View Full Version : Media Center PCs
Come on, this is AVForums. :)
Who is actually using linux to run their ALL their Tv,video and music on a big screen in their main viewing room?
I have finally got Ubuntu server 8.04 running on a spare PC upstairs with 4x500Gb drives setup as a raid 5 system.
This stores all video files,ripped DVDs,music and recorded TV programs.
Server also runs Squeezecenter to feed music to my Squeezebox classic.
Connected to my main telly downstairs is a PC running mythtv.This plays back all DVDs,Tv programs etc.
All in all I very happy with this setup, just wondered how many others have gone over to linux completely for all your AV needs.
Dave
scotty38
11-07-2008, 10:32 AM
Not me, and never likely to either....
The whole house comes to a standstill now if the Harmony remote plays up and I'm not around so god forbid what would happen if a Linux machine started acting up :rotfl:
Edge99
11-07-2008, 2:44 PM
Sort of :) I have a Debian server upstairs with films/tv shows/mp3s/photos on it and downstairs is an old Xbox running XBMC which is connected into the TV.
The Xbox won't play HD content though, so I'll be looking into a media-pc which will either run MythTV or the linux version of XBMC. I'll most likely run XBMC on Ubuntu, because I think XBMC is fantastic :grin:
gypsybuilder
12-07-2008, 8:41 PM
I'm planning on using Ubuntu for my HTPC because I can't justify blowing 60 quid on a slow, crap, microsoft product!!! since I installed Ubntu on my laptop it's been a joy to use and quick?....why all the lads go for windows for their custom builds is beyond me ( although I'm sure we'll find out lol.)
tinners
12-07-2008, 11:03 PM
I'm running an Ubuntu 8.04 server with all my music, video and data backups on. Details in my sig. Am using it to stream video to my Popcorn Hour and works a treat. My HTPC is now pretty much obsolete.
I'm planning on using Ubuntu for my HTPC because I can't justify blowing 60 quid on a slow, crap, microsoft product!!! since I installed Ubntu on my laptop it's been a joy to use and quick?....why all the lads go for windows for their custom builds is beyond me ( although I'm sure we'll find out lol.)
If you're gonna build one from scratch just for use as a HTPC try using mythbuntu. http://www.mythbuntu.org/
It is geared up to just being a HTPC and runs a much reduced desktop (XFCE).
I strongly recommend a Nvidia graphics card, much easier to setup and get smooth video playback.
Dave
gypsybuilder
14-07-2008, 12:14 PM
I've heard about Mythbuntu but hadn't considered it till now. Apparently it's possible to play high def stuff using integrated graphics if the cpu is capable ( I was thinking along the lines of a cheap AMD dual core 4400+ and Gigabyte MA-78) but I'm seriously considering selling my 60 gig PS3 and spending the funds more on my HTPC because I download HD stuff (legally of course) then have to transcode it and copy it over to the PS3 hard drive and the longwindedness is starting to really get on my nerves.
If the peeps at Sony would let Linux get at the goodies I would be able to use it to download direct but I'm not holding my breath.
Point me to a high def download and I'll test it on mythbuntu for you.
I have a AMD x2 cpu on my setup.
Dave
tinners
15-07-2008, 9:53 AM
http://www.microsoft.com/windows/windowsmedia/content_provider/film/ContentShowcase.aspx
http://www.apple.com/trailers/
batty
15-07-2008, 10:11 PM
I downloaded and played coral reef 1080 and taxi 3 1080 from the microsoft site both played back fine.
Quantum of solace 1080 from apple trailers played fine.
I also downloaded big buck bunny 1080p ogg from http://www.bigbuckbunny.org/index.php/download/
and elephants dream 1024 from http://orange.blender.org/download (just noticed a 1920hd version i'll download that and try later)
both played really well.
Have to admit was surprised WMV HD files played, mythbuntu obviously does a good job of installing codecs.
The more I play with mythbuntu the more impressed I am.
FYI my PC consists of AMD x2 5600 CPU, 2Gb of RAM, 8600gts graphics card.
ShadowTD
16-07-2008, 9:16 AM
This is what I'm planning on doing. I'm sick of manufacturer-locked PVR boxes (I've had Sky+ and currently have V+). I'm playing around with MythTV on an old P3 1ghz I've got kicking around. I've had a few problems but it's nearly working. Feels good to be geeking around with the command line again after 8 years of OSX.
To be fair, I've had more success installing Myth on top of Ubuntu that actually using Mythbuntu - couldn't get *any* signal out of the TV card that way. Once I've had the single tuner DTT system running reliably for a couple of months, I'll invest in some new hardware and figure out the minefield of trying to get Sky running on internal DVB-S cards.
I'm seriously considering selling my 60 gig PS3 and spending the funds more on my HTPC because I download HD stuff (legally of course) then have to transcode it and copy it over to the PS3 hard drive and the longwindedness is starting to really get on my nerves.
If the peeps at Sony would let Linux get at the goodies I would be able to use it to download direct but I'm not holding my breath.
Have you tried running a upnp server like mediatomb (http://mediatomb.cc/) to serve video to your PS3?
You can also use tsmuxer (http://www.smlabs.net/tsmuxer_en.html) to quickly remux AVC/AC3 mkvs into playable m2ts files.
Works so well that I've gotten rid of my linux HTPC.
waring192
10-08-2008, 10:56 AM
just got xbmc-linux going on a old laptop which has optical out, and old 1.86ghz but it still plays 720p!