[Gamester17]

I guess the easiest question to ask would be what does XBMC currently not do on Linux that it does on xbox? What features are missing?

Read http://wiki.xbmc.org/?title=Linux_port_project it should answer your questions, and no, this is not the right place to ask.

[NEI]

I'm evaluating what I should use for playback and I'm wondering if XBMC Linux will do it for me at this stage of its development.

I rediscovered XBMC Linux after 2 years of absence (No Xbox anymore) and I have to say, that it is the best x86 MediaCenter I have used for now! And this after extensively testing Windows MCE, Mediaportal and MythTv. Ok, if your into watching TV I cannot say, because i have an external PVR.
Ok, sometimes (rare for me) it freezes or crashes, but for these occasions I have a Button on the remote to restart it!

Btw, thanks guys for this already *very* great port! I love it!

[BLKMGK]

Everything core works except python scripts, but it's not entirely stable, changing some options under video decoding will crash/freeze the program, it still has some references to the Xbox including game saves, there's no user friendly install, and it requires linux proficiency.

Not entirely true with regard to core functions - DVD playback still doesn't work for me. If you have ripped DVD to an ISO format then you are probably good to go but I've ripped mine to IFO/VOB and the result at playback is perfect playback in a corner of the screen while the rest of the interface displays - it's like I've switched away from DVD playback mid-movie.:p

All in all though I find it to be pretty stable although since I build OFTEN that can vary. I keep a second install that is known good for those times when I want to watch something and it's not stable.

Since I cannot watch any of my DVDs I keep my old XBOX around. However if I wish to watch High-Def rips or downloaded content my Linux box gets the job and does it WELL. Since the question here is playing HD rips with the desire to skip the PC interface I'd ask - What format are these rips? If the content is a raw rip from BR or HD-DVD forget it. You will need to transcode the video - I'd suggest a MKV container with good sound and say an X264 compress to save space. This is what I do with my HD-DVD videos and just today I've received a Blu-Ray drive to start working with, now I need some content

Anyway, if ripped\compress content and downloaded stuff like TV shows is what you're after then XBMC rocks! If you've got tons of SD DVD in ISO format then that too ought to play great judging from other's posts. If it's IFO/VOB then hang onto the XBOX a little longer but go ahead and try XBMC on Linux - I've found nothing better.

Edit: Gah! - Yeah best to continue this elsewhere,say the successes thread vs sidetracking this thread.

[lingenfr_xbmc]

Curious, what's stopping you from trying it now?

Lack of a straightforward set of instructions.

1) Where to get the source? Just check out SVN or what?
2) Where to get the build script? Not on sourceforge or SVN, so where?

Seems that the team is doing all they can to dissuade users. Not complaining, just replying.

[topfs2]

Lack of a straightforward set of instructions.

1) Where to get the source? Just check out SVN or what?
2) Where to get the build script? Not on sourceforge or SVN, so where?

Seems that the team is doing all they can to dissuade users. Not complaining, just replying.

I don't want too be rough, but read the MANUAL... first page, press XBMC for linux. there's howto compile and all. but for future reference, the README is better.

http://xbmc.svn.sourceforge.net/viewvc/*...ADME.linux

[Neil]

I don't want too be rough, but read the MANUAL... first page, press XBMC for linux. there's howto compile and all. but for future reference, the README is better.

Yes, but the manual and the readme also say:

Please understand that this Linux port project is not yet mature enough for a regular end-user to play with.

This is a very early port of XBMC to Linux. It's target is developers and not end-users.

So, both are telling me not to mess with XBMC for Linux yet. That is why people like me are here. We are following the progress of development, hopefully in a language we can understand, although a lot of geek talk is unavoidable on a topic like this. So, I hope that somebody who understands what is going on in development is willing to stop by this thread at least once every couple months to summarize what progress has been made and what is being worked on.

[lingenfr_xbmc]

topfs2 is correct, I should have read the manual. I also should have learned to program in c, python, write device drivers and ride fast without a saddle. I did read all the stickies in this forum and read the linux port info on the wiki. None of them answered my question. Is it too much to ask that the information be put in one of those places? At least a link to the manual? The assumption that everyone who asks this type of question is lazy is really not helpful. Regardless, thanks for the answer and the link you provided was informative.

[rodalpho]

Those links were written when XBMC for linux was in very early stages of development, way pre-alpha. We're in the testing stage for alpha 1 now, the first actual release of the program ever. But even alpha1 won't be recommended for unsophisticated end-users as it's not feature-complete.

As for the attitude of the devs, etc, welcome to open-source. These people aren't paid to help you, they're donating their time.

[Neil]

...even alpha1 won't be recommended for unsophisticated end-users...

Yep, that's me. That's why I'm waiting. I see that the developers plan to eventually write an easy install. I'm sure it wont seem very easy to me, but that would be a good time for me to jump in and test the waters.

[rodalpho]

The install is pretty simple right now, if you're linux savvy. It's just add the source to your sources.list and run "apt-get install xbmc". The program itself just isn't ready for prime time yet.

If you really want easy, check out the OSX port. Drag and drop.

[BLKMGK]

It is pretty easy and installing Ubuntu isn't hard either. Sound and graphics setup can be a challenge but if using mainstream hardware it's not bad. Rodalpho what do you feel isn't really ready? With the exception of watching ripped DVD I use it for all of my video watching/MP3 and my issues with DVDs appear to be unique <shrug>

[rodalpho]

There are options that when selected repeatedly lock up the program, it still locks up intermittently during normal use, various spots refer to the xbox and saved games, the UI and settings are unfinished under system info, and of course the entire useless main menu "programs" item should be either removed or changed to run python scripts.

I use it every day myself, but it's not ready for widespread distribution.

[Mntz]

7. Fixed crashes when streaming OGG music.

Hi yuvalt
XBMC still keeps locking up when i try to play an OGG file.
The files play fine in another mediaplayer.

Log:

Code:

17:06:22 T:3060709216 M:679833600   DEBUG: SECTION:LoadDLL(Q:\system\players\paplayer\vorbisfile-i486-linux.so)
17:06:22 T:3060709216 M:679833600   DEBUG: Loading: /home/bram/XBMC/BUILD/system/players/paplayer/vorbisfile-i486-linux.so
17:06:22 T:3011500944 M:678719488   DEBUG: Running thread 3011500944
17:06:22 T:3011500944 M:678719488   DEBUG: thread start, auto delete: 0
17:06:22 T:3011500944 M:678719488 WARNING: CreateFile, error 2 opening file </tmp/xbmc/04ca2df2.fi>, flags:800, mode:100.
17:06:22 T:3011500944 M:678719488   DEBUG: Saving fileitems [/home/bram/Music/Barry White/The Ultimate Collection/]
17:06:22 T:3011500944 M:678719488   DEBUG:   -- items: 19, sort method: 0, ascending: false
17:06:22 T:3011500944 M:678719488   DEBUG: staticThread, deleting thread graphic context
17:06:22 T:3011500944 M:678719488   DEBUG: Thread 3011500944 terminating
17:06:22 T:3060709216 M:678719488   DEBUG: RetrieveMusicInfo() took 15 msec
17:06:22 T:3060709216 M:678719488   DEBUG: Sort, sorting took 0 millis
17:06:22 T:2923916176 M:678719488   DEBUG: Running thread 2923916176
17:06:22 T:2923916176 M:678719488   DEBUG: thread start, auto delete: 0
17:06:22 T:2932308880 M:678719488   DEBUG: Running thread 2932308880
17:06:22 T:2932308880 M:678719488   DEBUG: thread start, auto delete: 0
17:06:22 T:2940701584 M:678719488   DEBUG: Running thread 2940701584
17:06:22 T:2940701584 M:678719488   DEBUG: thread start, auto delete: 0
17:06:22 T:2923916176 M:678719488   DEBUG: staticThread, deleting thread graphic context
17:06:22 T:2923916176 M:678719488   DEBUG: Thread 2923916176 terminating
17:06:22 T:2932308880 M:678719488   DEBUG: staticThread, deleting thread graphic context
17:06:22 T:2932308880 M:678719488   DEBUG: Thread 2932308880 terminating
17:06:22 T:2940701584 M:678719488   DEBUG: staticThread, deleting thread graphic context
17:06:22 T:2940701584 M:678719488   DEBUG: Thread 2940701584 terminating
17:06:22 T:3060709216 M:678719488   DEBUG: Load /home/bram/XBMC/BUILD/skin/Vinci1/media/listfocus.png: 1.7ms
17:06:22 T:2949094288 M:678719488   DEBUG: Running thread 2949094288
17:06:22 T:2949094288 M:678719488   DEBUG: thread start, auto delete: 0
17:06:22 T:2949094288 M:678719488   DEBUG: staticThread, deleting thread graphic context
17:06:22 T:2949094288 M:678719488   DEBUG: Thread 2949094288 terminating
17:06:23 T:3060709216 M:678662144   DEBUG: OnKey: 61480 pressed, action is 4
17:06:23 T:3060709216 M:678662144   DEBUG: OnKey: 61480 pressed, action is 4
17:06:23 T:3060709216 M:678662144   DEBUG: OnKey: 61453 pressed, action is 7
17:06:23 T:3060709216 M:678662144   DEBUG: new file set audiostream:0
17:06:23 T:3060709216 M:678662144   DEBUG: CPlayerCoreFactor::GetPlayers(/home/bram/Music/Barry White/The Ultimate Collection/02. Can't Get Enough Of Your Love Babe.ogg)
17:06:23 T:3060709216 M:662507520   DEBUG: CFileCache::Open - opening </home/bram/Music/Barry White/The Ultimate Collection/02. Can't Get Enough Of Your Love Babe.ogg> using cache
17:06:23 T:2897202064 M:662433792   DEBUG: Running thread 2897202064
17:06:23 T:2897202064 M:662433792   DEBUG: thread start, auto delete: 0
17:06:23 T:2897202064 M:662224896   DEBUG: Process, request seek on source to 6130384
17:06:23 T:2897202064 M:662224896    INFO: CFileCache::Process - Hit eof.

[BLKMGK]

You might want to put the full log file onto pastebin.com and post a link here. An example Ogg passed to the developer would probably also help.

[Gamester17]

Please respect that this topic-thread is not for reposting bugs/issues or asking for new features/functions.

Don't make us lock it.