[JazJon]

How is everyone using multiple XBMC machines to connect to their main XBMC? Will PVR work on the secondary machines? (even Live TV?) I'm assuming I just enable the PVR add-on and setup everything the same on each secondary machine. (let me know if their is something I'm missing)

Are people doing the shared libraries via SQL method?
http://wiki.xbmc.org/index.php?title=HOW...g_up_MySQL

Or should we just connect via adding new UPnP Device under Video/Files? This seems to work ok for me so far. (adding UPnP "XBMC(HTPC)" as the source)

I'm wondering why someone would go through the trouble of SQL in the first link above. (Are the benefits worth all the hassle?)

The Sync multiple libraries MySQL page says:

This gives you the ability to do things like:
Share watched and unwatched status for your media on all devices
Stop watching a movie or TV show in one room then finish watching it in another room automatically
Only one library to maintain for all devices

Hmmmm not sure this is worth it, maybe? (what do you think?)

Also, what is the best bang for the buck bedroom XBMC secondary machine?
http://www.intel.com/content/www/us/en/n...0fykh.html
or
http://www.zotacusa.com/products/mini-pcs/zbox
or
http://thestreamingadvisor.com/2013/12/3...it-happen/
or
?

It would be nice if IR / Remote Control was built in of course. I'll be replacing an XBox 360 in my bedroom.

[JazJon]

As to the question on if I should try the SQL sharing the question is yes after reading this.
http://www.thegreenbutton.tv/forums/view...071#p71071
(but I still have questions, posted there)

So the only question left is hardware choice for bedroom setup

[jdlive]

I am just using a 2nd HTPC that I cobbled together from available parts. I have not set up the SQL DB, it does look interesting but not sure I really need the functionality. My setup was just to install the PVR client and point it to the IP address/port of my other HTPC that is running the back end service and does the recording (secondary PC has only a small SSD drive). I also have a WOL add-on installed that will wake up the other HTPC when I wake up the secondary HTPC. That lets me get Live TV and access the recorded TV shows (and other media) on the main HTPC.

Yatse on my Droid phone is also nice for remote control of both boxes. My secondary HTPC is also set up with a standard WMC remote as that's easier to use for just watching TV.

[awp0]

Since you're based in the US and we're talking about PVR, that means you'll want to make sure the hardware can handle MPEG2 decoding. For high definition MPEG2, I've found that some of the lower end options like Android do not support hardware MPEG2 decoding and will struggle with certain HD MPEG2 formats. My advice would be either an x86-based box or a raspberry pi.

As for MySQL, the benefits are what you've listed in the first post. I use it and once configured it's seamless. My library and watched status is always synchronized between instances and I can resume partially watched media in a different room. I believe Gotham may improve on UPnP to add some of these features, but I'm not totally sure.

[scarecrow420]

it really comes down to your budget... if you can afford it, the NUC is a great form factor and little powerhouse, though honestly you really dont need a core i3 processor, just a pentium one will do (celeron would be below my personal preference but im not saying it wouldnt work). I always prefer to put in an intel socket 1155 system since if possible (or a NUC if you have a bigger budget), since the onboard video in the CPU does HDMI out and bit streamed audio etc (eventhough in a bedroom you may not have a receiver!). An SSD is always nice for no moving parts or noise. My bedroom setup is a mini ITX case with a H67 motherboard, sandy bridge pentium (G620), 4GB RAM and a 60GB SSD. If you are more budget conscious then a raspberry Pi is not a bad option, though it can be a bit weak in terms of some heavier skins or the LiveTV/PVR stuff (when you have large amounts of channels and recordings at least). As some others already mentioned, the android based HTPC seem a bit too hit and miss at the moment

I would reccomend using MySQL to centralise the database of videos/movies since that way you have 1 shared library of all metadata and can share watch status and resume info between rooms. You can run it on the ServerWMC machine if you want, or if you have a NAS most of them have a MySQL package that will run on the NAS (I know netgear and synology do at least). Note that this shared database is unrelated to LiveTV though, thats for the video and audio libraries. For LiveTV you just need 1 instance of ServerWMC running somewhere in the house, then point all clients at the ServerWMC.

As a final note, I have always used SMB shares for accessing media as opposed to UPNP, DLNA or anything else. Probably just because when I started with XBMC (running on an original xbox way back when) that was the only sharing method available!

[LSU Jonno]

UPnP is REALLY easy to setup but it's just not a very good option. Firstly it just creates a video node on your second XBMC instance and doesn't integrate the media into a library. That means if you want to access your media from the homescreen you need to mark the node as a favorite and add a custom link. Some skins don't offer that functionality out of the box.

Next, UPnP doesn't support movie sets, so if you like that feature you're SOL.

And finally, (and it's been a while so I could be wrong) I don't think UPnP supports fanart. You get the posters and thumbs in certain views but I don't think it shows the fan art. It also doesn't show the info panel.

I don't think Gotham solves any of these issues. Maybe Gotham++ will.

As for hardware, I'm also a big fan of the new Intel NUCs. If I were building an HTPC today, I'd go with this guy.
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00HVKLSVC/ref=...IJBMGDFB1C

It's got a Haswell Celeron which is plenty enough punch.

[JazJon]

Thanks all, I agree I'm going to do my best to get MySQL working. I followed the steps but so far XBMC didn't seem to have created the new database. I followed these instructions to the letter. http://www.howtogeek.com/75535/how-to-sy...with-xbmc/
I tried deleting all sources, reboothing, reading movies. (never updates MySQL)

Did I miss something? Here is my advancedsettings.xml
http://pastebin.com/141Xcq7Y
It's located on my HTPC livingroom PC in C:\Users\JazJon\appdata\roaming\xbmc\userdata

Both HTPC and MEDIA server computers are running Windows 8.1 x64
I have the firewall rule created correctly for TCP 3306

Here's a screen shot of my database is still stuck in default. It never shows xbmcvideo or xbmcmusic being created in the SQL server.


Is it possible that MySQL 5.6 is not actually fixed in latest Gothan nightly and I should downgrade to 5.5?

I'm open to any suggestions to get it working :-) I'm excited to have this whole system operational.



As for hardware I decided to upgrade my MEDIA server and use the old mini PC for the bedroom XBMC box. (to replace the XBox)

Old System (ZBox has built in IR receiver too)
http://community.covecube.com/index.php?...sb-30-hub/

New Full Tower System (on order, also low watt CPU)
http://community.covecube.com/index.php?...olscanner/

[ConfusedTA]

That HowToGeek guide is really outdated, and it's best to not follow it. Look at the wiki instead.

MySQL 5.6 should be fixed in the latest Gotham nightlies, but I've never had an issue with 5.5. You can also drop the "<name>" bits from your advancedsettings.xml file

What does your debug log say? Can you stick that on pastebin. This will allow us to see whether your advancedsettings is being read correctly, and what it's trying to do with the MySQL database.

[JazJon]

That HowToGeek guide is really outdated, and it's best to not follow it. Look at the wiki instead.

MySQL 5.6 should be fixed in the latest Gotham nightlies, but I've never had an issue with 5.5. You can also drop the "<name>" bits from your advancedsettings.xml file

What does your debug log say? Can you stick that on pastebin. This will allow us to see whether your advancedsettings is being read correctly, and what it's trying to do with the MySQL database.

Thanks Here is my new fixed advancedsettings.xml
http://pastebin.com/3yqHEF04

I'll re-verify every other step via the wiki this time. I'm going step by step. The first thing I need minor clarification on is the Windows section of the wiki says to

Download a copy of MySQL server from http://dev.mysql.com/downloads/mysql/
Select Standard configuration (I don't see that as a choice, I picked Server) Is that ok? Seems like it to me.



I tried repeating the user setup just to make sure, seems everything is already good to go
(see next screen shot, no need listing two big graphics)

Ok, well I added a movie and a tv show, and I don't see any new databases listed.


I think I'm on to something, the log shows lots of access denied?
http://pastebin.com/myQ7kKbB <<~~~~

[ConfusedTA]

When you did the MySQL installation, did it ask you to enter a "root" password?

When you loaded the MySQL Command Line Client, did it ask you for this password?

It looks strange that you have 3 "root" users listed.

Try doing the following (taken from the Wiki), as you've not actually granted the permissions to the XBMC user from the looks of things:

GRANT ALL ON *.* TO 'xbmc';

then press return.


If this still doesn't work, I would try completely removing all copies of MySQL, deleting any data files that get left behind, and try again from scratch, following the Wiki step-for-step.

As for downloading, click on the "Looking for previous GA versions?" to the right of the download page, and you can grab the 5.5 version. The Server Only option is the one you'll want from that selection you posted the screenshot of.

[LSU Jonno]

JazJon,

When you get this working it'd be great if you could provide even more detailed steps that what is listed in the wiki.

Currently I just manage separate databases for all of my XBMC clients (4 in total). It gets to be a pain, especially with movie sets. I don't much care about watched/unwatched status, although if I could get it working I'm sure I wouldn't be able to live without it.

[JazJon]

When you did the MySQL installation, did it ask you to enter a "root" password?

When you loaded the MySQL Command Line Client, did it ask you for this password?

It looks strange that you have 3 "root" users listed.

Try doing the following (taken from the Wiki), as you've not actually granted the permissions to the XBMC user from the looks of things:

GRANT ALL ON *.* TO 'xbmc';

then press return.


If this still doesn't work, I would try completely removing all copies of MySQL, deleting any data files that get left behind, and try again from scratch, following the Wiki step-for-step.

As for downloading, click on the "Looking for previous GA versions?" to the right of the download page, and you can grab the 5.5 version. The Server Only option is the one you'll want from that selection you posted the screenshot of.

I'm pretty sure 5.6 asked to setup a root password but I don't recall. I think it's best I uninstall 5.6 and try 5.5 using the WiKi instructions this time around.
http://wiki.xbmc.org/index.php?title=HOW...ab=Windows

By the way, I had trouble uninstalling MySQL 5.6 via the Control Panel, Programs and Features. I had to use the "MySQL Installer" program (in start menu) and then uninstall everything that way. You have to reboot once before using the MySQL Install though of that too will hang/fail. (successfully uninstalled!)



I verified no manual steps were remaining to delete

Here they are in case someone else is following this though.


Uninstall MySQL using the uninstaller
Delete C:\Program Files\MySQL
Delete C:\Program Files (x86)\MySQL
Delete C:\ProgramData\MySQL
Delete from any Users' AppData folders. Example: C:\Users\rdoverby\AppData\Roaming\MySQL
Reinstall MySQL


Ok so I installed 5.5 this time from:
http://dev.mysql.com/downloads/mysql/5.5.html#downloads

This time around I see the "Standard" option in 5.5 (5.6 is a different wizard process)
Here's 5.5......


Ah, here we go this time it asked to create a Root passoword. I'm assuming I need to check the box that allows Remote Root access too correct?


I verified the Windows Firewall inbound TCP Rule for 3306 was still enabled (and allowed) on the MEDIA server running mysql.
(doI need to have a oubound TCP rule setup on the HTPC?) If xbmc fails maybe I'll try turning off the firewall on both computers to see what happens too

"MySQL Command Line Client" from the MySQL start menu (I launched this by right clicking it, and selecting "run as administrator" just in case it's needed, but doubt it)
http://wiki.xbmc.org/index.php?title=HOW...ab=Windows
I skipped the Option part at the bottom. I also skipped the 1130 option to add the IP to grant all.

I'm using smb:// paths so I'm assuming I don't need to follow the sync password instructions here
http://wiki.xbmc.org/index.php?title=HOW...ng_up_XBMC

I skipped the exporting stuff since I don't mind creating a fresh library from scratch. Everything I have is already very organized thanks to the MyMovies.dk setup I've used for years.

I'm still using the new advancedsettings.xml from my last posts http://pastebin.com/3yqHEF04
stored on my HTPC under C:\Users\JazJon\AppData\Roaming\XBMC\userdata

Here's an important thing I over looked the second time around.
http://wiki.xbmc.org/index.php?title=HOW...ng_up_XBMC
(under Importing)
"Note: You must add a network source using XBMC's standard formatting. For example, use "smb://192.168.1.20/Videos/" and not "\\BOBPC\Videos\". Try to use static IP addresses over NetBIOS names if using SMB."
I guess that means once I drill down to the SMB shares under MEDIA, I need to replace MEDIA with 10.19.1.113 (my MEDIA IP)
What about the part that says XBMC will read the NFO files and not add it to the library? All my movies and tv shows have NFO files created from MyMovides.dk XBMC option.
(is that a possible issue?)

Alright so quick mysql check, looking better!
http://i.imgur.com/Da5JraF.png

Ok well here we go time to test XBMC...........

I added new video files via Windows SMB
http://i.imgur.com/CECP5qH.png
I edited the server name MEDIA to the IP
http://i.imgur.com/1qGxOjy.png
http://i.imgur.com/QiiiLtk.png
http://i.imgur.com/LivTzIW.png
http://i.imgur.com/ULG1N5l.png

SUCCESS !!!! (verified mysql has a new database shown)



(I'm limited to only 6 images per post so used direct links above)

So it looks like MySQL 5.5 is the way to go even if on the nightly build of Gotham. (for now) I'm pretty sure I remembered to substitute the share name MEDIA with the IP address at least one of the times testing on 5.6.

JazJon,

When you get this working it'd be great if you could provide even more detailed steps that what is listed in the wiki.

Currently I just manage separate databases for all of my XBMC clients (4 in total). It gets to be a pain, especially with movie sets. I don't much care about watched/unwatched status, although if I could get it working I'm sure I wouldn't be able to live without it.

Sounds like a pain, yeah I don't need separate data bases. I don't have any kids to protect or anything complicated like that. :-)

And no problem, I wrote the extra details steps above just for you with screen shots

[ConfusedTA]

Glad to see that you've got it up and running now

[LSU Jonno]

Sweet! Thanks! When Gotham is released I'm going to install openelec and XBMCbuntu on two of my machines. I plan on sharing my database with those clients.

[JazJon]

Sweet! Thanks! When Gotham is released I'm going to install openelec and XBMCbuntu on two of my machines. I plan on sharing my database with those clients.

I'm not going to try openelec or xbmcbunyu until they fix the AirPlay video problem.
http://forum.xbmc.org/showthread.php?tid=179961

Is there a separate package we can install on the Ubuntu version? I'm using AirServer on windows.

I'd probably try to do a dual-boot just in case so I can go back and forth when I'm ready to play on my zbox mini pc in the bedroom.