Help - not strictly net remote.

[mikeythemikey]

Ok, I have bought a new pc, netremote, zoom player, global cache and a dell x50 - what is the best way to contol all this? It needs to be wife friendly and easy to use.

Sorry if wrong forum.

[JohnHind]

This may be a little radical but...

1. EBay the global cache and all your IR controlled entertainment devices.
2. Set up the PC as a dedicated media PC with a TV card.
3. Use the PPC as a dedicated remote with two-way wi-fi comms.

This approach still has its disadvantages, but if your priority is an integrated, automated system with a decent user interface it has a lot going for it. Automating using IR will always be a bodge because there is no feedback and manufacturers make gratuitous use of modal and toggling controls which are impossible to automate satisfactorily.

Mind you, either way you are signed up for a steep learning curve and a lot of work!

[Jlee]

I disagree with John except for the comment that his suggestion is a bit radical (I agree with that bit).

I think we need a lot more information before the members here can advise you properly. Getting rid of all your IR controlled devices in favour of a PC-only solution is too radical for words. Tell us a bit more about what equipment you have, where it is located, what you want to do with it and if you have any plans for future expansion.

[mikeythemikey]

Thanks for the replies though guys, appreciated.

At first i didnt want to go the pc route, so I opted for the GC, but now I am thinking of going with the pc for everything.

I have a panasonic plasma, and behind that is a cupboard accessed from the kitchen which contains all my gear.

I have a wintv pvr pci card with svideo connection and I was thinking of plugging in the telewest digital cable box via this route.

I want the pc to handle dvds, tv, and music.

My pc is new, i built it this week, pretty high spec with an imon for remote power up. It is running xp.

I have paid for the following software:

Netremote
Girder
Zoom Player WMV Pro
Nvidia codecs
DVD Profiler premium

I also have a dell x50 on its way to use as a control.

Thats about it..

[Promixis]

Sounds like a great setup.

I would start with getting the NR <-> ZP working and the NR <-> Girder bridge.

[avid]

Yep, It's a great looking setup - lots of potential here.

You might want to pinch a few bits from my site (see sig) as I have something similar. I have deliberately tried to keep the PPC graphics very simple, but usability high.

Pity you didn't go for the DigiTV card. Then you could have pinched the on-PPC EPG as well.

Brian

[JohnHind]

Yes, I guess if you have satillite or cable you've little choice but to try to automate the set-top-box via IR. I use digital terrestrial via the excellent DigiTV card - their software just keeps getting better! Still waiting for dual card support though to allow simultaneous recording and viewing. The only piece of dedicated kit I have is an old VCR and I am
not sure if the IR automation on that still works it's so long since I used it. I had to fit a computer controlled power relay to set it back to a known state because of the accursed modal IR codes. It's still a pretty crappy solution because there is no feedback on tape position.

I use Gypsy Media's excellent DigiGuide EPG in preference to the broadcast one via DigiTV. It has nice hooks for automation and is a good solution for controlling external box channel changes.

Personally I think the traditional entertainment electronics industry is about to be hammered by media PC's and they richly deserve it for not agreeing an open two-way control architecture long ago.

[Jlee]

The media PC has a long way to go though. When did you last hear of your traditional household DVD player or VCR crashing and needing a reboot?

And if your are in the UK and want digital TV with Tivo there is nothing quite as simple, intuitive, powerful and feature-packed as Sky Plus. I think it's awesome and wouldn't trade it for anything. Congrats have to go to Sky for providing something that is potentially so very complex yet what they came up with has a very high WAF. And anyone on this forum who say's it's too expensive please also state how much money you chuck into your PC set ups!

[mikeythemikey]

Thanks for the replies again.

I will work on the components mentioned above. Brian I hit your site earlier after reading about your zoomplayer controls, it prompted me to look at lua jukebox and buy dvd profiler and girder.

I love the thought of all the two ways comms to the pda remote.. its exciting but as posted above, the learning curve is high.. I had a play with fddshow too.. theres too much for my brain, but as i got made redundant today i have some spare time for the first time in years to play :)

[avid]

Good luck with it.

The learning curve *is* high - but the results are worthwhile. It is definitely going to get easier in the future with the new NR designer tool and Girder 4. But I guess that won't be soon enough to save you.

Brian