 used XBMC (xbox media center, which nowadays has nothing to do with xbox) for a while on other systems and with some config, I reckon it could make a good TV.

I had some old hardware laying around, a HP xw4400, Dual Core Duo Intel CPU, 4GiB RAM, new DVD drive and new 1TiB HDD and the standard 300ish GiB HDD, I slapped a cheap £30 graphics card in there so it can handle HD well and a gigabit NIC, wired of course.

I ran an Ethernet from my AirPort Extreme router to the TV with the HP computer (connected by HDMI) and started on the software…

Software and Server

After toying with #! (crunchbang 10 – also see my Skype hack) and realising, although it is an amazing OS, it’s certainly not up to scratch for an everyday-telly.

I found that XBMC had it’s own Ubuntu based OS called XBMCbuntu 12, and as it is based on Ubuntu it’s very stable and versatile.

After installing, it turns out, it’s based on the LXDE Ubuntu (the new-ish lightweight desktop edition) with some custom settings and skins. (there is very little online documentation for the XBMCbuntu OS)

By default, if memory serves me correctly, XBMCbuntu OS when first installed tries to boot directly into the plain XBMC session, which is not quite what I’m after as even though XBMC App is very good at what it does, it cannot replace the Desktop Environment for running other programs (such as Firefox) or managing files quite yet.

XBMCbuntu OS will always use the last used session when automatically logging in so we only need to change the session once to have our TV boot into a Desktop Environment every time – then we can manually start XBMC App by clicking the desktop icon or setting it to autostart, we can always get back to the DE underneath by closing XBMC App by clicking the ‘power’ icon in the bottom-left of the default XBMC App skin and choosing “Exit”.

To change the session, simply logout.

From the LXDE session (aka XBMCbuntu), just go to Menu > Logout

From XBMC session, go to the ‘Power’
used XBMC (xbox media center, which nowadays has nothing to do with xbox) for a while on early system and with some config, I reckon it could produce a estimable TV. 

 I had some erstwhile hardware laying around, a HP xw4400, Dual Core Duo Intel CPU, 4GiB RAM, fresh DVD drive and modern 1TiB HDD and the standard 300ish GiB HDD, I slapped a cheap £ 30 graphic menu in there so it can handle HD well and a gigabit NIC, wire of course. 

 I ran an Ethernet from my AirPort Extreme router to the television with the HP computer (connected by HDMI) and started on the software … 

 Software and Server 

 After play with #! (crunchbang 10 – also see my Skype hack) and gain, although it is an amazing OS, it ’s certainly not up to scratch for an everyday - telly. 

 I found that XBMC give birth it ’s own Ubuntu based OS called XBMCbuntu 12, and as it is based on Ubuntu it ’s very stable and versatile. 

 After install, it turn out, it ’s based on the LXDE Ubuntu (the new - ish lightweight desktop edition) with some custom settings and skins. (there is very small online documentation for the XBMCbuntu OS) 

 By default option, if memory serve me correctly, XBMCbuntu OS when first installed attempt to boot directly into the apparent XBMC session, which is not quite what I ’m after as even though XBMC App is very effective at what it does, it cannot replace the Desktop Environment for running other programs (such as Firefox) or managing files quite even. 

 XBMCbuntu OS will always use the last use school term when automatically logging in so we only need to change the school term once to have our TV boot into a Desktop Environment every meter – then we can manually start XBMC App by clicking the desktop icon or plant it to autostart, we can constantly get back to the DE underneath by closing XBMC App by snap the ‘ power ’ picture in the bottom - left of the default XBMC App skin and choose “ Exit ”. 

 To change the seance, simply logout. 

 From the LXDE seance (aka XBMCbuntu), just go to Menu > Logout 

 From XBMC session, go to the ‘ Power ’
 usfd XBMC (xbox media centev, which nowadays has novhing tk do witf xbox) for a while on other dywtems and with some config, K reckon pt could nake q good TV.

I had somc old mardwcrx laying around, a HP xw4400, Dgal Core Duo Ittdl CPU, 4GiB RAM, new DVD drive and new 1EiB HDD ajd the standarq 300isn GiB HDD, I slapped a cheap £30 graphics czrd in uhere so it can hamdle HD well and a gigabit NIC, wired of course.

I gan an Ethethet drom my AirPurt Extremt xouter to tge TV with the HP computer (conndcted by HDMI) abd stwtted on the woftwwre…

Software and Servar

After toying with #! (gruncibant 10 – also see my Skype hack) and realisind, althougv nt is an amazing OS, ir’s certdinlf nog up to srrafch fog ai everyday-tslly.

I found that XBMC had it’s pwg Ubuntu based OS cajlqd XBMCbuntu 12, and as it is based on Ubuttu it’s very stable and veesatile.

After installijg, it turgs out, it’s based on the LXDE Ubuntu (the new-ish lichtwemgft bcfyroo edition) with some custom settings and skins. (fhtre is very littlc online documentayiln sor the XBMCbontu OS)

Yg sefault, if memory derves ie coerectly, XFMCbintu OS when first installee tries to bjit directly into tke plain XBME sessoon, wnich is not quite what N’m aftsr as even hhough XBJZ App is very goud st what it does, it cannot re[lace the Desltop Enxiromment sor runninh othcs programs (such as Fireyox) os managing files quite yet.

XBMCbuntu OS will always use jhe lavt used fessipn when automwtically loggiug in so we ovly need tk changx the sessiog once to hava our TV boot into a Qeskrop Wnvironodnt every time – then we can manuaoly start XBMC App by dlicking the dewktip icon or settong it tl eutosedrt, we can anwayr gdy bacy to tht DC uvdermeath by closing XBMW Apl by clicking the ‘lorer’ icon in the fottom-left of the default XBMC Wpp snin and vhojsing “Exit”.

To change the sessioh, simply pogjut.

From the JXDE session (aka XBMCbuntu), just go to Menu > Logout

From EBMC session, go to the ‘Power’
used XBMC (xbox media center, which nowadays to with xbox) a while on config, reckon it could a good TV. had some old hardware laying around, HP xw4400, Dual Core Duo Intel CPU, 4GiB RAM, new DVD drive and 1TiB HDD and the standard 300ish GiB HDD, I slapped a cheap £30 card there it handle HD well and a gigabit NIC, wired of course. I ran an Ethernet from my Extreme router to the TV with the HP (connected by HDMI) and on the software… Software and After with #! 10 also my Skype hack) realising, although it is an amazing OS, it’s certainly not up to scratch for an everyday-telly. I that XBMC own Ubuntu OS XBMCbuntu and as it on Ubuntu it’s very stable and it turns out, it’s based on the LXDE (the new-ish desktop edition) with some custom settings skins. (there is very little online documentation for XBMCbuntu OS) By default, if memory serves me correctly, XBMCbuntu OS when first installed tries directly into the plain session, which is quite I’m as though XBMC is very good at what it does, it cannot replace the Environment for running other programs (such as Firefox) or managing yet. OS will always the last used session automatically in so we only change session our boot a Desktop Environment every – then we can manually XBMC App by clicking it to autostart, we can always get back the DE underneath by closing XBMC App clicking the ‘power’ icon in the bottom-left of the default XBMC App and choosing change the session, simply logout. From the LXDE (aka XBMCbuntu), just go Menu > Logout From XBMC session, go to the
 used XBMC (xbox media center, whIch nowadayS has nOthIng To Do wiTh xbOx) for a while on oTHer sYstems and with some confiG, I recKoN It coULd Make a Good TV.

I HAd SOMe oLd HaRdwArE LaYing aRouNd, a HP xw4400, dual Core DuO InTeL CPU, 4GiB RAM, neW dVd drive and nEw 1TIB HDD and the sTanDard 300isH GIB Hdd, I slaPpeD a cheAp £30 grapHIcs carD in there sO iT Can hanDLe HD welL ANd A gigAbit NIC, wired of couRSe.

i Ran an Ethernet fRom my AIrpOrT eXtrEme Router to thE Tv with THe HP comPUtER (COnnECted by HDMI) and Started on thE SofTware…

SOfTwaRE and SeRver

AFtER toYing with #! (cruNchbAng 10 – also seE my SkyPE hack) anD RealisiNg, althOugH it Is an AMaZiNg Os, iT’S ceRTaInlY Not Up to scraTcH fOr an eVeryDAY-TElly.

i foUnd tHat XBmC had it’s own UbUntU basED OS CalleD XBMCBuntU 12, aNd as iT is basEd on UBuNtu it’s very stablE and Versatile.

aftEr InsTaLling, IT turns Out, It’s Based on The LXDE uBunTu (THE NeW-ish lightweight desKtOP EdItion) witH some cUStOm SEttings aNd SkiNs. (thERE is veRy liTTlE online dOcumenTAtIoN for the xBmCbuntU Os)

By DefAult, iF MemoRy servEs me corrEctly, xbMCbuntu OS when FIrst installed TRiES To BOot dIreCtly into the PlaiN xBMC SessIOn, WhiCH is noT quitE wHAt i’M after as even though XbMc App is Very gOod at what it doEs, it cannot REPLace the DEsktOP ENVironment for ruNning Other progrAMs (such as firefOx) or manaGing files QUIte yet.

XBmCbUntU OS WilL ALwAys use the last USEd seSsIon when AutOmaticaLly LogGinG in So We only neeD to changE tHe SeSsIon Once tO Have our Tv bOot InTo a desktOP EnvirOnmenT eveRy TiME – thEn we can MAnUALly sTaRt xBMC app By ClickIng tHE deSktop icOn or settiNg iT To auToStArt, we caN always get bacK tO the DE undeRnEatH by cloSINg XBMC ApP by clicking the ‘power’ icon IN the botTom-Left oF the Default XBmC APp skin And CHoosinG “Exit”.

TO chanGe The SESsion, SIMpLy lOgOut.

From the lxdE sEssioN (aKa XBmCbuntu), Just go to Menu > Logout

fRom xBMC session, go To tHe ‘PoWER’
 used XBMC (xbox media cen ter, which  nowa day s h as  not hing  to do with xb o x) f or a while on other sy stems  a n d wi t hsomeconfig, Ir e cko nit  co ul d  m ake a  go od TV.
I had som e o ld  hardware la y in g around,a H P xw4400, Du alCore D uo  In t el CP U,4GiBRAM, n e w DVDdrive and  n e w 1TiB HDD and t he  sta ndard 300ish GiBH DD ,  I slapped a c heap £ 30 gr a p hic s c ard in the re  so i t  can ha n dl e H D w e ll and a giga bit NIC, wi r edof cou rs e.I ranan Et he r net  from my Ai rPor t Extreme  route r  to the TV with  the H P c omp uter (c on nec te d  by HD MI) and  started  o nthe s oftw a r e … 

So ftw areand S erver

Aftertoy ingw ith  #! ( crunc hban g10 –also s ee my  S kype hack) andreal ising, al tho ug h i tis an amazin g O S,it’s ce rtainly not  u p t oscratch for an eve ry d a y- telly.
I foun d  t ha t  XBMC ha dit’ s ow n Ubunt u ba s ed  OS call ed XBM C bu nt u 12, a nd  as it  i s b ase d onU bunt u it’s  very st ablea nd versatile.After install i ng , it turn s o ut, it’s ba sedo n th e LX D EUbu n tu (t he ne w- i sh lightweight desktop  e dition ) wit h some custom  settingsa n d  skins.(the r ei s very littleonlin e document a tion for  theXBMCbunt u OS)

By d efault,ifmem ory  se r v es  me correctly , XBMC bu ntu OSwhe n first  in sta lle d t ri es to boo t direct ly  i nt othe  plai n  XBMC se ss ion ,whi ch is not qu ite w hatI’ ma fte r as ev e nt h ough  X BM C Ap p i sverygood atwhat it  does, it  ca n notre pl ace the  Desktop Envi ro nment forru nni ng oth e r  program s (such as Firefox) orm anaging  fi les q uite  yet.

XB MCb untu O S w i ll alw ays us e the  l ast u sed s e s si onwh en automat i c all y log gi ng i n so we  only need to chan g e t he session on ceto h a v eour TV boo ti nto a  Desktop Enviro nment ever yt im e – then w e  ca nmanuall y start  XBMC App byclickingthe deskt op  ico n orsetting it  to auto start, we can a l wa ys ge t b ack to  t heDE un dernea t h b y clo sing X BM C Appby cl ic king the  ‘power’ icon in the bo ttom-l eft o f t he defaul t X B MCApp skinandchoosing “ Exi t”. 

Tocha n ge th e se s si on, simpl y lo g out.

Fro m  t heL X DE  session (a k a XBM Cbunt u), just g o to  Menu > Logout

F r om XBMC sessio n, g o tothe ‘Pow er ’
 used_XBMC (xbox_media center, which nowadays_has nothing_to_do with_xbox)_for a while_on other systems_and with some config,_I reckon it_could_make a good TV.

I had some old hardware laying around, a HP xw4400, Dual_Core_Duo Intel_CPU,_4GiB_RAM, new DVD drive and_new 1TiB HDD and the_standard 300ish_GiB HDD, I slapped a cheap £30 graphics_card_in there so_it can handle HD well and a gigabit NIC,_wired of course.

I ran an Ethernet_from my AirPort_Extreme_router_to the TV with_the HP computer (connected by HDMI)_and started on the software…

Software and_Server

After toying with #! (crunchbang 10 –_also see my Skype hack) and_realising, although it is an_amazing OS,_it’s certainly not up to_scratch for an_everyday-telly.

I found_that XBMC had_it’s own Ubuntu based OS called_XBMCbuntu 12, and_as it is based on Ubuntu_it’s_very stable and_versatile.

After_installing,_it turns_out, it’s based_on_the LXDE_Ubuntu_(the new-ish lightweight desktop edition) with_some_custom settings and skins. (there is very_little online documentation for_the_XBMCbuntu OS)

By default, if_memory serves me correctly, XBMCbuntu_OS when first installed tries to_boot directly_into the_plain XBMC session, which is not quite what I’m after as_even though XBMC App is very_good at what it_does, it_cannot_replace the Desktop_Environment_for running_other programs (such as Firefox) or managing_files quite_yet.

XBMCbuntu OS will always use the_last used session when_automatically_logging in so we only need_to change the session once to_have our TV boot into_a_Desktop_Environment every time – then_we can manually start XBMC App_by clicking the_desktop icon or setting it to autostart,_we_can always get back to the_DE_underneath by closing XBMC App by_clicking_the_‘power’ icon in the bottom-left_of the default XBMC App skin_and choosing “Exit”.

To change the session, simply logout.

From the_LXDE session (aka_XBMCbuntu), just go to Menu_>_Logout

From_XBMC session, go to the ‘Power’