Success! Okay, close to success. I spent last night working on my LinuxMCE-based home automation/media system project. My main aim was to get the first of the 'Media Director' machines up and running and booting over the network. The Media Directors are the devices that access media over the network from the 'Core' server and deliver it to the screen and sound system. Instead of having their own operating system stored on a hard disk, they can launch using a system stored on the core server. Very clever.
Much to my surprise, it worked first time. OK second time: for some reason having worked perfectly two days ago the first test machine failed to even switch on and had to be replaced. But as soon as the new machine was turned on and set to boot over the network, everything went like clockwork. Only slightly more advanced.
It took a long time to get going with various configuration options going on in the background, but that was just the first time. Now it boots relatively quickly and I can easily access all of the various media options available on the media director and the core PC. So far so good.
The next step was to get a remote control working. LinuxMCE has a third class of device called an 'Orbiter', which - amongst other things - can be a smartphone connecting to the system via Bluetooth. I'm using a PocketPC 2003 device - an old Orange SPV M500, also known as the HTC Magician. I managed to install the appropriate software on the handset and set up its profile on the server, but this is where the successful evening came to an end. I just couldn't get the handset to talk to the Media Director.
So that will be occupying me this evening and most likely over the weekend. Phase III here I come...
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