Media Center question

So I got tvs in multiple rooms that can be hooked up to pcs..and I was wondering if i could hook up multiple tvs to the same computer...but have it so when I browse through the media menu on one tv, it doesn't change on the other..basically so i can be watching a movie and someone else in another room could be playing music..or watching a diff movie etc..

Is that possible, or do I have to buy a sperate computer for each tv and copy the media files to each computer? I want to just have a closet where the computer is stored and everything controlled by remotes.

Any possible suggestions would be great. Money is not an issue.

thanks

AFAIK you cant do that. What you could do is have a server and multiple MCE boxes. You dont really need a fancy HTPC to run MCE. So get yourself a couple older boxes and a storage ridden server and hook them all up through a wireless network and stream all your files that way.

Its what I would do. Make sure you get yourself the Logitech Dinovo KB/Mouse/Keypad Desktop. A HTPC's best friend

How efficient is streaming wirelessly? How far can it reach, and is it good for video? For instance I have a few HDTV quality files that are large in file size. Will it stream at a smooth framerate from 200 feet? And will teh bluetooth frequencies interact w/ eachother? I'm assuming they won't but I don't want to be wrong lol

Also- Is there any type of kvm type deal available to hook in multiple monitors? In this situation I'm going to be buying low end machines to run MCE but I would also want all teh tvs hooked up to my main desktop where I can install programs and do work etc. Could I have the MCE server hooked upto all the tvs and have a desktop as well?

You could just use remote desktop connections to use your sever from any of the MCE boxes over the network. The only problem with that is you have to be physically at the terminal for reboots and such. But not a huge problem, because you would need to go to it anyway using a KVM.

As far as the Wireless network, you should be fine. They are getting allot faster every year. Plus they are getting cheaper. Should be good past 80Mbps.

You wont have any problems with the Bluetooth hubs casing any interence either. I have two full desktops running and they have never crossed over. You just have to make sure that you dont have devices that are "discoverable" from one desktop when doing the first connect on the other. They are allot easier to use than you would think. If you are planning on doing any gaming or precision mousing, look into getting one Dinovo Laser Desktop

Only one MCE system is need.

One MCE system can connect to many (5?) displays systems through extenders. When it comes to extenders, there are three options, a standalone device that can be purchased, an extender add-on to the original Xbox, or an Xbox 360 (which has it built in).

So you would have the PC connected to one display, and an extender connected to each additional diaplay.

Note that you are still limited by the number of tuners on the MCE PC. If there is only one tuner, for example, you can only record one show at a time, while you watch other shows that were already recorded (or watch one live while a stored movie is streamed to the second display). Likewise, if there are two tuners, you can only record two shows at a time.

So, the number of shows going into the system is limited to the number of tuners. The number of shows being displayed is equal to the number of displays (which is the directly connected display + the displayed connected to extenders)

One other note is that if you're streaming HDTV, you may run out of bandwidth on your network. Or if you try and hook up many displays and play back at once, experience may degrade if the system isn't up to it.