Bedroom HTPC build

[rallynavvie]

I am putting together a small, quiet HTPC out of an old laptop (Dell Inspiron 6000) and a 22" widescreen monitor a friend gave me. However I'm looking for more than just an HTPC out of it, I want it to be an alarm clock/information panel of sorts and wondered if anyone here has any suggestions for applications.

First of all its functionality as an HTPC should be akin to a Media Center Extender since I have tuners and recorded content on my main Media Center PC. I've never run two Media Center boxes so is it possible for a second to interface with the tuners on the main workstation to essentially stream that "live" TV? I'd like it to be able to send commands to the main workstation so it shares its recorded TV schedule and can tell it to add/remove programs from that queue just as if I were using the main workstation.

Second, and this is why I left this post out of the HTPC forum, is I would like for this laptop to stay in standby and be able to wake up on certain events. For instance when I normally wake up in the morning it would be fantastic if I could schedule the laptop to come out of standby while I'm in the shower and bring up traffic, news, weather. This could be in the form of multiple internet sites opened up in a specific array of windows or it could be their own applications. The idea would be to give me an overview of these things as I'm getting dressed, then turn itself back into standby for the day when I leave (just at a set time).

Sometime later I'll get it to integrate with my security DVRs and some other things but the above two are my primary goals with this little build. A few things to note: the laptop monitor works fine but I'll likely disable it unless I can find some other use for the second display; the laptop has Bluetooth so it can also interface with my Windows Mobile phone; if I don't use the laptop monitor I may just tuck it behind the dresser on a ledge and run a keyboard mouse to the dresser with the monitor for the few times I would need to interface with the system; I'm not opposed to running another OS like Ubuntu with XBMC, MythTV, or even Windows 7 since this machine should be able to handle it.

[redwudz]

I've done a bit of what you are asking about. I have a bedroom HTPC with a older video projector. It's a Mini-ITX box and I use a wireless KB with a joystick for a mouse. I use this KB: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16823110016 It's not available through NewEgg anymore. It only has about a 4 ft. range. I also have a larger wireless KB that I really like. http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16823110001 (Also deactivated through NewEgg.) I do use a separate wireless mouse with it. The joysticks are a PITA.

The HTPC is connected over a wired gigabit LAN adapter to my other computers. I use a HDHomeRun LAN tuner for OTA HDTV, so any computer on the system can tune in. http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16815327005&Tpk=hdhomerun The downside is that it only does HDTV, no SD. But it will work with Windows Media Center or other similar programs.

I also use UltraVNC. http://www.uvnc.com/ With it I can control the other computers remotely and not have to go to them to make changes. I have the drives shared from my video servers, so I can access them from the bedroom HTPC for watching stored videos.

And I use WOL-Magic Packet Sender: http://magicpacket.free.fr/ With it I can turn on most any of my LAN PCs remotely, so the servers don't need to run all the time. I have a couple of computers that WOL doesn't work on, but that's just a setting or LAN adapter problem. It is a lot easier than going into the room where the servers are and turning them on each time I want to use them.

I think most of those other functions you want are out there. Other members may have some ideas.

[Webster]

I've done a bit of what you are asking about. I have a bedroom HTPC with a older video projector. It's a Mini-ITX box and I use a wireless KB with a joystick for a mouse. I use this KB: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16823110016 It's not available through NewEgg anymore. It only has about a 4 ft. range. I also have a larger wireless KB that I really like. http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16823110001 (Also deactivated through NewEgg.) I do use a separate wireless mouse with it. The joysticks are a PITA.

This keyboard is what I use for my HTPC. It have a much longer range and include a mouse touch pad.
http://www.amazon.com/Playstation-3-Cordless-MediaBoard-Keyboard/dp/B000MFLBBK/ref=sr_...492603&sr=8-34


Laptop cooling is not as good as that of a desktop/tower systems. Therefore it may not be the best choice to use for an HTPC. Especially if it is to be on 24/7.

[redwudz]

I wanted a very small KB, so that's why I tried the first one. But the very limited range is a problem. The other full size one has worked very well. I use it all the time for my shared living room HTPC and my Intel encoder PC. I have a D-link USB KVM to switch between the two with a click of the keyboard . The handles at the sides make it easy to pick up and use. But it's about twice the size of the small one. I like Logitech products, I have a couple of their mouses. For a HTPC something simpler may be a better choice. A keyboard is a bit more complicated to use.

MS was going in the right direction with a standalone remote to control a HTPC, but I don't much like Media Center. A remote with a well designed key layout might be a better solution for a HTPC than a traditional keyboard...

[lacywest]

B4 the June DTV turnoff / turnoff happens ... I plan to put a PC in my bedroom again.

I already did this awhile back last year. But I didn't have a DTV tuner card installed. This time I will.

But what I wanted to say is ... I used the Logitech Wireless Keyboard and Mouse that Walmart sells and also includes wired PC speakers ... price was 40 bucks. The speakers are not really of alot of use but I gave one pair away and use the other set for sound for PCs I build. I've bought 3 sets in the past.

I used the wireless Keyboard and Mouse by stretching a 14 foot USB 2.0 cable under the rug between my bed and dresser.

The USB cable was connected to a 7 Port Dynex USB 2.0 adapter and that is where I had the Keyboard and Mouse connected.

So the wireless transmitter was right under my bed ... I had NO Problems using the keyboard and mouse.

The Logitech model has most likely changed but here is a link to what seems to be similar to the one I had.

http://www.walmart.com/catalog/product.do?product_id=10779419

[lacywest]

I have a question ... when TV stations go Digital and Analog gets turned off ... Any chance that Microsoft will send out a update for their Media Center Edition 2005.

The update would be great if it stopped having to have a analog tuner in the mix ... I do get by with my ATI HDTV Wonder Card ... I use the MCEE setup hack to get it to work without having to have a analog tuner.

[rallynavvie]

Laptop cooling shouldn't be an issue since the thing won't be running anything difficult, pretty much just Media Center and a browser. I may even downclock the CPU if I'm able to.

The problem I ran into was when loading Windows 7 that the audio driver is unsupported. I still have XP MCE and a copy of Vista Ultimate x86 but I was hoping to use this as my Win7 trial. I'll have to get a USB audio card for it instead.

Funny thing is I bought this "crappy" laptop for $60 from a friend and it turns out it has a 1920x1200 (though only 15") display and also has Bluetooth. The only thing wrong with it is the hinge is broken and doesn't like to close evenly but since it's going to be open all the time it's not an issue.

Unfortunately until I get the audio card I can't use Media Center since it complains about not having an audio device when I try to play things. I wanted to check my network latency but it'll have to wait.