[albrigsr]

I saw some posts regarding the XBMC software for the Xbox and am thinking of going that route after reading the rave reviews and being disappointed in any other alternatives. The 2 questions I have are:


1) I rip my DVDs onto my HD with DVD Shrink which ultimately creates multiple vob files. I typically load the .IFO file in Power DVD and then it strings the multiple vob files together and plays the entire movie. Will XBMC work the same way or do I have to rip each dvd down to a single file?


2) Can XBMC read multiple shared directories? I currently have my ripped DVDs on 3 different computers on my network so this is a must.


Thanks for your help!

 

[DanielNTX]

1. It will handle multiple VOB files or a playlist of VOB files.


2. It can handle multiple shared folders/directories. You will have to edit the configuration XML file and add the folders/directories.

 

[Gary Quiring]

Quote:

Originally posted by DanielNTX 2. It can handle multiple shared folders/directories. You will have to edit the configuration XML file and add the folders/directories.

I don't edit the XML file and can browse the entire hard drive by choosing "WORKGROUP (SMB) Network". This will show you every share name.

 

[DanielNTX]

It won't browse hidden $ shares or if you have a domain.

 

[sjcardona]

Xbox media center will not read your DVD movies ripped with Shrink or any other program unless you modify the AC3 sound. The media center pc has no problems playing the .vob files. I have been working on this and when xbox goes to play the .vob--(changed to .mpg) the video plays like it's in fast forward with no sound. Apparently it has to do with the AC3 stream. There is a workaround using other programs but I gave up on it since the movies would no longer be in surround sound and too much hassle at that point. Xbox-2 will be your answer I think.

 

[albrigsr]

Can anyone confirm this problem with XBMC and DVD Shrink? I just bought an Xbox and will be extremely disappointed if this is the case!

 

[sean_w_smith]

Albrigsr,


I re-registered after a long absense just to respond. I too was looking for a media server 2 years ago and could not find nothing that suited my fancy. Bought an xbox to play PG2 Nurburgring to learn the race course. Anyway I found out about XBMC and it sounded too good to be true. Good news is that it is not.


XBMC is a very capable program that just gets better with every release which is very frequent. XBMC plays DVD's off the DVD Drive, Local Disk or even a network share just fine. The problem is that it doesn't handle menus. If you rip a disk with shrink and create a single stream as DVD Shrink does it will play just fine. I have no problem with AC3 passthrough. I have the toslink running from my xbox into Marantz Surround Processor. AC3 for movies and 2 channel PCM for audio work seamlessly in all my XBMC releases.


If playing DVDs with menus is a priority there is another separate APP which handles DVD menus. That player is not network enabled though so the movie must be played via the DVD Drive and not over the network or off the XBOX Hard Drive.


XBMC PLays any video format I throw at it. My PC won't play many files which play fine in XBMC, its that good. Doesn't play WMV9 yet though. FF/REW Features are exceptional even on formats other players don't support FF and REW on. You can play Replay TV and Tivo files over the network as well.


It plays MP3's, WMAs, Ogg Vorbis, FLAC etc quite well.


there are 2 decent visualizations and the rest are mediiocre.


Jpeg Slide shows are good and keep getting better....


Audio video streams work well. You can play non protectted iTunes streams now too.....


Downsides:

Have to edit some XML to set it up. Not for computer newbies. If you can run FTP and hack on some scripts you will be fine.


Docs were weak but rapidly evolving. There is a new online doc site that ihas much more info than there was 6 months ago.


Stability, its not the most stable program in existance. Network issues seem to cause it to hang most of the time. Its not bad but esoecially as your initially fumbling around it will hang. After you learn it some more that will become less of an issue. One key is to be patient. Sometimes its not hung but waiting on the network timeout and will eventually unhang.


Overall its really impressive and gets better all the time. Lots of skins, and widegets are appearing to enhance it further. It looks great on My samsung DLP at 720P.


PLus you get a XBOX game player for free with the deal. Friendtech sells turnkey units for reasonable prices. I built the 1st and bought my 2nd one from them....


BTW: if you don't understand windows networking there are several PC server daemons you can load on a PC etc to simplify sharing. SMB works fine for those who know how to use it...


As far I can tell the Rocku is the only thing close but its still a ways behind....


BTW: I am playing with Xbox linux now but can't get the video to sync when it boots...


Cheers,

Sean

Raleigh, NC

 

[gitarzan]

Python scripting for things like Apple Quick Time movie trailers, Shoutcast radio stations (a lot buggy), and Emulators, My favorite Mame (multiple arcade machine emulator). After a lot of research and a disappointing ShowCenter media player I started my XBOX project. I am very happy but be prepared to do a lot of experimenting and research.

 

[NickChicago]

just to reiterate what Sean said. I use DVDShrink and the "remaster" feature in it which just rips the movie, audio and subs (i.e. no menu). XBMC plays it perfectly and AC3 works.


Also, I've only had it hang once or twice in the year or so I've been using it.

 

[albrigsr]

All,


I greatly appreciate your responses. They are all thorough and informative and have helped make my decision. Thanks again!


-Scott

 

[sjcardona]

Are we all talking about the same Xbox Media center?? There is 1 type that people are running on a modded xbox using non-microsoft software and there is an xbox media center that is produced by Microsoft and is designed to be used in conjunction with a Media Center PC. My previous post was in regards to the Microsoft software.

 

[Gary Quiring]

I thought this thread was about XBMC which is non Microsoft. Makes sense now because XBMC has no issues playing DVD rips.

 

[sean_w_smith]

All,


I am talking about the open source freeware program called Xbox Media Center also known as "XBMC". you can find more info at:


www-xboxmediacenter-de


I was unaware of MS's new offering. I bought some thing with a Mic for karaoke and pics from the BB and it was bad. got a link for it?


Anyway XBMC is basically a full blown media center PC except for the Tivo Like functions....


Use Media off CD/DVD or the Xbox HD or over the network:


Play about any kind of musc file: play lists, tags, and file structure all supported.

Play live streaming audio/video of the internet including iTunes

Play about any kind of video file including Replay TV and Tico Shows. It can natively talk to replay TV boxes over the network.

Browse and Do slide shows of Jpegs, Gifs, etc

Check the Weather

PLay DVD's

Rip CD into MP3, Ogg, etc

RIP DVDs to the HD

Use a menu system to launch any other Xbox Application or Game


They are currently adding more stuff with Python add in scripts. and Support for chatting and setting up multi-player network games via XBMC using the kai protocol (Like free xbox live).

ty cii

More General info on xbox check out:

xbox-scene.com


Overall considering the cost, great UI and functionality and the relative complexity compared to a full blown media center PC its a very attractive solution. Especially when you already have 5 Tivos...


Also note: There is a media center based on Gentoo Linux also for xbox that some are supporting. seems immature and not as popular as XBMC. I haven't managed to get linux working yet...



Later,

Sean Smith

Raleigh, NC

 

[jimre]

Microsoft's offering is the Media Center Extender for XBOX . Unlike XBMC, it does you no good unless you already have an MCE PC. It's basically a MCE-specific version of MS Remote Desktop software for the XBOX, plus an MCE-style remote control. Very cool if you already have an MCE PC. Not so cool if you're looking for an MCE alternative.

 

[matthewmcaree]

hi there,


i'd appreciate any help u guys might be able to offer me. basically, i want to stream, videos from my pc to my xbox. can i do it? ? ? or is it all just crap? ? ?

i dont know like. i'm sure i can, but i have no idea where to get a streamer. i already have an old version of XBMP can that do the same thing or what?


where do i get a good streamer?

 

[sean_w_smith]

Yes it works fine... see my above post for link to the home page for this software....


I watch DVD Vobs, Divx and all sorts of other formats that are hosted on my PC over the network using the xbox running xbmc as a display device.


no dvd menu support in xbmc yet but there is another Xbox dvd player that handles this really well....


Does not have enough CPU horsepower for WMV HD streams though... very little content in this format.


The May release of XBMC adds new screen savers and the amazing milk drop visualizer...


The software is incredible....


Sean

 

[NickChicago]

interesting info about that May release. It's been a while since I've upgraded as I've seen no reason to. I'll have to check it out.


The visualizers in past versions have been really terrible.

 

[Slack]

Quote:

Originally Posted by NickChicago The visualizers in past versions have been really terrible.

I dunno. G-Force is pretty good.

 

[sean_w_smith]

The new screen savers and visualizers are worth the upgrade...


Milk Drop visualizer is at least 10x better than any of the existing ones...


you can download customization files for it.... goto to the official XBMC site for more info on where to download more customizations....


The visualizer is also now a back drop on the main menu....


Python stuff is cleaned up and working....


There is this other crazy new skin called Orbs thats pretty weird...


Definetely worth the upgrade...


They added some new widegets for pausing and fast forwarding music etc as well.....


make sure you start with their keymap.xml and xboxmediacenter.xml and merge in your changes because there are a bunch and they are all for the good. I no longer need any customization to keymap.xml to get the most out of XBMC using my wireless xbox controller. like I said before VERY impressive.... I dunno if the latesdt OFFICIAL release had mikdrop in it. but my CVS release of 05/15 ? is very stable. not usually true of the CVS builds...


Sean

 

[Slack]

I just downloaded 5/30 build.


Will check it all out.