But to be honest, i don't like its current implementation. This is because I am COMPLETELY lost on their streaming directions, or, maybe i am misinterpreting them. And secondly, because even though i HATE it, WMP11 provides a much better UI for playlists, file catagorization, etc.
By this, i mean to stream video to both a media Pc, if its not doing the streaming itself, as well as to laptops etc.
My initial means for communicating this externally was via a program to create a VPN, like Hamachi, Wiggen, or Neorouter, So its accessable via a computer anywhere it can connect to the private network.
In my initial theory, I should be able to use something like VLC to connect to the streaming source via the VPN's IP, and watch the stream that way, even if im at a hotel, campground, wifi hotspot, etc.
Call it DNTV.
I don't like the setup, and i need to know what the best transcoding specs are as well. Remember, there's a limited ~90KB upload speed via cable, until they get around to double it for me to a whopping 180.... I am assuming, in theory, that its very possible(i've "kind of" tried watching a video via the VPN already). I'm assuming i need to trascode the source to properly get the signal through at a decent complresion rate.
Now, it also needs to be able to be sent internally to the media pc.
Thoughts?
Problem 2.
The media PC. I am slightly annoyed by this machine at this point. Some if it's software related, some hardware, and some is DEFINATELY me.
I have an ATI Remote Wonder, which is an RF based remote control "Mouse". It does have functioning media keys, but not all work like they are supposed to, and i am having trouble setting it properly, to function with any application, and of course ATI provides next to no support for "legacy" devices. lol. I love the remote though! I don't want to part with it, just make it workwith the solution.
Its an older P4 2.0 Ghz machine, with a Encore Wireless Draft-N and PCI(yes, PCI, not PCI-E) ATI 7x00 VE class video card. The case is a slimline Optiplex GX-260 case, offering 2 full height half length PCI slots, and 1 2x/4x AGP half height half length slot. It has 2GB of Performance DDR-400 Ram, a DVD Drive, a 20GB Hard Drive, and a 3.5" Floppy drive. Video out is handled by the ATI card Via S-Video, and does not have a monitor attached. It's Running XP Pro, and currently has Media Portal RC2 for the 10ft GUI.
Problem is the current Relase of MP is CRAP for video selections due to lack of optomizations in this area, making navigation of my video collection nearly impossible. its very bad trying to use a mouse to navigate, and impossible using the ATI remote.
I you know a good 10ft GUI for this, i'm all ears. MP uses WMP11 for playing video, so at the time, i've defaulted to using WMP11 for the AVI files, and VLC for the DVD's. I'd love to be able to get one that I can access the video stream from Problem 1.
This leads into...
Problem 3.
All of the movies are currently on a 750gb Mybook attached to my main rig, as its the only PC with a gigabit port tied int othe main router thats working. some are also loaded onto the file server, but its not quite wired into the rest of the network for functionality. its not to say it can't be, just isnt right now. think, data repository. Also serves as the host for Command & Conquer Renegade or StarSeige Lan fights with the kids.
I hate windows due to the lack of customization thats available, but the playlist and mdeia management is a must have without a keyboard, and a decent functioning 10ft GUI.
The problem is the videos i do have are encoded into DivX format currently for portability and the AVI container. Awesome right? no, not really.... Currently, if i let a video run its full course, even in a playlist, from start to finish, on full screen, it locks WMP up HARD.
No keyboard = no taskmanager to kill the process. And its alot of work get it so i can kill the process, and start wmp11 over again, just to watch another movie. if i skip to the next item at the play list, its fine, but running its course causes a full lock. like when i fall asleep....
The DVD's aren't without issue either. Periodically, while playing them via VLC, one of two things will happen, and it doesn't matter if its either of the gateways, or the media pc.
a. It'll Pause while playing, hanging for a little bit, and then get going. It does it in spurts.
b. It'll ling like in A, but, instead of resuming playing, the movie unloads itself.
At first i thought it was the video, then, i thought it was the PC, then i thought a connection issue, etc, but even loaded locally it does it.
Thoughts?
Problem 4.
This one is more.... Fun. I need to build a portalable Wireless Router. I have a spare unit should it be as easy as to connect it direct to a battery pack? Will a 15v 1A input be able to run off a quad 6.5v 6AH pair of sealed lead Acid batteries wired in series and parallel?
One of my other ambitious projects invloves an aluminum breifcase hardwired with a charging system, 12v internal and external Automobile female socket, originally designed to house my EPIA M-1000 computer, with a mini LCD Screen and speakers. Now, i want to beaf the beast up, and replace components, since the EPIA-M10000 is hardwired, unattachable, from the switch.
Any electrical whizzes able to help me out here?
Problem 5.
I've grown tired of Flipping light switches, turning off TV's ETC. I think its time to start the transition movie some of the electrical equipment in my home over to PC control. Since XP SP2 and later have locked down, and out the Parallel and Serial ports from being *easily* accessable i'll be moving to something else.
Has anyone done this, without using X10?
Problem 6.
The VPN. Hamachi is great. So long as its working perfect. But things rarely do.... i've looked at wiggen, and neorouter, but does anyone have another other suggestions, or better yet personal experiences with something they'd be able to assist in provided the variety of Operating systems that I currently run?
Anyone, Please feel free to conrtibute.
Here's the story.
It's been a long time since i undertook a heavy integration of my home, into my PC lifestyle. as such, over the years, things have gotten, well, cobbled together. It's annoyed me to no end, and its finally time to "rebuild" as one problem always sems to be caused by another, and another, and another, resulting in a "deal with it attitude".
The latest "Issue" has cause me to decide its time to reconstruct, and i want opinions/solutions, based on the limited hardware complement i have. Some if this i have been unable to find decent solutions too, others, its easier if another pair of eyes looks at it.
First off, here's a hardware list.
PC 1
EPIA-M10000
Hardwired 24 port 10/100 switch
OS: Ubuntu 7.1 (yes, its old....)
PC 2
Dell GX-280
OS: XP Pro
PC 3
Dell GX 50
OS: XP Pro
PC 4
Dell GX 50
OS: 2000
PC 5
Dell GX 260
OS: XP Pro
PC 6
Dell GX 260
OS: XP Pro
PC 7
Gateway LT-2104
OS: Win7
PC 8
Gateway fx-6831
OS: Vista
PC 9:
Custom built E6800
OS: Vista
PC 10:
Custom Built AMD 3200+
OS: None(m$ stopped supporting the prerelease XP versions from trade shows some time ago)
PC 11:
IBM R31
OS: XP Pro
PC 12:
IBM R31
Os: XP Pro
PC 13:
OLD sony viao, P233, operating at speeds able to BURN you after 15 minutes of usage if your not careful.
OS: XP Pro/98SE
Now, i can get more specifics on the hardware operating each, as while i have service tags for each of the dells, they have been altered with regards to the ram, OS, video, etc.
Roles:
PC 1: Not sure anymore, it used to provide firewall services, but its headless, and i've been too lazy to fix it. It's built into an old stereo case(some of you may remember this!) with a 40g HD and slot load CD rom.
PC 2: File Server
PC 3: Kids PC
PC 4: Kids PC
PC 5: Media PC - More on this later.
PC 6: Not sure, it just sits there running.
PC 7: Wife's Netbook. Also used for all Video transcoding/backing up of my movie collection.
PC 8: Gaming Laptop. Has a 8800GTS 512 video card, but wife uses it to play Pogo..... i use it for mobile gaming when we leave town.
PC 9: Main Rig, i do all my gaming from this box.
PC 10: Since M$'s decision, its been borked. Has a 6800GS, this is my old gaming rig.
PC 11: Laptop - Used for repairing other's of its kind
PC 12: Laptop - Used for repairing other people's PC's, and a laptop for the kids when we go away.
PC 13: COMPLETELY USELESS, except for FUN. It operated my car entertainment system, back when i had the car.
Now, i do have a plethora of old PC cases and parts, including a 486SX Server FUll tower(back when full tower meant 3 ft tall, not this new crappy 4 slot business), SATA PCI controller, So chances are i may have a random assorment of additional pieces that can be used.
There is also a Gigabit Wireless N router, a firmware hacked PCX2200 Cable Modem(to stop ISP's from bandwith throttling on my router's end) and an interesting assorment of wiring and cables connecting a majority of the house.
I will mention I have Charter for an ISP, simply because without telling you, they block CERTAIN ports that are needed to accomplish important tasks, such as running a webserver on standard ports.
Cost is a tad bit of a concern as i don't exactly have money growing out of my ears. So if i need to buy something, it needs to be inexpensive. and by that, REAL cheap.
Now for the fun part. Given the materials above, the budget, or lack there of, Help me solve the problems, or optomize the setup, and make current use of what i have accordingly. Also, i gotta be able to ask you for HELP if i get clueless in it. lol.
No Warez. I've reached the age where legitimacy is important. This is a hypocratic statement depending on the entent which you wish to take it.
Problem 1.
This kind of ties into a large portion of everything at this point.
Streaming Video.
By this i mean, both streaming video Internally AND Externally. Inside my home, AND outside. More on this later.
I've tried using VLC for on the fly transcoding, But to be honest, i don't like its current implementation. This is because I am COMPLETELY lost on their streaming directions, or, maybe i am misinterpreting them. And secondly, because even though i HATE it, WMP11 provides a much better UI for playlists, file catagorization, etc.
By this, i mean to stream video to both a media Pc, if its not doing the streaming itself, as well as to laptops etc.
My initial means for communicating this externally was via a program to create a VPN, like Hamachi, Wiggen, or Neorouter, So its accessable via a computer anywhere it can connect to the private network.
In my initial theory, I should be able to use something like VLC to connect to the streaming source via the VPN's IP, and watch the stream that way, even if im at a hotel, campground, wifi hotspot, etc.
Call it DNTV.
I don't like the setup, and i need to know what the best transcoding specs are as well. Remember, there's a limited ~90KB upload speed via cable, until they get around to double it for me to a whopping 180.... I am assuming, in theory, that its very possible(i've "kind of" tried watching a video via the VPN already). I'm assuming i need to trascode the source to properly get the signal through at a decent complresion rate.
Now, it also needs to be able to be sent internally to the media pc.
Thoughts?
Problem 2.
The media PC. I am slightly annoyed by this machine at this point. Some if it's software related, some hardware, and some is DEFINATELY me.
I have an ATI Remote Wonder, which is an RF based remote control "Mouse". It does have functioning media keys, but not all work like they are supposed to, and i am having trouble setting it properly, to function with any application, and of course ATI provides next to no support for "legacy" devices. lol. I love the remote though! I don't want to part with it, just make it workwith the solution.
Its an older P4 2.0 Ghz machine, with a Encore Wireless Draft-N and PCI(yes, PCI, not PCI-E) ATI 7x00 VE class video card. The case is a slimline Optiplex GX-260 case, offering 2 full height half length PCI slots, and 1 2x/4x AGP half height half length slot. It has 2GB of Performance DDR-400 Ram, a DVD Drive, a 20GB Hard Drive, and a 3.5" Floppy drive. Video out is handled by the ATI card Via S-Video, and does not have a monitor attached. It's Running XP Pro, and currently has Media Portal RC2 for the 10ft GUI.
Problem is the current Relase of MP is CRAP for video selections due to lack of optomizations in this area, making navigation of my video collection nearly impossible. its very bad trying to use a mouse to navigate, and impossible using the ATI remote.
I you know a good 10ft GUI for this, i'm all ears. MP uses WMP11 for playing video, so at the time, i've defaulted to using WMP11 for the AVI files, and VLC for the DVD's. I'd love to be able to get one that I can access the video stream from Problem 1.
This leads into...
Problem 3.
All of the movies are currently on a 750gb Mybook attached to my main rig, as its the only PC with a gigabit port tied int othe main router thats working. some are also loaded onto the file server, but its not quite wired into the rest of the network for functionality. its not to say it can't be, just isnt right now. think, data repository. Also serves as the host for Command & Conquer Renegade or StarSeige Lan fights with the kids.
I hate windows due to the lack of customization thats available, but the playlist and mdeia management is a must have without a keyboard, and a decent functioning 10ft GUI.
The problem is the videos i do have are encoded into DivX format currently for portability and the AVI container. Awesome right? no, not really.... Currently, if i let a video run its full course, even in a playlist, from start to finish, on full screen, it locks WMP up HARD.
No keyboard = no taskmanager to kill the process. And its alot of work get it so i can kill the process, and start wmp11 over again, just to watch another movie. if i skip to the next item at the play list, its fine, but running its course causes a full lock. like when i fall asleep....
The DVD's aren't without issue either. Periodically, while playing them via VLC, one of two things will happen, and it doesn't matter if its either of the gateways, or the media pc.
a. It'll Pause while playing, hanging for a little bit, and then get going. It does it in spurts.
b. It'll ling like in A, but, instead of resuming playing, the movie unloads itself.
At first i thought it was the video, then, i thought it was the PC, then i thought a connection issue, etc, but even loaded locally it does it.
Thoughts?
Problem 4.
This one is more.... Fun. I need to build a portalable Wireless Router. I have a spare unit should it be as easy as to connect it direct to a battery pack? Will a 15v 1A input be able to run off a quad 6.5v 6AH pair of sealed lead Acid batteries wired in series and parallel?
One of my other ambitious projects invloves an aluminum breifcase hardwired with a charging system, 12v internal and external Automobile female socket, originally designed to house my EPIA M-1000 computer, with a mini LCD Screen and speakers. Now, i want to beaf the beast up, and replace components, since the EPIA-M10000 is hardwired, unattachable, from the switch.
Any electrical whizzes able to help me out here?
Problem 5.
I've grown tired of Flipping light switches, turning off TV's ETC. I think its time to start the transition movie some of the electrical equipment in my home over to PC control. Since XP SP2 and later have locked down, and out the Parallel and Serial ports from being *easily* accessable i'll be moving to something else.
Has anyone done this, without using X10?
Problem 6.
The VPN. Hamachi is great. So long as its working perfect. But things rarely do.... i've looked at wiggen, and neorouter, but does anyone have another other suggestions, or better yet personal experiences with something they'd be able to assist in provided the variety of Operating systems that I currently run?
I'll take a screenshot tomorrow.
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