Recent content by 1audio

I have seen it work. The router functionality is still in it as well. I'm not sure I understand your remarks.

I have an external gateway/router/firewall connected to the cable modem so the firewall function is handled externally. And that was easy to set up (just disable the DHCP server in the gateway box). It also allows some IP addresses to be fixed and have access to the outside world whether the...

I have been using LinuxMCE for a year now. I agree that fighting the setup is a prescription for frustration. BUT if you follow the directions and use it the way its designed it works very well. If you try to force it to coexist with non-compatible stuff you are in for a world of frustration...

I'm using it now to watch some TV (Broadcast HDTV) and watching a movie on a second display. It all works. The first release was not ready (Even Microsoft has that problem) but the sexond one now called 0704 to match the Ubuntu that it runs on, is pretty stable. Installation takes around an hour...

Perhaps the real strength of LinuxMCE is that you can download it for free, install in about 1/2 hour on a dedicated box and pretty much it's all setup and waiting. They have scripts for configuring almost everything. Including MythTV to your tuner and local TV sources, your TV's to the system...

I have used the system. Its so major and comprehensive its very hard to describe. The gyro is just a piece of the package. The gyro integration is good and the focus is simple manipulation of large data selections. For example the 2 wk TV guide listing is 10,000 items. Paging through that with a...

I'm seeing a few isues with network reliability showing up and their impact seems to be significant. Our hypothetical Home Depot customer may be more sensitive to these issues, especially if he isn't interested or equipped to troubleshoot a system. Perhaps a non scientific "poll" asking for...

Let me touch on two things about a PC controller. First there has been a lot of push back over having a PC control ones house. ("My house crashed. I need to reboot to turn on the light.") Its not a positive with general consumers. This of course can be hid. But there still is a single point of...

TCassio: What you propose can be done now with Z Wave. Its a command based system with a wireless controller directing everything. Your paradigm is very different from the other proposed so far. Its very user interactive with a remote at hand. Its possible the two systems may share a common...

Upstatemike: I'm still researching Zigbee so I'm not sure,but its seems close. Its not immediately clear if ZigBee is peer to peer or controller based. http://www.zigbee.org/en/spec_download/download_request.asp I have seen some hits against its reliability and the complexity of the...

Thanks, this really helps. There is a tendency to let the technology define the product and application. But the world is full of technology in serch of a utility I can use this type of input to drive toward the products customers would want or need. Would the ability to make a scene or two be...

Smarthome John: I look at X-10 differently. its a remarkable testament to the skills of engineers of an earlier age making a durable system cheaply using simple parts. I would liken it to NTSC, also amazing in its ability to survive and work. However we are running into absolute limitations on...

Kwilcox: Thanks for your input. The setup requirements are very important in the retail market, those customers are not necessarily very interested in a software based setup program. This is one of the reasons we have been looking at many options. The Lonworks solution is attractive and can do...

This has all been very interesting. Its clear that there are strong opinions. To bring this around to some direction for me, what are the features of modules (switches etc.) that would make one more desirable than another? X-10 has simple switches for module ID. The newer stuff usually doesn't...

Actually the broadband over powerline stuff is pushing hard but up against some regulatory hurdles. It interferes with a lot of radio communications, and (surprise) the phone companies don't like it at all (theves don't like competition). California is rolling out remote monitored metering in...