is there an OS that XBMC works best with?

darkscout Wrote:Doesn't Windows 7 GPU acceleration still depend on an external player?

No... And it hasn't for a while. We have DXVA2, so anything running Vista or higher will have GPU acceleration for video. My ION box running Windows 7 can decode 1080p flawlessly because of it.

Quote:Doesn't Windows 7 GPU acceleration still depend on an external player?

Not in Dharma. But the OP is running such a powerful machine that this probably wouldn't be an issue anyway.

If he already has Windows 7 running on the machine, why would anyone recommend that he install XBMC Live on a separate partition? He might encounter annoying installation problems, he'll give up the ability to watch Netflix or play Windows games without rebooting, and he won't see any substantial performance improvement within XBMC. The Windows version, on the other hand, is just a painless 2 minute install.

As I see it, XBMC Live is best suited for single-purpose, low-powered machines that would struggle to run XBMC with all the Windows bloat. But on a PC with these specs (it can run Crysis), Live actually puts a lot of that power to waste.

bmcclure937 Wrote:I second this vote. OpenELEC.tv is a completely amazing experience. You will be up and running in under 10 minutes. The OpenELEC website is awesome and user-friendly. Guides are available for installation and configuration.

My GT430 works out-of-the-box on OpenELEC. Not the case on XBMC Live.

My HTPC boots in under 20 seconds with OpenELEC.tv and I have the same great features and functionality as XBMC Dharma (since it is built off of XBMC).

The minimal install is quick, responsive, and lightweight (under 80MB). You can run from a USB Flash Drive, SSD, or HDD. Updates are also seamless and do not require reconfiguring settings or dealing with hassles.

I was able to get my HDMI audio working in minutes along with my Harmony One remote control. (I am in the process of making a complete configuration guide for your Harmony One with OpenELEC)

Overall I highly recommend OpenELEC. It was the simplest "distro" of XBMC that I have used to this point. I have run XBMC on my Mac, XBMC Live, and XBMCFreak. I had issues with video drivers (outdated nVidia drivers not working with my GT430) in XBMC Live and had problems with LIRC and my Harmony Remote on XBMCFreak. (double key presses)

Rather than hacking away at the other solutions I finally stumbled upon OpenELEC and could not be any happier!

this sounds very interesting, i will be updating my vidcard soon so i can use HDMI audio, and i think i forgot to mention i use this box as my SABNZBD server, and for sickbeard and couchpotato, i'm assuming i cant do that with openelec? i'll have to research this more.

eg4190 Wrote:Not in Dharma. But the OP is running such a powerful machine that this probably wouldn't be an issue anyway.

If he already has Windows 7 running on the machine, why would anyone recommend that he install XBMC Live on a separate partition? He might encounter annoying installation problems, he'll give up the ability to watch Netflix or play Windows games without rebooting, and he won't see any substantial performance improvement within XBMC. The Windows version, on the other hand, is just a painless 2 minute install.

As I see it, XBMC Live is best suited for single-purpose, low-powered machines that would struggle to run XBMC with all the Windows bloat. But on a PC with these specs (it can run Crysis), Live actually puts a lot of that power to waste.

ok, thanks for clearing that up. this is true i do play a few games on it, but i'm not much of a pc gamer, more consoles, this is replacing my terrible popcorn hours that i just got fed up with. so i guess i will stay with this unless i need something i can't do from within windows

thanks everyone

prophetizer Wrote:this sounds very interesting, i will be updating my vidcard soon so i can use HDMI audio, and i think i forgot to mention i use this box as my SABNZBD server, and for sickbeard and couchpotato, i'm assuming i cant do that with openelec? i'll have to research this more.

I'd just like to say that my Windows 7 ION box boots in 15-20 seconds as well, off my SSD. You don't need Linux for a fast boot time.

YodaEXE Wrote:I'd just like to say that my Windows 7 ION box boots in 15-20 seconds as well, off my SSD. You don't need Linux for a fast boot time.

Even stripped down to the bare minimal installation, Windows takes more resources than a Linux minimal installation. If you prefer Windows or need TRUEHD audio, that is fine. But Linux still wins for resource management by a good bit.

well GJones, that answers it then, if i can only get HD audio on windows, then thats what i'll stay with. as i have an Onkyo TR-NX3007, i'm upgrading my vid card so that i can do that.

On the exact same hardware (2 Eee Boxes EB1501)

First installation running Ubuntu Minimal. Boot time 15-20 seconds.

Second EB1501 has Win 7 Home, set to open XBMC automatically. Boot time 70 seconds or so.

Depends on what you want to do though. I like Linux because it feels snappier (subjectively) and acts like an appliance. Wife prefers things to be simple as well.

My Dad uses the Win 7 Eee box, since he also wants it to be a general computer when he's not using XBMC.

Yep

Properly set up XBMC Live = Wife friendly XBMC appliance

(2011-02-22 22:46)bmcclure937 Wrote:  

sraue Wrote:and if you need some more appliance feeling try OpenELEC ;-)

I second this vote. OpenELEC.tv is a completely amazing experience. You will be up and running in under 10 minutes. The OpenELEC website is awesome and user-friendly. Guides are available for installation and configuration.

My GT430 works out-of-the-box on OpenELEC. Not the case on XBMC Live.

My HTPC boots in under 20 seconds with OpenELEC.tv and I have the same great features and functionality as XBMC Dharma (since it is built off of XBMC).

Well to be noted that OpenELEC.tv does not support Netflix because of the required Windows Silverlight player.