New MCE System ? Best way to get to TVs

[Clever1]

I just bought a new MCE PC and am looking for ideas on how to get the DVR & TV feeds to all of my TVs and still be able to control MCE. Or for right now best way to get it to one TV romm the PC room to the Livingroom...

[pp]

I use wholehouse audio video systems to distribute MCE as a source. You could also send the audio to an existing home audio source and modulate your video to your home through your existing cable lines.<<Later doesnt have as good quality but works.

Also I use this package I put together to control it thru Main Lobby. The package has a hack to control Media Center thru IR using girder(which I am not sure is needed if you use the Now available HS Plugin for MCE) MLS pages for Main Lobby.

Here is a Main Lobby link if anyone is interested..
http://www.caseserve.com/cinemar/php...pic.php?t=3008

[DanWheeler]

Congrats on the purchase of the MCE. You will come to love it even if it has some quirks. I have the MCE in my office and ran s-video and speaker wire under the house. Makes for a nice clean look:



The receiver is also in the office. I ran 3 pieces of coax to the TV so I can go component video when/if I get a real TV.

I just extended the KVM (keyboard video mouse) from the MCE in my office into my bedroom and added a Sony 5.1 surround sound receiver in the bedroom. I actually split the SPDIF out from my soundblaster. one of the splits goes to my receiver which powers the speakers above, the other split goes across a 50' RCA cable to my bedroom into the Sony receiver. So much for needing special cables for digital coax.

For remote control I use InfraRed extenders. There are many brands and types of these. You can get a set for $40. The IR receiver takes infrared signals, converts them to radio (RF) and sends them to an IR emitter near your receiver and MCE.

http://www.smarthomeusa.com/Shop/Mul...ed/Item/PEX01/

There are some whole house, wired IR systems available but they are way more expensive. I may end up biting the bullet.

[DanWheeler]

KVM extenders:
http://www.kvm-switches-online.com/kvm-extenders.html

surprisingly, the extended VGA looks just fine on my 17" NEC CRT monitor which is at the foot of my bed. You can definitely navigate the MCE menus if you want to throw on some music while in bed. TV and Movies are watchable too.

[Phill]

Have you had a look at the MCE Extender. It's a hardware box that sits away from the MCE, connected via cat5 (or 802.x), and gives most of the Media Center experience via the Microsoft remote control.

Take a look at Paul Thurrott's site for detailed review:-

http://www.winsupersite.com

He also reviews the MCE extender for Xbox.....

For a good forum regarding MCE try

http://www.xpmce.com

Phill