Hey all,

I've been thinking about a hypothetical project (one that I might eventually do if possible, but for now just a thought experiment).

I have multiple devices in my room, all with multiple cables between them. I was wondering if it would be possible (and if so, how) to have one single "mainframe" computer that inputs and outputs all the signals.

For example, I have an hdmi cable running from my ps5 to my tv, and I would like to be able to access the hdmi footage directly (for controlling the led strips around my tv). I know there are already solutions for this specific problem, but it is just an example.

Another example, I would like to be able to plug 1 usb into the mainframe, and be able to access that usb from multiple devices connected to the mainframe.

The basic idea is that every signal gets passed to the mainframe, where it passes through and ends up at the receiver. But if I want to do something else with the signal, I could process the data directly, without having to place a new data splitter for every single case.

As the mainframe, I would like to be able to use just a normal desktop pc. Additional electrical components like microcontrollers and pcbs can also obviously be used.

For reference, I have some experience in electronics and signal processing (bachelor in applied physics) and have quite a lot of experience in programming (mostly c++, but also python and java).

Thanks in advance!

TLDR: Making a mainframe computer to handle all your signal processing.

 

Not a good idea in general as you have a single point of failure, the mainframe , so that device would need to be very reliable, with redundant computing, power, memory, networking, etc... much like a typical enterprise level computer server. What you really want is a common data exchange and communications protocol for all your devices and device functions with a standard human interface system with plugins and integrations for all your devices. HDMI, USB ,etc.. are interconnection systems for various types of data to move around.

Take a look at systems like Home Assistant for ideas.
https://www.home-assistant.io/

 

Not a good idea in general as you have a single point of failure, the mainframe , so that device would need to be very reliable, with redundant computing, power, memory, networking, etc... much like a typical enterprise level computer server. What you really want is a common data exchange and communications protocol for all your devices and device functions with a standard human interface system with plugins and integrations for all your devices. HDMI, USB ,etc.. are interconnection systems for various types of data to move around.

Take a look at systems like Home Assistant for ideas.
https://www.home-assistant.io/

Thank you so much for your response! Home assistant basically has all the functionality I want. I'm guessing the right approach is (for my previous examples) using a hdmi matrix and a usb hub and connecting them to the assistant?

 

To make the project more "interesting", consider that many of those different cables are in differing formats. (different languages) The older "Mainframe" computers had it much easier because everything was in serial ASCII.