OSNews

You stated that you decided against a Mac-centric setup for various reasons. I completely understand wanting this project to have a broader audience, with Linux and Windows being much more accessible to most folks. Personally if those were my two choices I'd stay away from Windows for security and format-restriction issues. So what would I do with a similar project in the house I am about to buy?

First, I'd consider a used Power Mac G5, or, if affordable, a refurbished Mac Pro as the "brain". Remember, we're trying to stay cost-effective here and since I'm not having free (errr, sponsored) hardware thrown at me, I'm looking for a good cost-to-returns ratio. Either generation of the Mac workstation can handle multiple storage solutions, including RAID. The Mac Pro can also be set up with high performance SAS drives, though that will not necessarily be cost effective. Video and RAM upgrades, if necessary, are quite painless as well.

One of your goals, though not quite met, was to have as few computers or computer-like devices in use at the endpoints. As you discovered, that is not likely to happen with the combination of today's overabundant choices of content providers and limited access to them based on location. I happen to be lucky enough to live in the center of town, and I have my choice of cable or DSL internet. Given that we use cellphones for voice calls, and I can get a good bundle with cable, I'll go with that. Since we don't watch much television (mostly the big networks and the occasional Sci-Fi Channel binge) I can get by with basic HD cable service along with high speed internet.

So what about time-shifting? I have two options: Install a TV capture card into the brain, or run a cable line to each television in the home. But wait; this is a small house and mine is a small family, so we will have one big TV in the family room and that's it. So, here's where my Mac mini comes in. Most modern LCD televisions come with DVI and/or HDMI inputs. Now, I can decide to string a cat5 cable to the mini and run all video streamed off the server through the mini to the TV, or I can string a coaxial cable as well and use a USB capture card to record and watch TV directly on the mini. It also covers my music and rented DVD needs (the house is a two minute walk from the best video store in town).

As this is an older house, built during the Korean War, we're going to be bringing the wiring up to code before moving in. This will provide an opportunity for me to wire the house for the present and future, just as you did in yours. With a smaller budget and no freebies, I'm looking forward to having a Mac-centric "wired" home. Of course, my fiancee will be happy just to remain wireless with her Pismo; she doesn't care what I do with the rest of the Macs we own.

And yes, I realize that even for Mac fanatics, an all-Apple solution like this isn't necessarily the best. It will work for us because it is such a small house in a great location, and I already own a lot of the equipment that will be used.

Edited 2008-10-28 00:15 UTC