I’ve been on TS with the other guys in the FPS forum and its come up - as we slaughter hordes of noobs - that a few of us are into XBMC and what its community of Open Source wizards have accomplished/are accomplishing. Our discussion has generated some interest on that channel in the past about what XBMC is and why its so awesome and why my setup is cool, too. Finally, I have some time to write this. My goal here is to give a little information as I saw none on any thread in this forum, and to give the guys there a description of the home theater setup I have been collecting and assembling since I was 11 years old. I think you’ll see that home theater design and HT automation are truly life passions of mine. -------------------------------------------------------------------------- XBMC first. Well, a little back history. The original xBox was a bitchin’ piece of hardware. Best of all, it was Linux based. This meant it was open-sourced and completely hackable. It didnt take long for tach-savvy individuals to realize the potential of the xBox to act as a Home Theater PC, or HTPC. And the programming began- XBMC, or xBox Media Center was born. The software’s robustness and huge fanbase has far outlived the xBox, and its demon-spawn, closed-source successor the xBox 360. The software was ported to Windows, OSX, linux, and it even was turned into its own operating system (its really a super lightweight Linux install with a single command- “execute program XBMC.”) It was in the midst of this evolution taking place, when the product was renamed simply XBMC. Obviously, it had transcended far beyond the confines of xBox. Now, its not my goal to give a detailed step-by-step of how to build and set up an XBMC home system (unless that's requested/desired of course,) but to give a practical example and showcase the product and get more of you interested in what has become something I use literally Every Day. It doesn’t take much to get started. First, you need to read through this. http://xbmc.org. This is where the magic all starts. These are the true experts that can provide educated help. Also, there are many example of system ranging from a single laptop plugged in with an HDMI cable, to full integrated home networks like mine. Some of the guys in FPS really just use a leftover laptop attached to a tv running XBMC.exe to play music files and movies/tv shows they have downloaded That’s fine, in fact I recommmend thats where you start. See if this is even right for you. {And let me stop right here and make a comment about copyrights. There are varying opinions about what is “fair use.” and what is or is not legal. Its my opinion backed by legal precedence that if I own the product, I should be able to make a copy for backup and fair use in my private residence. The network I have my “backups” on are reasonably firewalled from outside tampering, and I’d like that argument to not take place here. Please use judgement when choosing which content to download and respect fair copyright law. It shall be assumed that I legally own all content that is discussed on this thread. Let there be no further comment on copyright, please.} Ok, so what is XBMC? Its basically a program that plays damn near every format of multimedia file out there that is audio/video. Among the many formats supported are packed avi’s and mkv with multi channel multi language multi subtitled videos. Every codec I’ve ever come across is supported. Digital audio and HD video formats are fully support as is hardware audio and video. There is a full suite of video tweaking, and time shifting tools. Custom playlists can be made that allow video/audio to be queued up at will. But, none of this is as awesome as its Library mode. The Library mode allows for a user to add files to an organized library that shows movies, music, and tv shows in an organized manner with fanart, series/season/episode synopses, fan music, ratings, and other fan content. This is all powered by a volunteer fanbase through separate sites like IMDB, TVRage, and TheMusic Database/Gracenote.The PornDB, AnimeDB, and other special interest databases are also included to ensure that if you have a file, its got metadata. This is all powered by a customizable GUI that is optimized for use with a Media Center remote and/or keyboard and is meant to be displayed on a large format television. Big chunky fonts and large buttons are the name of the game. The newest version also allows for touchscreen monitors to have their fun. The UI also allows easy access to trailers for movies in your collection or newly released/upcoming, Netflix support, amazon support is coming soon, Pandora, and internet tv stations. My collection is all lossless audio files for my music, h/x.264 encoded files for my tv shows (when downloaded,) and all dvd’s (including TV on DVD) that I own were one-to -one ripped from disc to folders that look like this: “Star Trek (2009)” Inside are the .Vobs that a dvd player reads. This way when I select the movie out of the list, all menu’s and special features and subtitles/alternative digital audio tracks/video quality are properly intact. On BluRay titles- I admit I use a program to convert them to more compressed files. Quality does dip, but my tvs/monitors all run 720p by choice, so I don’t notice. There are separate ripping programs available that can accomplish all this converting, and that information is available on many forums. -------------------------------------------------------------------------- So, how does my setup work, and what about my setup? Great question. I dove face first into this and went all out after being converted to the XBMC fan club. I’ll just describe my current setup. If bragging and nerdy fap fests aren't your thing. You're done here. Currently, I only have one real tv: in the living room. The bedroom, bathroom and kitchen have lcd monitors. The bedroom has a Logitech surround system and the Living room has a custom component system that is my pride and joy... featuring Bowers and Wilkins speakers and two Aperion Bravus IIa Bass drivers. I use Parasound amplifiers and a Yamaha receiver. My neighbors hated me until they started coming over to parties- more on that in a moment. The kitchen has a Bose 3-2-1 system and the bathroom has JBL outdoor speakers mounted in the corners with a DIY amplifier running them. Nothing special about the Living room and Bedroom tv/monitors, but the kitchen is a touchscreen monitor -the girlfriend loves to cook with the Cooking Channel and this seemed like the easiest solution. Bad Idea: I’m constantly wiping flour off the screen. The bathroom is another story. I cut a hole in the wall and siliconed a piece of glass in its place-covering that with a prefabbed tile frame. Then, in the closet on the opposite side of the wall, I mounted a shelf and flushed the tv with the glass. Instant shower/shit vision on the cheap. Just have to patch a wall hole with the panel I drimelled out and paint white when I leave the apartment. If you do this, be sure research and properly follow fire code, please. Every tv/monitor has a computer attached. A Revo 3610 each for the bathroom, living room, and kitchen; and a revo 1600 for the bedroom (my first one- less expensive and slower- no big. It doesnt serve any files, just plays them.) I picked these little Acers because they are basically nettops - netbooks without a screen - that mount to the VESA mount on the back of the TV/monitor and are dead quiet. And, you can use that mounting bracket it comes with to mount it to the side of a cabinet in the kitchen, hiding it from view. The little wireless keyboard/mouse is handy too. No wires - no bitchy loved ones. Here’s the latest version: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16883103297 Also, The closet/bathroom computer has the files. There is an older model Drobo with two 2tb and two 3tb hard drives attached. As one fails, I will replace with 3tb. I cant stress enough how important a Drobo (or some similar RAID array) is to your permanent success. I’ve only had one 2tb die so far, but I popped in a 3tb to replace it and the Drobo automatically saved all the files that had been lost on the dead drive right back. The type of raid it uses allows for a hard drive to be removed, and a new one put in its place( hotswapped) Then, after a looong time of copying, you could test both hard drives (the one you removed and the one you added) and they will have the same data bit for bit. This allows for a single drive failure and no loss of data. The catch is the striping drive that makes this all possible tends to get hammered. So, you wear that drive faster. Small cost for such a badass system. Best of all, the little computer just recognizes it as one gigantic USB external hard drive. All that RAID wizardry? Automatic. Anyway Currently configured, that gives me around 6 to 6.5tb of usable space with one USB plug used. I know I know- you’re asking why did I only go for the four bay and not the five with the eSATA? Well, it wasn’t available at the time I bought it and USB works just fine for any of this. What about the ripped BluRay? Yes, it works fine. Move on. Would I recommend you get the five bay with the eSATA connection? Hell yes. The final party piece is, well-- a party piece. There is a plugin that allows for simulcasting the audio and/or video between all attached network devices. This is hugely popular for parties. -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Guys, XBMC is the ultimate setup. I warn you, if you get into it you will love it and you will likely be broke. If you have questions or would like help getting a system going for yourself, Im your guy because Ive probably already experienced the steep learning curve. I’d like to offer my assistance in help in you get a system of your own set up. PM me or respond to this thread and let me know how I can help-- and share your own setups!!!
Links I can add for reference: XBMC: Http://xbmc.org The Acer Nettops http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16883103297 The Storage Solution http://www.drobostore.com/store/dro...37300/CategoryID.56378300/productID.234137000
heh Turns out, FPS chat is all about the XBMC. Pop in anytime and we can switch over to a squad channel and discuss issues XBMC anytime I am on.
+1 for xbmc Run it as well. Profile for the wife's tv and movies as well as mine. Centralized database for tracking watched status as well as pause in one room and move to another. Throw in Sickbeard and Couchpotato and all my media needs are taken care of in such a simple way even the wife can download tv and movies from her iphone
love it. I knew there were more in hiding! Sickbeard is a bit of a pain in the ass, but the fact it can do EVERYTHING automatically including adding to the library is incredible. But, probably not the best forum to be discussing ways to download tv and movies. We have several different countries represented in this guild and they all have different opinions/laws about downloading content. Just a can of worms that'll really derail what I'd like to be a useful thread. That being said: to everyone reading, I'm always happy to chat about these subjects. Pop on TS! Why do you find it better to run separate profiles? Is it simply cosmetic? Or, do you have entirely different content? I've never even bother running different profiles. We have a different skin for the touchscreen in the kitchen, but that's about it.
I use a different one for each of us can update watched on shows we both watch but dont watch together (ie: i watch tv through xbmc On my pc while gaming), seperate movies out so that all the chick flicks arent in the main movie folder etc. I also dont like to see 8 zillion shows when i hit 'unwatched' that are shows ill never watch. The way i store movies and tv,my wifes are put into a different location downloaded her own instance of sickbeard and couch potato. This also lets couchpotato use a lower quality profile for chick flicks to help conserve storage. In short - tracking watched/ unwatched and displayed content. An ya lets not get into the legitimacy of downloading or details about those apps like sickbeard and couchpotato.
Interesting. I have never heard of a "his and hers" setup like that. Never really been an issue. For the most part, my gf and I have pretty much the same taste in tv. As for movies, I can handle a few Sleepless in Seattle titles in my library just fine. Thanks for the addition. This is actually a facet of the program I have never bothered to explore.
We nearly exclusively use this to watch tv tracking probably 50 shows. I love to just hit the 'unwatched' button and have all my favorite shows ready to go. The wife also watches way more tv then I do so it would be inandated every time i turned it on otherwise
I have a Boxee player now, using the Boxee OS, for my HTPC needs. It's awesome, but I did use the XBMC a few years back, on the original Xbox. I haven't tried the evolved version on PC, but I like the screenshots I see.
remember being really really excited when this was announced but fairly disappointed hen it was released. It did not come withseveral improvements to the interface that were promised. I will give you this, however. Its a quick way to a good setup. It sacrifices the expandability, and modifiability (that's a word, right - is now,) and the customizability of the XBMC system for quick easy setup. Sometimes, thats all you are looking for. It also has a bit better compatibility with the web services like amazon and netflix, if I remember correctly.
Boxee is built on XBMC. Too bad its locked down (probably to get their Netflix approval). However XBMC is certainly more at the enthusiast level. Normal people can use it, but you need someone with a bit of interest and technical knowledge to light it up and keep it running.
It fits most of my needs. But the worst thing about Boxee is this, and it ticks me off big time. The main menu has several buttons: "movies, tv shows, apps, files, friends, watch later" That's right, there's no music, no documentaries, no photos, no "random short videos" button. Seriously? Who the hell adds friends to their Boxee? Who gives a fck? And the "watch later"... ugh, don't get me started. This annoys me greatly because that's 2 buttons gone to waste... buttons that I could have assigned to any random folder on my network.
im not familar with the boxee interface, but on the xbmc interface, when you hit ' s ' for the shutdown menu, there is a Menu Congifuration option which allows you to add and remove menu items, including custom ones such as Favorite 1, Favorite 2 etc. Curious if you have checked around for the setting, took me a while to find it in XBMC as it isn't in the regular settings area.
Thanks, I'll look again when I have the chance, even though I believe I looked everywhere. Maybe the last few updates added some magic.
This is kind of the whole point behind Boxee. Its the best and worst feature about it: no setup. You just plug in the box and let it start perusing your files. For the enthusiast, XBMC is far more appropriate. Boxee software and/or hardware is for the person only interested in a reliable quick fix.
When i looked into it you can modify the main menu by changing xml files on the Windows install version, dont know if you can do this on a locked down boxee box unfortunately.
yeah this is pushing towards a more hacking and modding side rather than tweaking and customizing, in my opinion.