Home networking help needed

[PTRMAN]

I'm thinking of putting all my computers and cable tv together into one home network, but I'm a bit confused as to what I'll need to do it all.

I have (badly) hand-drawn my existing and ideal setups, for both internet and cable (see pdf below) . The internet part is pretty easy, but I'd like to link all the computers together, add a printer to the network, and link them into a home DVR.

The cable is pretty clear - cable comes into the house to a splitter. Three lines leave the splitter, running directly to two TVs with the third line running to a cable box/DVR, which then runs into the primary TV. I can't get full cable on the two TVs not attached the cable box/DVR.

The cable box/DVR is rented from Comcast and is nearly always full (wife loves to record!). I'd like to be able to record movies/shows and either store them in HD or burn them to DVD to watch at my leisure.

To do that I want to build my own home storage unit (for music, tv shows/movies, etc.), which could then stream the music anwhere in the house where I've got speakers and the recorded TV show/movies to any of the TVs in the house.

Questions:
How do I link the computers together?
How do I add a printer (or printers) to this new network?
How do I create my own DVR (SFF, bigh HDs, TV capture cards?)
How do I then link my own DVR into the computer network?

Equipment I have (can give detailed model info if needed):
2 laptops, 2 desktops
2 Linksys routers (one wired and one wired + wireless)
Canon Multisync printer/fax
HP photo printer
Cable box/DVR (rented from Comcast)
Cable modem (also rented from Comcast)

I'd like to keep our existing cable box/DVR setup so we can continue to watch on the primary TV - need the cable box to decode the premium channels like HBO/Showtime/etc. But I think I'll need to buy/rent another cable box to decode the signals so I can record shows/movies from the premium channels onto the home-built DVR.

Not really sure where to start - anyone got any pointers?

[screwballl]

Thats a lot of info....

First, you will need a second cable box to get the extra channels. This will be the one that connects to your homebuilt DVR setup.
For the homebuilt setup, you can go with MythTV (free, linux based) or there are a few other free linux alternatives. That system does not have to be very fast, an Athlon64/Pentium4 setup should be fine since it will be primarily recording and streaming, not rendering.
For the network it is strongly suggested to use gigabit connections for the HD based streams. If you will stream it in standard definition then your current network setup should work just fine.
Linking the computers can be done the same way they always have, the homemade DVR setup via wired network to one of the routers. Wireless is very strongly discouraged.
Add a printer to any of the computers and share it on the network using normal windows file and printer sharing and then install the network printer on each computer.

this is partial info but should help get a few things answered

[PTRMAN]

Thanks for the response, Screwball.

As always, though, I've got more questions:

1) What if I want to stream content to one of the computers from the homebuilt DVR - Linux-based MythTV work with MS? Laptop and one desktop are XP, new desktop is Vista.
2) Thinking of trying to modify an old (486?) machine to act as homebuild DVR. Might require too much work/parts.
3) Uh, gigabit connections? Isn't that a standard internet connection?
4) House is old with plaster walls, so I've found wireless doesn't work all that well. Is Cat-5 wiring sufficient?

[screwballl]

Originally Posted by PTRMAN

Thanks for the response, Screwball.

As always, though, I've got more questions:

1) What if I want to stream content to one of the computers from the homebuilt DVR - Linux-based MythTV work with MS? Laptop and one desktop are XP, new desktop is Vista.

Yes MS should just see it as a shared folder on the network. There are host/client programs to automate this process but that is an area that I have not jumped into yet so I don't know specifics

2) Thinking of trying to modify an old (486?) machine to act as homebuild DVR. Might require too much work/parts.

yes 486 would be entirely to sloow... I would say AthlonXP3000+/Pentium4 2.5GHz or faster. Even a cheap build with a E2140 would do fantastic.

3) Uh, gigabit connections? Isn't that a standard internet connection?

A standard router is not gigabit (10/100/1000), it is megabit (10/100). that is 1000Mbps versus 100Mbps speeds... this makes all the difference when HD content is involved. HD on 100Mbps is not suggested, especially if multiple sources will be using the content.

4) House is old with plaster walls, so I've found wireless doesn't work all that well. Is Cat-5 wiring sufficient?

Cat5 or 6 should be fine.
May want to look into a central location for the main router that houses the modem, router, cable connections and so on... and then maybe the computer room can have the other router.

[Reloadron]

Question... Ron raises his hand...

Screwball, you have a good handle on this stuff. Would the new MS Home Server be at all practical? I have read some on it, but not as much as I would like. I was thinking about it for a future plan, so what is your take?

Ron

[screwballl]

WHS is good for home storage of the stuff but not actually using it as a DVR or for recording the TV... thats where MythTV and WMC (Windows Media Center) come in.
Now you could have the MythTV or WMC backup to the WHS for storage and streaming....

[Hitman]

As for windows based DVR software I would go with SnapStream: PC DVR and TV tuner software. It's IMO better then WMC.

[screwballl]

also remember that MythTV is free, SnapStream is not ($70+).

[Hitman]

Originally Posted by screwballl

also remember that MythTV is free, SnapStream is not ($70+).

You have to run Linux to use MythTV, quite the learning curve there. Just giving him options.

Here is the thread about when I wired my house.

Originally Posted by screwballl

Cat5 or 6 should be fine.
May want to look into a central location for the main router that houses the modem, router, cable connections and so on... and then maybe the computer room can have the other router.

Correction Cat5e, not Cat5. Cat5e can handle Gigabit on short runs (100ft or less) Cat 6 can handle Gigabit up to the IEEE Standard of 100 meters.

[screwballl]

mythtv vs mce - Google Search

it is just a matter of the type of setup you are looking for.
MCE or SnapStream costs money whereas MythTV is free.
MythTV works with alot more tuner cards and IR devices to it can control your TV, VCR, BD/HDDVD players, component stereo systems and so on.