Windows media server for 12 TV's

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EchoOne

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First post, so here goes, hope i get this right.

I am busy setting up a home which when complete will have 12TV's. Construction is at the point where I now need to finalise the system spec, so that cabling and all needed things can be built into the walls, so I have no wires showing.

The desired result would be to be able to have 1080p tv at each point, although only two people living in the house so need need for multiple decoders.

An idea I would like to explore is to have a central server that via use of a couple of PCI HDMI Capture cards (http://www.amazon.com/Blackmagic-De...9?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1267285365&sr=8-9) could input signal from Bluray player and DSTV HD decoder. Then using 2 analogue tuners/capture cards could input signal from DSTV PVR signal 1 and 2. Then lastly using a couple of DVB usb dongles could input all the DVB channels. In effect have a signal feeding HD from DSTV HD and Bluray, 2 unique channels DSTV channels, and SABC1,2,3 ETV and whatever else becomes available on DVB.

Then at each TV point is to have the TV connected to a small computer running a windows media center OS, thinking about this; http://www.have2have.co.za/product/Acer-AspireRevo-AR3610-U9022-Desktop-PC-Dark-Blue/91937/ which could stream anyone of the HD Channels, DSTV regular channels, Bluray, or DVB at that point. These PC's seem small enough to also hide behind the screen and connect via HDMi to the TV

All TV points will have 10x 55" LED series 8 samsung screens, except for the Cinema which will be projector based and a large Plasma at the pool area.

Is this possible? Am I missing a simpler solution?
 
So you doing all this for a house with 2 people living in, you putting 55" LEDs in the bathrooms & kitchen?
Me thinks you could afford to consult a pro
 
the Tv's are gonna set you back over R250k ... im sure you could get a pro to do it :)
 
i think it is possible, just your server will need to be quite powerful and use a gigabit network.
 
I would do it myself! :P Waaay more fun AND if you stuff it up, you can afford to have it fixed :D
 
Well, a bit cheaper solution (for 8 PC's)

1) Keep your large TV(s) connected via HDMI directly to the DSTV HD decoder(s)
2) 1 or 2 PC's with Capture Cards and Adobe Flash Media Live Encoder and Free Adobe Flash Media Development Server (Max 10 connections).
3) For the rest of the house then get touch screen PC's streaming DSTV from your Server(s).

Currently doing something like that at home (much smaller scale), But you can stream FULL HD over Gigabit Network
 
I'm sorry to burst your bubble somewhat.. but that capture card doesn't support HDCP so you won't be able to stream the HD channels from DSTV.

You will need to get an HDCP descrambler first.
 
Thanks for the feedback,

its not about being able to afford or not afford, but to actually have it done so that I can understand the system myself. Also dont want to spend over 2 mil as I have been quoted on equipment costing R800k.

A hotel type setup would be nice, my own menu's, access to movies on demand, music etc, yet without all the equipment. nice and neat would be good.

Speakers already built into ceilings, and routed to a central system by zone. So except in the tv lounge and Cinema i dont want big amps and large speakers. minimal look.

The whole house is wired for CAT6 at least 2 points in every room except bathrooms.
 
Sounds like a nice setup :)

Something I'm also building towards myself actually.
Its just a pity about the HDCP stuff because I would love to stream DSTV to my media centers.. but the minute the HDCP stream gets interrupted the decoder drops the signal to SD quality :(

I have seen a few HDCP descramblers but they were hellishly expensive (in the region of R6k)...
 
Hi guys

A quick question re hcdp etc...

I'd like to stream DSTV around my house as well, as all my tv points have net axxess, but adding hdmi will be a PITA. Regarding the decoder dropping to SD when the HCDP stream is interrupted: could you use a hcdp compliant splitter (http://www.hdcabling.co.za/powered-hdmi-splitter-1x2-2-outputs-hdcp-12-hdmi-v13-p-85.html), with one side feeding a HCDP compliant device (TV) and the other feeding a non compliant HDMI capture card?

Any ideas?
Cheers
 
Hmmm thats an intriguing one...

Something tells me though that the stream being broken on the non compliant device will drop the output from the HDPVR to SD quality.
 
Yeh - its a two way thing - so I also think it'll drop the quality.
 
It will actually completely stop outputting HDMI and give you an HDCP error on the front screen. A HDCP protected source (most HDMI capable sources) will only send the video to a screen and nothing else. If you have HDMI splitters and HDMI switches connected and you connect a non-HDCP device to any output, the source will know this and cut the HDMI output.
 
Is there anyway to get a HDCP signal into media center? I'd like to go HD - but love my media center.
 
To the OP, you need some professional help here. I would say go and discuss what you want with a high end installer. Let them tell you what is available and give you some specs etc... Then do your research.
 
I can agree with that - I'm doing 4/5 TV's which is proving challenging enough.

Hopefully tonight TV 2 will be working :)
 
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