First off, thank you vikjon0. You've done exactly what i also wanted to do.
I'm a total noob at linux, ubuntu, xbmc and the Ionstar330, however, using this guide i've (eventually) been able to get it to do the job... almost.
With my one week of experience i'd managed to make a mess of the first install (no sound out of flash player in firefox or navigation in xbmc) by using bits of a few different guides.
Last night i decided to start from scratch and formatted the HDD and did a fresh install following this guide to the letter. In an hour i'd overcome all the initial problems.
I'm left with two problems, one is more of an issue than the other, starting with the minor one:
1) When i go to the login screen the resolution is
so small on the options that i can't make out the account names or read the other bits of it. Has anyone else found this? Can i change the resolution for that small aspect of Ubuntu?
2) The bigger issue - Playback of mkv's isn't smooth. On a panning shot there are stutters on the video every few seconds (sound is perfect); they're there in action scenes too, but not so noticeable. It seems to be on higher bitrate files. I find it makes movies unwatchable. Should the playback be
completely without stutters?
I watched a 720p, 1 hour long file that was 1.1GB and there were no problems ; but a 720p, 2 hour file that's say 4.7GB and more has stutters.
Using the 'O' key shows me:
Audio is DTS or AC3 (doesn't make a difference which).
h.264_vdpau so going through the graphics chip.
CPU running at 1-4%.
Dropped frames no more than 4 or 5.
Bitrates at about 8,000kb/s
The FPS wobbles constantly but at about 23.8 to 24fps
Screen res is 1080p on a brand new Sony 37" w-series through the HDMI lead directly to the TV.
Am i expecting too much or should the video playback be completely smooth?
Please remember i'm a noob if you respond...
Thanks, TR909
Edit:
Thanks for the advice about enabling 24Hz in xbmc.
I found the reason for the juddering playback - was still doing it after the dynamic twinview change. Nothing to do with bit rates either.
On 25fps files there was no problem at all.
On 24fps files there was stuttering.
Read a bit about telecine, screen refresh rates etc. and came to the conclusion it was probably my TV not the Ionstar.
I had to enable the 24p on the TV (or more accurately disable the pulldown). For future ref. on a Sony W5500 you have to go to Picture>Film Mode (@ bottom of list)>Auto2.
To quote the manual, "Provides the original film-based content as is.", ie. no messing with what's output from the Ion before it's displayed on the screen.
Sorted.
:EndEdit