ubuntu/linux - XBMC to TV; virtual monitor for VNC?

BklynKid · 2010-05-10 01:52

So this I realize is perhaps not a XBMC question as XBMC is behaving exactly as expected but maybe someone has done something similar to this and can help me.

I have a HTPC setup with Ubuntu 10.04 connected to my TV. It's setup to launch XBMC automatically on startup but I also have nzbget and transmission setup -- life is peachy! But I do have to do some things occassionally that require me to remote in via VNC but because XBMC is running in fullscreen I have to exit it before I can interact with the desktop.

So my actual question: can I setup a "virtual" monitor that I can VNC into (and interact with the ubuntu desktop) while XBMC is running and displaying out to the TV?

vukas · 2010-05-10 20:53

With this solution you will be able to start a VNC server manually (when you SSH to your XBMC) in a independent X screen.
I can't give you step-by-step instructions (did this a while ago) but the general idea is as follows:
- install a VNC server (tightvncserver works for me).
- at the end the install process should ask you for a password
- edit(or create) the xstartup file located in ~/.vnc
- mine looks like this (I use XFCE)

Code:

#!/bin/sh

xrdb $HOME/.Xresources

xsetroot -solid grey

#x-terminal-emulator -geometry 80x24+10+10 -ls -title "$VNCDESKTOP Desktop" &

#x-window-manager &

/etc/X11/Xsession

xfwm4 --display :1.0 &

xfce4-panel --display :1.0 &

xfdesktop --display :1.0 &

#exec /usr/bin/xfce4-s

When you're done with the above start tightvncserver. it should report something like "New 'X' desktop is xbmc:1". From your PC use a VNC client and connect to <XBMC_IP>:1 (the :1 is important).

Hope this helps.

vikjon0 · 2010-05-10 21:32

I never managed to get vnc to automaticallu create multiple sessions. Instead I use nxserver that works out of the box. Not that it matters much but it is also safer than vnc.

vikjon0 --- Posts: 2,428 Joined: Apr 2009 Reputation: 7 Location: Sweden	2010-05-10 21:32 Post: #3 I never managed to get vnc to automaticallu create multiple sessions. Instead I use nxserver that works out of the box. Not that it matters much but it is also safer than vnc.
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