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Message: <blockquote data-quote="druid9" data-source="post: 480277" data-attributes="member: 28347">I think MediaPortal can do most of what you are after. The only issue I am unsure about is playing a blue ray disc remotely, but the rest looks simple enough.Because mediaportal is client server, most of what you want to do is handled at the client rather than the server end.The remot you use only need to control the client in the room that it is in, if all of the clients are running MP, then one remote should be able to control each of them.To change volume of playback, you are simply changing volume on the client, don't need to go back to the server. Same for selecting tracks, movies, TV shows, TV channel change etc. This might be different for your set top box (in fact I am sure it is) so you might need some help from someone who has one of those. There are remote solutions which use bluetooth, which would have a greater range and don't need line of sight, that might be an option. I used to play around with using my mobile phone to control MediaPortal with Bluetooth and that worked fine, but just didn't feel right. You might want to look at <a href="http://www.salling.com" target="_blank">Salling Software - Home</a> for a bluetooth implementation. Someone on these forums has developed a similar sort of plugin for MP using an i-Phone I believe.Having a HTPC in each "zone" kind of renders the multi-zone amp redundant also I think, as MP connects to the server to play tracks and outputs them locally on the client. Each zone could be playing whatever was selected on the client in that zone.as regards the quality of output, that would be down to the capability of each HTPC client. As the data is coming across the network (preferably by Cat6 cable), the output is simply down to what the respective video cards and CPUs can process.Going back to remotes, my harmony 525 (only infrared) can control all of the equipment in the house, a sony lcd, sony receiver, three different HTPC's (2 Asus, one Dell), a Phillips CRT television, probably even the $25 fan we bought last summer (yes, it did come with a remote). Just a matter of programming really, the logitech web site has codes for equipment from nearly all suppliers. Bit of a pain to set up, but with on button push you can turn on amp, set inputs and out puts, turn on lcd, set inputs and outputs, resume the HTPC from standby, even fire up MediaPortal if it isn't already. $75 cheap as chips. Not the best looking unit, though it does feel good in the hand, you might prefer a more upmarket unit, I think Logi have a touch screen jobby, looks very cute.Good luck in your quest for HTPC nirvana, but take my tip, kiss the wife and kids goodbye, you won't be seeing them for a while. Also make sure you look after the WAF (Wife Appreciation Factor) if she is anything like mine she won't understand what all the fuss is about and just want to watch telly. One glitch in you hi-tech toy and she will be back to analogue on the CRT before you can blink.</blockquote>

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