Rob's HTPC Setup (CableCard, Touchscreen LCD, etc..) PICS!

It has arrived! I always wanted one of these


Niveus Rainier!!!!!!!!!!



This thing is slick, and is DEAD SILENT



Im still messing with it, I will post more details about it later :D
 
0_0 More inside shots please! I've always been curious about their Rainer systems. How do you like it so far? How did you get it?
 
0_0 More inside shots please! I've always been curious about their Rainer systems. How do you like it so far? How did you get it?

Ok soon.

How do I Like it so far? by far the best HTPC Ive owned. I really like Niveus is DVD Library software. I got mine from a local auction. Its still not configured 100% yet, I been busy with other projects...
 
Here is a screen shot of my most recent setup




A projector screen pulls down in front of the TV



I have a Fios HD CableBox, Playstation 3 and a Samsung AS720 HTIB currently hooked up. This is all temporary while I fix up my media center.
 
Well after seeing this article: http://www.cepro.com/slideshow/image/5292/

and this thread: http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=788074&highlight=show

I decided I wanted to centralize all my A/V Equipment. I will be using TWO 42U racks to rackmount my equipment. The racks are located in a spare bedroom in my house.





Equipment that will be racked.

HP CableCard HTPC
Niveus Rainier CableCard HTPC
Sony Playstation 3
Samsung Blu-Ray Player
Three Microsoft XBOX360 consoles
Fios HD CableBox (This is used for backup/PPV)
13 Slot PCI expansion box
All my Computer servers

All connecting to this a 8x8 1080p Component Matrix Switcher
http://www.hdtvsupply.com/88shcovidiau.html

All going to 7 HDTV's and 2 Projectors!!!!!!




I will also be integrating Two touch screen ALL-IN-ONE PC's (Don't know exactly how yet :p )



Cant forget the Sony DVD Disc Changer

 
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Here is a shot of my unfinished closet rack. all my Ethernet connections gets routed to here



 
Are you not affraid of ever having to move? I don't know where I would start packing...
 
How will you going from the matrix switch to the TVs?

Are you gonna run component or use baluns?
 
i was thinking about using a 4x4 matrix HDMI but right now i use a harmony 890 via RF for the livingroom ...

but i am not sure how i would use remotes to control all the tvs and PJs

how are you going to control the switch, AVRs, Xbox360s and all other devices?

looks cool man
 
i was thinking about using a 4x4 matrix HDMI but right now i use a harmony 890 via RF for the livingroom ...

but i am not sure how i would use remotes to control all the tvs and PJs

how are you going to control the switch, AVRs, Xbox360s and all other devices?

looks cool man

Im getting the URC MX-980 and two MX-450's
plus an msc-400 for the datacenter.
 
how are you going to control the switch, AVRs, Xbox360s and all other devices?

This is by far the most confusing part for me, I created this thread over at AVSForums

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=1175558

I wanted to use the RTI T2-C remote control

http://www.rticorp.com/products/t2c.html

BUT you can only buy it through a dealer & it cost $900.............. yes I said $900 so nevermind.

Thinking of using this http://universalremote.com/product_detail.php?model=108 and a compatible remote.
 
I think you can get them on Amazon, but I have a dealer here in Dallas Im getting them from.

Yea the reason for 980 is that it can be setup from the computer, so its really easy.
the 450s cant do that, but they are learning remotes so I can setup the 980, and then teach the 450's with it. :)
 
I think you can get them on Amazon, but I have a dealer here in Dallas Im getting them from.

Yea the reason for 980 is that it can be setup from the computer, so its really easy.
the 450s cant do that, but they are learning remotes so I can setup the 980, and then teach the 450's with it. :)

I was looking at the quick reference guide on the MSC-400 Master controller, I know I have to place IR emitters on all my sources...do I have to place IR emitters on all my TV's and 1 on the matrix switch also?
 
Just on the matrix switch, and the components in the rack.

Those remotes do both IR/RF so when you click TV it will send and IR TV ON signal, and the rest will RF to the rack.
Thats how I understood it.......hoping for.

Thats exactly what I am trying to do.
My goal is to have everything except the TV in the rack, and only have 1 remote at each location.
 
Just on the matrix switch, and the components in the rack.

Those remotes do both IR/RF so when you click TV it will send and IR TV ON signal, and the rest will RF to the rack.
Thats how I understood it.......hoping for.

Thats exactly what I am trying to do.
My goal is to have everything except the TV in the rack, and only have 1 remote at each location.

awesome! thank you very much
 
well definately keep posting... this is something that i will be doing around xmas time when i have some free time and some $$....

I have a min 4 zones with 3 LCDs and 1 PJ along with 1 HTPC,

looks cool... i was thinking about getting one of those universal remote brand remotes but heard good things about the Harmony 890 and it works great.... i would love to have the same setup but with 4 890 series...

hmm, more research to be done... need to find out if i can add the RF extender to multiple remotes....


also where are you buying your remotes from?

newegg has the brand but only lame remote models
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produ...eType=10&ActiveSearchResult=True&Order=PRICED
 
Rob

Why not use a HDMI matrix?
I know they are a little more expensive but you have a hell of lot less cables, less baluns, less wall plates, and you get Digital 7.1?
 
Also what does that Niveous thing do that your other HTPC with cable card cant?
 
Rob

Why not use a HDMI matrix?
I know they are a little more expensive but you have a hell of lot less cables, less baluns, less wall plates, and you get Digital 7.1?

2 Reasons...

1) Cost, 8x8 HDMI Switches are super expensive.

2) Most of my TV sets are 720p, I have One 1080p & One 1080i set
 
Also what does that Niveous thing do that your other HTPC with cable card cant?


hardware wise, nothing really.

But on the software side, Nievus has a lot of cool proprietary software (such as the Movie Library + Blu-Ray Disc..)

http://www.niveusmedia.com/products/softlabs.html

is it worth the huge premium? probably not. The model I got was a older model so I didnt spend that much on it.

oh yeah, the chassis they use are bad ass. :D


When I win the lotto, I am upgrading to a Lifeware LMS-810 Media center with 8 cablecards

http://gizmodo.com/5045643/lifewares-lms+810-media-center-pc-can-drive-ten-tvs-at-once
 
seems like you have more than 4 outputs tho, so that wouldnt really work unless you wanted some TVs to be showing the same thing all the time.
 
seems like you have more than 4 outputs tho, so that wouldnt really work unless you wanted some TVs to be showing the same thing all the time.

Yes, but I was thinking I could sell the extra equipment and upgrade my projector to 1080p

Optoma HD20

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B002G0CWSU

Monoprice Switch = $191.40

8x8 Component Switch $1,299.95

Get the monoprice switch for $200 and with the remaining $1000 get the 1080p Projector

-----------

I'm the type of person that is always changing configuration...I can never find a happy medium :(

If your interested in any HT Equipment (Blu-Ray, Home Theater in a Box sets, XBOX360's etc...let me know!..Im going to put a huge FS thread this weekend)
 
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Ok, another update


I decided to downsize my system :rolleyes:



With the thousands of dollars I will be saving I will upgrade my projector and TV to 1080p

(yes thousands)
 
looks much simpler :D

selling any cablecards? i would love to try one out...
 
Finally. I was wondering why did you have so many xbox! Isn't your power company going to get really mad at you if they ever find out about this? I shut off my last rackmounts after seeing the electrical bill...
 
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Ok folks, Its been a while since I updated this thread. This project was 95% done then I decided to re-locate my component rack. So that means I have to re-route all the cables to the new location.

I decided to convert a hallway closet to a component rack.

Original Config. (Rack in my computer room)


Hall Closet Before:


Added rails:


Added a fan to blow hot air away:


Painted:


Components going in:


:D More to come....
 
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