*nix HTPC

[evanesce]

I've been thinking for a long time to run an HTPC from some flavor of linux instead of windows 7, but I'm not too excellent in a *nix environment, but I can get around it for the most part.

The reason I'd be interested in linux over windows, is I tend to leave my HTPC running 24x7, either seeding torrents, or some other server daemon like an IRC BNC or something running, and I know that linux would be great at things like this.

Any flavors of linux stand out better than others for my multi use?

 

[Red Squirrel]

Mine runs Ubuntu with XBMC and it was quite flawless to setup, all the codecs actually work by default too. Or maybe i had to install some kind of pack, I don't remember. I did not have to do anything extravagant to get it to work though. I'd personally look at that route, it's probably even easier now than it was when I did it.

 

[evanesce]

I would assume that all the codecs are handled natively by XBMC. Not sure if this is same as the linux build however.

 

[TSDible]

It depends on what you want to do with it...

Live TV and Netflix are much easier to get set up on a Windows box.

If you don't intend to use those, it is quite easy to get a Linux HTPC up and running.

 

[sourceninja]

I have a mac HTPC leveraging plex. Plex has a linux version and is a very polished tool based off xbmc.

 

[Jovec]

It depends on what you want to do with it...

Live TV and Netflix are much easier to get set up on a Windows box.

If you don't intend to use those, it is quite easy to get a Linux HTPC up and running.

Echoing this.

In addition, encrypted channels will never work on Linux.

 

[crashtestdummy]

It depends on what you want to do with it...

Live TV and Netflix are much easier to get set up on a Windows box.

If you don't intend to use those, it is quite easy to get a Linux HTPC up and running.

Add Amazon to the list for now, sadly. I have to say, I find the total lack of access to DRM within Linux frustrating. I know that I will get flamed by a number of absolutists for saying this, but I'm ok with DRM for subscription-based media. I feel like if the Linux community were more open to closed systems running on top of Linux, it'd be a far more popular desktop system. I know it'd make a convert out of me.

 

[FrankRamiro]

I've checked out XBMC om my mate14 but i don't see any utility for it,can't get any interesting live streaming tv or video on it for free,it's best to add to your favorites those sites that offer free sports or others like Ilemi,vetle tv spotcast then go through some few crappy live events offered on XBMC,i realy don't see any benefit in XBMC or other thing like it,only makes your ops run worst.

 

[Rio Rebel]

You don't see any utility for XBMC? What a strange opinion.

 

[FrankRamiro]

You don't see any utility for XBMC? What a strange opinion.

Bro give me a good reason for me to change my mind about it, i know it can do other stuff ,but for me i'm only interested on easy access to live sports like soccer from Europe mostly nothing else.So can you give a good reason to change my mind.

 

[lxskllr]

Add Amazon to the list for now, sadly. I have to say, I find the total lack of access to DRM within Linux frustrating. I know that I will get flamed by a number of absolutists for saying this, but I'm ok with DRM for subscription-based media. I feel like if the Linux community were more open to closed systems running on top of Linux, it'd be a far more popular desktop system. I know it'd make a convert out of me.

If all you end up with is another Windows, why bother? The world doesn't need another locked down system. Fighting the O/S war loses sight of the forest for the trees. If a closed GNU/Linux "wins", what exactly was won?

 

[Rio Rebel]

Bro give me a good reason for me to change my mind about it, i know it can do other stuff ,but for me i'm only interested on easy access to live sports like soccer from Europe mostly nothing else.So can you give a good reason to change my mind.

If your comment was about your personal needs, then it makes sense. XBMC is not the holy grail for television channels or internet tv. I was taking your statement to be universal - for some of us, especially people whose focus is on viewing videos on multiple platforms, XBMC has no equal.

 

[Jodell88]

Netflix is easy to get up and running these days on Linux. I've been enjoying for months without any problems.

 

[TSDible]

Netflix is easy to get up and running these days on Linux. I've been enjoying for months without any problems.

Unless something has changed... the solution is less than ideal. There is no native solution.

 

[Jodell88]

Unless something has changed... the solution is less than ideal. There is no native solution.

No, it's not native. However, the solution isn't that different to software like teamviewer, i.e WINE

 

[FrankRamiro]

If your comment was about your personal needs, then it makes sense. XBMC is not the holy grail for television channels or internet tv. I was taking your statement to be universal - for some of us, especially people whose focus is on viewing videos on multiple platforms, XBMC has no equal.

Sorry if i made the wrong statement ,but in fact i was just stating my needs and if i can't get live soccer games easier or same way i get them through Espn3,Ilemi,Vetletv,firstrowsports then i have no use for XBMC,

 

[TSDible]

Sorry if i made the wrong statement ,but in fact i was just stating my needs and if i can't get live soccer games easier or same way i get them through Espn3,Ilemi,Vetletv,firstrowsports then i have no use for XBMC,

You may want to check it out...

There are several live sports plugins for XBMC.

 

[FrankRamiro]

You may want to check it out...

There are several live sports plugins for XBMC.

thanks TSDible can you give me some tips on how to get these,

and is it best to install Just XBMC iso on a usb stick and leave Linuxmint 14 mate allone,i know i can get the xbmc repositories but it might have some gliches

 

[TSDible]

I will look when I get home today and grab the name of the plugin I've tested. It works ok with some of the sites you have listed.

I use it on windows however... so I'm not sure of the linux performance.

You can install XBMC either way. I do have installed on a linux system (Mint 14). I can run it from within my normal DE, or I can start a new XBMC session. I would add the XBMC repositories though... the version in the Mint Repos is still a major revision behind.

 

[FrankRamiro]

I will look when I get home today and grab the name of the plugin I've tested. It works ok with some of the sites you have listed.

I use it on windows however... so I'm not sure of the linux performance.

You can install XBMC either way. I do have installed on a linux system (Mint 14). I can run it from within my normal DE, or I can start a new XBMC session. I would add the XBMC repositories though... the version in the Mint Repos is still a major revision behind.

Thanks,i have downloaded the Xbmc in linux mint14 but it got hanging up upon restart then i tried on Ubuntu 12.04LTS and it also got me hanging up on the back screen telling me to put my log in name and password
but would not accept either name or password,so i typed sudo apt-get purge Xbmc then got reed of XBMC and it restarted. well i've had no luck with the install of XMBC within the linux Distros,
may i should use a USB and run it from it
is there an iso of XMBC and which one will you give some link for a good one thanks.

 

[FrankRamiro]

Thanks,i have downloaded the Xbmc in linux mint14 but it got hanging up upon restart then i tried on Ubuntu 12.04LTS and it also got me hanging up on the back screen telling me to put my log in name and password
but would not accept either name or password,so i typed sudo apt-get purge Xbmc then got reed of XBMC and it restarted. well i've had no luck with the install of XMBC within the linux Distros,
may i should use a USB and run it from it
is there an iso of XMBC and which one will you give some link for a good one thanks.

Hi guys i need to know please if my pc system will run XBMC ok
or do i have to install XBMC by itself from an Iso and wich one you advise?or my ubuntu Lts will do?

My Pc is such;

Desk Top Lenovo Think Center-M71e

Processor Intel(R) i5-2400 CPU @ 3.10GHZ 1.600.00MHZ
Memory 3976848KB


Intel Hd 2000, Mesa DRI Intel (R) Sandybridge Desktop x86/MMX/SSE2
3.0 Mesa 9.0.2

 

[TSDible]

Hi guys i need to know please if my pc system will run XBMC ok
or do i have to install XBMC by itself from an Iso and wich one you advise?or my ubuntu Lts will do?

My Pc is such;

Desk Top Lenovo Think Center-M71e

Processor Intel(R) i5-2400 CPU @ 3.10GHZ 1.600.00MHZ
Memory 3976848KB


Intel Hd 2000, Mesa DRI Intel (R) Sandybridge Desktop x86/MMX/SSE2
3.0 Mesa 9.0.2

That system should be more than adequate to run XBMC.

Whether or not you install it as part of your current install base, or it's own ISO really depends on what your intentions are for the computer.

If it were me, I would install it with your current base first to test it and see if you like it. You can always remove it if it doesn't work for you.

 

[FrankRamiro]

That system should be more than adequate to run XBMC.

Whether or not you install it as part of your current install base, or it's own ISO really depends on what your intentions are for the computer.

If it were me, I would install it with your current base first to test it and see if you like it. You can always remove it if it doesn't work for you.

'''Thanks TSDible; yes i installed XBMC on UBUNTU 12.04 LTS and it's running ok now, but tv live streaming soccer games through XBMC i think i will get nothing and it seems i don't know how to install the ad dons for ESPN3,firstrowsports,ilemi and others and most of the stuff that is pre installed has nothing worth while at least for me,
i think i'm going to stick with the links for those soccer sites on my favourites or the apps that i have is much simpler and no work need to configure anything.