[LINUX] HOW-TO to install XBMC on an ION machine with Ubuntu, a Step-by-Step Guide

Starstream Wrote:I dont suppose you would do one for XBMC Live or could someone point in the right direction ?

for XBMC live I'd suggest you either install the live distro directly with the integrated textmode installer or you follow the XBMCbuntu guide that's sticky on top of this forum. I tried both ways and ended up with more or less the same basic ubuntu installation with XBMC on top. the only benefits of the XBMCbuntu guide are that you are more flexibel with the partitioning and installation of the base system and that it is easier (for me) to cleanly install new graphics drivers from nvidia which screwed up my previous XBMC live system.

when you want an easy installation with a fully fledged ubuntu and graphical desktop, go for this excellent guide here; when you just want a basic HTPC with set-top style XBMC accessibility, go directly for the live system or try XBMCbuntu.

peglar Wrote:good guide, very clear....

just one question and i am really trying to not sound like an ass but cant think of a better way of writing this:

Why not just instal abmc live?

thats what i did, took 5-10mins and it worked out of the box the only thing i had to do was switch on VDPAU.

but as i said good guide if for some reason you dont want to use xbmc live.

It really depends on what you want to get out of your system. XBMC live really makes you feel like your using a true HTPC but if you want a complete OS with GUI it's not really perfect. I need to run utorrent along side XBMC which can't really be done with Live.

grajea Wrote:Is it necessary to install this driver from nvidia.com? Is not the same the propietary driver provides by ubuntu when detects your GPU (NVIDIA driver version 180).
You only have to go to "System > Administration > Restricted Hardware Drivers" and enable the appropriate driver.

This would do this how-to easier.

It would be but Linux doesn't show any updates so it can't be done.

hexland Wrote:When I used the Live CD, the GPU was reported as being UNKNOWN.

If I installed the drivers from NVIDIA (185.18.14), the GPU was correctly displayed as ION.

So, yes... its probably worth installing the NVIDIA drivers.

I experienced the same issue. Maybe in the next Live update this will be fixed

Hi Medicineuk - quick question I just wanted to double check with you since I am planning to have the exact same configuration - Ubuntu 9.04 install with XBMC. Does audio over HDMI work correctly for you?
Thanks!

Icey Wrote:Hi Medicineuk - quick question I just wanted to double check with you since I am planning to have the exact same configuration - Ubuntu 9.04 install with XBMC. Does audio over HDMI work correctly for you?
Thanks!

Didn't for me when I tried it, have the same unit as medicineuk Asrock Ion 330.

Ubuntu saw the HDMI audio in the sound control panel but no audio would play only from the analogue output would it work.

Starstream Wrote:Didn't for me when I tried it, have the same unit as medicineuk Asrock Ion 330.

Ubuntu saw the HDMI audio in the sound control panel but no audio would play only from the analogue output would it work.

I had no problem with the Asrock Ion 330 and hdmi audio. As long as you set the correct outputs in xbmc it works fine.

prae5 Wrote:I had no problem with the Asrock Ion 330 and hdmi audio. As long as you set the correct outputs in xbmc it works fine.

That's good to hear. I assume you are also using a 9.04 install.

Did you have to tweak any settings in the BIOS or post Ubuntu install to get audio over HDMI working?

Perhaps your feedback could help Starstream - and me once I get one of these.

Yeah any settings you can share prae5 either for XBMC Live or XBMC on Ubuntu would be helpful

Icey Wrote:Hi Medicineuk - quick question I just wanted to double check with you since I am planning to have the exact same configuration - Ubuntu 9.04 install with XBMC. Does audio over HDMI work correctly for you?
Thanks!

Sorry haven't tried it I have my audio working over S/PDIF. Maybe we should start a RSRock IONSTAR thread so that we can help each other out with hardware/XBMC issues.

I don't i have ASrock here, i helped a friend set it up. Will try and get the settings i used and will post them.

I used the XBMC Live installer and had audio downmixing to his tv over hdmi and also full passthrough when using his amp.

He had a few odd issues with his amp and video settings, but that was due to the edid data.

What settings are you using for you audio, and are you connecting to an amp or downmixing to a tv?

I'm connecting to a sony rht-g900 sound system (5.1 system + HDMI repeater built in) with XBMC Live audio works over SPDIF but not over HDMI

Tried using iec958 for both in audio section or combo of hdmi/iec958 but could never get anything.

The test system I built prior to getting the Asrock Ion 330 had audio working over HDMI with both audio settings set at iec958, I figured the audio not working is a driver issue but if its just a configuration issue thats good news as wont have to wait for updated drivers.