XBMC HTPC - Revision history

Marc Saric at 16:03, 1 May 2025

2025-05-01T16:03:22Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 18:03, 1 May 2025
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			= KODI (previously known as XBMC) =

	After my old CD-Player broke down I decided that it would be time to replace the 20 year old ancient HiFi rack with something more suitable. Either an universal player or a self built HTPC. The HTPC won obviously...		After my old CD-Player broke down I decided that it would be time to replace the 20 year old ancient HiFi rack with something more suitable. Either an universal player or a self built HTPC. The HTPC won obviously...

Marc Saric: /* Minor stuff */

2013-10-26T15:35:04Z

Minor stuff

← Older revision		Revision as of 17:35, 26 October 2013
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	=== Minor stuff ===		=== Minor stuff ===

	I tried to remove the Canonical ~~adveristments~~ (MOTD based) with this		I tried to remove the Canonical advertisements (MOTD based) with this

	http://askubuntu.com/questions/23246/how-do-i-edit-the-ssh-motd		http://askubuntu.com/questions/23246/how-do-i-edit-the-ssh-motd

Marc Saric at 16:07, 25 August 2013

2013-08-25T16:07:30Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 18:07, 25 August 2013
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	=== Hardware acceleration ===		=== Hardware acceleration ===
	It worked (tm), but without hardware acceleration apparently, see Debug settings in XBMC or simply press "o" (see http://wiki.xbmc.org/index.php?title=Keyboard for the XBMC keyboard layout).		It worked (tm), but without hardware acceleration apparently, see Debug settings in XBMC or simply press "o" (see http://wiki.xbmc.org/index.php?title=Keyboard for the XBMC keyboard layout).

			Hardware acceleration should work, but it does not. Reading XBMC forum entries yielded some hints, that the Intel driver must be above a certain version number.

	Check version of driver:		Check version of driver:
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	</pre>		</pre>

	~~Warning~~ about KMS deactivated in grub with e.g. "i915.modeset=0" in /etc/default/grub		There where some warnings about KMS deactivated in grub with e.g. "i915.modeset=0" in /etc/default/grub

	<pre>		<pre>
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	</pre>		</pre>

	~~Will install~~ mesa et al. and new ~~intel~~ driver.But starting xbmc ~~crashes~~ the X server.		This installed mesa et al. and the new Intel driver.But starting xbmc crashed the X server.

	It ~~seems~~ that X is initialized using the correct SNA module:		It seemed that X had been initialized using the correct SNA module:

	<pre>		<pre>
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	</pre>		</pre>

	~~X itself can be run (xinit). Error may be XBMC activating stuff~~ that does not ~~work?~~		It turns out, that the default user does not belong to the video group by default, see: http://ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?t=2122588, which boils down to

	~~Logs /var/log/~ and ~/xbmc crashlog are inconclusive (no WARNING)~~

	~~Started from root account (xinit xbmc) worked. Enabled accell. Testrun with DVD ~ 14% CPU.~~

	~~Why not from unpriviledged user?~~

	~~Again~~ see: http://ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?t=2122588, which boils down to

	<pre>		<pre>
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	=== HD audio via HDMI ===		=== HD audio via HDMI ===

	I skipped HD Audio via HDMI, as this would only work with the TV, but not the amplifier (which is an old Fisher analog stereo amp with ~~only~~ analog input). If you want HD audio, prepare for some trouble: See here as an entry point: http://forum.xbmc.org/showthread.php?tid=156400		I skipped HD Audio via HDMI, as this would only work with the TV, but not the amplifier (which is an old Fisher analog stereo amp with analog input only). If you want HD audio, prepare for some trouble: See here as an entry point: http://forum.xbmc.org/showthread.php?tid=156400
	See here: http://forum.xbmc.org/showthread.php?tid=34655, and also here (very useful): http://wiki.xbmc.org/index.php?title=AudioEngine/HOW-TO:_Configure_audio, and finaly this: http://wiki.xbmc.org/index.php?title=Intel_Linux_Modifications_for_HD_Audio i.e. it seems we hit the jackpot again, as 12.04 has		See here: http://forum.xbmc.org/showthread.php?tid=34655, and also here (very useful): http://wiki.xbmc.org/index.php?title=AudioEngine/HOW-TO:_Configure_audio, and finaly this: http://wiki.xbmc.org/index.php?title=Intel_Linux_Modifications_for_HD_Audio i.e. it seems we hit the jackpot again, as 12.04 has

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	As the BD drive was a bit noisy, I tried to silence it using spindown: http://forum.xbmc.org/showthread.php?pid=523814%23pid523814 with mixed results.		As the BD drive was a bit noisy, I tried to silence it using spindown: http://forum.xbmc.org/showthread.php?pid=523814%23pid523814 with mixed results.


	=== Auto eject not working ===		=== Auto eject not working ===
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	There where severe issues with auto-ejecting CD-ROMs etc. The only (of the many) solutions, which worked, was this:		There where severe issues with auto-ejecting CD-ROMs etc. The only (of the many) solutions, which worked, was this:

	Edit the udev rule /etc/udev/rules.d/70-persistent-cd.rules and add another RUN script, which sets eject -i 0 for all defined drives. Thereby unlocking the open/close button (although it appears to be unlocked already).		Edit the udev rule <tt>/etc/udev/rules.d/70-persistent-cd.rules</tt> and add another RUN script, which sets eject -i 0 for all defined drives. Thereby unlocking the open/close button (although it appears to be unlocked already). It did not help to put that extra rule in a custom udev rules file (although it should). If I have more time to dig into this, I may update this section. It works for now, but be aware, that any regular updates may overwrite the file.

	=== Shutdown ===		=== Shutdown ===
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	== Issues ==		== Issues ==
	* BluRay playback: As advertised. BD+ encrypted discs won't play, the others will work more or less (with menus working halfways).		* BluRay playback: As advertised. BD+ encrypted discs won't play, the others will work more or less (with menus working halfways). You can work around that -whether the workaround is legal or not is up to where you live.
	* Hanging system. I had several occasions (while playing audio CD-ROMs and DVDs) when XBMC got stuck. I was able to login via ssh in some cases and e.g. kill the XBMC process or restart the machine. Should not happen.		* Hanging system. I had several occasions (while playing audio CD-ROMs and DVDs) when XBMC got stuck. I was able to login via ssh in some cases and e.g. kill the XBMC process or restart the machine. Should not happen.
	* flirc.tv. Although a very hassle free solution (insert in USB port at the back of the case and go (no direct line of sight needed)) it has an anoying issue with key repeats. If I press and hold a key on the Sony remote, flirc.tv apparently issues lots of key presses, which confuses XBMC at times. To date no solution to this.		* flirc.tv. Although a very hassle free solution (insert in USB port at the back (sic!) of the case and go (no direct line of sight needed)) it has an anoying issue with key repeats. If I press and hold a key on the Sony remote, flirc.tv apparently issues lots of key presses, which confuses XBMC at times. To date no solution to this.
	* Noisy BD drive. The BD-drive is somewhat resistant to "spindown", it appears to get less noisy, but not really silent. At least not to audio CD player noise level.		* Noisy BD drive. The BD-drive is somewhat resistant to "spindown", it appears to get less noisy, but not really silent. At least not to audio CD player noise level.
			* There is a short but anoying cracking sound on the loudspeakers on startup. No workaround yet.

	The system still feels a bit too much like a PC at times (startup with fans at max speed for a moment, software issues described above, some of the XBMC GUI behaviour).		The system still feels a bit too much like a PC at times (startup with fans at max speed for a moment, software issues described above, some of the XBMC GUI behaviour).

Marc Saric: /* Things which work */

2013-07-22T21:42:24Z

Things which work

← Older revision		Revision as of 23:42, 22 July 2013
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	* DVD playback and DVD autostart on insert		* DVD playback and DVD autostart on insert
	* CD-ROM playback and CD-ROM autostart on insert, auto eject (either via eject button or hardware button)		* CD-ROM playback and CD-ROM autostart on insert, auto eject (either via eject button or hardware button)
	* mkv and other video formats		* Scanning of media libraries (video, audio)
			* mkv and other video formats (including fan-art display etc.)
			* mp3 and other audio formats
	* Megapixel image display		* Megapixel image display
	* Video streaming (~~youtube~~ et al)		* Video streaming (Youtube et al)

	So all basic functions of XBMC work as advertised using hardware acceleration where possible.		So all basic functions of XBMC work as advertised using hardware acceleration where possible.

Marc Saric: /* Issues */

2013-07-22T21:40:37Z

Issues

← Older revision		Revision as of 23:40, 22 July 2013
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	== Issues ==		== Issues ==
	* BluRay playback: As advertised. BD+ encrypted discs won't play, the others will work more or less (with menus working halfways).		* BluRay playback: As advertised. BD+ encrypted discs won't play, the others will work more or less (with menus working halfways).
	* Hanging system. I had several occasions (while playing audio CD-ROMs and DVDs) when XBMC got stuck. I was able to login via ssh in some cases and e.g. kill the XBMC process or restart the machine. Should not happen		* Hanging system. I had several occasions (while playing audio CD-ROMs and DVDs) when XBMC got stuck. I was able to login via ssh in some cases and e.g. kill the XBMC process or restart the machine. Should not happen.
	* flirc.tv. Although a very hassle free solution (insert in USB port at the back ~~(!)~~ of the case and go) it has an anoying issue with key repeats. If I press and hold a key on the Sony remote, flirc.tv apparently issues lots of key presses, which confuses XBMC at times. To date no solution to this.		* flirc.tv. Although a very hassle free solution (insert in USB port at the back of the case and go (no direct line of sight needed)) it has an anoying issue with key repeats. If I press and hold a key on the Sony remote, flirc.tv apparently issues lots of key presses, which confuses XBMC at times. To date no solution to this.
	* Noisy BD drive. The BD-drive is somewhat resistant to "spindown", it appears to get less noisy, but not really silent. At least not to audio CD player noise level.		* Noisy BD drive. The BD-drive is somewhat resistant to "spindown", it appears to get less noisy, but not really silent. At least not to audio CD player noise level.

	The system still feels a bit too much like a PC at times (startup with fans at max speed for a moment, software issues described above, some of the XBMC GUI behaviour).		The system still feels a bit too much like a PC at times (startup with fans at max speed for a moment, software issues described above, some of the XBMC GUI behaviour).

Marc Saric: /* Playing BluRay disks */

2013-07-22T21:39:18Z

Playing BluRay disks

← Older revision		Revision as of 23:39, 22 July 2013
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	BluRay info can be found here: https://wiki.archlinux.org/index.php/BluRay		BluRay info can be found here: https://wiki.archlinux.org/index.php/BluRay

	Apparently one needs libaacs, as a basis for libbluray. libaacs then needs a KEYDB.file, which may or may not be legal to posses. Follow the links		Apparently one needs libaacs, as a basis for libbluray. libaacs then needs a KEYDB.file, which may or may not be legal to posses. Follow the links.

	=== Minor stuff ===		=== Minor stuff ===

Marc Saric: /* HD audio via HDMI */

2013-07-22T21:38:20Z

HD audio via HDMI

← Older revision		Revision as of 23:38, 22 July 2013
Line 119:		Line 119:
	=== HD audio via HDMI ===		=== HD audio via HDMI ===

	I skipped HD Audio via HDMI, as this would only work with the TV, but not the amplifier (which is an old Fisher analog stereo amp with only analog input. If you want HD audio, prepare for some trouble: See here as an entry point: http://forum.xbmc.org/showthread.php?tid=156400		I skipped HD Audio via HDMI, as this would only work with the TV, but not the amplifier (which is an old Fisher analog stereo amp with only analog input). If you want HD audio, prepare for some trouble: See here as an entry point: http://forum.xbmc.org/showthread.php?tid=156400
	See here: http://forum.xbmc.org/showthread.php?tid=34655, and also here (very useful): http://wiki.xbmc.org/index.php?title=AudioEngine/HOW-TO:_Configure_audio, and finaly this: http://wiki.xbmc.org/index.php?title=Intel_Linux_Modifications_for_HD_Audio i.e. it seems we hit the jackpot again, as 12.04 has		See here: http://forum.xbmc.org/showthread.php?tid=34655, and also here (very useful): http://wiki.xbmc.org/index.php?title=AudioEngine/HOW-TO:_Configure_audio, and finaly this: http://wiki.xbmc.org/index.php?title=Intel_Linux_Modifications_for_HD_Audio i.e. it seems we hit the jackpot again, as 12.04 has

Marc Saric: /* Hardware acceleration */

2013-07-22T21:38:00Z

Hardware acceleration

← Older revision		Revision as of 23:38, 22 July 2013
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	<pre>		<pre>
	xbmc@hollywood:/var/log$ sudo usermod -a -G video ~~uuser~~		xbmc@hollywood:/var/log$ sudo usermod -a -G video xbmc
	xbmc@hollywood:/var/log$ sudo usermod -a -G audio ~~uuser~~		xbmc@hollywood:/var/log$ sudo usermod -a -G audio xbmc
	</pre>		</pre>

Marc Saric: /* Things which work */

2013-07-21T15:29:41Z

Things which work

← Older revision		Revision as of 17:29, 21 July 2013
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	== Things which work ==		== Things which work ==
	* DVD playback and DVD autostart on insert		* DVD playback and DVD autostart on insert
	* CD-ROM playback and CD-ROM autostart on insert		* CD-ROM playback and CD-ROM autostart on insert, auto eject (either via eject button or hardware button)
	* mkv and other video formats		* mkv and other video formats
	* Megapixel image display		* Megapixel image display

Marc Saric: /* Issues */

2013-07-21T15:27:28Z

Issues

← Older revision		Revision as of 17:27, 21 July 2013
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	* flirc.tv. Although a very hassle free solution (insert in USB port at the back (!) of the case and go) it has an anoying issue with key repeats. If I press and hold a key on the Sony remote, flirc.tv apparently issues lots of key presses, which confuses XBMC at times. To date no solution to this.		* flirc.tv. Although a very hassle free solution (insert in USB port at the back (!) of the case and go) it has an anoying issue with key repeats. If I press and hold a key on the Sony remote, flirc.tv apparently issues lots of key presses, which confuses XBMC at times. To date no solution to this.
	* Noisy BD drive. The BD-drive is somewhat resistant to "spindown", it appears to get less noisy, but not really silent. At least not to audio CD player noise level.		* Noisy BD drive. The BD-drive is somewhat resistant to "spindown", it appears to get less noisy, but not really silent. At least not to audio CD player noise level.

			The system still feels a bit too much like a PC at times (startup with fans at max speed for a moment, software issues described above, some of the XBMC GUI behaviour).