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Linux MCE Video Demo: Impressive!
tech-talk.biz — Impressive demo on what Linux MCE can do for Media Center and Home Automation. In the video you can see an interesting HW set-up for Gyro remote and for thin fanless clients.
TxemiC- 950 diggs
- digg it
- cak3, on 12/22/2007, -6/+13if only i had a spare pc to play with, looks great
- Cryoniq, on 12/22/2007, -1/+5I been hanging on to the project lately and it developed past year quite nice. Been some road for sure but it now work great. I would however choose Nvidia card for sure as GFX card. I ran it on an old 1 ghz with 512 MB RAM, with a GeForce 6200 power edition card and it was flowing good.
- strangewill, on 12/22/2007, -2/+1I've been trying to free up the parts I need for a LinuxMCE machine for a couple months now, can't bring myself to purchase the final few parts for my new machine so I can use the old parts for the LinuxMCE box, but I'm quite excited.
- databoy, on 12/22/2007, -9/+1Don't waste your money, you will be disappointed with the final product.
- strangewill, on 12/22/2007, -0/+1Really? I use my computer to watch TV all the time, I'd like a media center/DVR box, also the ability to share/boot across networks to thin clients is an awesome feature I hope to implement around the house in the future. :p
- databoy, on 12/22/2007, -9/+1Don't waste your money, you will be disappointed with the final product.
- TomP, on 12/22/2007, -1/+8I am watching you, get out of my house!
- YodaJones, on 12/22/2007, -14/+12This is awesome! ...commencing installation this weekend!
- HyperDav, on 12/22/2007, -39/+119Sorry but the UI is ugly as hell.
- Cryoniq, on 12/22/2007, -6/+38Might be true, but it really works and structure things way better than Windows MCE etc. I am sure the interface will theme later on much more. The priority so far been to fix the rest of the system and install running good. The UI been enough to not pay attention to in that way. I seen worse UI's for systems.. much worse :P
- jefuchs, on 12/22/2007, -10/+24Funny. I never gave that a thought. I was too impressed with the functions. Who cares if the UI isn't futuristic enough.
- Jellzilla, on 12/22/2007, -3/+18Normally, functionality is where everything matters when it comes to operation of a program or a system, but I'd expect more from a "Media Center." I don't believe that the grossly flat colors or the obnoxious gradients do well to accentuate a media powerhouse.
- DangerCollie, on 12/22/2007, -16/+11Say what? This thing does everything but walk your dog and you're complaining about the UI? I thought it looked pretty good and the functionality is amazing.
I'm sensing the Winders crowd is a little jealous of how fast Linux is progressing. It's okay, I'm sure your out of date computer skills will still be worth something in the fast food industry.- sumguy231, on 12/22/2007, -0/+17The functionality is amazing, but a little polish goes a long way. The UI looks "shoddy" and inconsistent; yet there's no reason it has to be that way. Plenty of Linux apps have great interfaces, far better than their Windows counterparts, despite the stereotype that Linux applications are ugly. This isn't one of them, yet. I'm sure with time they will get around to making it look nicer, since I would find it pretty hard to believe that the developers themselves haven't given the attractiveness factor a thought.
- dualityim, on 12/22/2007, -1/+5A media center is not just a control center for all your home automation functionality. It is also an interface between the user and all that functionality. Therefore any media center is only as good as its UI. Hopefully though this product gets more polish as development carries on. It's a shame to see all that functionality hiding behind that hideous UI.
- shodanx, on 12/22/2007, -1/+4obviously you've been spoiled by xmbc
I can't blame you - celkin, on 12/22/2007, -1/+8Actually, if you go to the Linux MCE site, you'll find that you can change the UI so it isn't so ugly.
- KyleDoherty, on 12/22/2007, -2/+4I have to agree, the Linux MCE is powerful as hell and amazingly full of features. But it's not good looking enough that an average person is going to put up with the bad UI because to the average person, style is more important than substance. My mom isn't going to care about half the stuff on there because it doesn't look very nice, and unfortunately that's all that's holding Linux from becoming more mainstream. Here's hoping somebody with some design knowledge gets their hands on the look and feel, cause a soon as this looks a little less 1995, I'm there.
- AceofSpades19, on 12/22/2007, -2/+1Oh yes, another of, "Linux won't become mainstream because of x" post, these are so annoying
- keyo, on 12/23/2007, -0/+1There are more things than looks holding linux back. If it were all about looks OSX would have larger market share.
- MikeCerm, on 12/22/2007, -1/+7It's not that I care tremendously what the UI looks like, but really simple things are not even done right in the UI. They'll have a box, with text in it, and the text will run over the side of the box. Sure, the fonts are ugly, and the color scheme is horrible, but if you're going to create a box for text, you should probably keep the text IN the box. I'm not expecting perfection here, but it's like they didn't even try at all.
If Linux projects like this have one problem, it's that they think ONLY of functionality. For example, the last thing that the Compiz people did was write a control applet. So, they had all this functionality, and it is quite impressive, but there wasn't really a way for normal people to switch it on and configure it. That was actually a bit more understandable than LinuxMCE, because the whole point of a media center is to give the user access to their media. If there's a million features, and the user can't figure out how to use them (and is totally turned off when they try), then you've got things backwards.- fradro, on 12/23/2007, -1/+2I agree, they need to learn a lesson form the latest MCE, which I use and love (Vista Ultimate)
- Vektuz, on 12/23/2007, -0/+2Its skinnable. And theres a whole bunch of skins.
- EdgeOfEpsilon, on 01/02/2008, -0/+1Don't like it? This is open source: Use Adobe® Photoshop® software to mock up something better, and there's a good chance ***** will happen. If you can't, you're just whining. Put up or shut up.
- chingy1788, on 12/22/2007, -19/+14Some time ago...
Originally i had Windows XP and Medio Media centre, it was ok but then i saw Linux MCE and thought Wow
I tried installing it, it kept asking so many questions about my home network as if my home network was some advanced super nerd network
and so many questions i didn't under stand, after hours of googling, i completed the installation
on starting the MCE it crashed instantly
Thats not including the time spent trying to find out how to get TV out working and sharing files over the network working
2 full days wasted on Linux MCE
So
then i tried vista home premium, it was ok, better than XP + medio but slower since i had 768MB RAM
now im back to XP, the media centre just sits there now...
OK after watching the video this is different...
might give it another shot... ehhh cbbt dont us it anyways- Cryoniq, on 12/22/2007, -1/+14I really know what you mean. LinuxMCE really had a major overhaul. I had the same story as you going on but for 1-2 weeks. I then tried it since they overhauled it and got updates going and bug/solve routines and it worked like a charm.
They should however change the girl in the video in it. No offense but it was hard to hear what she said and gave it a really boring aura over it all. - artanis, on 12/22/2007, -3/+11Maybe all that rap music was preventing you from thinking clearly.
- chingy1788, on 12/22/2007, -1/+1Rap music = well just crap really
- mic159, on 12/23/2007, -0/+1i had the same experianc with Linux MCE, and now im very reluctant to try it again.
The problem i had is that all i want to do is watch xvid movies from my desktop, nothing else. and MCE wanted to take over the whole network!! i dont want a PC to take over my DHCP, i have it already set up on my router to my liking.
I also had LOTS of trouble getting the TV out working.
im sure some things are improved, but i dont want to touch it again.- neodorian, on 12/23/2007, -0/+1Just get any old PC, put it on your network, hook the video to your TV and the sound to your stereo/home theater. Add cheapo wireless kb/mouse and you're good to go if you just want to watch downloaded movies and shows.
- Cryoniq, on 12/22/2007, -1/+14I really know what you mean. LinuxMCE really had a major overhaul. I had the same story as you going on but for 1-2 weeks. I then tried it since they overhauled it and got updates going and bug/solve routines and it worked like a charm.
- Izacus, on 12/22/2007, -11/+6Does it do Xbox 360 connectivity yet?
- Deived, on 12/22/2007, -3/+10I just got my wife a laptop for her bday so the desktop is just sitting there. I plan on setting it up as some sort of media player. It looks like LMCE might be the way to go.
- bumcheekcity, on 12/22/2007, -6/+8My Media Centre is a normal PC running Windows XP. In order to watch TV, I use my Hauppage TV Card (w/Integrated Freeview Tuner), and I have a remote that I can use in the normal fashion. I have movies stored on my PC, and if I want to watch them, I double-click, and it opens in Windows Media Player (of course, any media player would work), and then I put it into full-screen mode and watch the film.
A bluetooth mouse sorts out control across the room, and the remote controls the TV. It's a 1400+ AMD processor with 256MB of RAM, and it's the best TV I've ever had. It requires absolutely no knowledge about computers, I just added a 500GB Hard Drive to store lots of videos without needing to bother with inserting DVDs.
Zero technical knowledge, it's just a totally 100% normal PC with a TV card and a remote. Am thinking of installing LMCE though. I'll give it a try, it can't hurt.- databoy, on 12/22/2007, -9/+1If you lack the technical knowledge, don't waste your money or time. Linux MCE is a hybrid product. Stick with MythTV or use a Windows product.
- byrdgang, on 12/22/2007, -0/+2You will obviously need to know something about computers. You'd have to know how TV cards work, how to get them to work, what a bluetooth mouse is, and so on. If you don't know these things, you'll keep asking yourself where to start.
- mic159, on 12/23/2007, -0/+2dont forget to backup EVERYTHING. it wipes the entire drive (all partitions) when it installs.
- cyril0, on 12/22/2007, -3/+14I bought the remote control from this company, and it was the worse online buying experience ever. They billed my credit card twice didn't ship it to me for 2 months and when it finally did arrive Purolator just left a huge box on the steps of my downtown apartment building. Luckily a neighbor saw it and picked it up before it got stolen. When I opeened it I found out it wasn't bluetooth which was how it was advertised on the site at the time (since changed) and it just plained sucked. It took forever to return it, I even had to involve my credit card company.
Do yourselves a favor and keep clear of this hardware.- byrdgang, on 12/22/2007, -0/+7Which remote are you talking about, and are you saying it came from LinuxMCE? You'd have to point out that there is no relationship between LinuxMCE and the company you had difficulty with.
- torxx, on 12/22/2007, -20/+6still looks like crap. cya
- AhronZombi, on 12/22/2007, -14/+7As a experianced Mythtv and Linux user i can tell you all that Linux MCE is a waist of time. in all the videos its so great but it is truely bugy and a resource hog. ive tried many releases on many machines, save time and energy and just get knoppmyth linux MCE is just some guys wanting to be kool on youtube, but if you install it on your hardware chances are its not gonna be so pretty
- databoy, on 12/22/2007, -6/+3I read the technical specs on the product. MythTV is still development software. Integrating MythTV into a cut down commercial home automation software is a masochist's nightmare. Wait until the boys from KDE fully integrate the product into KDE, then you may have a professional MCE application.
- andycr512, on 12/22/2007, -0/+10"A masochist's nightmare"
So it's a pleasure?
- andycr512, on 12/22/2007, -0/+10"A masochist's nightmare"
- Archon810, on 12/22/2007, -0/+2AhronZombi, stop "waisting" our time trying to be "kool" with your "bugy" reviews. Your "experiance" really shows, you must be a pro and not at all a snotty kid.
- databoy, on 12/22/2007, -6/+3I read the technical specs on the product. MythTV is still development software. Integrating MythTV into a cut down commercial home automation software is a masochist's nightmare. Wait until the boys from KDE fully integrate the product into KDE, then you may have a professional MCE application.
- poisonborz, on 12/22/2007, -2/+33Freaky woman with accent confirming all of your setup steps... welcome to the bizarro future of the 70s.
- veloscaper, on 12/22/2007, -0/+14I'd hit it!
- PaulJCG, on 12/22/2007, -0/+6I thought the "there has been a security breach" message was quite funny - enough to scare off a burglar?
- TieDNKnotZ, on 12/22/2007, -2/+8If your Media Center's primary role is recording TV and things like Home Automation then this could be a viable option. If you just want to be able to access your media, including HD content, be sure to keep following XBMC for Linux!!!!!! http://www.xboxmediacenter.com/forum/forumdisplay. ...
It's getting better everyday - superspud, on 12/22/2007, -2/+14Why didn't they get the guy who did the voice-over in the video to do to the tutorial guide, instead of the woman who sounds as though she is from the eastern-bloc?
- trylleklovn, on 12/22/2007, -1/+10Because Linux is developed in Sovjet Russia, duh!
- celkin, on 12/22/2007, -4/+1In Soviet Russia, Linux develops you!
Sorry, that was TOO easy
- celkin, on 12/22/2007, -4/+1In Soviet Russia, Linux develops you!
- sumguy231, on 12/22/2007, -0/+3Because accents are sexy, duh.
- trylleklovn, on 12/22/2007, -1/+10Because Linux is developed in Sovjet Russia, duh!
- pumafi, on 12/22/2007, -1/+3Mirrors to download:
http://wiki.linuxmce.com/index.php/Mirrors - computershack, on 12/22/2007, -2/+5I'm sorry but it's not a patch on Windows MCE and there's even far better Media Center centric Linux distros than this.
- databoy, on 12/22/2007, -9/+1Linux MCE is not for noobs. Linux MCE is for technicians who understand electronics down to the component level and Linux scripts. If you are lacking in both disciplines stick with a Windows media centre or better still the software package that comes with your digital TV capture card.
- alexfreedman, on 12/22/2007, -0/+11Does anyone remember a video that was posted here a while ago comparing Linux MCE with Windows MCE? It featured a douchebag speaking in a Comic Book Guy way. It was extremely biased, but hilarious because of his criticisms.
http://youtube.com/watch?v=QcNwnANrCpw - Part 1
http://youtube.com/watch?v=tC-YwwQ1Pkk - Part 2- bumcheekcity, on 12/22/2007, -1/+6That video is the most pathetically biased piece of ***** I've seen, it's funny.
- joshman5k, on 12/22/2007, -0/+5Oh don't get me started on that video. When I saw somebody posted a linux MCE video I was hoping it wouldn't be that one.
- sickanimations, on 12/25/2007, -0/+1The guy can't say "button" and that "out of the box" business was pure drivel.
- Darcy, on 12/22/2007, -4/+11It might be OK in a few years with a new UI, because at the moment it's the ugliest thing I've ever seen (and I've seen a lot of ugly things).
- MMaster23, on 12/22/2007, -19/+5Windows Vista Media Center > Windows XP Media Center > ... insert something here ... > Linux MCE ( > Apple TV, haha)
Sorry guys but this just isn't a great MCE. MCE is more then easy control and "sleak" UI. MCE's are about the overal expierence.
For instance .. boot up any Vista PC (no not the crap ass Home Basic, or the very businessy Business) and you have a fully functioning MCE. Setting up Vista MCE is easier then making pie. You install Vista (which is about 15 minutes), let it run trough some hardware, fully automatic with great drivers via Windows Update and you can launch MC.It asks you if you want to setup some features such as screen or audio but you can skip them if they al already set correctly (with digital connections mostly already is). Tadaa .. fully functioning sweet-ass MCE in less then 30 minutes. The TV guide is automaticly updated for you and recording has never been easier.
About the expierence .. my Vista MCE's (yes plural, it's THAT great) are on standby and when you pick up the remote, the UI is there within 3 secs (my TV's usually don't power-on that fast). The logo is quickly presented in a sleek and smooth animation and you are presented with the main UI. From here you can do anything.
When you start audio, sleek animation will start on the background. When you're watching a movie and you hit the MCE button, the mini MCE pops up. It's a slimmed down version of the main UI and fills up about 20 to 30% of your screen with a nice blue fade. Sure Linux-MCE has a tiny UI but that's the main problem. I can't read it easily? Can you? The Vista MCE uit is a bit larger but just small enough not to disturb you entire movie but not too small so you can't read it. Believe me... Microsoft invested millions into MCE UI research. This is top notch.
Another example... when watching live TV, you can press up or down to get the mini guide. The mini guido is a non-transparant, non-fade little box at the bottom-left corner of the screen. It displays the current program on the current channel you're watching right now. Go to the right and see what programs are comming up on the current channel. Press up/down to see the programs on different channels. Press OK to display more information about an program. If you press OK on a live program (playing right now on a different channel), it'll change the channel for you. Press REC to easily record the program. Press it twice to record the entire serie of that program.
It took the linux freaks years to copy the Windows XP 2004/5 MCE and they still fail. Don't start about Vista MCE. By the time Linux MCE has the same expierence as Vista MCE, i'll be kicking it in my grave (ok, maybe not .. but you catch my drift). Microsoft will always be one step ahead. Microsoft is the well-earned MCE-king.
ps. sorry that this is kinda biased. I formed this opion after building dozens of MCE based upon Windows MCE. Have tried multiple Linux-based MCE mutliple times .. Windows is still THE king. An MCE isn't cheap (yeah yeah Vista needs more to run great, bla bla. You're talking about $50 more or less), an medium MCE will easily set you back 500$. An kickass version about $1000. I spent alot on this kind of stuff and I want it to be perfect. Vista is the king.
ps2. Vista MCE also rocks because I can order my food via my MCE with only a remote ^^ (please don't send me ./orderfoodonline-beta-v2.sh)
ps3. I don't even consider Apple TV to be a MCE (as isn't Front Row). Sure it does it small part in Mac land, but a MCE it isn't. Let alone a great one. Hence the joke at the top.
ps4. I haven't even started about the features that Linux can only dream about. Extender connectivity, premium support, LEGAL hi-def movies, great audio subsystems, fantastic driver support, uPnP sharing (easily!), DRM support (yeah go again and flame this all you like. The truth is .. a system that supports DRM AND your own codecs is way better then a system that only plays your own codecs. Most people are pissed off by DRM but in all my expierence, DRM has never, ever, stopped my from having a great time with media. Microsoft hates DRM as much as you people do, but content providers (movies makers) need these systems. Plus that most of these DRM systems are easily turned off.)
flamers, bring it on...
(digg, jesus christ, fix you damn comments systems :X) - antych, on 12/22/2007, -3/+9It's more than impressive
- andyakadum, on 12/22/2007, -0/+4It will be when its done, ATM I'd say its on the right track, but not quite there yet.
- aroedl, on 12/22/2007, -0/+8I was a developer of VDR for a couple of years and I never had a look at LinuxMCE, but I have to say that this is really impressive!
- b1sh0p, on 12/22/2007, -6/+3Too complicated and expensive... My solution is Xbox Media Center hooked up to a Channel Plus RF Modulator. Buy an Xbox Remote and an IR target for every TV in your house, change your coax jacks to Channel Plus versions with IR Target support, and you have XBMC on Channel 100 (or whatever you set it to) via your exisiting wiring. No PC's, plug and play, wife friendly.
- chorne, on 12/22/2007, -1/+2Runs on a *buntu, go figure (says I while using Ubuntu)
- DangerCollie, on 12/22/2007, -2/+3That looked like Kubuntu Fiesty (7.04). You'd want to follow the wiki HCL building the box because I kept having problems with xorg.conf on Fiesty.
Using Gutsy now with the default Gnome and it's zippy-dippy. I like the media, security and telephony integration. That rocks. - chripro125, on 12/22/2007, -1/+0What does it not do? :)
- rexbron, on 12/22/2007, -0/+2Make you a sandwitch
- emehrkay, on 12/22/2007, -0/+2sudo - make chripo125 a sandwich
- rexbron, on 12/22/2007, -0/+2Make you a sandwitch
- largobargo, on 12/22/2007, -10/+6If the woman will come out of the TV and suck my *****, i'll install it.
- emehrkay, on 12/22/2007, -2/+2WOW!! the security stuff is really amazing
- Ub3rg33k, on 12/22/2007, -2/+2I've used it. I can say unless you absolutely must get phone services and home automation integrated into your media center, stay away from LinuxMCE at this time. Its buggy and just plain awkward to use. Stick with the various Myth distros for now.
- Ub3rg33k, on 12/23/2007, -0/+3You're digging me down because my real life experience with LinuxMCE refutes what you want to believe?
- Metasquares, on 12/22/2007, -3/+2I hear MCE and think "Machine Check Exception".
- rnawky, on 12/22/2007, -6/+1http://digg.com/linux_unix/The_power_of_Linux_MCE
Duplicate Story - paechan, on 12/22/2007, -1/+1Really impressive, stuff like this used to be in Sci-fi movies. I can really recommend watching this video.
- PimpL, on 12/22/2007, -2/+1DVD install
http://torrents.thepiratebay.org/3764648/LinuxMCE_ ... - sx66gns, on 12/22/2007, -4/+2Fantastic , simplistic and much better than gayass MCE.
- murf43143, on 12/22/2007, -3/+1Another win for Linux!
- xqb4dpx, on 12/22/2007, -1/+6this is so ridiculous, the system controls everything in your house, i would love to have the lights come on when someone is in the room that would be sick ... or have the music follow me ... or play throughout my house ... or speak to my burglar while he's robbing my house... this is ***** badass (even if the UI sucks for now)
- P373Y, on 12/22/2007, -5/+2vista home premium + xbox 360= media center
- BobCFC, on 12/22/2007, -0/+1-$1000
- dawnraid101, on 12/22/2007, -2/+2to bad itd take hours of troubleshooting if one peice of your hardware wasnt suported. thanks but no thanks ill stick with my XP media centre edition and my 360 as an extender.
- thesheqq, on 12/22/2007, -3/+1wow I think linux just beat Mr. Gates at his long term goal of easily networking an entire house. I am very impressed.
- TomKarpik, on 12/22/2007, -0/+0Why is it so spastic and flickery? There's no sense of smoothness or transitions anywhere -- it's all very ADD.
- Leerlaufprozess, on 12/22/2007, -2/+0Well the button part isn't really true. If you used a motion sensitive device like they are using for Windows MCE (e.g. The WiiRemote) you could use the Windows MCE with only one Button: The left mouse button. The cursor is simply controlled by pointing at the screen. Besides, the UI looks really ugly.
- Brain1, on 12/22/2007, -1/+2Pay $99.00 one time and get Beyond TV....Its an easy, fast, DVR...and you always have a reliable TV Guide thats integrated with your TV Display..
- mgithens, on 12/22/2007, -1/+1just don't expect tech support, or commercial skip to work... this is a DVR software ONLY, it will not playback your video collection, it will not check the weather, it will not integrate into x10, smarthome, etc... they sell another app to cover the media center - and it is abadonware!! (last update June '06) every point "upgrade" for BTV isn't for bug fixes, it is to push new products... the dvd burning addon for $30 doesn't work unless you record to EXACT specs, I have never seen it work... try the free ones first, I run MediaPortal right now and I like it MUCH better because it is truly a media center software - all video/audio incorporated into one interface.
- mhonorelsu, on 12/22/2007, -0/+1They use this as a base to sell this overpriced gyro remote and other stuff that only seems useful with this software. I tried out Linux MCE on two occasions and you need alot more than the software to get it working like in the demo.
- heartsblood, on 12/22/2007, -0/+1That's about the coolest thing I've ever seen before.
- TopBanana, on 12/22/2007, -0/+1Shame Sky TV in the UK won't integrate with it
- BobCFC, on 12/22/2007, -0/+1You know what kills it.. in the states there is a law forcing all cable companies to have firewire out on their set top boxes... so you can copy the videos over the wire without transcoding or anything.. even change channels for recording. SICK
- BobCFC, on 12/22/2007, -0/+1You know what kills it.. in the states there is a law forcing all cable companies to have firewire out on their set top boxes... so you can copy the videos over the wire without transcoding or anything.. even change channels for recording. SICK
- chuzbox, on 12/22/2007, -0/+1I installed linuxMCE with big hopes. I watched videos like this and I had NOTHING but issues on my computer. the optical out was all scrambled and it even had issues getting online. But from my experiences, nothing but a mess.
- Pelapp, on 12/22/2007, -0/+1I don't understand how Linux MCE can turn TVs on and off ?
- koick, on 12/23/2007, -0/+2They've been hooked up via a serial connection out of the USB port of the thin client computer.
- ninjasenses, on 12/22/2007, -0/+1Doesn't fit my needs at all. I dont need an all in one solution...
- dandonia, on 12/23/2007, -0/+1***** AMAZING! Now if only I had a house and about 10k sitting around
- pencilneck, on 12/23/2007, -0/+3Sounds great and all, but the video is really an ad for a company that sells turn key kits (hint.. the remote is one of the products). It would of been nice to be up front about that at the start of the video.
Since I've got an old Dell P4 ?? PC sitting behind me, may as well ***** around with LinuxMCE and see how it performs. - penguincentral, on 01/03/2008, -0/+1The video is amazing. I'd look into this if i were you.
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