DVD Server using XBOX Media Center (XBMC), DVD Profiler, and IMDB (Pictures galore) [Text View] - Page 8

sean_w_smith

04-01-07, 11:30 PM

BTW: New CVS Build is out. Seems like the views re-write is about done and is quite cool. Something REALLY COOL I just noticed is that now when in Library Mode it automatically detects all my ARTIST thumbnails. This is always worked in file mode but in library mode you had to set them 1 at a time. impossilbe on my collection.

I have my stuff

artist\album

I take one of the albums folder.jpg file and put it in the album art directory. Now it works well...

It appears a bunch more fixes for the new scraper functionality. Seems like a lot of this is tailored toward folks downloading tv episodes. Not something I do with all my tivos, but it seems cool... The fact there is an API for this now is cool. Maybe someone will write one for UK TV so I can tag all my top gear and fifth gear videos...

BTW: I now have 12 different skins loaded on my 2.01 I certainly have likes and dislikes and PMIII is a great skin but some of the other skins are cool. If you haven't checked any of them out you might want to give them a try...

Pimped is currently shipping with: MC260, PMIII, Media Center, Vision and xTV

The others I get off SVN directly and have to build them using the build.bat

Release Info: 3/31/07

2007-03-31 8387 fixed: last.fm radio track info display
2007-03-31 8386 updated: finnish strings (thanks to mikko)
2007-03-31 8385 changed: less nasty hack for the 'all seaason' episode numbering.
2007-03-31 8384 fixed: lack of formatSQL usage caused errors if you gave a video item a label involving 'bad' chars such as '.
2007-03-31 8383 fixed: number of episodes were wrong after a fresh tvshow information lookup.
2007-03-31 8382 added: if you press info on a directory with no content set, the set content dialog pops up.
2007-03-31 8381 fixed: squares in episode plots with xpr fonts.
2007-03-31 8380 added: option to hide plot for unwatched items.
2007-03-31 8379 fixed: thumbnail assignment in video library. fixed: wrong video info window used if you accessed it from the file section. fixed: some listitem labels didnt work in the video info window if you accessed it from files.
2007-03-31 8378 changed: music scans now scans the current selected item, not the current directory (as it does in videos).
2007-03-30 8377 cleanup: Removed some unneeded functions.
2007-03-30 8376 fixed: system.hdspindowntime used instead of harddisk.spindowntime
2007-03-30 8375 fixed: DXT4 textures in a .xpr file crashed XBMC_PC.
2007-03-30 8374 added: Sort By: File to file based views. Sorts folders + files alphanumerically regardless of type.
2007-03-30 8373 added: Support for thumbs in multipath:// folders.
2007-03-30 8372 added: new harddisk APM and AAM settings for a quieter, lower power HDD changed: harddisk settings moved to seperate group from the rest of system settings
2007-03-29 8371 Added: Vortex - AlbumArtWaveSpectrum preset
2007-03-29 8370 fixed: slightly better default regexp's for the video library.
2007-03-29 8369 fixed: WindowXML media folder support, was using the wrong location. Forgot to adjust when fallback workings changed.
2007-03-29 8368 fixed: Various artists albums would show all tracks from the album, even if one went in via a specific artist.
2007-03-29 8367 fixed: CDDA ripping of full albums containing invalid characters failed. Changed CUtil::MakeLegalFileName to use GetFatXQualifiedPath.
2007-03-29 8366 fixed: Centering of master lockcode choice in 720p or 1080i
2007-03-29 8365 Changed : PM3 Video Library "Media info" view to more resemble AMT Layout
2007-03-28 8364 Fixed : PM3 Alignment issues in SettingsProfile.xml and DialogScriptInfo.xml
2007-03-28 8363 added: limit option to changelog tool (thanks to jgawera).
2007-03-28 8362 fixed: When auto play next item was off, and a single song was played, it wasn't added to the playlist player.
2007-03-27 8361 Changed : PM3 System info Bars now show the amount free to match the label not amount used
2007-03-27 8360 Changed : PM3 System Info to be fully info label based instead of hard coded lines
2007-03-27 8359 fixed: GetLocalDrives old kernel support
2007-03-27 8358 fixed: curl http client wouldn't respect proxy settings fixed: libmpdemux wouldn't respect proxy settings
2007-03-27 8357 added: <nodvdrom> option in AdvancedSettings.xml to disable DVD-ROM check for systems that do not have one.
2007-03-27 8356 fixed: imdb scraper didnt return <id> in getdetails.
2007-03-27 8355 fixed: free/used drive space bars did not work
2007-03-27 8354 fixed: export video database was broken.
2007-03-27 8353 fixed: scan for new content really scanned all content.
2007-03-27 8352 updated: filmweb.pl scraper (thanks to smuto)
2007-03-27 8351 added: scan for new content to tvshow context menu in video library.
2007-03-27 8350 updated: chinese (simple) language (thanks to pcman).
2007-03-27 8349 updated: Chinese (Traditional) language (thanks to omenpica).
2007-03-27 8348 updated: finnish language (thanks to mikko).
2007-03-27 8347 fixed: could not select 'scan for new content' on root shares with content set. changed: removed some old deprecated code from GUIDialogContextMenu.cpp
2007-03-27 8346 fixed: free space / used space bars did not work.
2007-03-27 8345 updated: German language file by sCAPe (Based on english strings version 833
2007-03-27 8344 updated: Swedish language file by blittan (based on english 833
2007-03-27 8343 added: system.memory(total)
2007-03-27 8342 fixed: system.cpuusage did not output anything
2007-03-27 8341 fixed: previous commit broke XBMC_PC
2007-03-26 8340 fixed: drive and memory unit detection in old hacked kernels changed: global kernel exports and structures moved to Undocumented.h added: IoSupport GetDriveSize function
2007-03-26 8339 fixed: scan recusively was visible for tv content in the set content dialog - this is enforced so only confusing and/or issue creating.
2007-03-26 8338 fixed: inadvertent change
2007-03-26 8337 changed: blank removed strings instead of removing them
2007-03-26 8336 removed: no more used language strings
2007-03-26 8335 fixed: removed one more unnecessary AddSlashAtEnd() call from the video library code.
2007-03-26 8334 added: bar diagram support for system informations added: to Info Manager: cpu usage and system memory free percent, used, used percent
2007-03-26 8333 changed: <tvshowmatching> matches are now case insensitive. fixed: append attribute didnt work as expected for <tvshowmatching>.
2007-03-26 8332 changed: <tvshowmatching> matches are now case insensitive. fixed: append attribute didnt work as expected for <tvshowmatching>.
2007-03-26 8331 fixed: skin build.bat, exclude.txt was not removed correctly
2007-03-26 8330 changed: since Jmarshall fixed xbepatch so nicely, I decided to fix the build bat's to use it by default
2007-03-26 8329 added: New xbepatch sources as old version was unreliable.
2007-03-26 8328 changed: New "Filter" button now has id 19, so that the previous function on id 17 (allmusic manual lookup) and id 9 (imdb manual lookup) will still function if the skin allows it.
2007-03-26 8327 fixed: Context menu in Now Playing didn't disable the selected item on exit.
2007-03-26 8326 fixed: Movies->Titles infinite loop if there was a locked share involved.
2007-03-26 8325 added: Filter button to music and video library views. Allows you to filter a long list just by typing in the start of a word.
2007-03-26 8324 fixed: Sticking sort direction arrow in albums/songs after you went to top100 or similar views and changed view type. Will require removal of guisettings.xml and possibly viewmode.db if you've experienced this bug.
2007-03-25 8323 fixed. forgot lpcm fixes for 20/24 bit decoding. currently only 24bit decoding works entirely correctly.
2007-03-25 8322 fixed: channel mapping was wrong for multichannel lpcm content
2007-03-25 8321 fixed: dvdplayer would try to constantly resyn on thx test discs due to resetting last known video/audio timestamp on a packet with no timestamp.
2007-03-25 8320 updated: libavcodec/libavformat to current mplayerhq svn version for dvdplayer.
2007-03-25 8319 changed: simpler and more accurate timestamp calulation in dvdplayer audio player by knowledge of codecs buffered data. fixed: dvdplayer's audio player would return an invalid current time if it had never been started.
2007-03-25 8318 added: ability for audio codecs in dvdplayer to return size of internally buffered data.
2007-03-25 8317 fixed: Disabling or enabling shuffle wouldn't affect the next item.
2007-03-25 8316 fixed: Python ControlTextBox setText was causing errors when used with WindowXML changed: Python getControl error message

Poparelly

04-03-07, 02:51 AM

Are there any products out there that can do what I am doing with my XBMC and server system now?

mwg47x

04-03-07, 09:22 AM

Are there any products out there that can do what I am doing with my XBMC and server system now?
Not to my knowledge.
A few purport to be able to do it all, but when the rubber meets the road, they fail the test. Seems like half the time, these companies can't even get their equipment to do everything their own specs say they can.
Not only that but all of them have really crappy Gui's from what I have read.

I was hoping that the new NetGear EVA8000 (http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=812056) was going to be the one, but their engineers are clueless, just like everyone else.
It seems like the R&D people on these projects really don't understand what it is that we want as consumers.
They need to use a modded Xbox with XBMC for a while and get a clue!

Maybe the Tvix 4100 or 5100 (http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=825089) that is due to be released shortly will be the one. I'm not holding my breath though...

ChrisFB

04-03-07, 09:35 AM

I'm not holding my breath though...

I've been watching this whole area since 2003ish. I've stopped holding my breath and moved on. I'll eventually deal with HD streams in some way, likely a HTPC unless something decent comes along. Other than that, I'm tired of watching and waiting. It's obvious that this device class is going nowhere. Either one of the new consoles will get hacked for XBMC to develop on or I'll deal with something else. Maybe the hacks on Apple TV will pay off and provide HD MPEG2 and XVID (1080i and 720p).

romeyde

04-03-07, 11:05 AM

TheGizzard

04-03-07, 01:28 PM

I am about to grab one of these. I recently purchased a MVIX and I am about to return it because the menus are horrible.

Assuming I don't need wireless... which I don't, the only downside I can see to the XBMC is HD content.

What are the XBMC HD limitations?

For that matter, what limitations can anyone site at all?

Scotty6595

04-03-07, 02:06 PM

HD is the only limitation as compared to any out of the box solution. More audio/video codecs, more customization, 3 party apps/scripts, continual upgrades to the software... on and on and on

go get it! you won't be disappointed!

TheGizzard

04-03-07, 04:22 PM

HD is the only limitation as compared to any out of the box solution.

What exactly is the HD limitation. Does it do 720p?

TheGizzard

04-03-07, 05:17 PM

What exactly is the HD limitation. Does it do 720p?

Wikipedia says.. "With its 733 MHz Intel Pentium III Celeron and 64MB shared memory, the Xbox does not have enough hardware-resources (not fast enough CPU nor large enough RAM-memory) to play 720p/1080i resolution-native HDTV video (at 1280x720 and 1920x1080 pixels), (like WMV HD). XBMC can however upconvert all 480p/576p standard-resolution movies and output them to 720p or 1080i HDTV resolutions in better quality than most (if not all) HDTV's native function to upconvert video. "

Is this the limitation? If so, its still perfect to serving standard dvd's in ISO, VOB or DIVX format.

twelvepbrs

04-03-07, 05:25 PM

XBMC CAN handle 720p24 xvid/divx if the correct settings are used to encode it and play it back, ask the internet and you can find the right forums that discuss it, i've been experimenting with taking 720p shows (24, Lost, etc...) and making them 720p24 and playing them back on my xbmc, haven't come to a good answer yet but several people claim to do this regularly

jhatten99

04-03-07, 10:27 PM

I hear that the xbox is likely to overheat even with it's small 8GB HDD. If I want to install a 300-400GB HDD, what will I need to do to be sure that overheating is not an issue?

ChrisFB

04-03-07, 11:17 PM

I hear that the xbox is likely to overheat even with it's small 8GB HDD. If I want to install a 300-400GB HDD, what will I need to do to be sure that overheating is not an issue?

I'm not sure where you heard that but it's really not a concern. Drive size especially - it's more rotational speed that will throw off more heat (as well as use). A while back some people would purposely go with 5400RPM drives because of this fear and the interface is only ATA33 so not too much a speed sacrifice and some savings buying old stock. That said, I know tons of people with large 7200 RPM drives and zero problems. Actually, I've never heard of any type of overheating issue outside an occasional fluke and non are likely to be related to hard drives no less the size of them (XBox360 certainly has overheating issues though).

Anyway, XBMC can actively regulate the fan speed to maintain a given temperature (or run it at some percent of max constantly). My Xbox has stayed on most of the last few years running XBMC with a large harddrive - temp really never moves much. I wouldn't trouble yourself with a single thought over this.

ChrisFB

04-03-07, 11:25 PM

Harmony 880.

Can someone please post some step by step instructions on how to get the 880 fully configured for XBMC? I have the a dvd extender. I thought the codes were already supposed to be available in the Harmony 880 software to support it but couldn't get it to work. So, I went and IR trained it using my remote and it sort of kinda works. But, most button presses seem to get sent twice on occasion and it makes it very difficult to control. Also, I don't know how to imitate the black and white buttons on the controller (since they aren't actually on the dvd remote). The xir is in the mail and I'll be using that to turn on/off the xbox hopefully via the 880.

The codes are for an RCA DVD Player. The power button on the RCA is the Display button on the XBox remote (coincidentally it will be the On button for the Xir too, 0 is the off so you'll be in the keymap possibly).

There's a delay code for the remote to deal with the multi-keypress. I think it's in an xml somewhere in the user folder rather than the onboard settings.

You likely won't get every function out of your 880 - maybe someone has already has gone down this road and put thought into it and will post though. I settle for "most" functions and 100% complete utility 99% of the time with my universal (meaning outside of some odd one off stuff I never need anything else). I'd try to figure out what you need/want/and can live without except in odd circumstance (even on a file type level - pictures/video/music) and then set up the keymap.xml accordingly. What you might want to do is get it set up reasonably well, use it for a while and then see where you stand with what you need to do (a Back button is huge if you have lots of media).

romeyde

04-04-07, 09:30 AM

The codes are for an RCA DVD Player. The power button on the RCA is the Display button on the XBox remote (coincidentally it will be the On button for the Xir too, 0 is the off so you'll be in the keymap possibly).

Weird. Have the same issue setting it up as an RCA DVD player (used model DRC257N) as I do when setting it up as an Game Console with DVD player. It preconfigures all the buttons for me (at least all the main ones) but refuses to actually control XBMC at all. I end up having to teach it the IR codes using my old remote.

I'm using this off brand IR receiver and remote to control the xbox that was bought of ebay and works just fine. I wonder if for some odd reason it uses different codes and the receiver that is plugged into the xbox is translatting the recieved ir codes to whatever the xbox uses.

davidcotton

04-04-07, 02:48 PM

Are there any descent up to date guides on how to softmod an xbox? Had a quick look round but most of it seemed a bit out of date. Any pointers gratefully recieved. I've figured that the best way for the moment is to mod an xbox with xbmc and then wait for the next couple of generations of these devices to come round and see what happens then.

Also has anyone changed the guts of the xbox into a nicer looking htpc case or something? If so how easy was it?

sean_w_smith

04-04-07, 03:01 PM

I hear that the xbox is likely to overheat even with it's small 8GB HDD. If I want to install a 300-400GB HDD, what will I need to do to be sure that overheating is not an issue?

not an issue. that is bad info...

ChrisFB

04-04-07, 03:24 PM

Also has anyone changed the guts of the xbox into a nicer looking htpc case or something? If so how easy was it?

I saw pictures of one job that was really nice (guy had good level of skill). The fact that I've never seen more leads me to believe it may not be very easy. That said if you are only doing the media stream thing - just rewiring for the IR eye and cutting a hole might do it. If you attempt, let us know.

sean_w_smith

04-04-07, 04:54 PM

I saw pictures of one job that was really nice (guy had good level of skill). The fact that I've never seen more leads me to believe it may not be very easy. That said if you are only doing the media stream thing - just rewiring for the IR eye and cutting a hole might do it. If you attempt, let us know.

I find that installing the quiet fan is key and a worth while mod....

Sean

ChrisFB

04-04-07, 07:57 PM

I find that installing the quiet fan is key and a worth while mod....

Sean

Interesting you say that. Last night for the first time in years I was a bit irritated with the ambient noise. Can you elaborate on process and what kind of fan you went with?

mebby

04-04-07, 11:47 PM

You likely won't get every function out of your 880 - maybe someone has already has gone down this road and put thought into it and will post though. I settle for "most" functions and 100% complete utility 99% of the time with my universal (meaning outside of some odd one off stuff I never need anything else). I'd try to figure out what you need/want/and can live without except in odd circumstance (even on a file type level - pictures/video/music) and then set up the keymap.xml accordingly. What you might want to do is get it set up reasonably well, use it for a while and then see where you stand with what you need to do (a Back button is huge if you have lots of media).

You're pretty much spot on. I have an 880 and I pretty much did what you're indicating. But I also had the benefit of having an old Pronto TSU2000 sitting around that I could use to teach the 880 some codes that I worked up using the keymap file. But in the end it's pretty sweet. I have activities for my DVD library, Games, and Weather that take me directly to the right spot within XBMC with one click of a button. That's huge when you have someone other than you controlling the remote. My 85 year old grandmother was easily able to pull up the kids' DVDs for them with the remote set-up this way.

ChrisFB

04-05-07, 12:49 AM

You're pretty much spot on. I have an 880 and I pretty much did what you're indicating. But I also had the benefit of having an old Pronto TSU2000 sitting around that I could use to teach the 880 some codes that I worked up using the keymap file. But in the end it's pretty sweet. I have activities for my DVD library, Games, and Weather that take me directly to the right spot within XBMC with one click of a button. That's huge when you have someone other than you controlling the remote. My 85 year old grandmother was easily able to pull up the kids' DVDs for them with the remote set-up this way.

Just a thought since you've put time into this and got it down - would you consider posting your keymap.xml or other suggestions/info (macro ideas I guess)? That might help the 880 owners (or others with similar remotes) get a feel for how you did it. That might give them a starting point or get them thinking in the right direction.

bigbw

04-05-07, 03:17 PM

Interesting topic. This sounds like exactly what i want, but just to make sure I have a couple of questions for the xperts.. I can buy a refurb xbox for $99 at game stop.. Does not sound to difficult to softmod, I am fairly computer literate.. I am also fairly sure i can get xbmc installed.. Here is what i want to be able to do..
1. play iso files, normal dvds, no hd.. JaPhule's dvd profiler program looks perfect.
2. play mp3 files
3. run all audio through my receiver's optical input.
4. I am not interested in games at all and would perfer not to even have any on the unit.

questions
1. I have to do all this wirelessly.. It would be a straight shot with no obstructions and about 20' between pc and xbox..
2. when playing the mp3s is there a way to just hit play and randomly play songs until i stop it (shuffle mode), I would still like to be able to have album art display what is playing..
3. Is the standard Xbox HD enough for this..

bob

sean_w_smith

04-05-07, 05:11 PM

Interesting you say that. Last night for the first time in years I was a bit irritated with the ambient noise. Can you elaborate on process and what kind of fan you went with?

Its not hard but takes a little time... I tried the zalman fan and its quieter but a bit noisy still. That was without the resisitor to slow the fan down... This fan here running at 100% is silent and will keep the temps reasonable. especially with the new power saving builds...

http://www.coolerguys.com/840556054054.html

The mod is not hard. Instructions here...

http://www.llamma.com/xbox/Xbox%2080mm%20Fan%20Mod.htm

Tips: you need a dremel tool to make short work of this. Trying to use cutting pliers or scissors is a mistake and a PITA. The first one will take a little longer but after you have done this once it can be completed in the less than a hour. Also do it outside or in the garage and you are going to have black plastic mess everywhere. and also use eye protection while using the dremel. I highly recommend this mod. Now my xbox's are virtually silent...

Sean

sean_w_smith

04-05-07, 05:22 PM

1. I have to do all this wirelessly.. It would be a straight shot with no obstructions and about 20' between pc and xbox..

Sure you just need a wireless bridge... I have two of these and they work well.....

http://www.buy.com/prod/buffalo-turbo-g-high-power-wireless-ethernet-converter-wli-tx4-g54hp/q/loc/101/202009413.html

2. when playing the mp3s is there a way to just hit play and randomly play songs until i stop it (shuffle mode), I would still like to be able to have album art display what is playing..

yes... There is a ton of features here. There is a variety of random and playlist options supported in XBMC including smary playlists...

3. Is the standard Xbox HD enough for this..

After the mod and loading XBMC you will have 4-5 gig left on the local disk to store media locally. so you can store some stuff locally but if you want more locally you need bigger disk. If you are going to stream media off the network than the stock drive is more than adequate...

Sean

bob[/QUOTE]

bigbw

04-05-07, 06:17 PM

thanks Sean.. Appreciate the help.. I suspect I might have more questions once I get started..

bob

mwg47x

04-06-07, 10:39 AM

Has anyone here messed around with using a python script to wake up their server or NAS using Wake On Lan?
I'm just wondering if anyone has it working before I spend a bunch of time researching it. ;)
What would be even better is if I could run a script when shutting down the Xbox to shutdown the server as well.
Now that would be the schnitz. :cool:

wombat94

04-06-07, 03:10 PM

Thanks to everyone for sharing so much info.

I'm an old time DirecTivo hacker and have missed the ability to share/stream things around the house since going to FiOSTV back in December. XBMC is my new hack/mod toy and is SO much better than I could ever imagine.

For anyone looking for a used XBOX, I was at my local GameStop Wednesday picking up my XBOX to mod (already done, now I'm in the ripping DVDs to ISO stage) and found that GameStop is having a sale right now on used XBOXes. It was only $79.99 for the XBOX ($20 off the regular price). I got everything I needed (used XBOX, used Splinter Cell, new ActionReplay, new HD cable, used DVD kit) for just about $150.00

Now I'm going to go get another XBOX and DVD (no need for HD kit in the second room, or the AR and game again) and have 2 fully functional streamers for $240.00

Thanks again.

anative

04-06-07, 03:18 PM

mwg47x

04-06-07, 03:53 PM

Another question for you guys:

Is there a way when querying IMDb to have it NOT download thumbnails?
I'm hoping there is a setting in an xml file somewhere.

sean_w_smith

04-06-07, 05:37 PM

Does anyone know if there has been any update to XBMC to allow it to work with iTunes 7? I'm on the cusp of either buying an Xbox to mod or a Apple TV. My main use is for getting music to the living room in a wife friendly manner. Video streaming is only a nice to have at this point.

Jon

not yet... use itunes 6 for now if this is important. Apple totally changed the protocol for iTunes7. its no longer DAAP...

SEan

sean_w_smith

04-06-07, 05:37 PM

Another question for you guys:

Is there a way when querying IMDb to have it NOT download thumbnails?
I'm hoping there is a setting in an xml file somewhere.

not that I know of but that is something the developers on the othe XBMC forums would be better suited to answer...

SEan

sean_w_smith

04-06-07, 05:41 PM

not that I know of but that is something the developers on the othe XBMC forums would be better suited to answer...

SEan

Suggestion to ja Phule... How bout updating the top of this thread with common URL's like the other forums. The XBMC wiki etc.. so people can find this stuff... I'd do it but I can't edit your original posts...

Sean

Scotty6595

04-06-07, 07:18 PM

Good idea Sean,

Here are a few links to start with:

xbox-scene forums
http://forums.xbox-scene.com/index.php?showforum=180

Xbox MediaCenter Official web site
http://www.xboxmediacenter.com/forum/

XBMC Wiki
http://www.xboxmediacenter.com/wiki/index.php?title=Xbox_Media_Center_Online_Manual

ChrisFB

04-06-07, 08:45 PM

Good idea:

T3CH site to obtain builds of XBMC: http://217.118.215.116/

Not sure what the domain is but it's down right now and only accessible from the IP (so it says on the site anyway).

XBMC Xbins FTP
ftp://xbins:homebrew@xbmp.uk.xbins.org

mwg47x

04-06-07, 11:20 PM

Ja Phule

04-06-07, 11:27 PM

Updated. :)

ChrisFB

04-07-07, 12:00 AM

Updated. :)

FYI - that FTP is not XBins - it's Xbox Media Center which is separate from Xbins. For Xbins you have to be logged onto IRC, obtain a password, and then FTP in. THere's a tutorial somewhere.

This is the guide to accessing Xbins: http://www.xbox-scene.com/articles/xbins.php

This is the site to the Xir Remote for on/off functionality - particularly important on this site: http://xir.us/default.aspx

In my opinion, making a boot disc is a lot easier with XBox Media Center. You can change the network settings through the interface so it can be used anywhere in any configuration. Process is the same. Default XBE in the route. That said there are no dedicated TUTs and EVox is hard to mess up.

Which brings the most Common screwup in Evox- burning the XISO image as a file to a data disc. Easily testable by throwing it in the PC and seeing if you can browse and see the big fat XISO file there. Other than that, there's just the hassle with media and finding which type will work in your drive.

ChrisFB

04-07-07, 12:01 AM

BTW - I wouldn't make it a giant link repository (make sure you reference the huge tutorial section at Xbox-Scene) but certainly some of these are hugely worthwhile.

ChrisFB

04-07-07, 12:13 AM

Its not hard but takes a little time... I tried the zalman fan and its quieter but a bit noisy still. That was without the resisitor to slow the fan down... This fan here running at 100% is silent and will keep the temps reasonable. especially with the new power saving builds...

http://www.coolerguys.com/840556054054.html

The mod is not hard. Instructions here...

http://www.llamma.com/xbox/Xbox%2080mm%20Fan%20Mod.htm

Tips: you need a dremel tool to make short work of this. Trying to use cutting pliers or scissors is a mistake and a PITA. The first one will take a little longer but after you have done this once it can be completed in the less than a hour. Also do it outside or in the garage and you are going to have black plastic mess everywhere. and also use eye protection while using the dremel. I highly recommend this mod. Now my xbox's are virtually silent...

Sean

Ugg, lots of cutting. I don't mind the noise too much but I'd like to shut that thing up if possible. I leave it on most of the time and in general, I'd prefer it silent.

I have a friend with a dremel. When I get back from vacation I'll nail this thing down.

BLKMGK

04-07-07, 12:17 PM

Ugg, lots of cutting. I don't mind the noise too much but I'd like to shut that thing up if possible. I leave it on most of the time and in general, I'd prefer it silent.

I have a friend with a dremel. When I get back from vacation I'll nail this thing down.

I did this to mine awhile back using an air powered die grinder :-) Worthwhile is an understatement - I cannot hear my XBOX at all! the fan speeds up and slows down as needed, it's terrific. Temps also stay where I want them, the only issue I've ever had with the auto temp control was when the machine locked up once and didn't have that closed loop temp control - it overheated but survived. The biggest issue doing this is getitng it all to fit back together again so trim carefully and do not destroy the air guides. also consider removing the metal grill in the back - it impedes airflow bigtime and can be trimmed with good kitchen shears. I used no resistor or anything, just plugged mine into the board and have full speed control. My fan was generic stuff at BestBuy - the size increase is the biggest improvement as it need not move so fast to move air.

Some general comments: 720 content plays fine on mine, downloads of this are about the only HD I get right now and it looks good. 1080 does indeed stomp it I'm afraid. The aTV is also 720 only and while it's been hacked pretty good it's nowhere near the XBMC class yet but I'm watching closely. The 360 has now also been hacked but Linux without accelerated video and sound is the best they can do now (so unsigned code still not running). Booting with a Samsung drive is a royal PITA at the moment too. If the 360 interests you for the future consider getting one NOW and NOT updating it or getting it on Live - lots of old firmware 360s on the shelf - I've bought one. I might buy an aTV too but right now the old XBOX is tops in it's class. If someone could do a standard MythTV distro tuned as well as XBMC for somethnig standard like a Mac Mini or perhaps the 360 XBMC would have competition but right now I see nothing touching it.

Hrm and for NAS seriously look at unRAID. There's a huge thread here somewhere about it and I've been running it for at least a year now. 4+ TB of storage, built it myself, and it streams fine. the data isn't striped so only those drives that need to be accessed are spinning and the slight pause for spinup is no biggie. I may try loading some XBOX games on it to see if they can be run across the network and just how bad it will suck (lol).

Hope that's some help!

P.S. I'm seeing wide icon support in the builds which is awesome. There was a forum that had a HUGE amount of user built wide icons in a discussion thread and a so-so database of them that wasn't being updated. This would be a WAY better setup on XBMC than the IMDB icons, has a better way of getting those icons other than doing it by hand been setup? I have umm "alot" of DVD and doing it by hand would suck!

ChrisFB

04-07-07, 12:57 PM

I did this to mine awhile back using an air powered die grinder :-) Worthwhile is an understatement - I cannot hear my XBOX at all! the fan speeds up and slows down as needed, it's terrific. Temps also stay where I want them, the only issue I've ever had with the auto temp control was when the machine locked up once and didn't have that closed loop temp control - it overheated but survived. The biggest issue doing this is getitng it all to fit back together again so trim carefully and do not destroy the air guides. also consider removing the metal grill in the back - it impedes airflow bigtime and can be trimmed with good kitchen shears. I used no resistor or anything, just plugged mine into the board and have full speed control. My fan was generic stuff at BestBuy - the size increase is the biggest improvement as it need not move so fast to move air.

Some general comments: 720 content plays fine on mine, downloads of this are about the only HD I get right now and it looks good. 1080 does indeed stomp it I'm afraid. The aTV is also 720 only and while it's been hacked pretty good it's nowhere near the XBMC class yet but I'm watching closely. The 360 has now also been hacked but Linux without accelerated video and sound is the best they can do now (so unsigned code still not running). Booting with a Samsung drive is a royal PITA at the moment too. If the 360 interests you for the future consider getting one NOW and NOT updating it or getting it on Live - lots of old firmware 360s on the shelf - I've bought one. I might buy an aTV too but right now the old XBOX is tops in it's class. If someone could do a standard MythTV distro tuned as well as XBMC for somethnig standard like a Mac Mini or perhaps the 360 XBMC would have competition but right now I see nothing touching it.

Hrm and for NAS seriously look at unRAID. There's a huge thread here somewhere about it and I've been running it for at least a year now. 4+ TB of storage, built it myself, and it streams fine. the data isn't striped so only those drives that need to be accessed are spinning and the slight pause for spinup is no biggie. I may try loading some XBOX games on it to see if they can be run across the network and just how bad it will suck (lol).

Hope that's some help!

P.S. I'm seeing wide icon support in the builds which is awesome. There was a forum that had a HUGE amount of user built wide icons in a discussion thread and a so-so database of them that wasn't being updated. This would be a WAY better setup on XBMC than the IMDB icons, has a better way of getting those icons other than doing it by hand been setup? I have umm "alot" of DVD and doing it by hand would suck!

WOW - thanks. I'll tell you, it's great to see others who are also in this. I can't tell you the last time someone else's info helped me out and now twice in 2 days.

Fan mod I will definitely do now. 2 recommendations of "silent" is good enough for me.

Question on the 720p you are playing - what's the file type (mpeg/xvid), sound attached mp3/DD5.1, file size - are you stacking smaller files, are you upscaling to 1080i or just playing native 720p. If you can talk about your "ripping process" are similar files found on any particular group, maybe usenet, that I might experiment with. I'd rather start with something known working than screw around with all the unknowns.

I've seen some of the wide icon stuff but I'll look more closely at it. Right now I'm using an XP box as a server. I'll probably update it when I can pick up a few 500GB drives for around $100 each on sale. If I can get what I have plus another 2 TB , I'd be good for a while and use my existing storage as backups for the more critical stuff. I have a long-term plan but I'm low on cash at the moment (vacation coming) and I've been waiting for a year for 1tb drives to force the 500gb drive prices down - the only time in the past 5 years the HD market slowed to a crawl and went sideways.

dolby0102

04-08-07, 09:26 AM

Anyone know a good place to get icons for the genre's? I know of mediaicons.org, but they dont seem to have any genre icons.

str1der

04-08-07, 07:33 PM

I did this to mine awhile back using an air powered die grinder :-) Worthwhile is an understatement - I cannot hear my XBOX at all! the fan speeds up and slows down as needed, it's terrific. Temps also stay where I want them, the only issue I've ever had with the auto temp control was when the machine locked up once and didn't have that closed loop temp control - it overheated but survived. The biggest issue doing this is getitng it all to fit back together again so trim carefully and do not destroy the air guides. also consider removing the metal grill in the back - it impedes airflow bigtime and can be trimmed with good kitchen shears. I used no resistor or anything, just plugged mine into the board and have full speed control. My fan was generic stuff at BestBuy - the size increase is the biggest improvement as it need not move so fast to move air.

Some general comments: 720 content plays fine on mine, downloads of this are about the only HD I get right now and it looks good. 1080 does indeed stomp it I'm afraid. The aTV is also 720 only and while it's been hacked pretty good it's nowhere near the XBMC class yet but I'm watching closely. The 360 has now also been hacked but Linux without accelerated video and sound is the best they can do now (so unsigned code still not running). Booting with a Samsung drive is a royal PITA at the moment too. If the 360 interests you for the future consider getting one NOW and NOT updating it or getting it on Live - lots of old firmware 360s on the shelf - I've bought one. I might buy an aTV too but right now the old XBOX is tops in it's class. If someone could do a standard MythTV distro tuned as well as XBMC for somethnig standard like a Mac Mini or perhaps the 360 XBMC would have competition but right now I see nothing touching it.

Hrm and for NAS seriously look at unRAID. There's a huge thread here somewhere about it and I've been running it for at least a year now. 4+ TB of storage, built it myself, and it streams fine. the data isn't striped so only those drives that need to be accessed are spinning and the slight pause for spinup is no biggie. I may try loading some XBOX games on it to see if they can be run across the network and just how bad it will suck (lol).

Hope that's some help!

P.S. I'm seeing wide icon support in the builds which is awesome. There was a forum that had a HUGE amount of user built wide icons in a discussion thread and a so-so database of them that wasn't being updated. This would be a WAY better setup on XBMC than the IMDB icons, has a better way of getting those icons other than doing it by hand been setup? I have umm "alot" of DVD and doing it by hand would suck!

I'd be real interested in your experiment with the xbox games on your UnRaid. I built an UnRaid my self and wouldn't mind moving my son's games off his modded xbox and onto the server. Please let me know how this goes. Thanks.

Scotty6595

04-08-07, 08:16 PM

Sorry guys, xbox games will not run off of anything but a local drive in your xbox or DVD drive.

ChrisFB

04-08-07, 11:20 PM

Sorry guys, xbox games will not run off of anything but a local drive in your xbox or DVD drive.

Just to reemphasize the point above. Do not waste your time with this people. Not even 2 seconds of thought or 2kb of network traffic. It will not work. DVDs in the drive or extract the XISO image and put it on the hard drive. Only 2 options to run XBox executable code.

Techaholic

04-08-07, 11:22 PM

Here's three more:

Direct link to creating an Evox boot disk. If you are softmodding you need this disk!!
http://forums.xbox-scene.com/index.php?act=ST&f=16&t=89545

XBMC scripts:
http://www.xbmcscripts.com/

Guide to doing a softmod. I don't know whether it is a good one or not. Perhaps others could comment? My Xbox has a soldered chip...
http://www.productwiki.com/microsoft_xbox/article/how_to_go_from_xbox_to_xbox_media_center_in_30_minutes.html

Matt

Followed this guide and I now have a Softmod Xbox, streaming anything I throw at it via my HP Media Vault, Vob, mpg sweet. Just order a HD av pack to get the Optical audio and component. luv it it was really painless to do. Hardest part was getting a compiled XBMC 2.0.1 software.. without a virus hidding inside, but i did get it... :) :D ;)

ChrisFB

04-09-07, 12:03 AM

Followed this guide and I now have a Softmod Xbox, streaming anything I throw at it via my HP Media Vault, Vob, mpg sweet. Just order a HD av pack to get the Optical audio and component. luv it it was really painless to do. Hardest part was getting a compiled XBMC 2.0.1 software.. without a virus hidding inside, but i did get it... :) :D ;)

The only 2 places to get it from. XBMC at Xbins and T3CH who does the official compiles. http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?p=10233727&&#post10233727

bradesp

04-09-07, 11:02 AM

str1der

04-09-07, 11:27 AM

Guys,

I'm seriously looking at picking up a modded Xbox to do the XBMC thing.. but first a question.

I've already ripped 200 of my 500 movie collection to VOB. I rip just the Movie wth NO menu structure or extras. I see a number of enthusiasts obsessed with ISO... Have I done myself a disservice by NOT ripping to ISO format? I want to use the XBMC to stream these ripped DVD's throughout the house from a RAID / NAS storage device.

Thanks!

-bradesp

I'm exactly in the same situation as you. Have about 500 and I've ripped about 75-100 of them so far to VOB (movie only). How hard is it to get this working on an xbox? How do I get it set up with coverart linked to the proper directory and files?

BLKMGK

04-09-07, 01:31 PM

Couple of things - first I've spoken to someone who claims to have streamed some XBOX games from a NAS. He said it sucked, only worked with some games, but yeah he had at least managed it. Since it was supposedly so slow I'm not going to pursue it - my drive is like 400Gig in the box so no worries anyway :rolleyes: Also, when I pull them from the DVD I don't put them on the box as ISO, I take it XISO is a tool for pulling an ISO image apart? I have a pile of discreet files on the XBOX, if it could be done as a single ISO file I'm all ears as it would be easy to move around :D

Ripping DVD - I rip mine using AnyDVD and DVDShrink with just the menus being shrunk. I do *not* rip to a single big ISO file and the movies play fine as VOBs. I'd expect that just having the Movie itself as a VOB to work just as well. There's no advantage to a single ISO other than being able to easily burn it IMO. Retaining the extras and menus is a nice to have too but not necessary.

Coverart - just put them in directories named after the movie title and use the XBOX to look them up in the IMDB. It will pull down art fro you and store it in it's own directory refrenced from teh database.

sean_w_smith

04-09-07, 02:00 PM

I'm exactly in the same situation as you. Have about 500 and I've ripped about 75-100 of them so far to VOB (movie only). How hard is it to get this working on an xbox? How do I get it set up with coverart linked to the proper directory and files?

XBMC works fine with vob files instead of isos. Just make sure each movie is setup in its own directory.... XBMC handles this scenario including setting up a full database with genres, actos and cover art with ease...

Sean

sean_w_smith

04-09-07, 02:03 PM

Techaholic

04-09-07, 07:24 PM

Scotty6595

04-09-07, 07:41 PM

What is the build date of the XBMC you are using? There was a change in the database for videos and you may be using the new information manual for the old XBMC. If you are using 2.1 you need to update to the latest build. Once the new build is on your box the instructions in the wiki should take you through it step by step. (Are you using a controller or a remote?) You will need the little white button on your controller to set up the video database)

Let me know what version you are using and what has you stumped specifically and I'll be glad to help...

Scott

mwg47x

04-09-07, 09:59 PM

Got my XBMC working a couple of days ago, softmod, but I can't seem to get the hang of getting icons and movie info linked to my ripped Vob or mpg files, anyone know of a good noob how to, as I read the manual stuff and everything else I can find and i still can't seem to get that part working.

thx Tech
You may be making the same mistake I did.
I was trying to "Set Content" from my main movie folder, i.e. I was in the folder were I could see all my movies.
You need to be one folder higher in the structure than that.

Techaholic

04-09-07, 11:04 PM

socorob

04-10-07, 12:44 AM

so if i can pick up a used xbox at gamestop, all you need to do now is softmod, and no soldering, will it play at least 720p with no stuttering, and can you queue songs like in winamp?

bradesp

04-10-07, 04:34 AM

Anyone here using the 360 skin with their soft modded xbox? If so, are you taking a performance hit with the more intense GUI Skin?

Thanks!

-bradesp

socorob

04-10-07, 09:34 AM

sean_w_smith

04-10-07, 10:03 AM

also, if your files are stored on a server somewhere else, will the imdb updates store the info locally on the xbmc or on my server? Im calling the gamestops here as soon as they open to see if they have any used ones left, im ready if it can do these few things.

Xbox will scale output to 720P or 1080i but it will not play 720P content....

Sean

speed32219

04-10-07, 01:55 PM

also, if your files are stored on a server somewhere else, will the imdb updates store the info locally on the xbmc or on my server? Im calling the gamestops here as soon as they open to see if they have any used ones left, im ready if it can do these few things.

It stores it on the Xbmc server.

I use an external ubuntu (Linux) PC used as my file server with iso movies, MP3, pictures and home video's (4ea WD 320GB's and 1 250GB drive almost full and have another 320GB ordered from newegg) and use the Xbmc as the front end with its 10GB HD. I rip all my dvd's to ISO and use Ja Phule's way of using Dvd Profiler to get the movie info (Cover art, actors, dates, etc. that he has posted in the first thread) and then his program (Dvdprofier2Xbmc) to exract a tbn file to use with the ISO ripped file. (The tbn file holds the image and info and when you click on the movie image it opens the iso movie file). I mainly did it this way, although it is more work on my end vs IMDB lookup, but it will allow me to add another modded Xbox to the network and just copy over the UserData to the new box and start working identical to the original one installed since all my info resides on an external server. (I only need the proper paths setup in User Data)

Some ppl have reported problems installing more than one Xbmc on the network and not able to get to the scanned IMDB info on the original. I have not tried it, but if so that would be a problem for me with multiple modded xboxes I plan to install, not to mention I would need to upgrade the HD in the Xbox to hold the stuff. I want to add a Qam/ATSC tuner/capture cards to my Ubuntu server and run mythtv or just the capture cards directly and be able to have full functionality across the multiple boxes.

Is it true that adding an additional Xbmc to the exising network, that you can not access the IMDB info stored on the original one?

That is the question. If not I may change the way I am doing things. This Xbmc is the best media sever solution out there! IMHO

Thanks to Ja Phule and the crew here for truning me on to it.

str1der

04-10-07, 02:15 PM

Ok can someone help me on this. I got my modded xbox pointing to my unraid server movie share just fine. I picked IMDB for the scan and told it to use folder names for the scan since my rips are all VOB. It scans fine and adds all of the titles to my video library. the problem is I don't get any coverart or info and I have to click on the movie folder then select the ifo to play the file. Can anyone tell me what I did wrong or if I left out a step?

Techaholic

04-10-07, 02:21 PM

It's the latest build by GasGiver, 2.0.1 with extras (Scripts like Youtube) I tired the build from t3ch but it didn't have the extra scripts that I wanted, other than taht they seem identcal builkd 8334 I think. I have a HP media vault, and I have ripped VOB (also converted some to mpg) and also ripped an ISO image. My XBMC see all the VOB and MPG files and plays them fine, I can't even see the ISO file which I thought it could or should play according to the write ups. I tried putting the files folders in a folder call "Children Of Men" as I thought the system could find info based on folder names, but when I use the white button to activate an auto search nothing comes back. Any hekp would be much appreciated.

Ok here's the deal, you can't see ISO files if you use UNPN to browse a NAt, but never fear SMB is here. Browsed the HP Media vault over SMB and the ISO file appeared, and plyed flawlessly, I had it streaming at 480i/480p 720p and yes with no stutter 1080i... this thing is amzing, and with the ISO all the fast forward and other DVD like functionality worked perfactly. VOB and MPG just don't seem to FF RW and all that, but the ISO gave me full functionality as if I was playing it in a DVD player.

Now for those Icons and movie details, my build of XBMC freezes when it tries to retrieve the info on te movie... any ideas or how to's

sean_w_smith

04-10-07, 05:37 PM

I have 3 xboxes on my network and all can retrieve cover art for movies just fine... you have to setup each box individually. There is no way to share thumbnails or databases between the xboxes... hope this helps...

BTW: as you figured out UPNP support is very new and very untested as SMB has been the primary means of sharing media to xbox since day1. There are also some proprietary xbox protocols like XBSMP or something like that but pretty much every uses SMB.

Sean

socorob

04-10-07, 11:03 PM

socorob

04-11-07, 12:27 AM

and if youre doing only a softmod, no hdd upgrade, do you have to unlock/lock the drive? sorry for being a PITA, but i cant wait to get started with this, and dont want to royally screw up. also, does evox come with xbmc?

sean_w_smith

04-11-07, 08:20 AM

ok ran out to gamestop at lunch today and got a used xbox. Im totally new to this, so im sure im asking an overasked question. is this http://www.how2xbox.com/site/XBOX/Easy/Softmodding/tabid/88/Default.aspx
website an up to date guide? I have k5838 and d5960... any help would be greatly appreciated

There are two popular softmod installers... SID 4.5 (SoftMod Installer Deluxe) which is what I use and the other whose name escapes me at the moment. Its early... SID uses the Krazy mod you mention plus has a lot of scripting and evox and everything else you need to do the softmod. You don't need to lock/unlock the HD. Just get SID and follow the instructions.... SID takes what you have and makes it easier and more idiot proof...

http://www.xbox-hq.com/html/forum4.html

Sean

sean_w_smith

04-11-07, 08:24 AM

I was playing with IMBD last night on the latest 4/8/2007 build and there is an issue with movie covers for directories. Setting the content and scanning the directories pulled down cover art for the ISO's and even added the directoru rip in question to the DB but no cover art for the directory. I then manually did a lookup on the directory and then it pulled cover art. To play a directory you can hit play on the IR remote or context menu->play on the xbox controller.

I also noticed that this weeks build added like 6 new scrapers... I also noticed all the new views are gone from PM3 this week. dunno why... no list2 or wide icons etc...

Sean

Scotty6595

04-11-07, 09:31 AM

Sean,

T3CH stated that he mistakenly put an old version of PM3 in this last build. If you still have a copy of your last build you can just replace the current (actually not so current) skin with the one that came with the last build and you will have all of the views available...

The latest build may be available via SVN as well...

ChrisFB

04-11-07, 10:31 AM

Ok here's the deal, you can't see ISO files if you use UNPN to browse a NAt, but never fear SMB is here. Browsed the HP Media vault over SMB and the ISO file appeared, and plyed flawlessly, I had it streaming at 480i/480p 720p and yes with no stutter 1080i... this thing is amzing, and with the ISO all the fast forward and other DVD like functionality worked perfactly. VOB and MPG just don't seem to FF RW and all that, but the ISO gave me full functionality as if I was playing it in a DVD player.

There is no issue with upscaling to 1080i or 720p. It's the native HD files. You can handle DivX/Xvid up to around 576p, beyond that I've only heard a few people rumored to get anything to work and for whatever reason they never provide details. I tried a 720p h.264 the other day - would not play. I'll poke around and try a 720p Xivd and a TS Stream but I expect issues. In the past it was reported that heavy stuttering occured with 720p native and that 1080i native was totally unusable.

BLKMGK

04-11-07, 11:07 AM

sean_w_smith

04-11-07, 12:15 PM

You guys sure about the 720P playback? I'm seeing content that is most certainly not SD and displays MUCH sharper than SD on my XBOX without issue. The receiver claims it's getting a 720P signal when I query it. An SD file for an hour show migh tbe 350megs, these files are 700meg or more for the same 1 hour show and the display difference is quite noticable. No stuttering or anything when I play them back either. I do know that when I setup my box for 1080 it locked up just as soon as I tried to play any of this back. I am unsure of the CODEC but if I had to guess it's XVID. These are TV shows if that's any help...

Blkmagic,

99% sure....

Your confusing the output resolution with the source resolution. I can watch videos at either 1080i or 720p no problem on my HDTV but the source resolution is much lower. 720P videos are 1280x720 * 60 frames per second. I have a bunch of DivX/Xvid videos that are around 700M an hour which are 640x352 and look better than SD video but they are not even true 480P nevermind 720p. Hit the white or black button while a video is playing and it will display the native resolution of the video in a bar across the top of the screen. I doubt the videos you are referring to are ED (DVD Quality) 720x480 nevermind true 720p.

Sean

twelvepbrs

04-11-07, 01:38 PM

You guys sure about the 720P playback? I'm seeing content that is most certainly not SD and displays MUCH sharper than SD on my XBOX without issue. The receiver claims it's getting a 720P signal when I query it. An SD file for an hour show migh tbe 350megs, these files are 700meg or more for the same 1 hour show and the display difference is quite noticable. No stuttering or anything when I play them back either. I do know that when I setup my box for 1080 it locked up just as soon as I tried to play any of this back. I am unsure of the CODEC but if I had to guess it's XVID. These are TV shows if that's any help...
most shows available for download via whatever questionable means used, that are sourced from HDTV broadcasts, are in half resolution HD, 960x544p24 with AC3 5.1 sound, the shows have the commercials edited out end up around 40-50 minutes and the xvid or divx codec targets them to a file size of 700 MB (for obvious reasons), the best example i can think of is Lost, but i'm sure there are other shows, although i guess 640x352 would be HRHD from a 720p source, but if the res is that low and it's only 24p, the file size should be a lot smaller for a 45 minute tv show with 5.1 sound maybe 400 MB or so...with that said...some people claim to have gotten 720p24 divx/xvid playback to work with the right settings and possibly playing the content from the local drives

sean_w_smith

04-11-07, 01:53 PM

most shows available for download via whatever questionable means used, that are sourced from HDTV broadcasts, are in half resolution HD, 960x544p24 with AC3 5.1 sound, the shows have the commercials edited out end up around 40-50 minutes and the xvid or divx codec targets them to a file size of 700 MB (for obvious reasons), the best example i can think of is Lost, but i'm sure there are other shows, although i guess 640x352 would be HRHD from a 720p source, but if the res is that low and it's only 24p, the file size should be a lot smaller for a 45 minute tv show with 5.1 sound maybe 400 MB or so...with that said...some people claim to have gotten 720p24 divx/xvid playback to work with the right settings and possibly playing the content from the local drives

There are lots of knobs on codecs that control quality versus size versus encoding times and thats why you can see large variations in file sizes... Totally normal....

on 720p playing on XBMC we keep hearing of this possibility but I have yet to see anyone post specifics on it anywhere...

Sean

ChrisFB

04-11-07, 02:27 PM

You guys sure about the 720P playback? I'm seeing content that is most certainly not SD and displays MUCH sharper than SD on my XBOX without issue. The receiver claims it's getting a 720P signal when I query it. An SD file for an hour show migh tbe 350megs, these files are 700meg or more for the same 1 hour show and the display difference is quite noticable. No stuttering or anything when I play them back either. I do know that when I setup my box for 1080 it locked up just as soon as I tried to play any of this back. I am unsure of the CODEC but if I had to guess it's XVID. These are TV shows if that's any help...

As Sean said, hit the aspect ratio button (not sure what it is on the standard remote) I think it's enter on my universal. It's allows toggling between original, custom, stretch, 14:9, 16:9, etc... It will show the resolution being displayed (and adjusted for your overscan calibration) as well as the native it's coming from.

You are likely talking about HR.HDTV as they described above. Around 700mb and 576p original with AC3 sound. Looks A LOT better than SD but is not 720p native. THis is about the upper limit on the XBox.

socorob

04-11-07, 03:11 PM

http://www.mariposahd.tv/

here are some native hd files off a web only tv show. Try these, then you may see the difference between what he means by native hd and upscaled hd.

socorob

04-11-07, 04:07 PM

does sid 4.5 do ntsc? it seems a lot im reading says if you have pal used 4.5

sean_w_smith

04-11-07, 04:16 PM

Yes I have done about 8 NTSC boxes with SID 4.5

Sean

twelvepbrs

04-11-07, 05:36 PM

There are lots of knobs on codecs that control quality versus size versus encoding times and thats why you can see large variations in file sizes... Totally normal....

on 720p playing on XBMC we keep hearing of this possibility but I have yet to see anyone post specifics on it anywhere...

Sean
there's a couple of forums at the xboxmediacenter website that talk about it, with some people claiming success, but i think one of the big issues is that the content is 24 frames/second, which should reduce the bitrate to 40% of the source (and that's just keeping it as mpeg2 but a very rough estimate), if you go to 24 fps AND xvid/divx should be able to get the bitrate down below 6Mbps (which i think is the threshold for the xbmc from what i recall for smooth playback), i've messed around with lots of different ways to go from mpeg2 transport streams to either 720p24 or HRHD to play on my xbmc but havent really found anything that i liked, used plugh's xvid bitrate cap code and still have problems with the couple of clips i've been working with, episodes of Lost, and a few college bball games, but the ball games are 1080i sourced, most tv series are shot on film at 24 fps AFAIK so using IVTC makes sense IMHO

ChrisFB

04-11-07, 07:38 PM

there's a couple of forums at the xboxmediacenter website that talk about it, with some people claiming success,

I've seen the claims but, you know, never ever - not even once have I seen anyone lay out settings and their procedure. They disappear mysteriously after making the claim. This has been going on for a couple of years.

All the people that I know, who really know the software and encoding can't get it to work. The XBMC team hasn't gotten it to work. Then some mystery dude claims he can and is gone in a flash. Same story every time. More likely, he is some kid upscaling his video and doesn't know any better, hence a rapid escape and deathly quiet when the inevitable questions come asking for specific details on source and encoding.

socorob

04-11-07, 08:53 PM

help error 13, i was copying over the xbmc files to the xbox, someone came in and popped a dvd in the drive to try to play it because they didnt know i was doing this, it went straight to error 13... any suggestions?

socorob

04-11-07, 09:07 PM

nevermind, i put the ma disk back in, and after forever it let me go back to saved game, uninstalled and now starting over

Ja Phule

04-11-07, 09:58 PM

kryptonite

04-12-07, 04:06 PM

Hi everyone,

Completely new to xbox mods. I am planning on going through this thread this weekend . . . can anyone give me any reccomendations on where to get my xbox modded?

Thanks!

Thomas J. Coyle

04-12-07, 10:10 PM

bradesp,

DVDs ripped in the VOB format work fine with XBMC.

I have no trouble streaming DVDs in the VOB format off of my two three Terabyte servers through my four XBMC modded XBOXs.

Regards,
TCIII

twelvepbrs

04-12-07, 10:18 PM

Hi everyone,

Completely new to xbox mods. I am planning on going through this thread this weekend . . . can anyone give me any reccomendations on where to get my xbox modded?

Thanks!
you can do a pretty simple soft-mod yourself, you just need a couple pieces, look around for the softmod that uses splinter cell or mechassault (i think there's a few other games you can use), it's what i did, took about a half hour once i had everything together

socorob

04-13-07, 03:01 PM

i cant seem to get mine to connect to the internet for weather or imdb. Its talking on my network, so i know the ethernet port is working. Does anyone know if it uses a weird port i would need to open up in my router to make it onto the net? Thanks!!

socorob

04-13-07, 03:19 PM

n/m figured it out, this xbox rocks so far on a sdtv, soon as i get it all set up its going to the hdtv. This and my buffalo may switch places if the picture quality is anything close.

kryptonite

04-13-07, 10:32 PM

Argh, I just wasn't paying attention and lost an auction on ebay for mech assault and the other game code thing I needed. Could have have them both for under $25.

:mad:

mwg47x

04-14-07, 09:54 AM

Argh, I just wasn't paying attention and lost an auction on ebay for mech assault and the other game code thing I needed. Could have have them both for under $25.

:mad:
Have you checked your local GameStops?
Assuming there are some within a reasonable distance of you...

Dream1

04-14-07, 11:10 AM

Scotty6595

04-14-07, 12:38 PM

Dream1,

No major improvements have been made to the DVD playback since October of last year. Many GUI improvements have been made for all the excellent new skins that are available and a host of other changes... If your happy with your current version though there seems to be no need to upgrade.

kryptonite

04-14-07, 02:36 PM

Have you checked your local GameStops?
Assuming there are some within a reasonable distance of you...

Have not and there are. I will try that. =)

TheOtherOne

04-14-07, 08:47 PM

No major improvements have been made to the DVD playback since October of last year. Maybe not for actual DVD playback but the included DVDPlayer has been greatly improved and can now play most 720p DIVX6 videos with virtually no frame drops.

TheOtherOne

04-14-07, 08:51 PM

Argh, I just wasn't paying attention and lost an auction on ebay for mech assault and the other game code thing I needed. Could have have them both for under $25.

:mad:
Save your money. You can do a softmod now without any games or memory cards. All you need is your xbox and a computer:

http://turdinc.kicks-ass.net/Msntv/ps2/Xguide2.html

Dream1

04-15-07, 12:56 AM

twelvepbrs

04-15-07, 01:12 AM

Maybe not for actual DVD playback but the included DVDPlayer has been greatly improved and can now play most 720p DIVX6 videos with virtually no frame drops.
do you have any examples?

ChrisFB

04-15-07, 01:10 PM

Maybe not for actual DVD playback but the included DVDPlayer has been greatly improved and can now play most 720p DIVX6 videos with virtually no frame drops.

Yes, please some details.

Describe the file, source resolution, sound, extension/container and also whether this has worked with XviD. Also, where did you or do you obtain such files (believe me I know where to get stuff but I want to get what you are using specifically so I can test it).

Please describe your setup - are you using upscaling to either 720p or 1080i, are you streaming over a network or playing locally. What is the output resolution and source displayed on XBMC when you hit the enter button while the file is playing (i.e. it will show two resolutions, one is display or the scaled resolution which is specifically effected by overscan, the other native source of the file being played).

I don't ask this to be a pain in the butt, but merely because this has never been replicated and no details provided although some also claim success. And let's just say many of us have a HUGE interest in getting this to work. In addition, it is not the DVDplayer that is playing XVID/DivX files but the underlying Mplayer core.

TheOtherOne

04-15-07, 09:15 PM

Yes, please some details.

File: BBC.Planet.Earth.1of5.Pole.to.Pole.720p.Divx6.Ac3.www.mvgrou p.org.avi
http://img337.imageshack.us/img337/8012/planetearthdetailscp7.gif

Outputting on the xbox at 720p. Digital AC3 sound is enabled in XBMC.
Streaming via SMB using the default XBMC cache settings.
Resolution on XBMC: 1280x720 -> 1268x717

http://img337.imageshack.us/img337/9085/screenshot004hx8.jpg

http://img413.imageshack.us/img413/19/screenshot010bq9.jpg

In addition, it is not the DVDplayer that is playing XVID/DivX files but the underlying Mplayer core.Yes, by default. That is why you have to white click the file and choose Play using... and then select DVDPlayer. Mplayer on the xbox can't yet handle 720p divx files.

http://img337.imageshack.us/img337/3526/screenshot000ai9.th.jpg (http://img337.imageshack.us/my.php?image=screenshot000ai9.jpg) http://img413.imageshack.us/img413/9283/screenshot001fy5.th.jpg (http://img413.imageshack.us/my.php?image=screenshot001fy5.jpg)

TheOtherOne

04-15-07, 09:34 PM

I'm not sure why I was zoomed in at x1.10 on those examples. I must of hit enter a few extra times when taking the screenshots. Anyways, I just tested playing it at normal size (zoom x1.00) and it also works fine. 1280x720 --> 1154x655

Ja Phule

04-15-07, 09:41 PM

New T3Ch build is out. It seems it's using the new mplayer.dll with better video support. Have any of you guys tried the HD stuff with this mplayer.dll?

TheOtherOne,
I never thought about using DVDPlayer for incompatible files, I'll have to see how it works on some HD content.

kryptonite

04-15-07, 10:01 PM

Save your money. You can do a softmod now without any games or memory cards. All you need is your xbox and a computer:

http://turdinc.kicks-ass.net/Msntv/ps2/Xguide2.html

THANK

YOU

:)

sean_w_smith

04-15-07, 11:49 PM

Dude you rock for posting the info about getting 720p working. Its great to know the developers continue to squeeze performance out of the platform... Time to hit a few torrent sites and see what I can find....

Any idea what kind of space reduction you get compared to typical broadcast MPEG-2 TS files... I guess its time to hack my HR10-250 and see if I can archive stuff with divx 6...

BTW: Ja Phule. when you posted your results did you use DVD Player or Mplayer?

Sean

sean_w_smith

04-15-07, 11:53 PM

THANK

YOU

:)

Not as easy as a regular soft mod since you have to pull the drive but if you are upgrading the HD size its a no brainer. I have done both and prefer using the memory key for speed but the PC based approach is certainly free. Its also nice to be familar with this procedure because if a SoftModded HD dies. This is how you recover from it. All you need is the eeprom.bin and you can re-image a new HD....

Sean

TheOtherOne

04-16-07, 12:27 AM

Have any of you guys tried the HD stuff with this mplayer.dll?I just downloaded todays build and still no luck with mplayer. It was dropping way too many frames. Anytime the camera moved across a landscape or anything the picture would stop/start/stop/start.

Any idea what kind of space reduction you get compared to typical broadcast MPEG-2 TS files... I guess its time to hack my HR10-250 and see if I can archive stuff with divx 6...
I'm not sure how much space it saves. I can tell you that those Planet Earth episodes are about 2.2 gigabytes each with a runtime of 48 minutes.

I'm also not sure if there are any restrictions on how it gets encoded as far as FPS goes and things like that. It appears to be right on the edge of being able to play these. The video was always smooth but there was one scene where they were panning across a huge flock of flying birds and the sound cut out for about 3 seconds. I don't if turning off things using extra resources like the FTP server and RSS feeds would have helped with that or not. I never bothered to check. All the settings on my XBMC are basically the default and I like those extras too much to disable them.

Ja Phule

04-16-07, 12:41 AM

BTW: Ja Phule. when you posted your results did you use DVD Player or Mplayer?

It was the default player, mplayer. I need to test them out again with the dvd player when I get a chance.

twelvepbrs

04-16-07, 12:42 AM

File: BBC.Planet.Earth.1of5.Pole.to.Pole.720p.Divx6.Ac3.www.mvgrou p.org.avi

Outputting on the xbox at 720p. Digital AC3 sound is enabled in XBMC.
Streaming via SMB using the default XBMC cache settings.
Resolution on XBMC: 1280x720 -> 1268x717

Yes, by default. That is why you have to white click the file and choose Play using... and then select DVDPlayer. Mplayer on the xbox can't yet handle 720p divx files.

anyone know what the equivalent of white click is on the xbox dvd remote control?
also any more specifics about how these samples were transcoded? i'm assuming from dvb-mpeg2 to divx6

TheOtherOne

04-16-07, 01:02 AM

anyone know what the equivalent of white click is on the xbox dvd remote control?Title button on the DVD remote.

also any more specifics about how these samples were transcoded? i'm assuming from dvb-mpeg2 to divx6I'm not sure. I didn't encode them. All I have is what is in the nfo file:

Detailed fileinfo for episodes 1 - 5:
Video Codec: Divx6
Video Bitrate: 6000
Video Resolution: 1280x720
Video Aspect Ratio: 1.75:1
Audio Codec: AC3
Audio BitRate: 384kbps 48kHz
Audio Channels: 6
RunTime Per Part: 48
Number Of Parts: 5
Part Size: 2200

sean_w_smith

04-16-07, 04:43 PM

I soft modded and have been using XBMC for ISO playback since around October of last year. Everything has worked fine, so I have not updated the software to a new version since.

The only thing that would prompt a revision would be if playback quality (PQ) has increased by a large margin.

Has anyone updated and experienced a good increase in PQ?

I am going to go back and read this thread since January for any info, but any insight will be appreciated.

I would hang tight. Unless you have issues with certain DVD's. They have fixed a lot of bugs with the DVD player but nothing big with PQ. Mostly GUI changes and the IDMB thing has been re-written and still in a state of flux. I play around with the latest versions but still have 2.01 loaded on all my boxes.
some weekly builds are better than others. The 4/8 build broke a bunch of stuff which they fixed again in the 4/15 build. If you are happy just wait till 2.1 offically is released...

Sean

Scotty6595

04-16-07, 06:18 PM

I personally liked the way the IMDB database used to be. I know they had to tweak, actually overhaul the way it worked in order to get other types of tv/sat./series shows to show up correctly but it sure did FUBAR my DVD views and lookups there for a while. It all seems to be back in order and I imagine that those that use the new db features are thrilled with the addition. <set in his ways old man steps off soapbox>

sean_w_smith

04-16-07, 07:34 PM

ChrisFB

04-16-07, 07:35 PM

TheOtherOne - you rule. Thank you. Finally I have something to work off of - wouldn't you know I'm in a few thousand miles away on vacation right now. When I get back though....first thing I'm going to do.

levandier

04-17-07, 04:56 AM

Hi,

I just bought a modded XBox off Ebay and it has a pre-2.0 version of XBMC installed. Is there anything I have to be careful about when upgrading? XBMC is set as the dash; do I have to switch to something else before upgrading?

Also, it's a PAL unit. Do I have to switch to NTSC to be able to use the High Definition Pack?

Thanks!

levandier

04-17-07, 06:15 AM

One more quick question. My DVD collection is about 50:50 PAL/NTSC. As my XBOX is a PAL unit, will it output all DVD's at 576i or will it automatically pass on a 480i signal when I play an NTSC DVD and a 576i signal when I play a PAL DVD? If it outputs everything at 576i, is there a way to make it output PAL and NTSC DVD's at their native resolutions?

austerville

04-19-07, 08:26 PM

Could someone please explain to me (or post a link) of how to use Karaoke on the XBMC. I've been researching for a while now, but have yet to see instructions of what I need to do. Thank you.

Ja Phule

04-19-07, 08:46 PM

Could someone please explain to me (or post a link) of how to use Karaoke on the XBMC. I've been researching for a while now, but have yet to see instructions of what I need to do. Thank you.

Karaoke works fine for me. You need to make sure you have the music file and the .cdg file in the same folder. Enable karaoke in the audio settings and the lyrics should show up when you open the music file in XBMC.

ChrisFB

04-19-07, 08:51 PM

For the previous 2 posters. I'm really not familiar with PAL or Karaoke. I'm pretty sure you need to be NTSC for HD resolutions. I've been curious about Karaoke myself, one of the things I've never deciphered even from the online wiki manual (no real pressing need though). You might ask in the XBMC forum at Xbox-Scene as many of the devs frequent it.

EDIT - ah Ja Phule slipped in there.

austerville

04-20-07, 07:04 PM

Thanks Ja Phule, that worked great, but that now I have another question. Is there a utility that I can use to search for a particular karaoke track? I'm thinking of using my Xbox as a portable Karaoke player. Some of my disks are organized while others are just random tracks that I downloaded, which makes it tough to find what you're looking for. Thanks

sean_w_smith

04-20-07, 07:40 PM

austerville

04-20-07, 07:45 PM

Agreed, but how do I search the database, from the Xbox, once I have everything tagged? Is there a special utility that I can use to search by Artist or Song Title?

Ja Phule

04-20-07, 08:52 PM

Agreed, but how do I search the database, from the Xbox, once I have everything tagged? Is there a special utility that I can use to search by Artist or Song Title?

There is a library mode and file mode for the video and audio sections of XBMC. Library mode will use the database where u can browse by artist or song etc. I have a lot of karaoke songs and never have a chance to tag them. My solution was to make good use of the xbmc web interface so I can take a laptop and do a ctrl+f in my browser and search for the artist/title and play it that way by selecting it.

austerville

04-21-07, 07:15 AM

Thanks Ja Phule. I'll have to try to find out more about the 2 options you presented.

ChrisFB

04-21-07, 06:20 PM

I've always used the file route for audio. I have far too many files to deal with searching through tags but in general it goes artist / album / and then the tracks numbered and song titles. I also have some large categorical folders at the top for Jazz, Classical, Country, Soundtracks, New Age, Compilations, etc... (Karaoke would be one if I had it) and then similar heirarchy inside. And then there's a large uncategorized and unsorted folder with 4 alphabetized subfolders inside that I'll eventually deal with. I can find just about anything that way and then on my PC I use Copernic Desktop Search to index the music drive so everything is an easy and quick to find but usually with that setup I can navigate very quickly to what I want or enjoy a good browse for fun.

sean_w_smith

04-22-07, 01:55 PM

sygyzy

04-22-07, 08:13 PM

What method are you using to rip the movies into your fileserver? Can XBMC play .iso format? What program makes that? CloneDVD? Nero? Or are you ripping the whole VIDEO_TS folder?

Thanks!

RockDawg

04-22-07, 09:27 PM

What method are you using to rip the movies into your fileserver? Can XBMC play .iso format? What program makes that? CloneDVD? Nero? Or are you ripping the whole VIDEO_TS folder?

Thanks!

XBMC can play .iso files along with VIDEO_TS. I know DVD Shrink and CloneDVD2 can rip to both VIDEO_TS and .iso.

socorob

04-22-07, 09:37 PM

Scotty6595

04-22-07, 11:13 PM

does anyone have the problem with if you have 1080i set, and go to apple movie trailers none will play, but if you set the video to ntsc 16:9, then the trailers will play, and my tv is reporting its in 1080i. If i go back to the video settings, and put in 1080i, then they stop playing, they download to cache, and nothing. If my xbmc skin is anything higher than 420p they wont play... anyone know any ways around? this is happening on mine and my friends.

This is a known limitation of XBMC. In a nutshell, your xbox is running out of memory when set to 1080i and running Apple Movie Trailers. The only way around it is to do exactly what you did and set your resolution lower. I have read that it works fine with 720p but my Mits. only outputs 1080i so I cannot confirm this.

Ja Phule

04-23-07, 12:31 AM

This is a known limitation of XBMC. In a nutshell, your xbox is running out of memory when set to 1080i and running Apple Movie Trailers. The only way around it is to do exactly what you did and set your resolution lower. I have read that it works fine with 720p but my Mits. only outputs 1080i so I cannot confirm this.

I can confirm, with the gui at 720p, apple trailers will play fine.

A new T3CH SVN is available also. It seems everyone will need to rescan their media database with this release.

ChrisFB

04-23-07, 10:24 AM

Chris:

Yep I used to the be that way and now I live in the library view. Having everything tagged properly opens up tremendous opportunitys to use smart play lists, party mode and listen by genre..

That said all that did not come for free. I have close to a man year in ripping and tagging over the last 10 years to get it in excellent shape.

I've already invested so much time - there's no way I'm putting in any more. Everything new is well organized and tagged as is most of the major stuff but there's far far too many early rips and random songs floating around that aren't (that uncategorized folder alone is 4 separate subfolders with a total of around 4000 misc files which is why it's broken up to make network browsing easier).

I figure over the next few years maybe I'll pay some college or high school kid some money to go through and tag everything for me and do some final cleaning is the "dark areas of the attic/collection". I'm sitting on a pretty huge collection and even if everything was tagged it would still be unwieldly to use all at once (I've messed around with it on the PC before and it made it far worse rather than better for me). Still, I'd like to see it 100% clean and perfect but it won't be my time that gets it to that point.

austerville

04-24-07, 05:10 PM

RockDawg

04-25-07, 08:39 AM

I've already invested so much time - there's no way I'm putting in any more. Everything new is well organized and tagged as is most of the major stuff but there's far far too many early rips and random songs floating around that aren't (that uncategorized folder alone is 4 separate subfolders with a total of around 4000 misc files which is why it's broken up to make network browsing easier).

I figure over the next few years maybe I'll pay some college or high school kid some money to go through and tag everything for me and do some final cleaning is the "dark areas of the attic/collection". I'm sitting on a pretty huge collection and even if everything was tagged it would still be unwieldly to use all at once (I've messed around with it on the PC before and it made it far worse rather than better for me). Still, I'd like to see it 100% clean and perfect but it won't be my time that gets it to that point.

You should really look into som tag editing software. Unless your collection is a complete mess with no common filename structure at all, it's a breeze to tag thousands of files at once with something like Tag&Rename. It can save hundreds of hours.

xaznxeclipsex

04-27-07, 08:54 AM

Hey Guys, I have a few questions.
I just got XBMC loaded as dashboard. I have it networked to my pc so if I go into SMB I can see the files on my shared
folders in my pc. What I would like to do is for example go into Videos on XBMC and instead of pointing to a directory in my
xbox HDD, I want it to point to a shared drive on my pc. I believe it is a file I have to edit but how should the path look like to
point to a shared drive on my pc, should it be something like : workgroup/computer name/drive letter/folder ?
My second question, I have dvd movies ripped as .iso on my shared pc hdd, I can see them from XBMC but no dvd cover images, I thought XBMX would automaticly do this for me from IMDB database or am I wrong? Do I need to go buy the dvd profiler software?
Thanks for the help!!

Scotty6595

04-27-07, 09:51 AM

See your other thread for the answers to you questions....

ChrisFB

04-28-07, 04:09 PM

Its not hard but takes a little time... I tried the zalman fan and its quieter but a bit noisy still. That was without the resisitor to slow the fan down... This fan here running at 100% is silent and will keep the temps reasonable. especially with the new power saving builds...

http://www.coolerguys.com/840556054054.html

The mod is not hard. Instructions here...

http://www.llamma.com/xbox/Xbox%2080mm%20Fan%20Mod.htm

Tips: you need a dremel tool to make short work of this. Trying to use cutting pliers or scissors is a mistake and a PITA. The first one will take a little longer but after you have done this once it can be completed in the less than a hour. Also do it outside or in the garage and you are going to have black plastic mess everywhere. and also use eye protection while using the dremel. I highly recommend this mod. Now my xbox's are virtually silent...

Sean

BTW - just got back from vacation yesterday night and ordered the fan a few minutes ago. I'm excited to get this puppy near silent. I'll let you know how it goes.

sean_w_smith

04-30-07, 12:12 PM

Pimped has a new release out 4/28/07

This is the first release that void has done since last october that has the linksboks web browser incorporated into it. Right now only into the PM3 skin. THere is also a new skin in the release. Release notes below...

Sean

Finally made another linkboks version for you guys out there that have been asking for it. Right now only the PM3 skin is supported. I'm working on getting mc360 working with it. Also updated the mc360, vision and xtv skins, and added a new skin called containment.

SVN Changes Since Last Build:
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
added/fixed: (dd-mm-yyyy) (please specify date in CET)

2007-04-28 8685 fixed: Slash at end of filefolders (eg playlists) in getMediaLocation().
2007-04-28 8684 Added : PM3 Music rating Stars to Full screen Visualization Music Info. Also added too Following Media view types when sorted by rating "List, List2, Album and BigList"
2007-04-28 8683 fixed: WindowXML fallback media path did not work on the xbox. Slash at end issue.
2007-04-28 8682 added: Container.Sort(SongRating) info condition.
2007-04-28 8681 Fixed : PM3 "DVD Icons" and "Album Icon" views navigation didn't wrap top to bottom and bottom to top
2007-04-27 8680 fixed: Skin.SetString(string,string_to_set) didn't work.
2007-04-27 8679 code cleanup
2007-04-27 8678 added: ListItem.Rating and MusicPlayer.Rating for music ratings.
2007-04-27 8677 added: Support for comment and rating fields in music files. Rating fields read from files are POPM fields for mp3, and RATING tags for all others (also RATING in TXXX a la foobar2000). Rating is stored 0 (no rating) or 1-5. Rating and comment are both supported in smartplaylists, and you can sort by rating in the song levels of the music library.
2007-04-26 8676 changed: removed function indirection on D3DXCreateMatrixStack, vortex.vis is only viz/screensaver using it, and it seems to not complain. removed: d3d-dx8.dll export wich only contained two functions, wich only had different decoration than in d3d_dx8.dll. also no viz/screensaver use them.
2007-04-26 8675 fixed: refresh info failed for single episodes.
2007-04-26 8674 fixed: all items showed in the season node when there were no seasons.
2007-04-26 8673 fixed: update library didnt show in tv show node context menu.
2007-04-26 8672 fixed: Remove from library wasn't working in video library.
2007-04-26 8670 updated: German language file by sCAPe (Based on english strings version 8669)
2007-04-26 8669 Added : "Favourites" string to strings.xml id 1036 for skinning use
2007-04-26 8668 changed: Browse for... strings have been made full strings instead of tacking on the end of "browse for" allowing better translation. Some python scripts may be effected.
2007-04-26 8667 Changed : PM3 Updated new dialog xmls <window> header to have their proper window ID's
2007-04-25 8666 cosmetic: remove trailing spaces
2007-04-25 8665 changed: don't log error messages for dismounting and deleting of symbolic links if device is dismounted already or symbolic link doesn't exist.
2007-04-25 8664 changed: avoid duplicating memory usage for exported function names by using static structs for the standard exports instead of allocating them on heap.
2007-04-25 8663 fixed: Music and Videos root context menu (Add Source etc.) weren't working correctly.
2007-04-25 8662 changed: Sort order defaults to "sort by album" when you enter a songs listing from "All Albums". Means queuing an artist will queue in album order.
2007-04-25 8661 fixed: An artist with a single album would start in the album folder rather than artist folder when browsing for artist image.
2007-04-25 8660 fixed: missing database close call.
2007-04-25 8659 fixed: typo that caused NeedRenderFullScreen() to always return true.
2007-04-25 8658 fixed: loading of ir50_32.dll for Intel Indeo 5 videos
2007-04-25 8657 fixed: typo error in video config code
2007-04-25 8656 fixed: GetAlbumPath() was slower than it should have been (caused slow info lookups from the library)
2007-04-25 8655 changed: CUtil::GetDirectory() now returns the folder with trailing slash intact.
2007-04-25 8654 reverted: .mp4 as a paplayer codec for aac.
2007-04-25 8653 added: Possibility to use ListItem.* in the favourites dialog.
2007-04-25 8652 fixed: Video library and Music library items didn't work as favourites.
2007-04-25 8651 fixed: AddFront() was broken in CFileItemList.
2007-04-25 8650 fixed: Checkmark control didn't respond to SetColorDiffuse.
2007-04-25 8649 added: Debug info to the scripts window.
2007-04-25 8648 changed: WindowXML python should only set the alternate fallback folder when it is needed (ie allocresources and render), otherwise other windows that allocate or render while the python window is up may not find their textures if they're outside the xpr.
2007-04-25 8647 Changed : Keymap for scripts window so Black Opens script info and White opens context menu for new favorites menu
2007-04-25 8646 fixed: WindowXML: If fallback media path was used, some controls didn't render until focused changed: WindowXML: Moved fallback media path inside the /skins/skinname/ folder with PAL, PAL16x9... changed: Python method getThumbName() -> getCacheThumbName()
2007-04-25 8645 Changed : PM3 Removed all traces of submenu stuff now its been replaced with the superior Favorites menu
2007-04-25 8644 added: Favourites dialog. Replaces submenu dialog in PM3 - up to other skinners to include if they like. Add items to favourites via the context menu from the media views.
2007-04-25 8643 added: .mp4 as a paplayer codec for aac.
2007-04-25 8642 cleanup: Prepared for CUtil::GetDirectory() change in behaviour (no more removing slash at end)
2007-04-25 8641 cleanup: Removed unnecessary code in DialogSubMenu.xml (may affect very old skins)
2007-04-25 8640 added: Favourites dialog. Replaces submenu dialog in PM3 - up to other skinners to include if they like. Add items to favourites via the context menu from the media views.
2007-04-24 8639 fixed: hdhomerun reading function was a NOP fixed: getsockname wouldn't return a ip address for locally bound sockets ( windows doesn't require it, but it's common practice in the *nix world, so let's emulate it )
2007-04-24 8637 fixed: exception in video info scanner
2007-04-24 8636 updated: chinese (simple) language (thanks to pcman) updated: chinese (traditional) language (thanks to omenpica) updated: french language (thanks to frostbox)
2007-04-24 8635 updated: German language file by sCAPe (Based on english strings version 862
2007-04-24 8634 fixed: Context menu could be positioned offscreen if a list was close to the edge.
2007-04-24 8633 fixed: Crash creating textures from 8bit images which contained no transparent black.
2007-04-24 8632 cleanup: Removed some old commented code.
2007-04-24 8631 fixed: GetTitleFromPath() failed for folders.
2007-04-24 8630 changed: FileItem map and Contains() routine is now case-insensitive.
2007-04-24 8629 changed: Refactored the contextmenu code throughout.
2007-04-24 8628 Added : PM3 A skin setting to enable Playing of .m3u Playlist on load of skin (startup)
2007-04-24 8627 added: update library in video library.
2007-04-24 8626 added: update library in video library.
2007-04-23 8625 Changed : PM3 alignment and position of text and images in Media Info Views and and Video info dialog
2007-04-23 8624 changed: make sure there is no slash at end of tune url for hdhomrun after browsing
2007-04-23 8623 fixed: hdhomerun client wouldn't respect options set on command line
2007-04-23 8622 changed: playfile from http api now nolonger makes an assumption on if file exists andor is an internet file before trying to play a file. it now ask xbmc to play it nomatter what.
2007-04-23 8621 changed: create field texture in HQ Pixel Shader V2 on demand instead of always.
2007-04-23 8620 added: Python Method xbmc.getThumbName() It returns the hexidecimal crc'd filename from a path you supply. (eg xbmc.getThumbName("f:\Videos\Ultraviolet.mov" returns "06664c61.tbn"
2007-04-23 8619 changed: avoid correcting field offset in bob+weave renderer until outputting to backbuffer
2007-04-23 8618 fixed: chroma offset was 1/4th of a pixel wrong after changes to memory reducing changes to rgb renderer. (doubt it is even possible to notice)
2007-04-23 8616 fixed: XBMC_PC didn't compile after filezilla changes.
2007-04-22 8615 fixed: special paths didnt work with skin.setfile and its siblings.
2007-04-22 8614 fixed: More reliable tracking of scanned paths in music library.
2007-04-22 8613 fixed: if 'FileZilla Server.xml' does not exist or is corrupt, ftp server runs without any user data and a login is not possible
2007-04-22 8612 update: updated mplayer's realplayer rtsp client from mplayerhq, adds username/password support and fixes an buffer overrun.
2007-04-22 8611 Reverted : last PM3 change due to visibility errors of the dialogs never closing
2007-04-22 8606 Changed : Background Video and Music Scan dialogs are no longer Visible while in Fullscreen Video or Music
2007-04-22 8605 changed: better handling of start-times in mpg-ts files. they should now start from zero time instead of some huge value.
2007-04-22 8604 Changed : reversed onlicks in skinsettings to setfile then setstring makes more sense. skin.setfile mask & path used for submenu options for ease of navigation. Incorrect string was being used. Also move the 'No Link Set' a few pixels so it all looks nice & tidy.
2007-04-22 8603 fixed: stupid me left the outputdebugstring code intact for no reason.
2007-04-22 8602 added: skin.setfile now takes a default path parameter. syntax: skin.setfile(stringname,[mask,defaultpath])
2007-04-22 8600 changed: moved the verbose output from filexbmsp to log level 3.
2007-04-22 8598 fixed: xbmc would often hard lock during caching or startup if the caching dialog was open, due to calling cguifontttf functions from non rendering thread.
2007-04-22 8597 fixed: timidity codec would crash after about 10 songs.
2007-04-22 8595 fixed: Gamesave folder thumbs were not working.
2007-04-22 8591 fixed: MP4 tag reader cached thumb for every track, even if it already was cached.
2007-04-22 8590 changed: Music scanner hashes now include date to better pic up tag changes. Plus some progress fixes.
2007-04-21 8589 fixed: id3tag reader would cache album cover every time, even if the file already exists.
2007-04-21 8588 changed: reduced sensitivity of bob+weave deinterlacer to make hqv disk abit more happy
2007-04-21 8587 fixed: typo that caused new bob+weave deinterlacer used field changes instead of downscaled frame changes for motion detection. (fixes static scenes and horizontal hairline flickering) changed: made motion detection much more sensitive in bob+weave deinterlacer much more sensitive

sean_w_smith

05-01-07, 09:26 AM

FYI:
Be forewarned 4/28 did not recognize my existing music DB and was about 100x slower browsing thumbnails than previous resleases. This happend a few months back as well and it was fixed shortly. So other than checking out the web browswer integration I would avoid this release...

Sean

Ja Phule

05-01-07, 10:37 AM

sean_w_smith

05-02-07, 11:21 AM

Yes...

but there are bigger problems with this build. Thumbnail caching is broken and the GUI is at least 100X slower. I takes 10 seconds to scroll one Icon!

Sean

jliles

05-04-07, 09:49 PM

sean_w_smith

05-05-07, 09:18 AM

Hi,

I've been using XBMC primarily for video and love it. I've started using it for music recently and have a dumb question that I can't seem to get a straight answer to. I'm using the T3CH 4/20 build. All I want to do is have XBMC scan a whole (remote) directory at once to grab album covers and info. I know how to do it for a single file at a time but I must be missing how to do the whole folder scan.

Can someone please tell me how to do this? I'm sure it's something simple...

Julie

Do you mean scanning into your local database. (Which is white button scall all to database from the file view).

There is also album information which looks up album information one album at a time and can download cover art. This can be done from the library and the file view.

If you want to batch download info like this you must do it from the library view and then white button and there is an option (Query Info for all albums).

Sean

jliles

05-05-07, 10:52 AM

Sean,

Apparently I am not very bright, but I just can't see how to do this.

Yes, I know how to get album info for single items in List view (and in "Songs" in the Library section). That's what I've been doing on and off, but it's extremely tedious. I've also retagged some songs that had incorrect or incomplete tag info since initially scanning the library. One song I tried to manually get album info for had an "unknown" album name, and when I chose the correct cover XBMC obligingly set all songs with an "unknown" album name to that cover. I need to correct this too.

What I'm looking for is an easy way to automatically scan or rescan the whole library, regardless of whether the items have been scanned before or not. During the scan I want to fetch (or re-fetch) album art and other album info for all files.

I use the remote. When I go into library mode the equivalent of the "white button" just asks if I want to queue the item or go to settings. I don't get any option to query info for all albums. Pressing the info button on my remote comes up with the same context menu that I have in list view, which allows me to get album info for single songs/albums. I should mention that my songs are jumbled together into a single folder on my PC and are not organized by album, artist, etc.

Please, assume I know nothing - I won't be insulted :) Do I have to delete my whole music database so that I have the ability to rescan the folder? Exactly how do I do this? When I go into the library do I have to be in a specific folder (Songs, Genre, etc)?

Julie

Scotty6595

05-05-07, 04:52 PM

Ohhhh, If only my wife new half of what you know about xbmc Julie.....lol

I may have missed it but have you tried Sean's suggestion with an actual controller? I ask this because I do believe I read over at xbox-scene or xboxmediacenter.com that there was an issue with keymap.xml and the new database scrapers.... If you have a controller handy it may be worth a shot to see if you get a different context menu when pressing the actual white button.

Another thing crossed my mind as well... I'm not sure if the audio database works the same way as video but are you sure you are drilling all the way up to the root directory of your music before pushing the white button? In videos if you are not pointing to the root directory and you press the white button you will get a completely different context menu. If you have drilled all the way up to your Music folder or what ever you call it you should see this ever elusive context menu that will allow you to scan the entire contents of you Music folder.

Btw, to drill up to the root directory of your music, click on music from the home screen and highlight the up arrow which should be the first thumbnail at the top left of the screen that shows your songs or album folders... Press this and it will show you all your available sources for My Music. The source at the top "should" be your folder on your shared drive that you keep your music in and this needs to be highlighted when you push the white button.

Hope this helps in some way!

Good Luck!

Scott

mebby

05-06-07, 07:59 PM

I've just recently starting encountering a strange problem. All of my DVDs are in ISO format and when if I leave the Xbox sitting idle for some period of time (say around two hours or more) when I go to play a DVD the system locks up. It doesn'nt even start to play the movie. To get it to work, I have to physically turn off the box and turn it back on - then everything works fine.

Any ideas on what may be causing this?

The only change I've made recently is I added a 50 inch HiDef plasma (by the way, the 50 inch Pioneer Elite rocks!!) and accordingly I changed my settings to output in 720P. This worked fine for about a month and I just recently started encountering problems.

sean_w_smith

05-06-07, 10:34 PM

sean_w_smith

05-06-07, 10:35 PM

new build; fixes the thumbnail caching issue from last week. no thumbnails in the db view. linksbox and new smart playlist gui.... another linksboks build...

SVN Changes Since Last Build:
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
added/fixed: (dd-mm-yyyy) (please specify date in CET)

2007-05-06 8784 changed: killed some warnings in the UnrarXLib build in preparation for moving it into standard solution
2007-05-06 8782 fixed: image distortion when doing direct rendering with mplayer ( still has too many issues to be enabled in code )
2007-05-06 8775 fixed: issues with thumb assignment to dirs during rarred movie scans.
2007-05-06 8774 fixed: Various mouse issues. Many controls (eg spinners, lists) still won't work correctly.
2007-05-06 8773 fixed: remove content in video library didnt remove path hashes (rescan wouldnt work afterwards even if you assigned new content).
2007-05-06 8772 updated: Finnish language (thanks to mikko) updated: Icelandic language (thanks to sholafsson) updated: Chinese (Traditional) language (thanks to omenpica) updated: Chinese (Simple) language (thanks to pc-man)
2007-05-05 8765 fixed: invalid types for dllaccept function
2007-05-05 8763 fixed: crashes in dvd player due to misunderstanding of std::stringstream usage after TinyXML change to use std::io
2007-05-05 8762 fixed: minor type in CFileStream which hindered the use of a backbuffer added: seeking using internal buffer in CFileStream for offsets from current position
2007-05-05 8760 changed: use new CFileStream to read playlists, means file need not be completly buffered into memory before attempting to parse it.
2007-05-05 8759 changed: allow play using on playlist files ( will only actually play first item with the selected player ). normally only single item playlists are considered playlists anyway ( unless playlistsasfolders is disabled ).
2007-05-05 8758 changed: removed logging of statting in emulation layer, python logged a silly amount on that.
2007-05-05 8757 fixed: emulated bind function would fail on localhost address "127.0.0.1" and on xbox ip address. fixed: emulated accept function would return xbox socket pointer instead of index to emulation socket.
2007-05-05 8756 fixed: play using didn't work on stacked items
2007-05-05 8754 fixed: very odd usage of bool pointer during python ListItem_Select. It worked by pure chance .
2007-05-05 8752 fixed: Albums weren't removed from the library when all the songs had been removed if an albuminfo lookup had been performed.
2007-05-05 8751 added: Ability for contextmenu buttons to use vis conditions, to allow different looks for different places in the skin.
2007-05-03 8743 changed: Multipaths are now the default.
2007-05-03 8742 added: support for vp7vfw.dll in DllLoader and by that in mplayer. don't expect very high performance as it seems about as complex to decode as h264
2007-05-03 8741 fixed: compile error
2007-05-03 8740 fixed: Song information showed up in context menu on a smart playlist.
2007-05-03 8739 Fixed : PM3 Navigation in Smart Playlist Editor Changed : PM3 Layout of SmartPlaylistRule.xml to better match rest of pm3 dialogs
2007-05-03 8738 fixed: New smart playlist dialogs didn't have strings assigned to them. They're smartplaylisteditor and smartplaylistrule.
2007-05-03 8737 added: Python methods select() and isSelected() to the listitem changed: Python documentation for listitem
2007-05-03 8736 added: loop="true" ability to conditional animations.
2007-05-03 8735 fixed: Comment reading in id3tags just read the first comment. Now reads the first non-empty comment.
2007-05-03 8734 fixed: And the rest of the build profiles.
2007-05-03 8733 fixed: XBMC_PC release build.
2007-05-03 8732 fixed: Compile issue with release build.
2007-05-03 8731 fixed: Wrong item was highlighted in music when playing in sort by file mode.
2007-05-02 8730 fixed: typo in previous commit about multiple buffers during render
2007-05-02 8729 changed: added xbmc root to default include directory and changed stdafx.h includes to not use ../stdafx.h specification. those won't normally be detected as precompiled headers anyway.
2007-05-02 8728 fixed: HQ Pixelshader - V2 would not display any image in window mode / calibration
2007-05-02 8727 changed: minor fix for deletion of buffers when allowing direct rendering
2007-05-02 8726 changed: added prototype for CApplicationMessenger as some places manage to include Application.h without stdafx.h
2007-05-02 8725 added: CFileStream layer based on std::istream, allows using >> functions from files changed: enabled TiXML STL functions to allow direct reading from CFileStream objects, skipping string buffering
2007-05-02 8724 changed: don't include stdafx.h from .h files
2007-05-02 8723 changed: don't registry access in DllLoader normally as wm9 dll's loag a huge ammount then.
2007-05-02 8722 changed: defining static string arrays in .h files which is included in every file isn't the best.
2007-05-02 8721 fixed: Parent file items were missing from cached file lists - missed the path.
2007-05-02 8720 fixed: Parent file items were missing from cached file lists.
2007-05-02 8719 added: Workaround for invalid iTunes id3v2 tags (eg TCP and TCMP). Wish they would just stick to the standard!
2007-05-02 8718 added: Smart playlist editor for music. Accessible from Playlists in music library, and on context menu on/in an existing smart playlist.
2007-05-02 8717 added: SetFromDBDate() routine to CDateTime, to translate YYYY-MM-DD date strings.
2007-05-02 8716 fixed: CUtil::TranslateSpecialPath() now checks slash at end insensitive.
2007-05-02 8715 fixed: CDirectory::Exists/Delete/Create failed on special:// URLs.
2007-05-02 8714 fixed: Assert in debug when a multiimage had a single image in it's path.
2007-05-01 8698 added: FLAC embedded PICTURE metadata.
2007-04-30 8697 fixed: getMediaLocation() didn't set the folder flag for filefolders (playlists etc.)
2007-04-30 8696 updated: Chinese (Traditional) language (thanks to omenpica) updated German (Austria) language (thanks to ceomr) updated: Polish language (thanks to napek) updated: Chinese (Simple) language (thanks to pcman) updated: Spanish language (thanks to jose_t) updated: French language (thanks to frostbox)
2007-04-30 8695 updated: German language file (Based on english strings version 8690)
2007-04-30 8694 Changed : PM3 Removed "Not Locked" text from Music Visualisation Vis info. If it doesn't say "Locked" then its not
2007-04-30 8693 Changed : PM3 Removed Dashboard button from the shutdown menu and replaced it with a button to the new Favourites menu. This means you can get to your favourites from anywhere now. For those people who don't use xbmc as their default dash just add your dash to the favourites menu instead
2007-04-29 8692 changed: Music songs is no longer cached independently of the usual cache system. Fixes a few issues with that list not updating after thumb or ratings changes.
2007-04-29 8691 Fixed : DialogAlbumInfo.xml descriptions in both 4:3 & 16x9 were out by 20 pixels.
2007-04-29 8690 added: Song Information dialog, with ability to rate songs, with nice skin by Jezz_X
2007-04-29 8689 fixed: Albuminfo lookup infinite loop in some cases.
2007-04-29 8688 added: ListItem.Comment to info manager.
2007-04-29 8687 fixed: Songs would sort in reverse order if they have the same rating when sorting by rating.
2007-04-29 8686 fixed: If an item didn't have tag details loaded, ListItem.Rating returned the thumb

Sean

bigbw

05-07-07, 06:01 PM

Scotty6595

05-07-07, 07:15 PM

Most likely when you power on the xbox with the power button or the DVD tray open/close button you will see Avalaunch or Evox or some other dash...

ChrisFB

05-07-07, 09:03 PM

I have decided to go the xbox route and am about to buy a premodded (chip mod) xbox.. Question is how do I know if it has been modded.. Is there any kind of a start up screen or bios setup that you can check.. I'm assuming it does not have xbmc installed yet..

bw

Any and none, you need to talk to the person you are buying it from and see. Did he load any software? Did he flash the modchip with a hacked bios or is that up to you? Don't assume. Ask. There are totally hacked bios's that look exactly like the stock bios and with no software loaded (i.e. a boot disc or otherwise) will behave exactly like a stock box.

bigbw

05-08-07, 10:16 AM

sean_w_smith

05-08-07, 12:27 PM

Not sure it is possible to find out.. I have a friend who owns a shop and he took it in trade.. I am only paying $99 for it which is the same price I would pay for a non modded unit, so I figured I could just mod it myself if necessary..

Does it DHCP on your network?

If so can you connect to it via FTP:
Username: xbox password: xbox

If the FTP server responds its modded.

Also you can backup a retail game and try to boot that. A stock xbox will not boot a backup of a game. A modded xbox will.

Sean

bigbw

05-08-07, 02:35 PM

it is supposed to be a chip mod with the x2 chip.. could i not just open the case and look.. Should be pretty easy to spot..

bw

RockDawg

05-08-07, 02:49 PM

I don't know if it would be the same, but I have an X3 chip in mine and when I boot up at the botom of the normal Xbox intro screen it says "Xecuter rox my box" That's one easy way to tell... if the X2 does the same thing. You also open it up and see, but you'll have to remove the dvd drive and/or the hard drive since they are blocking the view.

ChrisFB

05-08-07, 04:35 PM

The problem is that all the chip does is hold a bios. You can put any bios on a chip (some size constraints). It is the bios that has that alternate text or colors or whatever and some bios have nothing which make confirming a working install a real PITA especially when you are simultaneously testing media compatibility and burn procedure. My golden rule of modding is to always install a bios that looks visibly different from the stock in some way but a huge number of mods have been done that don't.

Also, you can open it up and look but that doesn't mean that the modchip inside is installed correctly and functioning either - hence the visibly different bios thing.

I'd start poking through the tutorials at Xbox-Scene, find your mod chip, double check everything and work from there.

bigbw

05-08-07, 05:54 PM

sounds like a good thing i told my friend, he was not getting paid until i was sure the unit was what he said it was..

football---fan

05-08-07, 07:05 PM

Sorry if this was already touched on ...... But if I want to use XBMC does if matter if I get a old xbox and mod it or can I just buy the 360 ? is there any benefit between the two?
Thanks

RockDawg

05-08-07, 07:35 PM

XBMC only runs on a Xbox1. You can't use a 360 to run it.

sean_w_smith

05-16-07, 12:12 AM

5/14/07 T3CH has issued a new release...

more work on scrapers. smart playlists, dvd player, some stuff for deinterlacing, skins etc...

nothing terribly exciting....

dunno if its stable yet...

Sean

Montrey

05-16-07, 09:20 PM

mwg47x

05-16-07, 10:17 PM

I've been using XBMC for a while now and love it. I have everything set up the way I want. What i really like to do is play Shoutcast servers on xbmc for when you have company over because its a non stop playlist of new songs and such. I like to play Lounge music. Anyway the reason i'm posting is because I wanted to see if you guys are using a wireless Xbox 1 controller. The only thing holding me back on xbox 1 is the fact that i have the wire coming across the living room from the controller. If you guys can recommend a good wireless xbox 1 controller that'd be great.

I wish xbmc could be put on 360 but what i really want is to be able to use the R4 visualization from winamp because it has the best.
No wireless controller but the remote control for the Xbox works great.
You can see what I'm talking about here (http://www.amazon.com/Xbox-DVD-Movie-Playback-Kit/dp/B00005O0I9).

sean_w_smith

05-16-07, 10:51 PM

I've been using XBMC for a while now and love it. I have everything set up the way I want. What i really like to do is play Shoutcast servers on xbmc for when you have company over because its a non stop playlist of new songs and such. I like to play Lounge music. Anyway the reason i'm posting is because I wanted to see if you guys are using a wireless Xbox 1 controller. The only thing holding me back on xbox 1 is the fact that i have the wire coming across the living room from the controller. If you guys can recommend a good wireless xbox 1 controller that'd be great.

I wish xbmc could be put on 360 but what i really want is to be able to use the R4 visualization from winamp because it has the best.

I use logitech wireless controllers. I have tried some other brands but these IMO are by far the best.

I also have the IR Eye and the Xbox programmed into my harmony remotes.

I honestly prefer the xbox controller by a large margin.

Logitech's are 30-35. you sometimes can find deals on ebay.

DVD Kits are cheap on amazon, ebay, or your local game store. Local game stores are great resources for cheap Xbox remotes, controllers, and component cable packs...

Sean

sean_w_smith

05-17-07, 03:48 PM

BTW: Amazon.com has a great deal on the Harmony 880. Factory refrub. with 1 year warranty. Same as the new one for $99.

This is a great remote... Works well with XBMC and every other device known to man... Any of the harmony remotes are great. The different models may appeal to different people based on button layout but they all have the same great software and ease of setup.

Sean

ChrisFB

05-17-07, 04:07 PM

sean_w_smith

05-17-07, 04:23 PM

Just as an aside, you can also use the Xbox Media Extender Remote which is sold in a kit but you might find one floating around. I think there might be more functions or buttons for mapping, not sure exactly what the advantage is but I think there is something just can't remember.

The xbox remote comes with the IR Eye as the DVD Player kit. The included remote is not universal or programmable in any way but is useful for teaching a universal remote the codes if you don't have something like a harmony or a pronto.

BTW: Did you do the fan mod yet?

Sean

ChrisFB

05-17-07, 09:49 PM

BTW: Did you do the fan mod yet?

Sean

Not yet. Fan is sitting there ready to go. I've been slammed lately - I may wind up taking another position and having to relocate in the very short term (probably will travel back for weekends until everything is set and then move the family). I also forgot to get the dremel from my friend although I was there twice and we did build an entire swingset for his kids in the backyard.

Plus I was slightly bummed when I remembered that my version 1.0 has a the fan on the GPU also. I wonder if it could be disabled and how risky it would be?

We'll see how things go but right now life is up in the air and I'm juggling to keep balls from falling. (and considering I wrote this 5 hours ago before I got on a series of conference calls and ran out to meet the family for dinner and only now hit submit - it continues)

sean_w_smith

05-18-07, 12:31 AM

Chris,

You should be able to take the fan off and put a heat sink on it. The rest of the stuff inside doesn't appear any different to me... The fan costs less than the heatsink so they used that. you could always try just unplugging and see what the GPU temp does...

sorry to hear about the potential relocation...

Sean

Ripper

05-18-07, 01:44 PM

Llamma sells the heatsink I believe for the Xbox.
http://secure.llamma.com/catalog/product_info.php?cPath=64_26&products_id=60
not sure if it will fit the older processor...

Or you could hit the local Frys and pick one up that fits it.

socorob

05-22-07, 06:50 PM

does anyone know with the hd cable with optical and analog stereo, if theres a way to output both simultaneously?

Scotty6595

05-22-07, 07:45 PM

does anyone know with the hd cable with optical and analog stereo, if theres a way to output both simultaneously?

Not that I am aware of... In xbmc under video settings/audio setup you have to choose one or the other....

Sorry,

Scott

socorob

05-22-07, 11:33 PM

Ja Phule

05-22-07, 11:56 PM

Actually, I'm pretty sure you can get audio via optical and analog rca at the same time. Under your audio hardware configuration, be sure to set it to analog. On analog, XBMC will not output Dolby Digital/DTS for DVDs, it will only output via 2 channel but it will be output from rca and optical simultaneously.

If you have your audio set to Digital, it will output non Dolby Digital/DTS audio from both outputs also, but it will not if the audio is DD/DTS.

I'm pretty sure of this and just tested it out just in case. :)

ChrisFB

05-23-07, 09:29 AM

that sucks, oh well, only the 2nd thing i found bad about xbmc, everything else rocks, i was trying to split it to my kitchen tv to follow my liviing room tv, so when going back and forth i can watch the same thing, but i guess wont happen.

Do you mean splitting the video cable or handling multiple video devices from within the same interface? Maybe I'm not understanding but XBMC is a player/streamer as opposed to a whole house interface and content distribution. You'd need to put such a system downline from the Xbox between it and the displays and use the Xbox as an input/feed to it.

Maybe if there was an Xbox on each display some functionality could be coded to have them synchronize through the single master interface on one of the boxes. That's pretty niche but you could always bring it up on the XBMC forums and suggest something. Never hurts and they've gotten far more niche and far worse in the past.

austerville

05-23-07, 08:35 PM

How do I setup the XBMC so that when I select Video, or Music, or.. from the menu that it defaults to the folder where I have that particular media? At the moment I have to manually select the drive, then the folder. Thanks.

zimdba

05-23-07, 10:34 PM

BTW: Did you do the fan mod yet?

Sean

Fan Mod? Recommendations? A buddy of mine did one fan mod and said it was worse than the original . .

ChrisFB

05-23-07, 11:34 PM

Fan Mod? Recommendations? A buddy of mine did one fan mod and said it was worse than the original . .

Post and details are here: http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?p=10223146&&#post10223146

blambert

05-25-07, 08:42 AM

For others to benefit from my knowledge.

My brother in law gave me his old Xbox last weekend. Having no interest in an Xbox, but loving the idea of modifying it, I did a little reading online. I then stopped by the local game store, and picked up a copy of ActionReplay and Splinter Cell for less than 25 bucks total. I had my Xbox software modified within an hour, and without ever needing to open the case. It was a smooth process. With the Xbox connected to my Router though an ethernet cable, and my video output to my tuner card, I was able to transfer XBMC over and set everything up while sitting at my PC.

Setting up a SAMBA server in Ubuntu (I could have done it in Windows, but Ubuntu is my OS of choice) was way too easy. All I did was right click on the folder with my media in it, and then select "Share Folder". Ubuntu installed Samba, and set everything up without any further input. I restarted XBMC, and found all of my media waiting for me.

Now it was time to move everything into the living room. I do not have the Xbox wireless adapter, so I though I would save a few bucks and pick up a "Logitech Play Link" set. A really cool product, but I have found that it does not work well for the XBMC. The connection is only 1.5mbps at best and that just doesn't cut it for quality streaming video. Audio was fine. I plan to run a long Ethernet cable back to the TV, as I can hide the cables and even a 100 foot cable is still a tenth the price of a wireless adapter.

So I guess my only contribution would be to advise against the "Play Link" set, and praise Ubuntu for making the networking so simple with the XBox Media Center.

My xbox still does not recognize the internet connection, so the scripts do not work yet. Does anyone know of a quick way to enable that feature. I followed some instructions online, but they did not seem to do much.

Also, XBMC is not my default dashboard, though I would like it to be. Any online instructions for Software modified boxes instruct me to overwrite the E:\Dashboard folder with XBMC....but I don't have a Dashboard folder. I currently have XBMC installed in E:\APPS and can select it from my dashboard easily.

I look forward to becoming part of this community, and thanks to everyone who has blazed this trail already.

Scotty6595

05-25-07, 09:45 AM

Hi Blambert,

Great to hear that you had a fairly easy modding experience...

Also, thanks for contributing your experiences with the Play Link, this may save someone some time and money down the road.

As for your internet connection being recognized as well as setting up XBMC as your dash....

What soft mod did you use to mod your xbox?

What dash boots up when you power up your xbox?

These two questions well help us determine how to help you out....

Welcome to the world of XBMC!

Scott

bigbw

05-25-07, 11:14 AM

TheOtherOne

05-25-07, 09:56 PM

Also, XBMC is not my default dashboard, though I would like it to be. Any online instructions for Software modified boxes instruct me to overwrite the E:\Dashboard folder with XBMC....but I don't have a Dashboard folder. I currently have XBMC installed in E:\APPS and can select it from my dashboard easily.
http://www.xboxmediacenter.com/wiki/index.php?title=As_a_Dashboard

Scotty6595

05-26-07, 10:33 AM

bigbw

05-26-07, 11:24 AM

Supposed to get my modded xbox today.. Paid $137 for moded xbox with dvd playback and advanced av connection kit.. All MS stuff.. Not sure if it has XBMC installed, but i suspect not.. Looks like i have a weekend project..
Got the box last night and got xbmc installed (i think).. I can play music from my pc, but only by clicking on the song/album name.. Can't find how to play all or shuffle.. Also can find any videos.. says it can't find network.. It is not on the E:drive as i have 5 drives in my pc and that is taken.. any help appreciated..

bw

Scotty6595

05-26-07, 01:26 PM

You need to go to settings in your dash and set up your network settings and you will also need to set each folder on your PC to "shared".

I suggest you read the XBMC manual and familiarize your self with all the how to's for initial setup..

Here is a link....

http://www.xboxmediacenter.com/wiki/index.php?title=Xbox_Media_Center_Online_Manual

When I spoke of the E:drive it was in reference to the E: drive on your xbox and not a drive on your PC...

Have you FTP'ed into your xbox yet? You will need to setup your network connections to do this... It's very easy.... Check out the manual for detailed instructions...

bigbw

05-26-07, 06:21 PM

Got the box last night and got xbmc installed (i think).. I can play music from my pc, but only by clicking on the song/album name.. Can't find how to play all or shuffle.. Also can find any videos.. says it can't find network.. It is not on the E:drive as i have 5 drives in my pc and that is taken.. any help appreciated..

bw

well, I fouled things up.. I tried to setup xbmc as the dashboard and now it will only boot to the original ms dashboard.. I can't seem to ftp into it to change things back.. any ideas..

bigbw

05-26-07, 09:43 PM

well, I fouled things up.. I tried to setup xbmc as the dashboard and now it will only boot to the original ms dashboard.. I can't seem to ftp into it to change things back.. any ideas..

Got that fixed and am back to square 1.. I can find my music on the pc and play it and I can ftp to the xbox, but i just can't figure out how to get it to see my video folders.. any help appreciated..

bw

questing222

05-27-07, 07:58 AM

Hi all,

After reading some of this mammoth thread i think im ready to take the plunge and get an xbox...
I just have a few quick questions....

The whole softmodding still seems a little confusing to me(I'm not very hi-tech)
Would it be wise to purchase an already softmodded xbox, or is the softmodding "know-how" vital if i want to make a decent media centre out of the xbox?

secondly, how easy/hard is it to install a new harddrive on the xbox?? (I love the plug and play aspect of my tvix m5000, you just slot a new harddrive in)

Also what harddrive would you guys reccomend thats decent quality yet cheap (I'm looking for something in the 500gb range)

I hope my newbie questions are not frustrating.
Any help appreciated.

Thankyou.

jliles

05-27-07, 01:42 PM

questing222,

Don't be afraid to ask newbie questions. Everyone was a newbie once. We understand and I've found this community to be refreshingly tolerant of newbies and extremely helpful to all who ask questions.

You know yourself better then anyone else, so if you truly are intimidated you can pay for a pre-softmodded XBOX, but I would strongly suggest you save some money and give it a go yourself. I enthusiastically recommend Krayzie's Ndure installer, which walks you through a safe softmodding process using menus and prompts. It really is idiot proof and it can even be undone if you really screw something up (which I think is unlikely). You will need to do some prep work beforehand (you will need to get a used copy of one of the games required for the hack and an Action Replay card to copy the gamesave onto) but assuming you've done the prep work the actual softmod can be done in 15 minutes or less.

Once the box has been successfully softmodded, you can upgrade the hard drive. I will grant you that this is not a plug-and-play type of operation, but it is definitely quite doable. I am a technical person in the sense that I am a database administrator by profession, but I am not really a hardware person. Even Home Depot might as well be a foreign country to me, but I was able to successfully upgrade hard drives on two softmodded XBOXes. If I can do it, believe me, you can do it too.

You will need to do some homework here. Earlier in this thread I believe I posted a link to a site that showed you which hard drives can be used (are "lockable" for the xbox) and another link that tells you how to open the xbox to remove the original hard drive. I ran a query on the site for 500GB drives, and all but one locked. Here is the URL:

http://xboxdrives.x-pec.com/?p=list&v_brand=&v_modelnum=&v_size=500&v_rpm=&v_buffersize=&v_locking=&v_version=&v_postedby=

Personally, I'd pick a few of the model numbers listed and go to Newegg and check out their reviews, then choose the quietest/cheapest/best rated of the bunch. Keep in mind you will need to get a drive with a PATA (or IDE) interface, NOT SATA.

You will use a tool called XBHDM to copy information off the original hard drive, and copy that info to the new hard drive (as well as format and lock the new drive correctly). Then it's just a matter of installing the new drive in and closing the xbox. Worst case scenario if things don't work, you simply reinstall your original 8GB hard drive and you have a working softmodded XBOX again. The risk is pretty minimal. XBHDM is also menu driven and there are guides explaining it's use out there.

Give it a go and let us know how you do and if you have any questions. If HD content is very important to you then you may want to stick with the TVIX, since XBMC doesn't do HD that reliably. However, if you will be mostly looking at SD content (including MKV files), XBMC is simply unbeatable. You won't regret taking the plunge.

Julie

questing222

05-27-07, 06:32 PM

Thankyou for the great reply Julie.... its definately helped make my decision easier.
I just picked up an xbox for £35 delivered on ebay, an action replay card for £15 and an original copy of splinter cell £5.. so i think i've done pretty well so far.
I think once i have all the equiptment infront of me it will seem a lot less daunting.

i'm using the link you posted to choose a hard-drive as we speak, thanks again for that.

one last thing.. Is there a special wireless adapter for the Xbox?
I have the official xbox 360 wireless adapter, would that work?

Thanks again,

Pat.

bigbw

05-27-07, 06:44 PM

Got that fixed and am back to square 1.. I can find my music on the pc and play it and I can ftp to the xbox, but i just can't figure out how to get it to see my video folders.. any help appreciated..

bw

I must be missing something.. I can't get it to even see the shared folders on my PC.. It plays music fine, I think that is because I have my music linked to WMP 11 and it has unpnp built in.. I'm wondering if my PC running windows Vista has anything to do with it..

Scotty6595

05-27-07, 07:31 PM

jliles

05-27-07, 08:39 PM

questing222,

Microsoft did sell a wireless adapter specifically for the original XBOX, but if you can't find it anymore don't fret - there are others you can use. I am using an Ethernet converter from Buffalo with my XBOX. It connects to the XBOX's ethernet port and essentially translates a wireless connection to a wired one (similar devices are called "game adapters" or "bridges"). It performs the same task as Microsoft's adapter does, but with the advantage of a 4 port switch built in, so you can actually attach other devices to the same switch and make them wireless too. So you'd be able to hook up your TVIX to the same switch at the same time as the XBOX and instantly make it wireless. Neat, eh? I have mine hooked up to the matching Buffalo high powered router to allow for the 125 speed jump but the converter will work just fine with whatever router you already have. This is it, in case you are curious:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16833162168

As for the XBOX 360 adapter, I don't know much about it since I don't have a 360 (maybe someone who has one can jump in here...). I looked at some pictures and it seems to only have a USB connection. If it doesn't have the ability to connect directly to an ethernet port, it's not going to work with the XBOX 1, which does not have traditional USB ports.

Bonus hint - actually, the XBOX controller ports really are USB 1.1 ports, they are just use a proprietary connector so you can't directly plug a normal USB device in. If you head on back to Ebay, you should be able to find people selling very inexpensive USB adapters that you can plug into a controller port to allow you to connect a normal USB device like a keyboard or a mouse. I see you are in the UK - I got mine off the US version of EBay a few months ago for under 5 dollars. In fact, I went one better - I plugged in a thumb USB hub to the USB adapter and to my surprise it actually worked! I have a mouse, keyboard, and USB thumb drive hooked up to the hub and all are recognized and work perfectly. However, the likelihood of being able to plug in the 360 adapter into a USB port on the XBOX and have it be recognized is pretty much nil. The XBOX 1 only seems to know how to network through it's ethernet port.

Hope that helps,
Julie

TheOtherOne

05-27-07, 09:08 PM

The wiki information that TheOtherOne posted is primarily for chip mods and not softmods, if I am reading it correctly...

We still need to know your method of softmod before I can instruct you on setting up XBMC as your dash...

Also, your directory structure of the E: drive as you see it when you FTP into the box would help...

Scott
All my xbox's are softmods. That guide worked fine. I used option 1 which was to copy the Team XBMC Shortcut.xbe over the default dash (which was evoxdash.xbe in my case).

Ja Phule

05-27-07, 11:38 PM

New release of XBMC out today for PIMPED and T3CH. I haven't updated in over a month, I think it's about time to see if any of the changes are better. I think the deinterlacing options have changed recently so I'll be looking for that in particular.

eliastico

05-28-07, 06:31 AM

I'm having issues with both video and music playback. Most videos from my networked pc work just fine but recently I have bumped into a couple of videos that just wont play (clickin "play" doesn't do anything). The videos aren't hd and on my comp they work just fine. I have tried to play around little bit with the cache settings but i'm clueless and maybe some one could help me out?

I'm also having trouble with some of my mp3 files. Xbmc won't allow me to access some album folders and it prompts me for a password (that I haven't set). And some mp3s just wont simply play although play is clicked. Could it have something to do with xbox filename limitations? Because some of the filenames have underscores etc. I'm using a fairly new build. Any help would be really appreciated.

bigbw

05-28-07, 09:50 AM

Check out this thread, it seems this fella is having the same issue as you... (might even be you, lol) Anyways, a possible solution is given that you may want to try...

http://www.xboxmediacenter.com/forum/showthread.php?t=26608

thanks.. I found out that it is very difficult to set up smb shares with vista.. Solution appears to be to use xbms as your source.. will be trying it today.. Looks pretty simple..

socorob

05-28-07, 10:32 AM

bigbw

05-28-07, 10:56 AM

thanks.. I found out that it is very difficult to set up smb shares with vista.. Solution appears to be to use xbms as your source.. will be trying it today.. Looks pretty simple..

IT WORKS !!! That was the key. Set up XBMX shares on the pc and it found them right away.. Was not thrilled with PQ, but i only have it setup with original cables.. I have the advanced AV set and will install them a little later.. thanks to all who helped..

bigbw

05-28-07, 09:15 PM

IT WORKS !!! That was the key. Set up XBMX shares on the pc and it found them right away.. Was not thrilled with PQ, but i only have it setup with original cables.. I have the advanced AV set and will install them a little later.. thanks to all who helped..

Things are progressing well, but somehow i got all my albums scanned in twice.. When I am in libary view, all album covers are showing twice.. Is there a simple fix for this..

codee

05-28-07, 09:37 PM

Things are progressing well, but somehow i got all my albums scanned in twice.. When I am in libary view, all album covers are showing twice.. Is there a simple fix for this..

Do you possibly have the playlist/album list saved for each album? I know if I'm importing songs into itunes, and I have lets say 12 tracks on the album and 1 .m3u file (playlist to load in a mediaplayer that plays the tracks in the correct order for the cd) Then itunes will load each song twice. It loads the individual files, and then the playlist tells itunes to load each file again. Your situation sounds similar to this i think.

bigbw

05-29-07, 11:42 AM

Do you possibly have the playlist/album list saved for each album? I know if I'm importing songs into itunes, and I have lets say 12 tracks on the album and 1 .m3u file (playlist to load in a mediaplayer that plays the tracks in the correct order for the cd) Then itunes will load each song twice. It loads the individual files, and then the playlist tells itunes to load each file again. Your situation sounds similar to this i think.

I don't think so.. I don't even have any playlists setup yet.. I think I scanned all the album info in twice and that is each album shows twice.. I tried cleaning the libary, but that did not help..

bigbw

05-29-07, 12:52 PM

couple more issues..

when playing a movie, occassionly it will hang for a second and then starts again.. I am using a wireless g MIMO connection.. Wired is not an opton.. It is kind of annoying, is there any way to stop this..

Is there a way to import a playlist to xbmc

bw

zimdba

05-29-07, 11:32 PM

I don't think so.. I don't even have any playlists setup yet.. I think I scanned all the album info in twice and that is each album shows twice.. I tried cleaning the libary, but that did not help..

You can delete the music database and re-build. It will take awhile, but it works.

zimdba

05-29-07, 11:40 PM

The whole softmodding still seems a little confusing to me(I'm not very hi-tech)
Would it be wise to purchase an already softmodded xbox, or is the softmodding "know-how" vital if i want to make a decent media centre out of the xbox?

secondly, how easy/hard is it to install a new harddrive on the xbox?? (I love the plug and play aspect of my tvix m5000, you just slot a new harddrive in)

My $.02:
Installing a bigger hard drive was a much more difficult exercize than softmodding the xbox. In fact, I had to use an old PII-350MHz CPU computer to make the transfer as my Athlon64 wouldn't work. The locking/unlocking of the hard drive was never clear. I got it done, but it wasn't easy.

As I have a 3.2TB media server - having the bigger hard drive wasn't an issue for the XBMC client - you just stream everything. However, it is nice and convenient to run all of your games from the HD instead of the CD.

bigbw

05-30-07, 04:00 PM

You can delete the music database and re-build. It will take awhile, but it works.

thanks.. I did this and all is well now..

sean_w_smith

05-31-07, 09:13 AM

Question for you users who have been trying some of the latest releases...

I have my music database setup artist/album/....

I have folder.jpg's in the album folders and also in the artist folders.

All this views fine in file view. but in library view in the old days you had to associate a folder.jpg with each artist to get artist icons in the library view. I swear in the early april builds the library view seemed to be automatically pick up the artist thumbnails. Then it stopped working again and I am back to no artist thumbnails in the library view. Has anyone else noticed anything like this...

Sean

bigbw

05-31-07, 12:46 PM

demented_uk

05-31-07, 02:09 PM

I have heard so many great things about XBMC that I have decided to get my chipped 1.6b crystal Xbox out of the loft and turn it into a wireless media center. So far I have purchased the wireless bridge and a 500GB hard drive so I can transfer media from my laptop to the Xbox and clear some much needed space. I am just waiting to buy the HD component pack and an external cooling fan though I am tempted to try and upgrade the internal fan. What do people here recommend? Also, any idea which is the best build of XBMC to install?

bandgap112

05-31-07, 07:23 PM

My $.02:
Installing a bigger hard drive was a much more difficult exercize than softmodding the xbox. In fact, I had to use an old PII-350MHz CPU computer to make the transfer as my Athlon64 wouldn't work. The locking/unlocking of the hard drive was never clear. I got it done, but it wasn't easy.

As I have a 3.2TB media server - having the bigger hard drive wasn't an issue for the XBMC client - you just stream everything. However, it is nice and convenient to run all of your games from the HD instead of the CD.
I have upgraded several Xbox hard drives and never have any issue, and it seems to be very easy as well.

I use xboxhdm_v1.9 software. You need to transfer the backup C-drive and eeprom from the Xbox to the PC. The software creates a ISO image to burn to a CD. Connect the new hard drive to the PC, and boot up with the CD and it does the rest.

I think the best mod I've done to my Xbox is the fan mod. The only challenge task is you need to trim the black hard drive tray to have room for the fan. A $10 fan from Bestbuy/Circuitcity will make the Xbox virtually silent.

Let me know if any of you live in San Diego and would like to mod the xbox, install hard drive or new fan.

bandgap.

sean_w_smith

05-31-07, 07:41 PM

I have upgraded several Xbox hard drives and never have any issue, and it seems to be very easy as well.

I use xboxhdm_v1.9 software. You need to transfer the backup C-drive and eeprom from the Xbox to the PC. The software creates a ISO image to burn to a CD. Connect the new hard drive to the PC, and boot up with the CD and it does the rest.

I think the best mod I've done to my Xbox is the fan mod. The only challenge task is you need to trim the black hard drive tray to have room for the fan. A $10 fan from Bestbuy/Circuitcity will make the Xbox virtually silent.

Let me know if any of you live in San Diego and would like to mod the xbox, install hard drive or new fan.

bandgap.

If the xbox has a mod chip there is no need to go to the trouble of using XboxHdm. That tool is very useful for softmods but with a mod chip the upgrade is much simpler... There is no need to use a PC except to burn your install disk.

1. install new HD into chipped xbox
2. boot off boot CD (Slayers EvoX install or Preferablly Auto Installer Deluxe)

Auto installer will partion and format the HD.
Install the MS Dash and OS
install the Hacked dashes
XBMC and everything else under the sun as well.

thats it.

you need to know what .XBE file you mod chip attempts to load...

many look for e:\dashboard\default.xbe or e:\evox\evox.ebe

If you know this you can tell auto installer the correct directory to put the hacked dash in.

XboxHDM is required with softmod since you can't boot off an empty unparitioned disk because the hack to run hacked code needs to already be on the disk. or boot a hacked installer CD/DVD for the same reason.

Since a chipped box does this mod in hardware it can directly boot a hacked installer disk and then that will auto format and install everything. Just know what the boot directory and program name is and you will be in business...

Sean

bandgap112

05-31-07, 11:05 PM

I don't know much about mod chip, since I only install hard drive in softmodded Xbox, which is fairly easy to do and take about 15min to mod.

bandgap

sean_w_smith

06-01-07, 12:15 AM

15 min if you don't upgrade the HD. upgrading the HD usually takes several hours if you know what you are doing...

Also if you are doing a just a plain softmod XboxHDM is also the hard and slow way. Using the game save hack you can softmod an xbox without ever taking your PC or your Xbox apart. XboxHdm is really just for upgrading the HD on a softmod box...

Sean

bandgap112

06-01-07, 01:58 AM

I use the game save hack to softmod the Xbox and it takes about 15min to mod.

I don't know why it takes you several hours to do the HDD upgrade with XboxHDM. It takes me about 45min max to upgrade the HDD.

Bandgap

sean_w_smith

06-01-07, 07:54 AM

sean_w_smith

06-01-07, 07:55 AM

Not sure how late my release is, it came with the slayers evox install disk.. I can view album art in library view, all modes.. albums, songs, artists..

I am not asking about album art but artist art.

When you are in library view and select artists. Do you see an icon for each artist?

Sean

bigbw

06-01-07, 11:28 AM

I am not asking about album art but artist art.

When you are in library view and select artists. Do you see an icon for each artist?

Sean

Not sure, am normally in song or album view and i do get icons in both of those.. I can check artists, but will not be able to do so for a week or so.. My system is down right now as I try to fix my studdering problem.. I am making some changes to my wireless setup.. I will be out of town for the next week or so also..

bw

bandgap112

06-01-07, 01:01 PM

dunno taking my PC's apart and mounting and unmounting the drives in the rails and recabling the PC takes the better part of an hour alone. Maybe if my rig easier to get at and mount a loose drive in it would take less time.. I have done 4 of the softmod hd upgrades and it takes a min of 2 hours each time. The first one took four hours because we spent two hours reconfiguring the IDE devices and there settings to find a compatible combination. (same thing with tivo upgrades).... oh yeah then I typed Y instead of yes at one of the prompts so it really didn't copy anything...

Sean

I see.

It's alot easier for me because I have an extra DVD-ROM drive and IDE cable, so I just disconnect the IDE cable from the motherboard, and connect the new HDD+DVD-ROM+cable, and I'm ready to go.

I guess it would be alot easier if your Xbox has a mod chip installed, but I think the XboxHDM route is the way to go for softmodded.

Bandgap

Scotty6595

06-01-07, 03:33 PM

I see.

It's alot easier for me because I have an extra DVD-ROM drive and IDE cable, so I just disconnect the IDE cable from the motherboard, and connect the new HDD+DVD-ROM+cable, and I'm ready to go.

I guess it would be alot easier if your Xbox has a mod chip installed, but I think the XboxHDM route is the way to go for softmodded.

Bandgap

All my boxes are softmodded with hard drive up grades and I Just plug in my drive (outside my PC box) and reboot with my XBOXHDM cd in the drive and I am done. It takes maybe 20 minutes from start to finish for the drive to be prepped, copied and locked. Pretty simple after the first time due to HD swap virgin paranoia...lol

bigbw

06-01-07, 05:10 PM

Not sure, am normally in song or album view and i do get icons in both of those.. I can check artists, but will not be able to do so for a week or so.. My system is down right now as I try to fix my studdering problem.. I am making some changes to my wireless setup.. I will be out of town for the next week or so also..

bw

No, I do not see an icon for each artist..

questing222

06-03-07, 01:00 PM

is there no other site apart from xboxscripts.com that i can download python scripts from??
The site never works and i want to get my hands on some of these great goodies to add to my xbox.

Ja Phule

06-03-07, 06:16 PM

is there no other site apart from xboxscripts.com that i can download python scripts from??
The site never works and i want to get my hands on some of these great goodies to add to my xbox.

They seem to be having issues on their web site. Have you tried downloading scripts via the "XBMC Scripts" script that is bundled in XBMC?

questing222

06-03-07, 07:27 PM

They seem to be having issues on their web site. Have you tried downloading scripts via the "XBMC Scripts" script that is bundled in XBMC?

I tried using that for the first time today, it loads up the menu and allows me to select a plugin, but when i select one it gives me an error message saying the file is not a valid zip archive... i presumed this was because of the problems the site was having.

Have only had an xbox for a few days and everytime i try the site it doesn't work.
Heres hoping they fix the site soon... It looks like a great collection, just wish it would work for me

serfrat

06-04-07, 03:40 PM

I've installed XBMC on a few boxes, but its been a while, and I just did one for a friend of mine. I did a soft mod and installed unleash as I have before. I then FTP'd over all the files from the 4-28 build to the e-drive. It still only boots into Unleash. ALll the other boxes that I have done boot directly into XBMC with the same install method. I don't even see it as a program in Unleash, but I see all the files on the E drive. Anyone have any clues why it is not booting into XBMC?

goofygrin

06-04-07, 04:41 PM

All my boxes are softmodded with hard drive up grades and I Just plug in my drive (outside my PC box) and reboot with my XBOXHDM cd in the drive and I am done. It takes maybe 20 minutes from start to finish for the drive to be prepped, copied and locked. Pretty simple after the first time due to HD swap virgin paranoia...lol

Wow you got into the modding full bore :D

I still say that you don't need bigger hard drives in the xbox.... that's what the 4TB raid is for... (unless you want to play games, but who has time for that?)

Scotty6595

06-04-07, 05:18 PM

Wow you got into the modding full bore :D

I still say that you don't need bigger hard drives in the xbox.... that's what the 4TB raid is for... (unless you want to play games, but who has time for that?)
My kids..... :p

questing222

06-05-07, 03:51 PM

Anyone have a load of scripts for xbmc that they could kindly upload in a zip file or something??
Had my xbox for 4 days now but cant do all the cool things yet due to xbmcscripts.com never working properly. :(

any help very much appreciated.
thanks

Scotty6595

06-05-07, 07:27 PM

questing222

06-06-07, 06:57 AM

you're a gentleman scotty.
pm sent.

thankyou.

Slack

06-06-07, 10:39 AM

If you haven't already, download the Vision skin. It's beta, but it's already replaced PMIII in my living room.

jliles

06-06-07, 08:28 PM

The Vision skin is gorgeous. I've also tried Containment and the xTV skin (that's the Apple TV interface clone). Both also very nice skins and a refreshing change if you start getting tired of PMIII.

Julie

dreamhost

06-08-07, 07:52 PM

I've had my xbox moded for quite some time now and love it. I'm curious.... is it yet possible to have thumbnails show up for my .wmv files on the xbox without having to manually create them one at a time?

Kinda been waiting for this feature since the very early days, figured it was time to ask yet again.

If it's not avail.. can I ask what the problem is?

ChrisFB

06-09-07, 11:32 AM

No idea. I don't use wmv at all. You might check the XBMC wiki manual and if it does work in the latest final 2.01 or the CVS betas then ask at XBMC forums and see what the devs say. No one here can really speak for them.

Scotty6595

06-09-07, 01:29 PM

If it is a wmv of a home video I don't think it will do anything like pull the first frame of the wmv file and use it as a thumb if thats what your talking about.

Finite Reign

06-09-07, 05:18 PM

Just thought I would introduce myself as both a new poster to this forum as a whole and this thread specifically...

I stumbled here 3 or 4 days ago looking up god knows what, and have spent all my of free time since then reading this thread, jumping through the links posted, and writing notes as I digested the other 66 pages of information. As I have asked no questions yet, this thank you may seem out of place, but, Thank You. This goes to all the people who have posted answers as well as those who posted questions.

After having read this entire thread, I now have amassed an XBMC bookmark folder containing roughly 30 links to various info and product sites for nearly every aspect of this software suite. As an aside, after about 40 pages of reading, and without having ever seen the software, I was starting to be able to answer questions posed by others. This is a testament to the wealth of knowledge already provided in this thread. So, again, thank you all for that.

I have decided on a chip mod for my first attempt. I have read through and realize that functionally, the only difference in soft vs hard mods is one of convenience after the fact, and even that is subjective. I am choosing the chip for experience and for the LCD I also plan on adding. Explanation aside, some quick questions before I start asking for someone to hold my hand...

Equipment thus far:

Obviously, a chip. I've not yet read the features of any of the various ones currently out, but I will shortly after writing this. I'm told Xenium gold is the way to go, but in reality, I really just need built in FTP and an easy recovery console as features. Feel free to throw me a suggestion.

An LCD screen. Would anyone suggest a pre-fab control panel bezel or just looking for a reasonable LCD?

MS or Monster HD cable kit (whichever is easiest to find I suppose). After having read this thread, I'm surprised anyone buys the other stuff...

Xbox DVD kit. Or possibly the Xbox Media Center Extender kit. Or is the general consensus to save the money, get the basic kit, and upgrade to a Harmony 880?

XIR Remote Kit. If this is to be a true portion of my "media center" this is a must.

Fan upgrade. I've done quite a bit of modding of computers and their cases and HIGHLY recommend the Nexus fans. The quietest around. Check out some reviews from silentpcreview if you're interested in silencing your home machines. The only thing that can be heard in my current computer is the GPU fan, and that will be replaced shortly. (All thanks to that previously mentioned site)

Hard Drive Upgrade. Thank you for posting that Xbox hard drive site. Also thank you for posting that thread about upgrading to a 750gb drive. After reading the trouble with that setup, and understanding the 512m size limitations based on the 32k clusters, I've decided on a smaller, possibly 500g for the Xbox itself. (I plan to build a reasonably extensive library, just to have it. I will store no other media on the Xbox itself. I will go smaller if someone can give me a rough estimate on xiso size)

Some form of Network Storage. Although I do currently have about 1TB in my current box, it seems ... advised ... to have a stand-alone solution. Having dealt with machines in various configurations, I don't fear leaving them on until maintenance requires a reboot. I'm considering building with all TB drives to make bookmarking just that much easier. I am open to suggestions however. So if anyone has a "you really should consider building/buying this" be it an all in wonder out of the box solution, or a nice configurable setup, by all means, share.

Seeing as many of you have either started making the transition to a digital library or have already done so, can anyone help with a rough estimate on storage requirements based on the following? I will figure growth annually and plan accordingly based on these estimates...

At the time of this writing my collection stands at:

360 Individual Movies ( I won't be ripping extra discs. If I need to watch those... I have the disc. I will be ripping as ISO's just to keep things simple. I am considering ripping just the feature, but I'm not too sure if it is worth it to put the extra time into singling that out or just straight ripping as is)

40 TV Box sets ranging from Band Of Brothers to Invader Zim, to The Sopranos. (explaining this now for future reference should I have issues with cataloging them in XBMC later and require help)

500 or so CDs with a further several thousand more as digital copies, all with cover art.(note: I've ripped all my cds at 192kbs since I hear no difference in higher bit rates. However, I will begin re-ripping soon in FLAC just to have the pristine digital copies. I spent the better part of a month correcting tags on some 20,000+ songs, but never bothered to fix the actual file name formatting. Thank you for posting all the various tag fixing solutions. I will be fine tuning and perfecting my music collection soon with these tools)

Oh, and thank you Ja Phule. Not just for starting the thread but for the DVD profiler app you created. I know exactly why you chose that over the IMDB solution. IMDB was not the place for me when I was trying to create a database for my current collection.

Sorry for the long post, but after reading 66 pages, quite a bit needed to be said. I will pour over the notes I've written and check back in shortly. I plan to fully document my mods, pics and all just in case anyone else here is interested. Thanks again.