CodeStore.net comments on "Our Modernised Home Cinema" Replies to blog "Our Modernised Home Cinema" on codestore.net. http://www.codestore.net/ Fri, 30 Sep 2011 04:36:54 -0500 Reply from Ben Poole Fri, 30 Sep 2011 04:36:54 -0500 Ben Poole Good set-up. We did something similar a couple of years ago, upgrading from a humungous (and bloody heavy) Sony CRT to a Panasonic flat-screen. For films etc. I currently use a Popcorn Hour networked media tank wired up to my network and the ReadyNAS, but it's really showing its age.

There still isn't a truly compelling network media device out there that I can see. The best solution seems to be to get a Mac mini or a small form-factor PC and hook that up instead.

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]]> http://www.codestore.net/store.nsf/unid/BLOG-20110929-0403?OpenDocument#DOC_D0C8B1B6 Reply from Jake Howlett Fri, 30 Sep 2011 02:43:31 -0500 Jake Howlett Spot on. Respect due. Unless you just read the first comment above '-)

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]]> http://www.codestore.net/store.nsf/unid/BLOG-20110929-0403?OpenDocument#DOC_97F5070B Reply from Colm Thu, 29 Sep 2011 22:30:10 -0500 Colm Ice Age (2 I think)

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]]> http://www.codestore.net/store.nsf/unid/BLOG-20110929-0403?OpenDocument#DOC_9FB02670 Reply from Jerry Carter Thu, 29 Sep 2011 11:28:23 -0500 Jerry Carter there are some really good formulas for DIY movie screen paint these days... some include a bit of the reflective paint used for roadway signage. A buddy of mine did his that way and people accused him of photoshopping images of the results as the projected image was so high contrast and bright.

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]]> http://www.codestore.net/store.nsf/unid/BLOG-20110929-0403?OpenDocument&r=72481F5B6CE35DD38625791A005A7D3D#DOC_72481F5B Reply from Michael Thu, 29 Sep 2011 09:29:09 -0500 Michael Two words Jake. Harmony One. Makes everything simple. My Mom's husband who can't use his cell phone to make calls uses their system which has multiple components easily with the Harmony One. No calls to me about the TV not working again. It's a beautiful thing!

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]]> http://www.codestore.net/store.nsf/unid/BLOG-20110929-0403?OpenDocument#DOC_E06C299B Reply from Andrew Magerman Thu, 29 Sep 2011 06:40:39 -0500 Andrew Magerman I have a projector as well - also a panasonic - and project straight onto a well-painted wall. Purists might argue that one needs a dedicated screen, but the current system is unobtrusive as well

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]]> http://www.codestore.net/store.nsf/unid/BLOG-20110929-0403?OpenDocument#DOC_489287EC Reply from Xander Thu, 29 Sep 2011 06:17:30 -0500 Xander The only problem with replacing all your media devices with a PC is that it needs to live next to your TV and you can only access the files on it from that TV.

I put a small form factor server (mediasmart server from HP) in a cupboard so no one ever sees it and wired cat 6 to every public/bedroom. Now any family members can view or listen to any movies/music/radio stations they wish from any public room in the house.

Best of all, you would never know my house has any modern tech in it because it's hidden away.

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]]> http://www.codestore.net/store.nsf/unid/BLOG-20110929-0403?OpenDocument#DOC_AFC871DA Reply from Palmi Thu, 29 Sep 2011 05:38:57 -0500 Palmi Jake - are you using Appletv2 with XBMC ?

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]]> http://www.codestore.net/store.nsf/unid/BLOG-20110929-0403?OpenDocument#DOC_7B9F4693 Reply from ursus Thu, 29 Sep 2011 04:59:40 -0500 ursus >> Any bigger and the TV starts to own the room

We had the same problem, what I did was get a projector (Panasonic PT-AE3000 about 2 years ago) and haven't looked back. The projector is in a corner behind a plant and therefore barely visible although I have a 3m diagonal screen :o)

I would replace the AppleTV with plex - I have a Mac mini and it works perfectly (as plex is based on XBMC it can read any format I can throw at it) - download from www.plexapp.com

I had the same problem with the remotes and bought the cheapest Logitech Harmony that I could find - I don't really like the remote (way to many buttons) but once setup it does its job quite well - and you can program macros eg. start receiver, start beamer, switch to Mac mini and start plex....

All in all I am very happy with this setup.

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]]> http://www.codestore.net/store.nsf/unid/BLOG-20110929-0403?OpenDocument#DOC_FDBFE67A Reply from Mark Thu, 29 Sep 2011 04:54:35 -0500 Mark You might want to consider buying a universal remote control. I have a Logitech Harmony 555 since a couple of years now and am extremely satisfied with it. It's the only remote I need to control my TV, HD PVR, DVD, PS3 and AV Receiver.

It comes with software that allows you to specify which devices you own and lets you create "activities" for those devices (e.g. "watching tv"). By starting an activity it turns on everything you need and sets it to the proper input.

Mark

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]]> http://www.codestore.net/store.nsf/unid/BLOG-20110929-0403?OpenDocument#DOC_307CB4EF Reply from Jake Howlett Thu, 29 Sep 2011 04:27:07 -0500 Jake Howlett Yep. Impressed you got that it was part two too!

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]]> http://www.codestore.net/store.nsf/unid/BLOG-20110929-0403?OpenDocument#DOC_C0FD25D9 Reply from Paul Thu, 29 Sep 2011 04:24:49 -0500 Paul Ice Age 2 ?

LED tvs seem to beat the socks of any LCD, are there any downsides?

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