[Bi_Polar]

Hello all,


I initially got interested in purchasing a video matrix switch in order to replicate my Media Center PC's A/V signal to at least 2 different TV's. I currently have 2 HTPC's and it, simply put, is an inelegant design. I would much rather have one powerful computer in a location where noise is not an issue and I can throw alot of higher end components at it.


With this said, I began to think how nice it would be to have my Xbox 360 available on more than just the single TV it currently is connected to. And hey - the BluRay player as well! And frankly, why not have a single dual tuner DVR connected here and then I can stop paying monthly fee's for 2 or 3 of them?


My search of how to do all of this took me to a video matrix switch. It seems that is what I need. It's just a question of how many inputs and outputs I would need correct? If this is incorrect thinking, stop me here and any point in the right direction would be appreciated, otherwise...


The part that I am having difficulty wrapping my head around is this:


With regard to the PC, XBOX, BluRay, and DVR you clearly want/need to control these devices from where the TV is, not where the unit resides. In my setup, these devices will be a solid 30 feet or more away from any given TV.

1. So how do I get a Keyboard/Mouse to work with the PC from that far? Are there RF based solutions?

2. I have some ideas about the remote control (RF) but any advice for this type of setup would be appreciated.

3. The hardest thing to understand is how would the XBOX controllers work from that far away?

4. Finally, do you need to change the inputs of the matrix switch with a remote control going from one source to another, and if so, I take it you would need some sort of RF based solution?


Thanks in advance all this site is the best!


Scott

 

[jonathanrn]

I'm going through the same process right now.. I know I need a matrix HDMI switch but I'm trying to figure out a way to get away with a 4x4 so I don't need to spend $2,000+ on a 4x8 or 8x8. If you are going to have a higher-end HTPC in your house and distribute the video, I REALLY suggest you look into Windows 7 Media Center instead of keeping those cable boxes. You can dump all the cable boxes (~$15/mo each) and get a CableCARD tuner as your DVR. March 31st, Ceton Corp. is releasing a CableCARD tuner (low-profile.. internal.. PCI express x1) that you put one CableCARD (first one is free) in and you get four HD streams to play with. You can use the HTPC as your main output and use the Xbox 360 as an extender. The tuners pool between the machine and the extender so you can watch a different channel at four different TVs throughout the house. There is a shared guide, shared storage area.. it's great!


Other than that suggestion, I'm in the same boat as you! I'd love to hear what you end up with!

 

[David Feller]



Quote:
Originally Posted by Bi_Polar /forum/post/18109126


Hello all,

1. So how do I get a Keyboard/Mouse to work with the PC from that far? Are there RF based solutions?

2. I have some ideas about the remote control (RF) but any advice for this type of setup would be appreciated.

3. The hardest thing to understand is how would the XBOX controllers work from that far away?

4. Finally, do you need to change the inputs of the matrix switch with a remote control going from one source to another, and if so, I take it you would need some sort of RF based solution?


Thanks in advance all this site is the best!


Scott

RF Keyboards and mice (usually an integrated trackball) are common - 10Meters is the most common but some manufacturers offer 100 feet. Search eBay..


You will need a wireless remote with a basestation that translates back to IR - most of the major ones will do this for you - but many of the matrix switches have IR distribution built in. See the prewire link in my signature - there is a whole chapter on matrix switches and IR distribution.


For the rest - see the same link in my signature.


Good Luck - David

 

[David Feller]



Quote:
Originally Posted by jonathanrn /forum/post/18110125


I'm going through the same process right now.. I know I need a matrix HDMI switch but I'm trying to figure out a way to get away with a 4x4 so I don't need to spend $2,000+ on a 4x8 or 8x8. If you are going to have a higher-end HTPC in your house and distribute the video, I REALLY suggest you look into Windows 7 Media Center instead of keeping those cable boxes. You can dump all the cable boxes (~$15/mo each) and get a CableCARD tuner as your DVR. March 31st, Ceton Corp. is releasing a CableCARD tuner (low-profile.. internal.. PCI express x1) that you put one CableCARD (first one is free) in and you get four HD streams to play with. You can use the HTPC as your main output and use the Xbox 360 as an extender. The tuners pool between the machine and the extender so you can watch a different channel at four different TVs throughout the house. There is a shared guide, shared storage area.. it's great!


Other than that suggestion, I'm in the same boat as you! I'd love to hear what you end up with!

ATI makes an HD Cablecard tuner (internal and external models) now - they work well but are only dual channels (each cable card supports two streams) -


You can get much cheaper component matrix switches and just populate the baluns for the zones you need - a single Cat6 balun that supports component plus spdif can be had for $150 (ish) so you can get away half price in the short term and add baluns as you need them... Just a thought.


David

 

[Brentorious]

I'm using a Bluetooth keyboard from Logitech. It's very light and has a touch pad. Works great. It's called the Mediaboard Pro. It's actually made for the PS3, but it works well with my HTPC.

 

[Bi_Polar]



Quote:
Originally Posted by David Feller /forum/post/18115308


ATI makes an HD Cablecard tuner (internal and external models) now - they work well but are only dual channels (each cable card supports two streams) -


You can get much cheaper component matrix switches and just populate the baluns for the zones you need - a single Cat6 balun that supports component plus spdif can be had for $150 (ish) so you can get away half price in the short term and add baluns as you need them... Just a thought.


David

Hey David I am not able to download your DVR ebook from your link. I sign up and get taken to a page which says:

You are not allowed to signup people to your list yourself.

Please let your site visitors signup themself.


I'd love to take a look at what you currently have in it. Keep up the good work!

 

[David Feller]

Wow - that is creepy - the service I use (royalresponder.com) tracks IP addresses to keep the list maker from going in and signing people up. So it somehow thinks you are me - you don't happen to live in Longmont Colorado do you?


In any case I'll PM you a direct link to the book.


My apologies -


DF

 

[jonathanrn]

David- The ATI Digital Cable Tuners are, in fact, only a single-stream tuner. They can accept M-Cards from the cable company but they will only produce one measly stream. I actually had two of them up until a week ago when I sold them (for $200 each) in anticipation of the new tuners being released this year. How much do you think they'll be worth once you can get a single internal quad tuner for $400 or a dual tuner HDHomeRun with CableCARD for $250 (those are the prices they released at CES)?


I see what you mean about using a different balun system... my insistence on using HDMI is a real budget-inflator!!


Thank you for your eBook by the way! It explained quite a few things that I was wondering, but was having a really hard time finding the answers to!

 

[Brent A]



Quote:
Originally Posted by David Feller /forum/post/18119444


Wow - that is creepy - the service I use (royalresponder.com) tracks IP addresses to keep the list maker from going in and signing people up. So it somehow thinks you are me - you don't happen to live in Longmont Colorado do you?


In any case I'll PM you a direct link to the book.


My apologies -


DF

Hi David,


I am looking at putting in some switches for my setup and I think a matrix switch would be a better option but I would like to know more about matrix switchers.


I posted my proposed set up and questions a few days ago, but it appears I posted it in the wrong section.


Could I get you to PM that to me as well?


Thanks.

 

[David Feller]

I just sent a PM with the link...


Apparently the moderators here determined that my two books - Build your own DVR and Prewire your home were some kind of spam so they removed my signature with the links and put me on probation.


I'm not sure what to do as I can't find anyone to ask so I'll probably have to find another forum to post it all to. I'm at a bit of a loss.


David

 

[HTPC Newb]



Quote:
Originally Posted by David Feller /forum/post/18203911


I just sent a PM with the link...


Apparently the moderators here determined that my two books - Build your own DVR and Prewire your home were some kind of spam so they removed my signature with the links and put me on probation.


I'm not sure what to do as I can't find anyone to ask so I'll probably have to find another forum to post it all to. I'm at a bit of a loss.


David

David,


Sorry to hear about the mods removing your link! Just wanted to say thanks for doing the books they have helped me out a lot!


Brad

 

[thomasamiller]

How many hours have you spent setting up your HTPC? I imagine for the time you have spent on that you could have gotten a part time job and bought a $10k killer distribution system. I know I personally wasted hundreds of hours tinkering with HTPC and finally realized it was a never ending tinker fest and have thrown my HTPC away.... forever. It is far better to use dedicated components which can be easily controlled via infrared or rs232.



1. So how do I get a Keyboard/Mouse to work with the PC from that far? Are there RF based solutions?



If you get something to work, it will be very kludgey. There are good RF solutions. But you still need to deal with multiple people contending over the same mouse/keyboard.



2. I have some ideas about the remote control (RF) but any advice for this type of setup would be appreciated.


If you want a good multiroom matrixed system and not a kludge, look at URC, RTI, Crestron.


3. The hardest thing to understand is how would the XBOX controllers work from that far away?


RF. Or, you could keep your xbox in your main room and run component video cables and audio cables to the AV matrix switch.



4. Finally, do you need to change the inputs of the matrix switch with a remote control going from one source to another, and if so, I take it you would need some sort of RF based solution?


You change the inputs on the matrix by sending infrared (or rs232) commands to the switch. If you choose RTI/URC/Crestron you will buy a "controller" which is the brains of the whole operation. The controller will store the custom programming that controls the whole system. The controller has infrared emitters that will send signals to the switch telling it to switch inputs. Your wand remotes in each room will speak via RF or WiFi to the controller and send it the commands like "Play Bluray", "Play Xbox".