Ubunta and HTPC

[samcan]

Just wondered if anyone has any experience with this.
Read some forums but cant really get a handle on weather its
APIA or quite easy.
Not going to be doing any real linux stuff. Just want a media center to play movies/music form HD/DVD on lcd and projector.
Any thoughts/suggestions are welcome.
I'm currently using an ATI card if that makes any difference?
Thanks

 

[cypherpunk]

There are distributions dedicated entirely to multimedia/HTPC. You'd want to look at those.

 

[samcan]

Well I have downloaded the newest version 8.04, looks like it will do what I need. My biggest concerns are my soundcard, envyHT with optical output and my Microsoft bluetooth keyboard and mouse. But I did read they now have support for BT.
Guess I'll just install and see what happens

 

[WoodPeckr]

For help with Ubuntu join the Ubuntu Forums, they are HUGE, worldwide and very friendly, just like this Tech Forum.

They helped me out a couple times with a couple questions on Ubuntu.
Ubuntu is an excellent OS to try if you are tired of being held hostage by MS & Apple.

 

[WoodPeckr]

You will need to download support for some media files that are not free (MP3, Wmv etc.) Ask the Ubuntu community - they will be very glad to help another guy tired of MS crap.

Believe the default music format is, ogg in Ubuntu.

However the first time I dragged an mp3 file into Ubuntu from the Windows partition, it said it couldn't play it and needed a 'plugin'.
Then Ubuntu asked if I wanted that plugin? I clicked, yes, it then said it would find one. Seconds later it said it found 4 plugins and asked if I wanted it, to select one. I clicked yes and picked the 'best rated one by Ubuntu' and Ubuntu downloaded it & installed it, then 'cleaned things up after' and told me it was now possible to play mp3 files!
Pretty simple, eh!....

 

[mwong168]

There are some cool media center distributions such as LinuxMCE. Check this video out:

http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=2176025602905109829&hl=en

At around 19:00mins they demonstrate a really cool function called "Follow Me" using the special gyration remote. Forget the name now but check out the video and you'll see what I mean.

My current HTPC is running windows XP and media portal. Check out the website: http://www.team-mediaportal.com

The software is open source and has a pretty big following. The only pain with open source stuff is you have to really play with it to get it to work. If you have any questions feel free to PM about media portal.