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GeeXboX
The GeeXboX is no more than an awesome standalone media player.
Very nice. Remote controlled multimedia PC (HTPC) made easy.
Oct '07: Looked at using 1.1 and HD dev version. The former doesn't seem to support 1440x900 and the later doesn't seem to support my serial remote ... So I took another look around and discovered FreevoLive (below)... The GeeXbox serial remote bug was an easy fix (change LIRC_MODULES="8250" to LIRC_MODULES="8250|8250_pnp|8250_pci" in lircd_), the HD version is looking OK.
Oct '06: I've removed some out of date ideas/customization and added my last used AST/Logitech lirc files. While I still maintain a GeeXboX box for a friends TV, I'm mainly using Xine on my primary PC (Madriva) for multimedia (19" WS LCD)... '19: Using the same remote on PCLOS with mplayer (the .lircrc has xine and mplayer controls setup)
Files
lircrc_logitech (> ~/.lircrc)
lircd_logitech.conf (> /etc/lirc/lircd.conf)
...also need /etc/sysconfig/lirc w/ DRIVER="logitech" and DEVICE=/dev/ttyS0
Mplayer slave.txt (local)
Nov '07: A LUG poster wanted to setup a kiosk that would loop a single video file. An edited version of my reply:
You could use Geexbox to build a custom CD/DVD/whatever that includes the OS (8.8MB) and your video. Get the iso generator which includes Linux, Mac and Win executables, stick your video in the /iso directory, add loop=0 to /iso/GEEXBOX/etc/mplayer/mplayer.conf, build and burn. Stick the DVD in the drive and boot (set bios to boot from CD). Geexbox will boot and autoplay/loop the video.
--
Other HTPC distro's:
FreevoLive works and looks promising though its a quite big compared to GeeXboX and doesn't support remote controls out of the box. It looks like installing it (a trimmed down Mandriva '07) and adding at least lirc is the only way to really test it (e.g. w/ a remote). It may be a good minimal multimedia Mandriva that can be built into an all purpose system.
Freepia runs on Via Epia-M motherboards.
"LinuxMCE is a free, open source add-on to Kubuntu including a 10' UI, complete whole-house media solution..." This one looks a little bit much, what is a 10' UI?
HTPC programs (not self contained)
LMBOX (not current/active).
Freevo: I've had nothing but grief installing and trying to setup/use this one. See also: FreevoLive (above)
Very nice. Remote controlled multimedia PC (HTPC) made easy.
Oct '07: Looked at using 1.1 and HD dev version. The former doesn't seem to support 1440x900 and the later doesn't seem to support my serial remote ... So I took another look around and discovered FreevoLive (below)... The GeeXbox serial remote bug was an easy fix (change LIRC_MODULES="8250" to LIRC_MODULES="8250|8250_pnp|8250_pci" in lircd_
Oct '06: I've removed some out of date ideas/customization and added my last used AST/Logitech lirc files. While I still maintain a GeeXboX box for a friends TV, I'm mainly using Xine on my primary PC (Madriva) for multimedia (19" WS LCD)... '19: Using the same remote on PCLOS with mplayer (the .lircrc has xine and mplayer controls setup)
Files
lircrc_logitech (> ~/.lircrc)
lircd_logitech.conf (> /etc/lirc/lircd.conf)
...also need /etc/sysconfig/lirc w/ DRIVER="logitech" and DEVICE=/dev/ttyS0
Mplayer slave.txt (local)
Nov '07: A LUG poster wanted to setup a kiosk that would loop a single video file. An edited version of my reply:
You could use Geexbox to build a custom CD/DVD/whatever that includes the OS (8.8MB) and your video. Get the iso generator which includes Linux, Mac and Win executables, stick your video in the /iso directory, add loop=0 to /iso/GEEXBOX/etc/mplayer/mplayer.conf, build and burn. Stick the DVD in the drive and boot (set bios to boot from CD). Geexbox will boot and autoplay/loop the video.
--
Other HTPC distro's:
FreevoLive works and looks promising though its a quite big compared to GeeXboX and doesn't support remote controls out of the box. It looks like installing it (a trimmed down Mandriva '07) and adding at least lirc is the only way to really test it (e.g. w/ a remote). It may be a good minimal multimedia Mandriva that can be built into an all purpose system.
Freepia runs on Via Epia-M motherboards.
"LinuxMCE is a free, open source add-on to Kubuntu including a 10' UI, complete whole-house media solution..." This one looks a little bit much, what is a 10' UI?
HTPC programs (not self contained)
LMBOX (not current/active).
Freevo: I've had nothing but grief installing and trying to setup/use this one. See also: FreevoLive (above)
