HOWTO: Ubuntu Lucid 10.04.1/Maverick 10.10 Media HTPC install/setup and MythTV guides

NOTE: This is a living document. Consult the Changelog at the end of this post for any updates moving forward.

INTRODUCTION

This is the procedure I follow to install Ubuntu 10.10/10.04.x and Xubuntu 11.04 from the boot liveCD with preferred media apps and most known audio/video codecs on a new media PC build, or desktop/office/general purpose OS install from scratch with plenty of desktop/office apps to complete your new Ubuntu PC.

Includes Java, Flash, Adobe and FoxIt PDF Readers, MP3 encoding/decoding, DVD (decrypting, DeCSS) and playback with menus and authoring, the current LibreOffice - the whole 10 yards. I wouldn't short change ya .

This is a painstaking click by click, option by option step through, so even Windows refugees can follow it .

Minimal terminal window use- just copy/paste a few lines when needed, just enough to at least be exposed to the terminal as a reminder that you still have control of your own computer . At most, you will right click to open a terminal window, then triple click on each terminal command line in this procedure, then use the middle mouse button (scroll wheel button) to paste the line into the terminal window, then Enter- you don't even need to explicitly use "Copy" and "Paste" commands. Like "texting" to your computer

This procedure may be "dumbed down" for some of you experienced in Linux or OS installations, but it is meant for Linux noobs or people who may have installed Windows from scratch but not Linux.

At minimum, it's a nice checklist/reminder list of what a media PC/general purpose PC needs when installing from scratch, regardless of your experience level.

You can print a nice formatted copy of this thread to use while motoring through the install/setup without a browser open. Use the "Thread Tools" drop down at the top right of this thread, next to the "Search this Thread" menu.

This procedure is what is required to get a PC up to "water level" from a boot liveCD install disk, which start below "water level", equivalent to what I used to do years ago installing XP Pro from its install boot CD, which also didn't have all the plugins, addons, codecs, media/DVD players and audio/video apps needed from scratch. Windows was actually worse because there were no default worthwhile apps, drivers or Office suite on the typical install CD. I don't know the state of Vista or Win7 when installed from their boot CD from scratch, and don't plan to try them.

Following this procedure, you will end up with a HTPC load functionally superior to the last XP Pro HTPC loads I used through late 2007.

You don't need to do all of this in one sitting, but the total process should only take an hour or less (not counting download times), less time than it would take downloading and installing similar codecs, apps, updates, drivers, and patches, plus de-crapifying a typical Windows load (assuming you bought a retail PC with Windows preinstalled, filled with useless trialware, adware and borderline malware) .

Assumptions

* 32bit "i386" version of the base Ubuntu with Gnome (10.10/10.04.x) or Xubuntu with XFCE (11.04+). If you know why you want 64bit or another desktop like KDE, LXDE, etc, then you don't need this procedure .

* You have an internet connection faster than dialup, as all the updates and software installs occur via net downloads. It may be doable with dialup assuming you do each step over night for a couple of weeks

* All your hardware is supported by Ubuntu 10.10/10.04 or Xubuntu 11.04+, i.e. hardware driver support/compatibility "out of the box". You will have to do the research- Google, ubuntuforums.com, these forums, newegg.com user product reviews, etc- to find out if your motherboard, sound chip, GPU, Ethernet chip, wifi card, etc are supported by Ubuntu 10.10 or 10.04 or Xubuntu 11.04+. Start another thread if you have driver-specific issues. This procedure is meant for known-Linux compatible (or at least Ubuntu/Xubuntu compatible) hardware. Don't let this put you off- most common PC's and motherboard components released through early Q1 2010 should work fine with Ubuntu 10.04.x, or through Q2 2010 for 10.10 or Q4 2010 for X/Ubuntu 11.04. WiFi PCI/PCIe cards and USB adapters that are Linux compatible are cheap and easy to find at the newegg.com's and geek.com's of the world now (use the Customer Reviews or specs to check Linux/Ubuntu compatibility), as well as PCI/USB sound cards and low cost Nvidia PCI/PCIe video cards, if needed to resolve a compatibility or performance issue. For HTPC hardware selection and build issues, see

Linux Motherboard Recommendations
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=1167988

Guide to Building a HD HTPC
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=940972

Media HTPC IR and RF keyboards
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=1108400

HOWTO: Make a coax SPDIF output bracket
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=997533

* Installing Ubuntu as the only OS on the PC- I don't dual boot Windows, though I do multi-boot several Linux's for testing/evaluation purposes. Until you are experienced, I recommend using an old spare hard disk or buy another hard disk to install Ubuntu, without disturbing your current OS hard disk- unless you don't mind overwriting and destroying your current OS load, quite cathartic and therapeutic for long time Windows users .


Note on LinuxMint

While I admire the work of the Linux Mint (based on Ubuntu) guys, I have been disappointed with the last couple of releases (Mint 8 and earlier)- misc glitches/bugs and even though they include Flash and some codecs, you still need to install/update a large portion of what is documented here, so you may as well stick with the base Ubuntu, IMO. I have not tried Mint 9,10 or 11 yet, which may have redeemed itself based on my experience with Ubuntu 10.04+and Xubuntu 11.04 Mint Debian Editions may be an interesting alternative to Ubuntu moving forward if needed.

For a Media Center frontend with "10 foot interface", a MythTV install on top of the base Ubuntu install is available in the second post of this thread. This procedure also includes XBMC, another excellent Media Center front end.


If you follow this procedure all the way through, you will have gained experience in all the common methods for installing software in Ubuntu and other Debian based Linux's- repositories (PPA's), .deb point/click installer packages, Synaptic and basic copy/paste terminal use- all except compiling, which is usually just typing "make" then "sudo make install" or similar basic terminal commands.

This procedure should be similar for future Ubuntu versions and/or other Debian based Linuxes, so motoring through this for Ubuntu should enable you to handle future Debian-derived Linux's. Specific details will change, of course, based on GUI/dialog changes and other improvements moving forward.

For a map/"family tree" of most known Linux's, showing which ones are Debian related, see:
http://futurist.se/gldt/

Click on PNG (bitmap) or SVG (scalable)

Debian compatible versions of Linux *should* be able to share .debs for point and click installation, in general (there are always exceptions), and have compatible sources to compile and repositories, as well as sharing the same filesystem structure and conventions - mountpoints, system file locations, nomenclature, etc.

You will have also gained experience in hard disk partitioning and imaging, two fundamental skills in PC building and OS installation, maintenance and security.

I believe it is complete- if something is missing, I probably just forgot to write it. There may be typos or other errors/omissions we can correct going forward.

Don't be intimidated by the terminology at this point- PPA's, Synaptic, repositories, etc. Just motor through this procedure in sequence and you'll "get it" by the end...


BEGIN INSTALL PROCEDURE

Download and burn Ubuntu 10.04.x or 10.10 or Xubuntu 11.04 liveCD

http://releases.ubuntu.com/10.04/

http://releases.ubuntu.com/10.10/

http://www.xubuntu.org/get#natty

Download

ubuntu-10.04.1-desktop-i386.iso or

ubuntu-10.10-desktop-i386.iso

Direct downloads

http://releases.ubuntu.com/10.04/ubu...sktop-i386.iso

http://releases.ubuntu.com/10.10/ubu...sktop-i386.iso

http://mirror.anl.gov/pub/ubuntu-iso...sktop-i386.iso

Torrents

http://releases.ubuntu.com/10.04/ubu...86.iso.torrent

http://releases.ubuntu.com/10.10/ubu...86.iso.torrent

http://mirror.anl.gov/pub/ubuntu-iso...86.iso.torrent

Verify the .iso you downloaded with md5sum in the terminal before burning:

https://help.ubuntu.com/community/HowToMD5SUM

Burn at no greater than 8x-16x speed on Verbatim blank CD-R, or other 1st Class media rated at:

http://www.digitalfaq.com/reviews/dvd-media.htm

See

https://help.ubuntu.com/community/BurningIsoHowto

for .iso burning HOWTO

Partition drive before installing Ubuntu with Parted Magic

You can also use these (dated) instructions below
https://help.ubuntu.com/community/HowtoPartition

to partition during the install wizard, though I recommend the Parted Magic Method:


Parted Magic method:

http://partedmagic.com/download.html

Download pmagic-X.Y.iso.zip, extract the .zip file and burn the .iso to a blank CD like the Ubuntu liveCD you did earlier.

(Version is updated every month or two, X.Y = 6.1 as of 5/19/11)

WARNING- Resizing any existing partition (OS or data/storage) may destroy the OS or data and make your PC unbootable! Backup your OS partition with Clonezilla (FOSS), Ghost or Acronis TruImage before doing ANY partition work

Clonezilla HOWTO:
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=1237128

Boot with Parted Magic CD

You may have to go into your PC BIOs at startup to make your PC boot from CD- this varies by BIOs/motherboard/PC make/model, consult the manual for your motherboard/PC, usually available as a pdf from the manufacturers/OEM's website. Set the Boot order to CD/DVD first- if you have more than one optical drive, be aware which is bootable first, then Save Changes, insert CD into your bootable CD/DVD drive and reboot.

-> Run from RAM
-> Xvesa mode (if asked- don't need to know what Xvesa means, just pick it)

Click on the Partition Editor icon on the left.

Create the following partitions. You may have to first Resize your current OS partition to make room:

To create a partition:

-> right click on available empty space in the hard drive partition map (long bar) graphic at the top of the window
->Add New

1) OS / partition (also called the root partition) less than or equal to 30GB
This is the partition for Ubuntu install, mount to / (root).
Make this sda1, the first partition you create in order, on the left.

2) swap partition 1.5-2x installed RAM size

3) rest of free space for Data/storage partition (downloads/video/audio files and recordings, data created from apps, Clonezilla backup images, etc)

I revised my recommended partitioning above to only 3 partitions- OS (/), swap, and data. No need for a dedicated backup Image partition since I switched to Clonezilla from Ghost/Acronis. The last versions of Ghost/Acronis I used could not write to ext3/4 partitions, plus the images they write are locked in proprietary containers and Ghost/Acronis aren't FOSS, i.e. aren't free speech.

I HIGHLY recommend partitioning this way (/, swap, data- three partitions) to enforce separation of the OS/apps/drivers/settings (all on /) from user generated data- files you create/download, etc.

The reason for this is basic system maintenance down the road. Keeping the OS root partition less than 30GB makes it easy to image the OS for backup, restore an OS image if something goes wrong, or install a new version on Ubuntu (or other Linux) on top of the old one, or on another partition or drive, without touching your data or image backups on the data partition.

Yes, most apps default to saving files to /home/$username/Music (or Pictures, Documents, etc), just like Documents and Settings or My Documents on Windows. But saving user data/files to the same partition as the OS and apps is just Bad practice, regardless of OS. If you save 100GB+ of your data files to /home, then imaging the OS / partition (Where /home resides) will be difficult and pointless.

Yes, you can assign /home to its own partition, but that introduces another round of complexity when trying to image the OS for use on another machine, or even restoring the OS / partition on the same PC later.

Treat the /home directory as simply a directory of settings, like a pseudo-Registry for app and user settings, many of which are in hidden files and directories in /home. Save any files and data to another partition. Capiche?

I like to make a label for each partition:

-> right click on each partition
-> Label

Label the OS (root, /) partition 'ubuntu1004', the swap partition 'swap', and 'data' (or similar) for the storage partition.

Apply changes (it chugs through the changes you defined)
-> exit Partition editor
-> shutdown from the menu in the Parted Magic GUI ("Start" menu).


Install Ubuntu from bootable LiveCD

You may have to go into your PC BIOs at startup to make your PC boot from CD- this varies by BIOs/motherboard/PC make/model, consult the manual for your motherboard/PC, usually available as a pdf from the manufacturers/OEM's website. Set the Boot order to CD/DVD first- if you have more than one optical drive, be aware which is bootable first- then Save Changes, insert Ubuntu CD into your bootable CD/DVD drive and reboot.

It will take about 2 minutes to boot the liveCD to the Install wizard screen

Install wizard

10.04

(Install dialog should appear)
Click "Install Ubuntu 10.04 LTS" button
Click on world map graphic to select your city for timezone, or use pulldowns > Region > Timezone > Forward

Keyboard layout -> Suggested: USA (or your preference) -> Forward


Partitioner

Specify Partitions manually (advanced)-> Forward
-> (Scanning discs)

(WARNING: "Automatic" install will erase what is on your hard drive, destroying your current OS and/or data!)

-> Right click on empty OS partition (sda1 or whatever partition you want to use) created earlier in Parted Magic (should be left-most partition)
-> Change... (near bottom)
-> (Leave "New Partition Size in Megabytes" alone, do not change)
-> Use as: ext3 or ext4 journaling file system
-> Check "format partition"- not really needed because we formatted in Parted Magic, but doesn't hurt.
-> Mount point (pulldown)
-> /
-> OK
-> (Swap created in Parted Magic will be automatically used by the OS, no need to select.)
-> Forward

-> "What is your name?" (enter a username)
-> "What name do you want login?" (same as above)

I use a generic user account name 'user1' or similar, as then it is easy to use the OS image for someone else, another machine, etc.

-> Choose password -> (type password for account 'user1')
-> What is the name of this computer? (I use 'ubuntu1010' or 'htpc1', 'htpc_den', etc)
-> Log in Automatically
(personal preference- you may use a password, which you'll have to enter every time the PC boots)
-> Forward
(password complexity warning if applicable)
-> Continue
-> Install
-> ("Installing System..." dialog appears)
-> (Wait until "Installation Complete" dialog box appears.)
-> Restart Now
-> (Remove CD when ejected, close tray)
-> Enter
-> (Your PC should reboot and boot from the hard disc with your new Ubuntu OS.)
-> (ignore the grub menu message)
-> (Your PC should continue booting to the Ubuntu desktop)

10.10

"Welcome" Dialog
>(Select language on left) English
>Install Ubuntu (right button)
>"Preparing to Install Ubuntu"
> check "Download updates while installing" (reduces number of updates later)
> check "Install this third party software (install Flash during initial setup)
> Forward
> Boot loader dialog > Device for boot loader installation > (select sda or whatever drive you'd like the grub2 bootloader installed to- remember: sda, sdb, sdc, etc are devices, sda1, sda2, sdb3 are partitions)
> Install now
> "Where are You?"
> click on world map for your city/timezone
>Forward
> "Copying files"
> "Ready when You are"
> Forward
> "Keyboard Layout" > USA > USA >Forward
> "Who Are You?"
> enter name > enter a computer name > pick a username > enter password twice
> installs OS
> "Install Complete"
>Restart Now
> ejects CD > Enter >(System restarts)


First time at desktop, install All automatic Updates, which should popup from the taskbar/system tray within a minute or two, or go to:

System->Administration-> Update Manager and Apply all updates.

You need to enter the password you created in the setup for the user account to install the Updates.

You need an Internet connection for this.

Note: there may be a button to upgrade to 10.10 or later- ignore.
Popup asks to restart now or later, pick now.

Applying updates takes time, depending on your ISP speed.

Ignore the Restricted Drivers popup for now.

After updates are installed, reboot.
>Shows Grub boot list with Ubuntu as default when booting after restart

If it doesn't boot, be sure to check your PC's BIOs for the hard disk boot order/ device boot priority

Video Driver Install

At minimum, you want an ATI, Intel or Nvidia video chip (GPU)- these are supported with the simple point and click Hardware Drivers applet in Ubuntu. Any GPU other than ATI, Intel or Nvidia is unsupported by this procedure.

NOTE: I HIGHLY recommend upgrading to an Nvidia 8200/8300/8400GS/Ion/210/220/240 video card or motherboard, which offer the best video playback performance and driver support under linux.

These Nvidia GPU's support VDPAU for hardware accelerated playback of x/h264/VC1 and mpeg4 ASP/xvid/divx (GT2xx cards) encoded video:

Video codecs article:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Video_codec

VDPAU links:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/VDPAU
http://www.mythtv.org/wiki/VDPAU
http://http.download.nvidia.com/XFre...tml/index.html

According to forum member tux99, recent vintage Intel GPU's play streaming Flash video smoother and without tearing vs. Nvidia or ATI.

So, as of 9/24/10 it appears the GPU hierarchy for Linux/Ubuntu use are Nvidia (non-Flash playback), then Intel (streaming Flash video) then ATI.

With AMD's (ATI) open source policies, things may change in the coming months/year. If AMD adds a VDPAU equivalent to their drivers, then AMD/ATI GPU's could move to the top pick for Linux use.

In the meantime, the best option is probably to use a VDPAU enabled GPU plus a quad core CPU to cover both x264 1080p playback and HD Flash streaming, respectively.

As of 12/2010, it appears the latest Flash beta for Linux may include VDPAU, reinforcing Nvidia as the current top pick GPU for Linux.

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=1294618

Upon return to the desktop after reboot,

System
>Administration
>Hardware Drivers
>(select "Recommended" driver)
(Recommended driver could be : ATI/AMD proprietary FGLRX graphics driver, Nvidia driver or Intel, depending on the video chip in your PC)
> Activate -> (enter user password)
> Authenticate
> ("Downloading and installing driver")
> ("You need to restart the computer...")
> Close-> upper right taskbar
> username pulldown/power icon -> Restart -> Restart


Disable Compiz desktop compositing effects

Desktop 3D effects interfere with smooth video playback, i.e. tearing, etc, the point of a media PC. Turn them off.

System>Preferences>Appearance>Visual Effects>None>Close


Disable Auto Updates

Applying updates later can break a working system. We are going to turn them off. No need to fear security issues/etc- the benefit of waiting several months after the OS release is that most of the important/big patches/updates/security issues have already been fixed, and we've applied them all earlier You will be secure enough for at least a year, when you'll want the latest release distro anyways .

System
-> Administration
-> Update manager
-> Settings
-> (uncheck Check for Updates)
-> Show New distribution releases -> Never (pulldown)
-> Close

System
-> Preferences
-> Startup Applications
-> Startup Programs
-> (scroll down)
-> Update Notifier-> (uncheck)
-> Close

Add right click Open in Terminal context menu pick

Linux Mint has this by default. It allows you to right click in a Nautilus ("Windows Explorer") window to open a terminal in the folder/directory you are currently browsing with the GUI, which makes subsequent steps using the terminal in this procedure easier. Just open a Nautilus window where you want the terminal window and right click to open one in that directory.

Install

nautilus-open-terminal

in System>Administration>Synaptic Package Manager > (enter password)> (Quick search "nautilus-open-terminal" no quotes) > (right click on nautilus-open-terminal)> Mark for Installation >Apply (upper left) >Apply > (quit /close Synaptic)


Web Browser

Web Security and Privacy

Install the following Add ons:
(Just click the big 'Add to Firefox' or 'Install' button on each Addon page)

FlashBlock
https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/addon/433

Adblock+
https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/addon/1865

NoScript
https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/addon/722

With NoScript enabled, many sites won't appear to function until you Allow them with the little NoScript "S" icon in the lower right corner of the browser window. You only need to Allow them once, and NoScript will remmeber the next time you visit the site.

Similarly, for Flashblock, right click the "Play" button on a Flash object to "Allow Flash" for that site permanently.



Adobe Flash & PDF Reader

Unfortunately, the web is currently almost useless without Flash- until HTML5/CSS3/SVG/AJAX/etc. replaces a good portion of its functionality. So you need to install Flash.

No issues with Flash based web apps like Ancestry.com per my wife's testing

There are many good free (speech and/or beer) PDF readers out there, but the Adobe PDF Reader ensures you can read all those problem pdf's and documents with complicated forms, the annoying corner cases and encrypted PDF's that don't render well in anything but Adobe Reader.

Fortunately, the current Adobe Linux PDF Reader is less bloated and faster than the current Windows Adobe Reader (security issues notwithstanding). The following method uses .deb installer packages. Flash and Adobe Reader can also be installed with the new Ubuntu Software Center (USC), but I've found that the versions may be outdated in USC by a release or two.

>www.adobe.com
> Download > Adobe Reader on middle right
> "Do You Have a Different Language or Operating System?"
> Step 1> "Select an operating system" pulldown > Linux
> Step 2> Select a Language pulldown > English
> Step 3> Select "Adobe Reader 9.4.2 for Linux (.deb)" (as of 8/19/2011) > Download Now

The .deb should download to the Downloads folder. Double click the .deb file > opens Ubuntu Software Center > Install

10.04.x

> www.adobe.com
> Download> Adobe Flash Player (mid right)
> Different operating system or browser?
> Step 1 > Select an operating system > Linux
> Step 2 > Select a version > Flash Player for Ubuntu (apt)
> Download Now

Open With Ubuntu Software Center and Install.

10.10: Flash is already installed during CD installation wizard if you chose to during the install process.

You may install Flash and Reader with the .deb/apt method above in Ubuntu versions 10.04/10.10/11.04


If you don't want Adobe Reader and/or want a faster option, use FoxIt for Linux-

http://www.foxitsoftware.com/downloads/index.php

Simply download the .deb installer and double click from the Firefox download manager window or whever you saved the .deb, default is the /home/Downloads folder.

http://www.foxitsoftware.com/downloa...810_linux.html

Direct link

http://mirrors.foxitsoftware.com/pub...1.1.0_i386.deb

Make Foxit the default PDF reader:

> (right click on any .PDF file on your computer)
>Properties
>Open With tab
> (select FoxitReader)
> Close


Or use Sumatra PDF reader under Wine (Wine Install procedure below)

http://blog.kowalczyk.info/software/...pdf/index.html

http://appdb.winehq.org/objectManage...estingId=20118

No problem having all three PDF readers installed


Add Spell Check Dictionary to Firefox

Apparently, Firefox in the base 10.04 load doesn't have the dictionary installed.

Right click in any editable field (like Edit mode in an avsforum post ) and select Add Dictionary, select your language in the mozilla.org tab that comes up and Add to Firefox.


Audio/Video Apps and Codecs

Java/MP3 and other copyrighted/patented/non free-speech stuff :

System -> Administration -> Synaptic Package Manager
-> (enter user password)
-> Quick search "restricted"
-> right click ubuntu-restricted-extras
-> Mark for installation
-> Mark -> Apply -> Apply
-> (Changes Applied)
-> Close

Do the same Synaptic procedure, but Quick Search "sun-java6-plugin" and install. Check the box to accept the license and Forward

Or, in the terminal for each major desktop environment:

Gnome/Unity:
sudo apt-get install ubuntu-restricted-extras sun-java6-plugin

XFCE:
sudo apt-get install xubuntu-restricted-extras sun-java6-plugin

KDE:
sudo apt-get install kubuntu-restricted-extras sun-java6-plugin

Synaptic is like an "App Store" (for Apple fanbois ), except all the apps are free- most speech, all beer


Restricted (i.e.non free-speech) Audio/Video codecs- DVD CSS, wmv, etc:

From
https://help.ubuntu.com/community/Medibuntu

Open terminal
Applications>Accessories>Terminal

or right mouse click on the Desktop or Nautilus window > Open in Terminal


and copy (triple click on the line)/paste (middle mouse/mouse wheel button) and Enter each line below
(enter user password if requested , copy/paste everything between the tags, without the ):


sudo wget --output-document=/etc/apt/sources.list.d/medibuntu.list http://www.medibuntu.org/sources.list.d/$(lsb_release -cs).list && sudo apt-get --quiet update && sudo apt-get --yes --quiet --allow-unauthenticated install medibuntu-keyring && sudo apt-get --quiet update



sudo apt-get install libdvdcss2



sudo apt-get install w32codecs



Audio/Music players/manager Apps

The default music manager/player, Rhythmbox, appears to be an excellent iTunes alternative, with similar layout, menu structure and iPod management. The version included with Ubuntu 10.04.1 is 0.12.8. Ubuntu 10.10 has v0.13.1 already installed.

Update to the latest (0.13.1 as of 9/15/10), copy/paste each line in a Terminal:

sudo add-apt-repository ppa:webupd8team/rhythmbox
sudo apt-get update

then go to System>Administration>Update Manager and Check for updates manually per the dialog. The latest Rythmbox should appear in the list, along with probably other random updates. Click the Install Updates button. You may want to make a backup image (see Clonezilla HOWTO) of your OS partition before applying the updates, depending on how many and their complexity. Or you could uncheck all updates except the Rhythmbox related picks before Installing to be sure nothing else is affected.

Install current version of Banshee

Banshee is a media management and playback application for the GNOME desktop, allowing users to import audio from CDs, search their library, create playlists of selections of their library, sync music to/from iPods and other media devices, play and manage video files and burn selections to a CD.

Type the following lines into a terminal window to add the Banshee PPA and install the Banshee app in Ubuntu 10.04-10.10 and 11.04.

or add

ppa:banshee-team/ppa

to your Repositories list in Synaptic per prior examples, then Search Synaptic, install.

Other music manager/player apps to try-

http://www.clementine-player.org/

Just download .deb for your Ubuntu version and double click to install:

http://www.clementine-player.org/downloads

In Synaptic, search/install audacious (Winamp Classic 2.x clone), audacity (audio editor/recorder) for audio playing/editing. IN the terminal;

sudo apt-get install audacious audacity

Try the Decibel or Aqualung or Xnoise audio players if you used foobar2000 on Windows:

http://decibel.silent-blade.org/
http://aqualung.factorial.hu/
http://code.google.com/p/xnoise/

or, just use foobar2000 under Wine-

http://appdb.winehq.org/objectManage...sion&iId=18689


NOTE: It appears that recent RubyRipper releases are broken, resulting in very slow CD rips. I am using Asunder until Ruby Ripper is fixed. Install "asunder" from Synaptic, terminal or Ubuntu Software Center. RubyRipper install kept below for reference.

For Audio CD ripping/MP3/Flac encoding, it's tough to beat Ruby Ripper-

RubyRipper is the EAC of Linux (for Win folks)

http://ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?t=799621&page=16

copy/paste the following text into the terminal and hit enter:

10.04:

sudo add-apt-repository ppa:aheck/ppa

This should prompt you for your password.


sudo apt-get update


Finally, copy/paste/Enter

sudo apt-get install rubyripper

10.10:

Download and double click this .deb

https://launchpad.net/~ferramroberto...ck~ppa_all.deb


From
http://geekfiles.altervista.org/en/r...0-10-maverick/

Enable SPDIF Output on your Soundcard

Needed to allow Dolby Digital/DTS and PCM audio to pass to your processor or receiver via Coax or Optical SPDIF. If you don't know what SPDIF is and/or plan to simply use analog audio, you don't need to do this.

(left click on Speaker icon in task bar systray, upper right)
-> Sound Preferences
-> Hardware tab
-> Profile dropdown list
-> (select Digital audio /IEC958 option)
-> Close

If you need a coax SPDIF output bracket, build one-
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=997533


Video media players

Videolan v1.+
Best DVD disc/VIDEO_TS player on Linux

Install from terminal:

sudo apt-get install vlc

Or Search vlc in Synaptic or USC

If you want to use VLC for non-Flash web video streaming, install the browser plugin in the terminal:

sudo apt-get install mozilla-plugin-vlc


SMPlayer is the MPC (Media Player Classic) of Linux

http://smplayer.sourceforge.net/downloads.php

Install SMplayer and the mplayer backend SMplayer uses:

mplayer backend media player

Ubuntu 10.04:

Add the mplayer repo:

(link for reference only)
https://launchpad.net/~rvm/+archive/mplayer


ppa:rvm/mplayer


into System>Administration>Synaptic Package Manager>(Enter your user account password)>Settings>Repositories>Other Software>+Add>(paste)>+Add Source>Close>Reload (icon upper left)

or in the terminal

sudo add-apt-repository ppa:rvm/mplayer
sudo apt-get update

Do the same for the smplayer repo:

sudo add-apt-repository ppa:rvm/smplayer
sudo apt-get update

Then Search Synaptic for "smplayer" and install or in the terminal:

sudo apt-get install smplayer

This automatically installs mplayer, as SMplayer is dependant on mplayer and apt/Synaptic handles dependencies for you.

Ubuntu 10.10:

Just install "smplayer" from Synaptic/terminal/USC. It is current as of 5/30/2011.


DVD Authoring

Search for each in Synaptic/USC or download .debs (their Homepages or Google)

DVD Styler
http://www.dvdstyler.de/

DeVeDe
http://www.getdeb.net/software/DeVeDe

and QDVD Author- try 'em all and stick with the one(s) you like.
http://qdvdauthor.sourceforge.net/

I formerly used Tmpeg DVD Author 1.6.x on XP and in Wine, but have switched to DeVeDe, DVD Styler and Avidemux to convert random video files to DVD MPEG2 compatible files.

For DVD transcoding (shrinking) or re-encoding to xvid/x264, install (Synaptic or .debs)

Handbrake (xvid/x264 mkv encoding)
http://handbrake.fr/downloads.php

mvPod - convert videos to .avi/.mkv/etc
http://sourceforge.net/projects/mvpod/

MakeMKV
http://www.makemkv.com/forum2/viewtopic.php?f=3&t=224

DVDfab Decrypter (install like any Win app after installing Wine, below)
http://www.dvdfab.com/download.htm

Video editing/capture

install from Synaptic/USC/debs:
(Note: you may Mark for Installation all these before Applying/installing)

avidemux
http://avidemux.sourceforge.net/

Click "Install this now" at
http://www.getdeb.net/software/Avidemux

kdenlive
http://www.kdenlive.org/user-manual/...buntu-packages


kino
http://www.kinodv.org/

Install kino in Synaptic/USC

openshot
http://www.openshotvideo.com/

open Movie Editor
http://www.openmovieeditor.org/

Kino appears best for DV cam capture over Firewire, while Pitivi and Avidemux are best for basic editing jobs, and Kdenlive has improved greatly with DVD authoring.

Install K3B (Synaptic, USC) for an alternative CD/DVD burning tool if you don't like Brasero, pre-installed with Ubuntu. K3B is Nero-like.

Install Video app son the terminal:

sudo apt-get install k3b kino openshot avidemux openmovieeditor

If you used Nero for Windows, NeroLinux is excellent
(commercial- doesn't hurt to support companies doing good things for Linux):

http://www.nero.com/enu/linux4.html

Photo/image Management/Viewers


Many users like digikam, f-spot, Shotwell orgThumb for photo viewing/management/simple edits, all in Synaptic/Ubuntu Software Center

More picture viewers/slideshow apps:

In Synaptic, install geeqie, gthumb, gqview, gpicview, gimageview, ristretto and mirage- try them all and see which image viewer/photo manager you like.

Gthumb is now the default in Mint, replacing f-spot/shotwell, so give Gthumb a try for photo management.

Darktable is an Adobe Lightroom alternative, the Syanptic or PPA
http://www.darktable.org/

https://launchpad.net/~pmjdebruijn/+...ktable-release


Desktop/Office Apps

In Synaptic, Ubuntu Software Center, or download .debs:

App -> Commercial Equivalent

Thunderbird> Outlook
Dia -> Visio
Scribus-> Pagemaker
Inkscape-> Adobe Illustrator
mtpaint, rgbpaint, krita-> MS Paint/ older Paint Shop Pro
Pinta-> Paint.net http://pinta-project.com/
gimp -> Photoshop
xsane -> scanner app much better than the Win bloatware included with HP and other scanners since around 2000

In the terminal:
Install LibeOffice in Ubuntu 10.04/10.10

You need an Office Suite on your HTPC to view/edit random spreadsheets/.docs/.xls's/.ppt's, etc floating around on avsforums and elsewhere. Many HT related spreadsheet based calculators/tables are available.

Unless you know why you want/need OpenOffice, you should switch to LibreOffice, which will be the Ubuntu/Mint default starting with 11.04/Mint 11

http://www.liberiangeek.net/2011/01/...k-meerkat-ppa/

Remove OpenOffice from a terminal window:

then install current LibreOffice (3.3.2 as of 5/30/2011) in the terminal window:


Internet Apps

Deluge is a top torrent client
http://deluge-torrent.org/

Add this PPA via the terminal or Synaptic as before

ppa:deluge-team/ppa

then update or Reload, then install. For the terminal:

The && symbols allow the separate commands to be chanied together in one line- saves some copy/pasting

While in Synaptic, remove the default torrent client, Transmission
(Use Search, then right click , Mark for Complete Removal, Apply)

Pidgin Instant Messenger
http://www.pidgin.im/

Pidgin is an easy to use and free chat client used by millions. Connect to AIM, MSN, Yahoo, and more chat networks all at once.

You may prefer it over Empathy, the IM client included with Ubuntu 10.04.

Supported chat networks:

AIM Bonjour Gadu-Gadu Google Talk Groupwise ICQ IRC MSN MXit MySpaceIM QQ SILC SIMPLE Sametime XMPP Yahoo! Zephyr

http://www.pidgin.im/download/ubuntu/

Skype

Download the Ubuntu 8.10+ 32-bit .deb and double click to install

http://www.skype.com/intl/en-us/get-...post-download/


Desktop Environment


Optional: Google Gadgets
http://code.google.com/p/google-gadgets-for-linux/

Install "google-gadgets-gtk" in Synaptic.

Google gadgets gives you desktop widget "apps", like the desktop widgets/gadgets in OSX or Win7/Vista or Plasmoids on KDE.

http://www.winsupersite.com/win7/ff_gadgets.asp

They could be calculators, dictionaries, snow globes, weather apps like WeatherBug, clocks, games, etc- lots to choose from in a systray menu or sidebar, which can be hidden.


OPTIONAL- Mint style color schemes

If you want the Mint "look" for your Ubuntu load, use the Shiki-WIse theme, part of the shiki-colors package in Synaptic- install "shiki-colors"

https://launchpad.net/ubuntu/lucid/+...iki-wise-theme

I highly recommend installing shiki-colors- doesn't hurt, and gives you seven more cool themes to choose in System>Preferences>Appearance>Theme

OPTIONAL: Install Gnome-Do

If you want the Start menu Search functionality of Win7, or QuickSilver functionality of OSX

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Quicksilver_%28software%29

then install Gnome-Do

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/GNOME_Do

http://do.davebsd.com/

Applications > Ubuntu Software Center > (use Search field, upper right with magnifier icon, "gnome-do" without quotes) > (search results below, select GNOME Do) > Install

OPTIONAL: Install a dock/launcher

As docks and dock like launchers are currently in style, try Docky or cairo-dock in Synaptic or Ubuntu Software Center.

While Docky appears excellent from my brief testing, the big drawback is that docky requires compositing enabled (at least Normal Visual Effects in System>Preferences>Appearance). We disabled compositing earlier to eliminate any video playback issues. You can always enable/disable Visual Effects as needed, and exit Docky. Docky is a real full blown dock with drag/drop, shows running apps, etc.

If you prefer the OSX dock, then try cairo-dock, also called glx-dock (openGL version)
http://www.glx-dock.org/

I am currently playing with cairo-dock and really like it (11/2010)

Cairo/Glx-dock requires compositing (Desktop Effects) to be enabled, too.

If you want a "dock" with animated icons without requiring Visual Effects enabled, use wbar in Synaptic.
Wbar is not a "dock", but a simple app launcher- still gives you that OSX look

http://code.google.com/p/wbar/

http://www.linux.com/archive/articles/128982

To make it easy to modify wbar- add/remove icons, change the order, install wbarconf from the .deb at

http://www.ihku.biz/wbarconf/


Another dock option is SimDock, which also doesn't require compositing and has the ability to add/remove icons withut extra tools-

http://sourceforge.net/projects/simdock/

The most Win7like Dockbar I've found is DockbarX

http://gnome-look.org/content/show.p...content=101604

Install with PPA at

https://launchpad.net/~dockbar-main/+archive/ppa



Install Ubuntu Tweak

Just download the .deb and double click

https://launchpad.net/ubuntu-tweak/+download

http://ubuntu-tweak.com/

Ubuntu tweak makes it easy to change registry-like settings such as showing the Trash, Computer, Network icons on the desktop, and many other GUI and system settings. Installs to Applications> System Tools


Make Ctl-Alt-Del bring up System Monitor (like Windows Task Manager)

This is optional, but it has become a "standard" for people coming from Windows

System
->Preferences
->Keyboard Shortcuts
->(scroll down)
->Desktop
->Log out
->(click on Ctrl+alt+Delete)
->(press Backspace key on your keyboard)
-> "Disabled" is shown

+Add
->Name: ThreeFingerSalute (or whatever you want to call it )
->Command:gnome-system-monitor
->Apply ->(click on shortcut column)
->(press Ctrl, Alt, Delete keys on your keyboard at the same time)
->Close

You may want to assign Ctrl-End keys to the logout/Shutdown shortcut. Repeat procedure above.


Media Center Front end with 10ft GUI

If you want a 10' "media center" style interface for photos, music, videos, etc, the easiest/best bet right now is XBMC, assuming you don't have TV tuners to control and record with. Tuner control and recording are handled by MythTV (Mythbuntu on Ubuntu), which can be installed alongside XBMC. A separate guide will cover MythTV installation on top on Ubuntu.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/10-foot_user_interface

Now that you are an expert at adding repositories and installing via Synaptic , just follow the instructions at

http://wiki.xbmc.org/?title=HOW-TO_i...n_step-by-step

Cited here for convenience:

How to install XBMC in Ubuntu 10.10 (Maverick)

http://ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?t=1596133



Linux Games

There are 100's (probably 1000's) of free games for Linux, and many commercial ones.

If you count all the games that work under Linux-native console, arcade and DOS emulators (SNES/Genesis/PS1/N64/3DO/Mame/freeDOS/DOSbox, etc), the number of games you can run under Linux goes over 10,000.

Browse Synaptic -> Games and Amusement

or the Ubuntu Software Center (recommended, nicer GUI interface)

Applications> Ubuntu Software Center > Get Software Games

or download the .debs at

http://www.playdeb.net/updates/ubuntu/10.04/

and point/click to install.

Browse the Linux gaming thread for other ideas-

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=1124112



Install current Wine

Wine lets you run many Windows apps in Linux. Search the Wine appdb to find which apps work under Wine and how well- many apps run well enough to get the job done, with minor glitches or quirks.

http://appdb.winehq.org/

The version in Synaptic is always a couple of versions behind the current one in the Wine repository.

Follow instructions at
http://www.winehq.org/download/deb

which should be simple, as you are now familiar with adding repositories

Cited here for convenience:

Once Wine is installed, you install Windows apps by just double clicking their setup.exe, install.msi, etc- you may have to right click on the installer and select "Open with Other Application..." and pick Wine in the list to associate .exe's with Wine

Currently, I use DVDFab, IMGBurn, DVD Shrink, and IrfanView regularly. Also Print Shop 6.x and Paint Shop 7.x occasionally, though the latest GIMP is replacing the Paint Shop, and Scribus can do many of the page layout/desktop publishing stuff the old Print Shop did.

AVISynth, hdtv2mpeg2, and virtualdub all work under Wine, too.

...and of course, Windows games

Wives/Moms/aunts/kids are addicted to Gamehouse/Popcap style (Flash-like, though most don't actually use Flash) games- over 85% (maybe higher) of the 100's of Popcap/Gamehouse games I've tried work fine under Wine.

Online web based Flash/Java games like popcap.com, Runescape, and other web games listed in the Linux Games sticky thread work fine without Wine in Linux native Flash/Java, of course.

Winehq.com links are provided because some apps need tweaks or specific install methods to work under Wine, documented in the comments for each app at Winehq, usually only a few extra clicks in the Wine config GUI or adding a different .dll file easily found on the web or linked in the Winehq comments (DVDShrink and Irfanview)

DVD Shrink

http://appdb.winehq.org/objectManage...rsion&iId=2230
http://www.afterdawn.com/software/cd...dvd_shrink.cfm

DVDFab

http://appdb.winehq.org/objectManage...sion&iId=17590
http://www.dvdfab.com/download.htm

IMGBurn

http://appdb.winehq.org/objectManage...sion&iId=17431
http://www.imgburn.com/

Irfanview

http://appdb.winehq.org/objectManage...rsion&iId=7834
http://www.irfanview.com/


Top Windows games compatible with Wine
http://appdb.winehq.org/

Some apps need specific Wine settings and/or tweaks to work under Wine. For these apps and games that won't run well with a simple point and click on their *.exe/.msi installer, try PlayonLinux- use Ubuntu .deb installer at

http://www.playonlinux.com/en/

WineTricks is included with the Wine v1.3x install, in the WIne menu, and appears easier to use than PlayOnLinux for installing random .dll's and Win apps that need special configuration. WineTricks handles the installation of these problem apps for you.



Make an OS partition backup image

After doing all this, you probably want to image the OS partition for backup purposes, to easily restore it to the same state in case your hard disk fails, an update or software install breaks something, etc.

Also good to replicate the load across other machines in your house or for friends/family members- you don't want to have to do all of this for each and every machine. Just *Try* this with different make/models PC's/motherboards with Windows, and have fun with a day full of reboots, driver installs, WGA and Authentication, etc - if it works at all

You do not need to do the following if you plan to only use the image to restore on the same hardware you made the image from:

BEFORE making a backup image, go to System->Admin->Hardware Drivers and de-activate any proprietary video driver. If you restore to another machine with a different brand GPU (ATI vs Nvidia, for example), the wrong proprietary driver pre-installed will muck things up. After restoring the image, simply Activate the appropriate video driver in Hardware Drivers after first boot.

Use Clonezilla, Beginner mode and it steps you through a wizard.

http://clonezilla.org/

Clonezilla HOWTO:
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=1237128

CHANGELOG

120211- Removed Picasa, k9copy, added Darktable
110819- Updated Intro and downloads for Xubuntu 11.04
110819- Updated Adobe Reader/Flash install procedure
110726- Cleaned up some terminal commandlines and simplified Wine install
110711- Added Clementine music player/manager (iTunes/Rythmbox/Banshee) alternative)
110710- Added DockbarX dockbar applet for Gnome
110710- Updated video editing apps section with links and install procedures
110707- Added back Banshee install to remain in sync with current Ubuntu/Mint releases.
110530- Removed OpenOffice update procedure- only need LibreOffice now
110530- Added Gthumb comment for default photo manager/viewer/simple editor
110530- Updated SMplayer for 10.10, and Asunder for RubyRipper
110515- Updated VLC (videloan) section due to PPA repository changes
110224- Removed Banshee recommendation due to Mono/MS/Novell issues-

http://techrights.org/2010/10/30/dot...unity-promise/

110215- Updated for LibreOffice 3.3.x
101220- Updated Rubyripper with Maverick 10.10 .deb
101217- Added video codecs Wikipedia link and Flash VDPAU comment and discussion link. Updated PlayonLinux comment
101208- Added PlayonLinux comment and link. Updated Banshee coment and added Xnoise.
101208- Added justification comments for 3 partition minimum
101207- Added XBMC install procedure for 10.10
101201- Spelling and formatting fixes.
101129- Updated entire procedure for 10.10, first pass. Added misc apps, cairo-dock option, etc
100924- Rearranged the Introduction, added Assumptions and hardware/build links, moved Changelog and reordered several sections
100924- Added VDPAU comments and links
100924- Added right mouse click terminal comment at first terminal use for ubuntu-restricted-extras
100922- Added Simdock option, wbarconf for wbar dock, and shiki-colors comments
100921- Clarified terminal window use extent in Introduction
100921- Moved nautilus-open-terminal up front to make it available throughout procedure for terminal use
100921- Added Gnome Do, win7 Start menu Search/OSX Quicksilver equivalent
100921- Rearranged Desktop/Office Apps section, grouping related items, improved formatting
100921- Moved browser security/privacy section up front to ensure privacy/security during install process. Added NoScript comment.
100921- Updated formatting, fixed some spelling, changed order with new "Desktop Environment" section
100915- Added Rhythmbox 0.13.1 update
100913- Add Firefox spell check dictionary
100913- Added Ubuntu Tweak app
100913- Added Docky and wbar dock/launchers app options
100913- Added right click context menu terminal open pick nautilus-open-terminal
100913- Added Openoffice v3.2.1 update procedure
100911- Updated FoxIt PDF Reader install with simple .deb download and click method

 

ubuntu904procedure.pdf 175.9072265625k . file

Placeholder for Mythbuntu 10.04 setup

In the meantime, use the 9.04 Mythbuntu procedure, which should be close enough-

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showp...43&postcount=2

For Ubuntu 9.04 procedure, see

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=1236363

which will be unstickied.

While this procedure may at first appear to be the same as the 9.04 setup procedure, there are many updates, additions and simplifications, particularly with 10.04's easier repository/PPA addition method which automatically retrieves keys.

If anyone has suggestions for other base tweaks, apps, or codecs to add in my procedure that would be useful to most people for a complete Ubuntu HTPC load, post here and I'll update.

Added Changelog to keep track of procedure updates

Because the base Gnome Ubuntu is the "standard". While some people may like Xfce better, there is no practical advantage in using Xfce re: system resource usage, the biggest reason given a couple of years ago for Xfce over Gnome. It has been demonstrated and can be easily seen with System Monitor that memory usage in practical day to day use is about the same for both Xfce and Gnome, so you may as well stick with Gnome.

That said, some people may prefer Xfce, but it's trivial to add Xfce to the base Gnome Ubuntu anyways, and switch desktops whenever you want.

But when creating a standard procedure like this, you have to settle on one starting point.

Many common apps have Gnome dependencies, and while they run in Xfce, the Gnome libs will be loaded, so why not use Gnome in the first place?

Many of the useful applets, widgets, and control panels in the base Gnome Ubuntu are not present in Mythbuntu/Xfce, at least over a year ago when I last checked- things may have changed. At that time, many of the big apps were missing in the default Mythbuntu distro, like OpenOffice and others. And you'd still have the "Gnome is the standard" issue where you want to be commonized with the most popular Ubuntu variant to minimize exceptions, gotchas, etc, especially for less technical users.

If you see the second post, it links to the Mythbuntu install on top of Ubuntu 9.04, which should be about the same procedure for 10.04.

I prefer to do this because my philosophy is to have a full, real desktop installed with any PVR/DVR/media center front end(s). There are too many times when you need to drop to the desktop to run standard apps. Yes, they should all run in Xfce fine, but then you're back to making exceptions, adjustments, etc for every different desktop environment. If all my office desktops run Gnome, I want my media PC's to have the same desktop.

I may switch all of them to KDE in a year or so, desktops and media PC's.

Then it will be time to switch to KDE 4.x/5.x or Xfce or LXDE, or ....

Off the top of my head, there shoudn't be any difference. Just set your BIOs to boot from the USB stick.

Thanks for the props- good to hear *someone* appreciates the work

I think the consensus is that as of v4.4+, KDE is "good" again

Just try a KDE v4.4+ liveCD distro like Kubuntu 10.04/10.10 or other current KDE distros like Mint KDE, openSuse, Mandriva, etc

101129- Updated entire procedure for 10.10, first pass

Updated procedure with LibreOffice 3.3.x

THanks.

Over the next several weeks, I need to update the procedure and rearrange things for better flow and organization. Watch the Changelog.

I don't plan on updating for 11.04 until later Summer/Fall, if at all. I may skip it for 11.10, or perhaps try another distro like Gnome/KDE Mint.

We'll see how this whole Unity/Gnome3 thing pans out. It could take a year or more for both of those to stabilize and mature.

Perhaps Mint 11 will be the one to try if you need an up-to-the minute distro, but for most people, I'd recommend sticking with 10.10 or 10.04.2 or Mint 10 unless you have specific hardware compatibility issues and you can't update to a working driver in 10.10/10.04.

Based on my brief fiddling with 11.04 and Mint 11, yes. The 10.10 procedures should apply, or close enough. There may be minor dialog box changes during the install process, and repositories will be specific to 11.04, of course.

Excellent, detailed writeup of a Mythbuntu/MythTV build with lots of tuners, Harmony Remote control of MythTV, and complete home theater (receiver, other boxes, etc).

Dat6ed, but still relevant and motivational for first time Linux HTPC'ers

http://www.youplala.net/linux/home-t...c#toc-features

HOWTO setup guides for Ubuntu 12.04 and 12.10

http://debianhelp.wordpress.com/2012/03/09/to-do-list-after-installing-ubuntu-12-04-lts-aka-precise-pangolin/

http://debianhelp.wordpress.com/2012/09/30/to-do-list-after-installing-ubuntu-12-10-aka-quantal-quetzal/

Could be simplified in places, but he did a good job, at least until update mine

MythTV Ubuntu 12.04, 12.10 Installation Guide

http://parker1.co.uk/mythtv_ubuntu.php