Frankly, we haven't heard much noise coming from the
XBMC camp in quite some time. All that changes today, as the project has just launched its latest major update in v9.11. The so-called Camelot build is now available for download on Windows, OS X and Linux, with the most notable changes including a revamped user interface, DirectX support by default in Windows, a "complete reorganization of the settings menus, automatic video information extraction, and smoother video playback." You'll also find updated scrapers, expanded remote control support and updated codecs. Tap that source link for the download and condensed changelog -- though, we should caution you that the live installer seems to be causing issues for some, so try and stay positive, okay?
Update: We've been informed that a live-repack has been released, so those install issues should be long gone.
posted December 26th 2009 11:19AM
Yo Darren, No X-mas for you?
You're a die-hard!
@M
Well, Xmas was yesterday. Time for everyone to get back to work, dang it!!
@M Darren's a bot. A friendly one, too.
GPU video acceleration only works on Linux (or Live which is based on Linux). 1080p mkvs smooth as silk with an Atom processor ... and ION graphics :)
Windows GPU acceleration is coming soon...
@jasondefaoite
On the ohter hand I wonder who would run this on a windows system instead of using the dedicated Linux distro...
You get automatic update for everything you need, more support, faster boot time...
Download for windows not working?
@doutorpiranha
Download works fine for Mac! :)
@Jacob Apple Geek It's so much better than the CRAPPY SOFTWARE APPLE SHIP, eh?
/fanboygotowned
/disclaimer; Macs don't actually suck, only the fanboys that do not stfu about them and their supposed advantages over pc's.
@richb93
necessary ? happy xmas to you to rich
@doutorpiranha
worked for me.
give it another shot
@richb93 "Macs don't actually suck, only the fanboys that do not stfu about them and their supposed advantages over pc's." QFT.
@cloud858rk LOLOLOLOLOLOL
Can someone explain the reasons to choose XMBC over Plex (on a mac)?
Waiting for Plex 0.9 which is said to be ready quite soon...
@Twix
so here's the low down. plex is a branch from the xbmc code (roughly before the alpha stage). the reason for the branch was that plex was supposed to be devleoped only for mac and would be able to focus on mac-centric features. I tried plex a few months ago, and was quite underwhelmed. the problem with plex is that there is not enough development going on as compared to xbmc. some of the code (ex upnp/dnla) hasnt been touched since the branch from xbmc. long and short, just use xbmc. unless you want a small feature that xbmc doesnt have, use xbmc
@Twix
XMBC has 10-100 times the community of Plex.
This leads to a much more dynamic developing community.
@Twix I use plex instead of XBMC on the mac because plex is able to transcode on the fly 5-ch AAC audio into dolby digital, and it works well with harmony remote, might be new features on 9.11 though.
@All Thanks for your comments. I tried XBMC and played with it for like 30 minutes and my first impression wasn't too good. Maybe it's just a matter of the skin that's used but that default animation is really ugly. Why do they use this??? Ok, turned that off. I tried the Transparency! Skin and thought I was back in 2000. Found the Mediastream Skin which look fine and is (guess what) the default skin in Plex.
I guess I have to do some more playing with it to definitely tell which I like better.
@Twix And some cover art is missing. Am I the only one?
@Twix
I usually use plex, so have tried xbmc to see the differences.. and it is a lot slicker.. there are a couple of features missing that are present in plex tho ..
1- the time film will finish
2- being able to see the time/ time to finish / how much film left without having to pause what you are watching.
Is there anyway to add these features ?
Wow this is really cool! Runs great guys! Running on Mac OS X Snow Leopard
also running quite nicely on the apple tv (3.0.1)
i'm still looking forward to the boxee beta though...
Still trying to decide the perfect platform to put this on. Zino or Aspire Revo? That is the question...
@aubreyq I have it installed on the Revo 1600 and playing with no problem. I have nver heard of the Zino before.
@rchapoteau
Thanks for your reply. Check out the Dell Zino HD below:
http://www.dell.com/us/en/home/desktops/inspiron-zino-hd/pd.aspx?refid=inspiron-zino-hd&s=dhs&cs=19&ref=dthp
@aubreyq I just put this on my HP HDX 16 laptop and the Zino HD I just got my GF for Christmas... pretty awesome I must say! The Zino just looks nicer next to a sleek black samsung TV anyway :)
I've been using the alphas and betas for a while now and the improvements are huge, and very nicely done. Being able to install add-ons and scripts from within the app (like Plex and Boxee) is a very nice feature, and the integration with MythTV is great for those who want to run a Myth Frontend on Windows easily.
One bug I noticed was that the script updaters didn't always make it into the install (Worked on one Linux box but not the other, ditto for my Windows machines) and I had to install them manually which was a bit cumbersome. Not sure if they've fixed that.
Now I just need to get an invite to the $%*%*ing Boxee beta so I can compare the new interfaces!
XBMC is the best thing EVER.
@brisk
+1
@brisk
second place : your avatar
Decided to give it a go for the first time, and the interface truly is good.
Wondering if anyone is having trouble with scripts and plugins, barely any are working for me. For instance, I added the Simpsons and Family Guy - neither work. My guess is that many scripts and plugins may not be compatible with this latest release, but I just don't know, as it's my first time using it.
Holy crap. I thought XBMC was dead.
@(Unverified) no far from it since boxee is based on the work xbmc is doing if they died boxee would have died a while ago
@(Unverified) they are not officially supporting the xbox 1 anymore, so maybe that's what you read somewhere.
@(Unverified) The original Xbox is still supported, but they can't legally release the compiled version, you have to get it elsewhere
When I start an mp3 track (windows install) I cant stop the track from playing mid track. Am I missing something?
Awesome, ive been out of the loop with XBMC since i bought a HDTV, the original xbox showed its limits with MKVs
But now im seriously considering a Mac Mini running this software, and one of these:
http://www.engadget.com/2009/11/25/wireless-usb-keyboard-touchpad-is-more-than-the-sum-of-its-par/#comments
so the purpose of this software to to function as a media computer for your home? i looked real quick but i dont see what the point is. dedicated unit in the living room/theatre? or software that you use on your personal computer? all the site talks about is the software. how are people using this and how well does it work for that function?
@j0sh1130 It works great as media center software. XBMC is the software and you install it on whatever system you want. If you're looking for a dedicated system to run it on next to your TV, the best bet is something Intel Atom + Nvidia Ion based, most likely the cheapest option available. Systems like the Asrock ION 330, Asus eeeBox EB1501 and various Acer Aspire Revo systems are ideal.
@j0sh1130
Could do it either way. On a laptop, you could use it to watch videos. It's nicer then using the file system, especially when it has IMDb rating and plots built into the app. But I use Plex (very similiar to this app) and it works well as a catalogue for my hundreds of gigs of movies. Ihave my computer directly connected to my TV and HT speaker setup. The interface is nice. It's like one stop shopping. I can pull up say Season 5 of CSI:NY I have on my computer and it will show me box art, ratings, plots, etc... while looking pretty. Or I could just go through the same old boring file system you're used to.
@j0sh1130 - thanks guys. so, it works great over stuff on the computer, but its not something youd use to watch tv. and ts not something you could control via remote. youd switch to your pc input, pop up the software using the mouse on the coffee table and pull stuff up. it looks really nice. seems like a nice interface for a catalog of files/media.
@j0sh1130 or you could use a remote, and not a keyboard, and you could have it open on startup, so it is a media player on a tv... like its meant to be...
@j0sh1130 What justind said. The best way to use it is getting an MCE remote, having it open on boot and you're good to go with a media center on your TV. It doesn't have much support for broadcast TV yet but I'm sure it'll come eventually.
Is the screenshot from the Mac version or some un-included theme? I don't recognize it.
It's Confluence, the new default theme
@McKeegan That screenshot is Rapier its not the new Confluence skin
http://xbmc.org/forum/forumdisplay.php?f=120
Dang… Doesn't seem like there's an update for the xbox version.
@tkawai
I've got three original XBOXs sitting around I was planning to run XBMC on someday. It sounds like this is what you've got going on. Is it even worth doing at this point. I'm interested in hearing your thoughts. Thanks.
@DaveBach Yup, that's exactly what I do. Slapped in a 120gb HDD and now use it as my media center. I just ftp movies/music to watch it on my HDTV. You need to put in a modchip or softmod the xbox, but it's well worth it. Cheapest HTPC on the market by far. Only drawback is that it has trouble playing HD mkv/h.264 files.
Hi,
XBMC looks very nice.
Does someone know how to setup XBMC from liv-cd?
The installer stalls after preparing the harddisk.
1. Do I realy need to install crapy Windows or complete Ubuntu before?
2. From the live-cd I can not see any played video, only hear the sound from actual video. I make use of a rig with Intel E6300 and ATI4850. This setup should be good enough.
@macboy The Live installer is broken in 9.11 ... They are working on a repack, but I think Xmas had higher priority :)