I'm planning my HTPC / MAME box combo PC for the lounge. I know what hardware I need, I'm looking for software and setup advice, and if you have done this before I'd appreciate your input!
I want this *nix based, a customized Debian or Ubuntu, other distros would do as well. I'm open to ideas. There will be no processing bottlenecks so I'm happy to sacrifice a 'light' setup for maintainability and easy of use.
HTPC: Video and music player - XBMC / Moovida / ?
MAME: NES, Sega emulators, WINE layer and native games - emulation side is sorted
I'd like to control the whole box with an IR remote, the keyboard I only want to pull out for system maintenance, if rarely. LIRC would be my choice, I have never used it or setup a IR remote before though. Can I use it to emulate keyboard input, so I can navigate and do a select few commands?
This box won't be online so streaming is not on my list of requirements. I'd also like to manage files/media on any USB storage devices connected to the box.
Any insight how I can control this box with just the IR remote? Switching between the HTPC and MAME interfaces with it, and managing media?
Thanks again to any replies.
