Home Automation/Entertainment Server
I have this grand idea that I want to build a super home controller server. It's gonna need a ton of hard disk space, I'm thinking like 2-3Tb, kinda brings a SAN into play here I'm not really thinking about cost at this point, just what would be cool...So then we need an HD source, this is where I run into problems today, there aren't any CableCard compatable PC encoders out (yet) then there's the whole problem of the current generation of CableCard not supporting multiple streams, so I'm stuck there for now too. I really think 2 tuners is enough for the crap that's on TV today, I have a Comcast DVR now that does 2 streams and I dont' think I've run into any issues yet...
Then there's the other PC goodies to think about, with all the HD video flying around I'm guessing a nice dual, dual core AMD (were're getting hot now, but I'll talk about that later) probably 4GB of RAM. Not sure about the video card but something decent.
Now I get into the ticky part, this thing is gonna put out some heat and noise so I really don't want it in my theater or anywhere else where I'm watching TV, so here's where the repeaters would have to come into play, I know that Microsoft has the repeating functionality in the Xbox 360 but I'd like to see a nice component rack sized home media repeater that does everything... Pretty much just a remote client for the PC, that way with all the hard drive space I can just rip my DVD collection to HD, I have all my music, podcasts, pictures, movies and just about anythind else I can do on the PC on my 100" projector screen...
I'm figuring gigabit ethernet to the remote locations, notice I say locations, the vision would be to have every tv in the house jacked into this server, that way you consolidate on cable inputs into the house, plus who knows, you might want to watch Clerks in the kitchen someday when you're making pot roast.
But why stop there?!? Next I would switch out all the electrical jacks in my house to X10 addressable ones, all the light switches would traded for X10 dimmers, then you could really have some fun with custom lighting. Next is the heating, that should be controlled via this server too. Then probably security and monitoring, why not have X10 cameras that can be viewed in any room via this server too.
Now if I could just find that extra 100k I left in my other pants... DAMN
posted by Unknown @ 9:46 AM
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