XBMC query

[kopite]

Hey people,

I`ve got a HTPC up and running and its been working pretty well for the past year or so. Its currently running windows 7 home premium with Media centre on it.

I`ve been looking at XBMC though as a lot of people seem to use it and like it.

I was wondering is it better that Media centre?

If it is better what is the best way to run it? on windows or on linux?

All my videos are held on a linux file server on the network.

Cheers

[streetster]

I've been running XBMC on Linux but then switched to Windows when there was a driver conflict between my onboard GeForce 9300 and Ubuntu 10.xx...

It ran equally well on either OS, one of the advantages I found with running under linux was that I could easily pull down the latest dev build, make && make install it to get any new features...

I also found that with my xbox 360 wireless controller, under Windows I need to turn the controller on *before* XBMC loads otherwise it isnt picked up, but under linux I could turn it on at any point... doesnt sound much, but meant I couldnt set XBMC to auto-run otherwise I'd not be able to do anything... currently I just use a wireless keyboard, but when I get a spare afternoon I'll take W7 off and stick Ubuntu back on

[kopite]

Hmm I might install it on windows 7 for now to have a shufty

[ChaosSystem]

You can run it from Live CD, this will allow you to test it on your system and then decide if you would like to commit to it.

[Pancake]

Been running on 7 for over a year now, couldent live without it

[kopite]

I`ve downloaded the eden beta release 2 for windows. I`ll have a mess with it over the next few days,.

DOes it play blu-rays?

[Mapester]

One thing to take into account is what hardware you want to run xbmc on. Im using a nvidia-ion based HTPC, if I run a windows install 1080p can be a bit hit and miss, plus in windows u have to run extra programs to avoid malware/ etc imo. and this is the reason I run mine on linux, initially I ran the ubuntu version but for that last 3yrs or so Ive used my fave distro of choice archlinux to run xbmc.

Another nice thing to consider is getting a CEC-adapter from http://www.pulse-eight.com/store/pro...c-adapter.aspx . Which is a very nice option to control your XBMC htpc.

[kopite]

Can linux do blu-ray nowadays?

That was part of the reason I went windows 7 last time because there didnt seem to be support for blu-ray playback.

[ChaosSystem]

Bluray playback is still tricky to implement under Linux.

[kicker56]

I found XBMC under Windows to be great, obviously depends on your hardware though, but doesn't need super powerful PC to run. I even use it with something called voxcommando, which allows me to voice control my selections. I would recommend anyone give it a try. a very WOW factor for friends and family.