goldcd Wrote:with pretty much what everybody has said. Couple of points:
I hadn't actually thought that as this was OSS somebody else could just pick it up and use it. i.e. it wouldn't have to be pushed from XBMC, it could be pulled in by a hardware maker.
Also I do understand how people want to integrate this into an exisiting linux system. Point I was trying to make was that I don't want to have a whole house full of complete systems, need to draw the line somewhere and just treat some as appliances. e.g. it's entirely possible to use linux to build a nice NAS box - but for a device with such a clear purpose I just chose to pick up a ReadyNAS. Maybe not cheaper, but certainly easier.<snip>
You DO realize that the ReadyNAS runs Linux right? Do you find that it's "fiddly" with drivers and all? This code is still considered Alpha by the developers. If you read here enough you'll find that the goal is to eventually release a packaged up CD "standard" aimed at a specific set of compatible hardware. The user will be able to insert this disk, install it, and be ready to roll - much like that ReadyNAS or one of about a hundred different hardware devices running an embedded Linux OS. Both of my large NAS, my router, a small Buffalo NAS, my DVR, and probably other devices in my home all run Linux now. XBMC ported to Linux will allow for much of the same appliance like functionality that ABMC on XBOX allows NOW. The difference is that it will be 100% legal and be capable of running on a far wider range of hardware.
I've built a Linux HTPC to support the current XBMC code using hardware others used so I knew it wold work. For most anyone using my box it's an appliance. They need not know that dropping out of the XBMC interface leaves them at a desktop. If I wanted I could even remove the desktop and setup XBMC to be the only interface. You wouldn't know Linux is their either, the code can be made to meet your desires now if you wanted.
As of right now the devs do not have a specific hardware target and this is good. This means people are free to build what they can afford in whatever formfactor they want. If they were to pick something specific now things will have changed by the time they're done. The Mini, the Apple TV, a Shuttle XPC, lots and lots of options are available right now. Things are moving along just as they should, if you want a plug and play solution with no thought now isn't the time - wait a few months.
As for a hardware manufacturer picking this up - don't hold your breath. By doing this open source the guys can use the deCSS libraries to play DVD under Linux, they can support playing ISO images, they can do most anything they want for any format desired. As soon as a manufacturer tries to do this they will get smacked. They will need to license legal DVD code and be required to support Macrovision and who knows what other DRM crap - ask TIVO how bad that sux.
Doing it this way is just fine IMO, help these guys build the best damned media player on the planet while the likes of Sony, Microsoft, and Apple suck wind with their hands tied around their backs by the content industry. My Buffalo LinkTheater is a perfect example - not allowed to upscale streamed DVD images but can upscale anything else. The developer told me point blank it was an EASY code change but they would lose their license from the DVD consortium if they released it - XBMC has NO such restrictions. Who knows maybe desire for XBMC will help get the likes of AMD, Intel, and NVIDIA off their ass with Linux support of hardware acceleration. One can dream...
Not being able to playback ripped DVDs (or upscale them, not sure which might be the biggest issue) would certainly make the system less attractive, adding the hardware and getting it all approved by the DVD consortium would also not be "fun" I'd imagine.
