LinuxMCE - User contributions [en]

Creative Audigy 1

2008-09-04T13:04:11Z

Immortel:

[[Category: Hardware]]
[[Category: Audio]]
[[Category: Soundcards]]

The card is detected and working fine with LinuxMCE.

If you are using the analog output port instead of the digital:

1- Start a movie or a song
2- Go in KDE while the movie (or song) is still running (you need to hear the sound)
3- Open terminal
4- sudo alsamixer to go in Alsa Mixer
5- Go to the port "Audigy 1" and press "m" (mute/unmute)
6- Save the configuration (sudo alsactl store)
7- (I don't know why) Go in the KDE's sound setting
8- Change a value and put it back, just to be able to click the "Apply" button and click on it

Creative Audigy 1

2008-09-04T13:03:17Z

Immortel:

[[Category: Hardware]]
[[Category: Soundcards]]

The card is detected and working fine with LinuxMCE.

If you are using the analog output port instead of the digital:

1- Start a movie or a song
2- Go in KDE while the movie (or song) is still running (you need to hear the sound)
3- Open terminal
4- sudo alsamixer to go in Alsa Mixer
5- Go to the port "Audigy 1" and press "m" (mute/unmute)
6- Save the configuration (sudo alsactl store)
7- (I don't know why) Go in the KDE's sound setting
8- Change a value and put it back, just to be able to click the "Apply" button and click on it

Creative Audigy 1

2008-09-04T13:01:50Z

Immortel:

[[Category: Hardware]]
[[Category: Sound Cards]]

The card is detected and working fine with LinuxMCE.

If you are using the analog output port instead of the digital:

1- Start a movie or a song
2- Go in KDE while the movie (or song) is still running (you need to hear the sound)
3- Open terminal
4- sudo alsamixer to go in Alsa Mixer
5- Go to the port "Audigy 1" and press "m" (mute/unmute)
6- Save the configuration (sudo alsactl store)
7- (I don't know why) Go in the KDE's sound setting
8- Change a value and put it back, just to be able to click the "Apply" button and click on it

Creative Audigy 1

2008-09-04T13:01:32Z

Immortel:

[[Category: Hardware]]
[[Category: Sound Cards]]

The card is detected and working fine with LinuxMCE.

If you are using the analog output port instead of the digital:

1- Start a movie or a song

2- Go in KDE while the movie (or song) is still running (you need to hear the sound)

3- Open terminal

4- sudo alsamixer to go in Alsa Mixer

5- Go to the port "Audigy 1" and press "m" (mute/unmute)

6- Save the configuration (sudo alsactl store)

7- (I don't know why) Go in the KDE's sound setting

8- Change a value and put it back, just to be able to click the "Apply" button and click on it

Creative Audigy 1

2008-09-04T13:00:47Z

Immortel: New page: Category: Hardware Category: Sound Cards The card is detected and working fine with LinuxMCE. If you are using the analog output port instead of the digital: 1- Start a movie or ...

[[Category: Hardware]]
[[Category: Sound Cards]]

The card is detected and working fine with LinuxMCE.

If you are using the analog output port instead of the digital:
1- Start a movie or a song
2- Go in KDE while the movie (or song) is still running (you need to hear the sound)
3- Open terminal
4- sudo alsamixer to go in Alsa Mixer
5- Go to the port "Audigy 1" and press "m" (mute/unmute)
5- Save the configuration (sudo alsactl store)
6- (I don't know why) Go in the KDE's sound setting
7- Change a value and put it back, just to be able to click the "Apply" button and click on it

PNY GeForce 8400 GS

2008-09-04T12:49:25Z

Immortel:

My card has 256Meg with 2 x VGA and 1 x S-Video

== Status ==
The card works with UI2 with AlphaBlending

== See Also ==
* [[Display Drivers#NVidia Chipsets| Display Drivers]]

== External Links ==
* [https://help.ubuntu.com/community/BinaryDriverHowto/Nvidia ubuntu - BinaryDriverHowto/Nvidia]

[[Category: Hardware]]
[[Category: Video]]
[[Category: Graphic Cards]]

PNY GeForce 8400 GS

2008-09-04T12:49:02Z

Immortel: New page: My card has 256Meg with 2 x VGA and 1 x S-Video == Status == The card work with UI2 with AlphaBlending == See Also == * Display Drivers == External...

My card has 256Meg with 2 x VGA and 1 x S-Video

== Status ==
The card work with UI2 with AlphaBlending

== See Also ==
* [[Display Drivers#NVidia Chipsets| Display Drivers]]

== External Links ==
* [https://help.ubuntu.com/community/BinaryDriverHowto/Nvidia ubuntu - BinaryDriverHowto/Nvidia]

[[Category: Hardware]]
[[Category: Video]]
[[Category: Graphic Cards]]

ATI Radeon-2600XT

2008-09-04T12:42:18Z

Immortel:

[[Category: Hardware]]
[[Category: Video]]
[[Category: Graphic Cards]]

My model has 512Meg, 2 x DVI and 1 x S-Video.

It is working with the UI1 interface but I was not able to have it worked with UI2.

When playing a DVD and there is movements, the decoding does not seem to work properly.

ATI Radeon-2600XT

2008-09-04T12:41:00Z

Immortel: New page: My model has 512Meg, 2 x DVI and 1 x S-Video. It is working with the UI1 interface but I was not able to have it worked with UI2. When playing a DVD and there is movements, the decoding ...

My model has 512Meg, 2 x DVI and 1 x S-Video.

It is working with the UI1 interface but I was not able to have it worked with UI2.

When playing a DVD and there is movements, the decoding does not seem to work properly.

Hardware

2008-09-04T12:25:31Z

Immortel:

[[Image:Diagram1.jpg|thumb|right|300px|Connectivity possible with LinuxMCE]]

It is possible to use LinuxMCE as a standalone Home Theater PC. A basic LinuxMCE ''system'', however, can also be set up with a relatively modest PC and networking hardware. More advanced (though not necessarily expensive) systems can work with virtually any device that allows some form of [[:Category:Input|input/output control]] capability (including Ethernet, infrared, or RS232 devices) and with devices using a [[:Category:Automation|home automation]] protocol (such as X10 or Insteon).

* Check out the [[:Category:Hardware|hardware category]] for an organized list of hardware
* Check out the [[:Category:Newbie_Packs|newbie pack category]] for an organized list of newbie packs
* Check out [[LinuxMCE_Products|LinuxMCE Products]] for a list of products made specifically for LinuxMCE

 
{| align="right"
| __TOC__
|}
=LinuxMCE hardware terms=

Here is a list of LinuxMCE-specific hardware terms.

*[[Core]] - a single PC which is the central server and processor for your LinuxMCE system.
*[[Media Director]] - a PC that is locally connected to your entertainment center AV devices and to the Core through the LAN.
*[[Hybrid]] - a single PC that serves the functions of both the Core and a Media Director.
*[[Orbiter]] - a user interface to control the system, running on a Media Director or elsewhere, for instance on a lightweight portable device such as a web pad.

=Minimum Requirements=

A [[Core]] server, a [[Media Director]], and a [[hybrid]] all have significantly different hardware requirements. See the specific sections on each for more detail. The guidelines below are very generic and are meant only to suggest that many systems can potentially be used with LinuxMCE.

==CPU==
A LinuxMCE Core-only machine can be run on a slower CPU (such as a P3) only if media encoding/decoding is not done on the core. However, running the database, web server, and other system services can put a reasonable load on your CPU, so for the Core (or hybrid), bigger is better. In contrast, Media Directors have much less CPU requirements, but have other requirements.

* A PIII/733MHz system can encode one video stream using the MPEG-4 codec using 480x480 capture resolution. This does not allow for live TV watching, but does allow for encoding video and then watching it later.
* A developer states that his AMD1800+ system can almost encode two MPEG-4 video streams and watch one program simultaneously.
* A PIII/800MHz system with 512MB RAM can encode one video stream using the RTjpeg codec with 480x480 capture resolution and play it back simultaneously, thereby allowing live TV watching.
* A dual Celeron/450MHz is able to view a 480x480 MPEG-4/3300kbps file created on a different system with 30% CPU usage.
* A P4 2.4GHz machine can encode two 3300Kbps 480x480 MPEG-4 files and simultaneously serve content to a remote frontend.

==Motherboard==
Any Linux-compatible motherboard (95% chance yours will work) will run smoothly, give or take a few features (SPDIF, etc.). See the [[:Category:Mainboards|mainboards category]] for more information and experience with these.

==RAM==
For a bare minimum core, 256MB+ of RAM is needed. For machines encoding/decoding media and/or running desktop applications 512MB+ is needed for smooth function. 1GB at least is recommended. (4GB+ will require a 64-bit OS (now available in LinuxMCE 0710 and later versions)).

==Hard Drive==
Each Core PC's hard drive(s) should have at least 4 GB (to install the OS). You will need additional media storage for network-boot images, PVR storage, etc. However, with NAS, external hard drives, and extra internal hard drives either on the Core or other Media Director PCs, the system's overall storage capacity can easily be increased.

==DVD/CD-ROM==
A DVD drive is required on the Core PC if installing with the Quick Install DVD. However, the LinuxMCE system can also be installed on the Core from CDs (and therefore only a CD-ROM is required), as long as the Core is not going to be used as a hybrid. Each Media Director PC ought to have its own DVD drive, in order to insert and watch DVDs locally.

==Graphic card==
The graphic cards that work best with LinuxMCE are the cards with a chipset NVidia. It is recommended to use one from a GeForce 6200 to a GeForce 8500. (Others may work, you may have to test them or look in [[:Category:Graphic_Cards]] if yours is listed).

It is not recommended to use ATI cards because the drivers have some bugs that LinuxMCE is using. It is working (with the standard UI1) but not supported.

See the section [[Display_Drivers|Display Drivers]] for the installation steps of the drivers

==TV Video Capture Cards==

Also see the [[:Category:TV Cards|TV Cards Category]].

*pcHDTV manufactures and supplies cards just for Linux that provide HDTV and analog capabilities. An example is the [http://www.pchdtv.com/ HD-5500].

*Plextor ConvertX PVR devices are supported through [http://www.plextor.com/english/support/LinuxSDK.htm Linux drivers]. MythTV can use the Plextor to capture hardware encoded MPEG-4, lowering CPU requirements for similar functions.

*[[Hauppauge WinTV-PVR-USB2]] ([http://www.isely.net/pvrusb2/ Linux driver available]) emulates a PVR-x50 card.

*IP Recorder (RTSP, RTS, UDP)

:MPEG-2, MPEG-4 and H.264 internet TS stream recording is supported using the IPTV recorder in MythTV. This recorder expects the channels to be supplied as a m3u playlist. If your DSL/Fiber provider supplies television service, but does not provide a m3u playlist for the channels, you can construct one for your own use. You do not need to download it from the same server as the streams themselves, and can also read it from a file if this is more convenient.

:If your provider uses 5C encryption on a particular channel, you won't be able to get any content.
*DBoxII or other devices running Neutrino

:You may use the Ethernet port of an DBoxII or a similar device to capture MPEG2. Your set top box has to be running the Neutrino GUI.
*USB Capture Devices.

==Sound Card==

Also see the [[:Category:Audio|Audio Category]].

The system needs a [[:Category:Audio|sound card]] or an on-board equivalent on the motherboard to play back and in most cases, to record sound. Any sound card that can be operated by the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Advanced_Linux_Sound_Architecture ALSA] (Advanced Linux Sound Architecture) kernel modules will work with MythTV. However, some cards and drivers will provide better quality or compatibility than others. In particular, many audio devices included on motherboards can be problematic.

A common practice for capturing the audio associated with a video is to run a cable from the "audio out" of the video capture card to the "line in" on the sound card. Some video capture cards, however, provide on-board audio capabilities that work with the Linux kernel btaudio module. The need for a cable is eliminated for these cards. When multiple capture cards are used in a single PC, this capability becomes important, so that each capture card will not need its own sound card.

A separate sound card is still required for playback when using btaudio. Often, audio recorded in this way will be mono only. See the [http://www.ibiblio.org/pub/Linux/docs/HOWTO/BTTV btaudio] section for more information.

==Miscellaneous interfaces==
*LinuxMCE supports the Sony VGP-XL1B CD/DVD jukebox (drive + changer), as well as the compatible PowerFile models. These jukeboxes require a FireWire connector.

===FireWire===
*You may use the [[FireWire]] output of the [[Motorola DCT6200]] or the [[Motorola SA3250|SA3250]].

=User Feedback=
Please see the article on [[adding your own hardware]] to the [[:Category:Hardware|Hardware Category]] and help out by contributing your experience with the hardware you have tried.

= See Also =
*[[:Category:Hardware|Hardware Category]]

=External references=
* [[Useful Accessories]]
* [https://wiki.ubuntu.com/HardwareSupport Ubuntu hardware wiki]
* [http://www.mythtv.org/wiki/index.php/Category:Hardware MythTV hardware wiki]
* [http://www.voip-info.org/wiki/view/Asterisk+hardware Asterisk hardware]
* [http://forum.linuxmce.com/index.php?topic=1711.0 Building a New Rig]
* [http://forum.linuxmce.com/index.php?topic=1353.msg8341#msg8341 For those wanting to roll your own box ...]

Hardware

2008-09-04T12:23:50Z

Immortel:

[[Image:Diagram1.jpg|thumb|right|300px|Connectivity possible with LinuxMCE]]

It is possible to use LinuxMCE as a standalone Home Theater PC. A basic LinuxMCE ''system'', however, can also be set up with a relatively modest PC and networking hardware. More advanced (though not necessarily expensive) systems can work with virtually any device that allows some form of [[:Category:Input|input/output control]] capability (including Ethernet, infrared, or RS232 devices) and with devices using a [[:Category:Automation|home automation]] protocol (such as X10 or Insteon).

* Check out the [[:Category:Hardware|hardware category]] for an organized list of hardware
* Check out the [[:Category:Newbie_Packs|newbie pack category]] for an organized list of newbie packs
* Check out [[LinuxMCE_Products|LinuxMCE Products]] for a list of products made specifically for LinuxMCE

 
{| align="right"
| __TOC__
|}
=LinuxMCE hardware terms=

Here is a list of LinuxMCE-specific hardware terms.

*[[Core]] - a single PC which is the central server and processor for your LinuxMCE system.
*[[Media Director]] - a PC that is locally connected to your entertainment center AV devices and to the Core through the LAN.
*[[Hybrid]] - a single PC that serves the functions of both the Core and a Media Director.
*[[Orbiter]] - a user interface to control the system, running on a Media Director or elsewhere, for instance on a lightweight portable device such as a web pad.

=Minimum Requirements=

A [[Core]] server, a [[Media Director]], and a [[hybrid]] all have significantly different hardware requirements. See the specific sections on each for more detail. The guidelines below are very generic and are meant only to suggest that many systems can potentially be used with LinuxMCE.

==CPU==
A LinuxMCE Core-only machine can be run on a slower CPU (such as a P3) only if media encoding/decoding is not done on the core. However, running the database, web server, and other system services can put a reasonable load on your CPU, so for the Core (or hybrid), bigger is better. In contrast, Media Directors have much less CPU requirements, but have other requirements.

* A PIII/733MHz system can encode one video stream using the MPEG-4 codec using 480x480 capture resolution. This does not allow for live TV watching, but does allow for encoding video and then watching it later.
* A developer states that his AMD1800+ system can almost encode two MPEG-4 video streams and watch one program simultaneously.
* A PIII/800MHz system with 512MB RAM can encode one video stream using the RTjpeg codec with 480x480 capture resolution and play it back simultaneously, thereby allowing live TV watching.
* A dual Celeron/450MHz is able to view a 480x480 MPEG-4/3300kbps file created on a different system with 30% CPU usage.
* A P4 2.4GHz machine can encode two 3300Kbps 480x480 MPEG-4 files and simultaneously serve content to a remote frontend.

==Motherboard==
Any Linux-compatible motherboard (95% chance yours will work) will run smoothly, give or take a few features (SPDIF, etc.). See the [[:Category:Mainboards|mainboards category]] for more information and experience with these.

==RAM==
For a bare minimum core, 256MB+ of RAM is needed. For machines encoding/decoding media and/or running desktop applications 512MB+ is needed for smooth function. 1GB at least is recommended. (4GB+ will require a 64-bit OS (now available in LinuxMCE 0710 and later versions)).

==Hard Drive==
Each Core PC's hard drive(s) should have at least 4 GB (to install the OS). You will need additional media storage for network-boot images, PVR storage, etc. However, with NAS, external hard drives, and extra internal hard drives either on the Core or other Media Director PCs, the system's overall storage capacity can easily be increased.

==DVD/CD-ROM==
A DVD drive is required on the Core PC if installing with the Quick Install DVD. However, the LinuxMCE system can also be installed on the Core from CDs (and therefore only a CD-ROM is required), as long as the Core is not going to be used as a hybrid. Each Media Director PC ought to have its own DVD drive, in order to insert and watch DVDs locally.

==Graphic card==
The graphic cards that work best with LinuxMCE are the cards with a chipset NVidia. It is recommended to use one from a GeForce 6200 to a GeForce 8500. (Others may work, you may have to test them or look in [[:Category:Graphic_Cards]] if yours is listed).
It is not recommended to use ATI cards because the drivers have some bugs that LinuxMCE is using. It is working (with the standard UI1) but not supported.
See the section [[Display_Drivers|Display Drivers]] for the installation steps of the drivers

==TV Video Capture Cards==

Also see the [[:Category:TV Cards|TV Cards Category]].

*pcHDTV manufactures and supplies cards just for Linux that provide HDTV and analog capabilities. An example is the [http://www.pchdtv.com/ HD-5500].

*Plextor ConvertX PVR devices are supported through [http://www.plextor.com/english/support/LinuxSDK.htm Linux drivers]. MythTV can use the Plextor to capture hardware encoded MPEG-4, lowering CPU requirements for similar functions.

*[[Hauppauge WinTV-PVR-USB2]] ([http://www.isely.net/pvrusb2/ Linux driver available]) emulates a PVR-x50 card.

*IP Recorder (RTSP, RTS, UDP)

:MPEG-2, MPEG-4 and H.264 internet TS stream recording is supported using the IPTV recorder in MythTV. This recorder expects the channels to be supplied as a m3u playlist. If your DSL/Fiber provider supplies television service, but does not provide a m3u playlist for the channels, you can construct one for your own use. You do not need to download it from the same server as the streams themselves, and can also read it from a file if this is more convenient.

:If your provider uses 5C encryption on a particular channel, you won't be able to get any content.
*DBoxII or other devices running Neutrino

:You may use the Ethernet port of an DBoxII or a similar device to capture MPEG2. Your set top box has to be running the Neutrino GUI.
*USB Capture Devices.

==Sound Card==

Also see the [[:Category:Audio|Audio Category]].

The system needs a [[:Category:Audio|sound card]] or an on-board equivalent on the motherboard to play back and in most cases, to record sound. Any sound card that can be operated by the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Advanced_Linux_Sound_Architecture ALSA] (Advanced Linux Sound Architecture) kernel modules will work with MythTV. However, some cards and drivers will provide better quality or compatibility than others. In particular, many audio devices included on motherboards can be problematic.

A common practice for capturing the audio associated with a video is to run a cable from the "audio out" of the video capture card to the "line in" on the sound card. Some video capture cards, however, provide on-board audio capabilities that work with the Linux kernel btaudio module. The need for a cable is eliminated for these cards. When multiple capture cards are used in a single PC, this capability becomes important, so that each capture card will not need its own sound card.

A separate sound card is still required for playback when using btaudio. Often, audio recorded in this way will be mono only. See the [http://www.ibiblio.org/pub/Linux/docs/HOWTO/BTTV btaudio] section for more information.

==Miscellaneous interfaces==
*LinuxMCE supports the Sony VGP-XL1B CD/DVD jukebox (drive + changer), as well as the compatible PowerFile models. These jukeboxes require a FireWire connector.

===FireWire===
*You may use the [[FireWire]] output of the [[Motorola DCT6200]] or the [[Motorola SA3250|SA3250]].

=User Feedback=
Please see the article on [[adding your own hardware]] to the [[:Category:Hardware|Hardware Category]] and help out by contributing your experience with the hardware you have tried.

= See Also =
*[[:Category:Hardware|Hardware Category]]

=External references=
* [[Useful Accessories]]
* [https://wiki.ubuntu.com/HardwareSupport Ubuntu hardware wiki]
* [http://www.mythtv.org/wiki/index.php/Category:Hardware MythTV hardware wiki]
* [http://www.voip-info.org/wiki/view/Asterisk+hardware Asterisk hardware]
* [http://forum.linuxmce.com/index.php?topic=1711.0 Building a New Rig]
* [http://forum.linuxmce.com/index.php?topic=1353.msg8341#msg8341 For those wanting to roll your own box ...]

Troubleshooting

2008-09-03T17:17:27Z

Immortel:

{| align="right"
| __TOC__
|}
== Reset the password for the LinuxMCE Admin site ==
[[Reset the password for the LinuxMCE Admin site]]
== My device is not started properly ==
[[My device is not started properly]]
== svn default properties ==
[[svn default properties]]
== Adding new computing apps ==
[[Adding new computing apps]]
== Installing on a new platform ==
[[Installing on a new platform]]
== Windows|Installer for Windows ==
[[Windows|Installer for Windows]]
== Installer Problems ==
[[Installer Problems]]
== AVWizard#How_A.2FV_Wizard_Starts|After installation my screen is black ==
[[AVWizard#How_A.2FV_Wizard_Starts|After installation my screen is black]]
== Testing and troubleshooting devices ==
[[Testing and troubleshooting devices]]
== MDs Do Not Network (PXE) Boot ==
[[MDs Do Not Network (PXE) Boot]]
== Internal and External networks swapped/not working ==
[[Internal and External networks swapped/not working]]

== Orbiter cannot register with the router. please try again later. ==
I've seen this error before if the Asterisk was disabled:
go to the web admin page (type your core's IP in a browser) and from the upper menu, choose wizard / devices / core and see if the 'Asterisk' check-box is checked. 
Once I've checked it again, at the next reload, the error dissappeared. 
 
But it might be another reason for it, too.
[http://forum.linuxmce.com/index.php?topic=1556.msg7023#msg7023]

== E: Could not get lock /var/lib/apt/lists/lock - open (11 Resource temporarily unavailable) ==
maybe this will do the trick: 
1. clean apt-get: apt-get clean 
2. go to /var/lib/apt/lists and do mv lock lock.old. 
 
then , rerun the installer.
[http://forum.linuxmce.com/index.php?topic=1895.msg8621#msg8621]

== How to change LMCE's DHCP settings ==
Go to Web Admin -> Advanced -> Network -> Network Settings [http://forum.linuxmce.com/index.php?topic=1765.msg8647#msg8647]

If you go to the "devices tree" in the LinuxMCE Admin Website you can see that the top level devices have MAC- and IP- addresses specified [http://forum.linuxmce.com/index.php?topic=1765.msg8599#msg8599]

== LMCE loses its Network connection during the install ==
# Just go to a terminal and sudo ifdown eth0 and sudo ifup eth0 this should reconnect to internet. [http://forum.linuxmce.com/index.php?topic=1937.msg8820#msg8820]
# To solve this just re-boot and re-start the LMCE installer when it loses connection, then it'll go all the way through. [http://forum.linuxmce.com/index.php?topic=1937.msg8854#msg8854]
# Do '''sudo apt-get install arping''' before starting the LMCE installer, reboot first and make sure you are still connected to the net. [http://forum.linuxmce.com/index.php?topic=1937.msg8854#msg8854]

== The installer downloaded from the website doesn't work ==
Make sure you are using the MCE installer from the CD's Not from the link on the web site, the one the web site is for ubuntu 6.10

If you used the one from the link on the website.
Delete the install script and install the one from the CD. [http://forum.linuxmce.com/index.php?topic=1934.msg8821#msg8821]

== Applications are not started (Slimserver, Asterisk, ..) ==
Make sure you have a supported soundcard in the core. The AppServer device segfaults if amixer fails to detect the mixer. The fix involves adding a sound care or added a fake sound card as below:
modprobe snd-dummy
Make it permanent by adding snd-dummy to the end of /etc/modules by
vi /etc/modules
and adding snd-dummy to bottom of file.

== SPDIF output only gives sound with Dolby Digital (no PCM) ==
Verify your mixer settings with e.g. "kmixer". Dolby Digital is not affected by the volume setting as it uses "ac3 passthrough".

== Generating Orbiter suddenly slows down at some point ==
Set fs.file-max=200000 in /etc/sysctl.conf and run sysctl -p

== The settings in AVWizard are not good and X is crashing ==
Reboot the computer and press SHIFT when you hear the descending beeps.
The AVWizard will start again.

[[Category:Documentation]]