WholeHome

As you know, we decided to go open source on the firmware – and that is huge for the remotes as this is the only remote on the market with both full IR local (yawn) and TWO-WAY RF capabilites. The BOCS unit itself is a very capable basestation that has routable IR outputs and is all controlled by the 900MHz BOCS remote (repeaters also available) …

So – a customer has already taken us up on this and added full macro capabilites (yeah – just like a Harmony remote) – so now you can program sequences and even completely reprogram the function of the BOCS buttons. More info can be found on the AVSforum thread HERE.

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=1218246

Programming is very simple – you know you need a new weekend project!

Received new hard drive and memory – as you may have read in my previous post, the PC I chose to use already had a bunch of video cards, a full suite of video playback tools, and a PVR program already installed – along with a sophisticated remote control system. Long story short, that gave me a head-start and also highly complicated things so I decided to start from scratch. More specifically, I want to start from something closer to what you might find stashed in your closet rather than a tricked out video PC…

So, since we are going to work through a variety of operating systems and PVR programs together, I partitioned the new disk into 3  50GB partitions (for various operating systems), and one bog one to store media that they will all share. I downloaded all the drivers for my system from the ASUS website, and proceeded to install WinXP Media Center Edition on the first partition. The beauty here is that Media Center is basically just an application that runs on top of Windows, so to test other PVR programs, we can simply not start that application up. Note that getting a copy of media center is not simple as it is typically only installed as an OEM version by PC companies. So you either need to have a connection or order it online. Good news is that almost every version of Windows 7 comes with media center, but since that old PC in your closet probably has XP on it, we will start there.

A few general rules and things to consider for a media center (or PVR) PC

• You will be dedicating it for entertainment applications so strip it down
• Remove all software that is not critical to entertainment applications – both to save hard drive space and cycles
• Use msconfig (from the run menu) and disable everything that starts that is not critical – get rid of desktop and launch icons
• Consider a low overhead antivirus like AVG
• Make sure you have a good codec pack in place – Google XP essential codec for some good packages
• On top of that make sure you have xvid codecs installed
• Is your hardware adequate? 1GHz per encode or decode stream (less if you use a hardware encode option), an 1GB total memory is recommended
• Is it quiet enough? Fans and hard drives tend to be the loudest things – consider a quieter fan and/or hard drive
• Does it have bright blinky lights on the front that will be distracting when watching a movie?

So – there is an order to things:

1. Double Check BIOS settings to make sure nothing is set up for the PC’s “old life” – CD first boot, HDD Second, on board video activated, not overclocked etc.
2. Is your OS OK? If so, strip it down, if not install the new one now. Consider at least 100-150GB for the primary partition where the media center and or PVR resides for TV recording – some of them prefer to store recordings only on the same drive where the PVR program is running
3. If your on-board video card does not support the outputs you need, consider installing a second one now – make sure that is all up and running before proceeding
4. Install tuner cards and verify they work using the software that came with them
5. Install your PVR program of choice and get it functional – EPG is usually the hardest part, but make sure network connections, radio, proper recording all function
6. Verify video quality of live tv and recordings – different codecs have different performance with various tuner/video card combinations
7. Get Sound working – depending on your setup, spdif/optical is usually the best choice, but if you intend to use the computer for gaming as well, you might need analog 6 channel outputs to your amp (depending on your audio card and drivers and whether they translate everything to spdif or not)
8. Setup the second drive partition as a shared resource and consider installing other Network Attached Storage if your library grows.
9. Install whole-home distribution system like BOCS so every TV in the home can access your new creation

Yes – I’m working on covering all of this in detail in the Build-Your-Own-DVR writeup -

More to Come

I hope to publish the first section of PC-DVR overview this week, but I’m including a bit of a “day-by-day” journal as I think some of the things I run into will benefit others.

I started with an “old PC” I had in my garage – an AMD Athlon 2.2GHz with a NMT… Motherboard in a very nice “square” case that looks like it belongs under a TV. Strangely enough, this one had 3 video cards and 3 audio cards in it (long story but it was an initial demo unit for BOCS) running Windows XP.

First issue I ran into upon booting it up was that only one video card seemed to put anything out and it was not the primary so I could see a cool windows background but didnt have a taskbar, start menu, and when I right clicked and chose properties to bring up the video settings box, it seemed to appear on another display – stalemate – can’t see anything…  I rebooted into bios and noticed the onboard video was disabled – I enabled it and rebooted and then could at least see the primary monitor through the onboard VGA.  IF that hadn’t worked, the right answer would have been to remove all but one video card and start there.

OK – so now everything is working – I left 2 video cards (one onboard and one PCI-E) and 2 audio cards (one onboard and one PCI)… and added the Hauppauge tuner (PVR-350). Interestingly, the PC would not POST – It took three consecutive complete power removals for 30 seconds and then it posted fine.

Installed Hauppauge and GBPVR software and was immediately able to play movies (keyboard control)…

Oh, and don’t repeatedly stick your fingers in an 80mm fan – they have lots of momentum an dcan really slice.

DF

First, lets lay out the goal – Assuming you already have a PC of at least reasonable capability, what is the most cost effective way to convert it into a DVR? Not only is it a great project, you can ditch your cable company DVR or Tivo and save all those monthly fees. Recording shows should not cost you. While you are at it, creating a device that will play all your media files, display your pictures, and stream internet content is a huge bonus.

Good and lofty goals, but easily attainable. To start, though, we need to define some things and explain the different tuners and equipment out there. You will have to decide up front exactly what you want to record, how many independent outputs your system needs, and how you are going to serve it up to the entire home. Luckily, we have a BOCS system at our fingertips to distribute the signals home-wide and allow you to control your new creation even from across the home.

I’m doing a full writeup (with pictures and videos) but here, I’ll give a blow by blow as to the progress of the build and hopefully give some insight into typical problems encountered. So – this is the “diary of the build” – and the writeup will be published seperately – make sense?

DF

EDIT_ good news, the project has started – I’ve got a good portion of the equipment up and running and expect to publish the first section this week!!!

Its been quite an adventure so far, and now that we are up to about 100 pages, it is quite a document. I just finished and published the final core chapter on whole-home-video distribution. If you havn’t yet received a copy, feel free to grab one online at www.bocsco.com/prewire. Leterally hundreds of people have read and provided great suggestions and their own personal stories to go along with the text.

I’m going to take a slight diversion for a bit and do another series focused on building your own DVR – there are some great guides on the internet but I’ve not seen anything that covers the absolute basics for the beginner or shows you how to configure multiple outputs from a single PC.  I’ll do a formal writeup but also do a daily blog update on the progress.

Its going to get bust around here.

Thanks to all who have been providing such kind and generous comments regarding the eBook I’m writing. It is very fulfilling to know that in some small way we are helping people.

That said, I’ve basically just realized that although there is a lot of good information and some great pictures in the book, it is getting to be a pretty hefty read. I’ve begun to put in more bulleted summary lists and keep extraneous words to a minimum, its long enough now that it is a full evening of dedicated study.

So, I’ve decided to attempt to put as much of the basic information as possible into a single color coded spreadsheet – the goal of which is to be printable on a single page. The concept being that you should be able to get the basic “what belongs where” info in a single glance and then refer to the full text for details, tips, and installation tricks.  So watch for drafts of that document to come out shortly.

Also, I’m still looking for guest authors on the following topics:

1) Calculating, sizing, and constructing in wall and in ceiling boxes for speakers

2) Home Automation and control (focus on pre-wiring, but a brief explanation of system types – see the whole-home audio chapter)

3) Lighting control and automation.

Let me know if any of you are interested.

David

I just go through creating two new installation documents – both are available for free download (links below)

The first goes through the considerations and installation details for those of you who would like to install TWO BOCS units in your home – Why you say? Becasue each BOCS supports 3 inputs so a second BOCS gives you a total of 6 inputs that are available homewide.

The satellite document covers the details of the various install methods in a satellite enviornment – and specifically, if you are considering putting in a DirecTV system the set of things you need to prearrange with your installer and the type of system you need to make both systems work together.

As always, feel free to ask any questions.

Install a second BOCS instructions HERE

Install in a satellite environment HERE

David Feller

My last blog post received so much feedback and requests for more information, I was able to get my company as well as our North American Distributor to sponsor a full eBook on the subject.

Frankly, questions about what wires to put in walls before your home goes up are the most common inquiry we get at home shows, and other public forums. It is a universal desire to at least be prepared for the future.

I’ve published the first 4 chapters and you are welcome to get a copy by going to www.bocsco.com/prewire

I’m also looking for help – I’ve already got folks from AVSforum and cocoontech contributing, but I’m looking for the following:

• Pictures of your home installation – pre-wire, lighting systems, audio systems, home automation systems etc. Credits given on pics.
• Someone to write a chapter on home automation
• Someone to write a chapter on whole-home lighting systems
• Someone to write a chapter on home theater control systems

The table of contents (subject to change as we get going) is as follows:

• Seriously, Why bother?
• Can I actually get away with this?
  • Some tips to keep in mind as you arrange your project:
  • So, what can go wrong?
• The Absolute Minimum – and Why…
  • Bottom line – the list first:
  • Where to get supplies:
  • Details Outside-In:
    • 4RG6 for Satellite 9 2RG6, 1Cat5e to the Cable TV Demarc point
    • 2 Cat5e to the phone demarc point 10 Details Inside the Home:
    • 2-RG6, 3-Cat5e: From the media cabinet to each room
    • Dedicated line to Cable Modem:
    • 2 RG6: 11 3 Cat5e:
    • Surround Sound
    • Good general rules for speaker locations:
    • Doorbell and Basic Security System Planning:
    • The Official Standard TIA-570
    • Wire Types, Uses and Substitutions:
• Future Proofing Coming Soon
• The Actual Installation Coming Soon
• Overall Considerations Coming Soon
• Coordinate with your Electrician: Coming Soon
• Home Systems to Consider Coming Soon
• Things to avoid Coming Soon
• Home Distribution Systems Coming Soon
• Home Automation Systems Coming Soon
• Home Security Systems Coming Soon
• Problems you will encounter Coming Soon
• I forgot a wire – Retrofitting Coming Soon
• A Room by Room checklist Coming Soon

I look forward to any inputs yall can provide – this will end up being a great resource for the technical community.

DF

One of the most frequently asked questions is “What wires should I install in the new home I’m building?”

Keep in mind that most builders are pretty touchy about you meddling in their project. In fact, I spent two full days pulling extra wires all over my own home right after it was framed, only to come back the next day to see all my extra wires pulled out and neatly coiled on the living room floor. So a couple of suggestions: don’t try to sneak it, buy your builder a case of beer, tell him exactly what you are going to do, and make sure you get his blessing. If you are building a two story home with a basement, make absolutely sure that there is a chase of some kind from the attic to the basement or install a good sized 2 or 3″ conduit or you will be sorry later. And finally, if you are working with the builder, make sure you strap all your new wires properly – according to local code. It has to look like it was professionally done or the inspectors might cause the builder trouble and make that case of beer less valuable.

Absolute Minimum:

As for wiring, if you are going for absolute minimum, my recommendation is (2) RG6-quad shield coax, (1) Cat5e for phone, (2) Cat5e or 6 for Ethernet and a spare for video, and (2) 16GA lamp cord for in-room speakers. Everything but the speaker wire should go to a single “mudring” (orange box frame for low voltage wiring). The Speaker wire should go to a “switch height” box near the room entry and then continue to optimal in-ceiling speaker locations so you can later put in volume controls. And don’t forget pre-wiring your living room and/or home theater location for surround sound. 2 rear, 2 side, 2 front, center, and sub locations – for the sub, I would double wire with speaker wire (same 18GA lamp cord) plus an RG6 coax in case the output you choose is RCA.

One extra upgrade:

Consider running one more cat5 to the location where you put the speaker control in each room – this will allow for future upgrade to a keypad that allows you to choose sources for the room.

So – where should all those wires go?

Telephone (one cat 5), TV (Coax), and Ethernet (Another Cat5) should all go to a single wiring panel – usually centrally located to minimize run lengths – closet, basement or preferably somewhere with attic, ceiling, chase access so you can run more wires later if needed. On-Q/Legrand and Leviton both make very nice cabinets that fit between studs and have nice snap-in modules like telephone punch blocks, cable splitters, and even ethernet switches.

My setup is not as well dressed as it should be, but I have everything in one place –

Audio may or may not go to the same location. If you invest in a switch that lets you put all your sources down in the basement and control everything from keypads in each room, you can run all those wires to another panel right next to the phone/ethernet/cable one. In my home, I ran all my speaker wires to my second story loft, where I have a Mac-mini running into a stereo amp (cheapest possible stereo audio receiver I could find at Best Buy), that feeds a multiroom switch. In all cases, I recommend putting in a switch so that the system is balanced, and if you choose to turn off a room, it does not change the volume in the rest of the rooms.

For the more advanced users – futureproofing…

A much more comprehensive guide, including hookup details, wiring for other major systems, proper wire dressing etc, there is an exceptional guide (broken up into three parts) from Cocoontech.com that I’ve save HERE for your convenience. It is a big read, but worth it if you are starting a new project.

And for your convenience, I put together a simple reference table – There are about 100 other services you could plan for, but if you take these into account you are easily 90% covered.

And what post would be complete without a plug for BOCS – home video distribution has never been easier than with our all-in-one system that any homeowner can tackle. www.bocsco.com

Howdy all,

Just a quick note to let everyone know we are out in force at the Houston Home and Garden show this weekend (Sept 18-20th) Booth #454.

I’m on the show floor now, and while it is a smaller show, there are some quality vendors here and well worth spending a few hours.

Free tickets are available on the show’s website if you print a coupon in advance!!

Stop by – I’m teaching a seminar on Whole-Home entertainment – I’ll be going through switched component video distribution as well as our system and even HD modulation over coax with honorable mentions to Zeevee and AVAtrix. That will be Saturday the 19th at 2pm at the Relaint Center. Everyone who stays awake through the whole thing and then stops by the booth to buy a system will get an extra free remote.

David