2009-06-30, 23:57
Hi all,
There's been quite a few questions of late on how to get the best out of a Acer Aspire Revo, so I thought I'd put this guide together for you all.
For those unfamiliar with this cheap little computer, the Acer AspireRevo was the first NVIDIA ION based Nettop available for retail purchase, and via the VDPAU API it is with XBMC for Linux capable of playing back practically all 1080p high-definition video files that you can throw at it.
Full credit for this HOW-TO step-by-step guide goes to draggy, who's tutorial work I have modified. I have taken the liberty of using nano instead of vi in this HOW-TO guide and also installing the very latest SVN release of XBMC Media Center so that you can use all the cutting-edge skins. Please bear in mind that SVN releases can be buggy, however so far I personally have never had any problems.
To keep things simple I recommend using a cheap HTPC remote control and IR receiver of the Microsoft MCE variety. They tend to work directly out-of-the-box in XBMC without the need to install and configure LIRC or any keymapping. I myself purchased a Cyberlink unit from eBay for under £10 delivered. If yours doesn't work, just install LIRC - it's easy to do. Then you should check out the LIRC sticky for tips to get it going.
Everybody says that you need 2GB memory in the Revo to use XBMC effectively with all 1080p videos. I do have 2GB memory in my Revo but so far is has always had over 1GB free no matter what I do, so I suggest to treat that suggestion as advisable but not essential. This also applies to changing the graphics memory in BIOS of the Revo from Auto (256MB) to 512MB to be able to playback all 1080p videos, it is well worth doing but on my build I persoanlly haven't really noticed a difference.
If you're wanting the easiest way possible to do the following, use this post.
Installing Ubuntu
1. Download the Ubuntu 9.04 Jaunty Jackalope minimal cd from here: https://help.ubuntu.com/community/Instal.../MinimalCD
Note: Please use the 32-bit CD.
2. Burn the ISO to a disk (or USB key) and boot your HTPC from it.
3. Start the installation and follow the instructions.
4. When the installation asks for a username / password, enter xbmc / xbmc.
5. OPTIONAL If you want to do most of the steps remotely with ssh, choose openssh when asked if you want to install more packages.
6. Finish the installation and reboot.
Updating the computer
1. Log in as the xbmc user
2. Add the right repositories to the sources list:
3. Add the SVN and addons to the bottom of the list:
4. Then add the right keys:
5. Update the library:
Install ALSA for sound
1. Install ALSA:
2. There is a bug in Mini Jaunty where the user's account doesn't get added to the audio group, to fix that:
3. Type:
4. Use your arrow keys and turn up the volumes for Master and PCM.
5. Un-mute Master and PCM by selecting each one and pressing the M key. (The grey MM at the bottom will change to a green OO when un-muted.)
6. Press the escape key to exit
7. Now save the audio volumes:
Install the NVIDIA drivers
Rachel has offered the following advice including stuff that has been merged above:
Install XBMC
1. Start the installation:
2. You can install any of the following:
Make the system log in automatically
1. Make the xbmc user log in to tty1 automatically:
change:
to:
2. Create the .bash_profile file:
Insert into the new file:
3. Make XBMC start with X:
Insert into the new file and save:
Add power management
1. Add power management utilities so XBMC can control the HTPC's power functions: (this may already be installed)
2. Add the xbmc user to the power utilies groups, thanks to Pvt_Ryan for the commands:
OK... that's the grunt-work done... now reboot:
and you should see XBMC.
If you have any video issues afterwards, type:
To get the best out of it, go to Settings, Videos, Player and set Render Method to VDPAU. Then go to Settings, System, Audio Hardware and set the following:
This will give you stereo, mono and MP3s playing at the right speed. If you have a surround sound system capable of AC3 or DTS you can turn them on as needed.
Making startup look better
You can install usplash to get rid of all the text on boot. This is the Ubuntu default:
but there are posts telling you how to get a number of XBMC themed splash screens.
OK, that's it for now. I'll edit this HOW-TO article as needed.
Enjoy!
Pete
PS! If you still do not feel comfortable with installing Ubuntu and XBMC for Linux on your own then you might instead be interested in checking out burgemaster's tutorial on HOW-TO install XBMC Live on Acer Aspire Revo - The Complete Guide for Newbies which will help you get XBMC Live installed on the Acer AspireRevo.
There's been quite a few questions of late on how to get the best out of a Acer Aspire Revo, so I thought I'd put this guide together for you all.
For those unfamiliar with this cheap little computer, the Acer AspireRevo was the first NVIDIA ION based Nettop available for retail purchase, and via the VDPAU API it is with XBMC for Linux capable of playing back practically all 1080p high-definition video files that you can throw at it.
Full credit for this HOW-TO step-by-step guide goes to draggy, who's tutorial work I have modified. I have taken the liberty of using nano instead of vi in this HOW-TO guide and also installing the very latest SVN release of XBMC Media Center so that you can use all the cutting-edge skins. Please bear in mind that SVN releases can be buggy, however so far I personally have never had any problems.
To keep things simple I recommend using a cheap HTPC remote control and IR receiver of the Microsoft MCE variety. They tend to work directly out-of-the-box in XBMC without the need to install and configure LIRC or any keymapping. I myself purchased a Cyberlink unit from eBay for under £10 delivered. If yours doesn't work, just install LIRC - it's easy to do. Then you should check out the LIRC sticky for tips to get it going.
Everybody says that you need 2GB memory in the Revo to use XBMC effectively with all 1080p videos. I do have 2GB memory in my Revo but so far is has always had over 1GB free no matter what I do, so I suggest to treat that suggestion as advisable but not essential. This also applies to changing the graphics memory in BIOS of the Revo from Auto (256MB) to 512MB to be able to playback all 1080p videos, it is well worth doing but on my build I persoanlly haven't really noticed a difference.
If you're wanting the easiest way possible to do the following, use this post.
Installing Ubuntu
1. Download the Ubuntu 9.04 Jaunty Jackalope minimal cd from here: https://help.ubuntu.com/community/Instal.../MinimalCD
Note: Please use the 32-bit CD.
2. Burn the ISO to a disk (or USB key) and boot your HTPC from it.
3. Start the installation and follow the instructions.
4. When the installation asks for a username / password, enter xbmc / xbmc.
5. OPTIONAL If you want to do most of the steps remotely with ssh, choose openssh when asked if you want to install more packages.
6. Finish the installation and reboot.
Updating the computer
1. Log in as the xbmc user
2. Add the right repositories to the sources list:
Code:
sudo nano /etc/apt/sources.list
3. Add the SVN and addons to the bottom of the list:
Code:
deb http://ppa.launchpad.net/team-xbmc-svn/ppa/ubuntu jaunty main
deb-src http://ppa.launchpad.net/team-xbmc-svn/ppa/ubuntu jaunty main
deb http://ppa.launchpad.net/xbmc-addons/ppa/ubuntu jaunty main
deb-src http://ppa.launchpad.net/xbmc-addons/ppa/ubuntu jaunty main
deb http://ppa.launchpad.net/ubuntu-x-swat/x-updates/ubuntu jaunty main
deb-src http://ppa.launchpad.net/ubuntu-x-swat/x-updates/ubuntu jaunty main
4. Then add the right keys:
Code:
sudo apt-key adv --recv-keys --keyserver keyserver.ubuntu.com 318C7509 64234534 AF1CDFA9
5. Update the library:
Code:
sudo apt-get update
sudo apt-get -f install
Install ALSA for sound
1. Install ALSA:
Code:
sudo apt-get install linux-sound-base alsa-base alsa-utils
2. There is a bug in Mini Jaunty where the user's account doesn't get added to the audio group, to fix that:
Code:
sudo usermod -a -G audio xbmc
3. Type:
Code:
sudo alsamixer
4. Use your arrow keys and turn up the volumes for Master and PCM.
5. Un-mute Master and PCM by selecting each one and pressing the M key. (The grey MM at the bottom will change to a green OO when un-muted.)
6. Press the escape key to exit
7. Now save the audio volumes:
Code:
sudo alsactl store 0
Install the NVIDIA drivers
Rachel has offered the following advice including stuff that has been merged above:
Code:
sudo apt-get install nvidia-glx-180
Install XBMC
1. Start the installation:
Code:
sudo apt-get install xbmc
2. You can install any of the following:
Code:
sudo apt-get install xbmc-skin-*
sudo apt-get install xbmc-eventclients-*
sudo apt-get install xbmc-scripts-*
Make the system log in automatically
1. Make the xbmc user log in to tty1 automatically:
Code:
sudo nano /etc/event.d/tty1
Code:
exec /sbin/getty 38400 tty1
Code:
exec /bin/login -f xbmc </dev/tty1 > /dev/tty1 2>&1
2. Create the .bash_profile file:
Code:
nano ~/.bash_profile
Code:
case "`tty`" in
/dev/tty1) clear && startx &>/dev/null;;
esac
3. Make XBMC start with X:
Code:
nano ~/.xsession
Code:
exec xbmc --standalone
Add power management
1. Add power management utilities so XBMC can control the HTPC's power functions: (this may already be installed)
Code:
sudo apt-get install pm-utils
2. Add the xbmc user to the power utilies groups, thanks to Pvt_Ryan for the commands:
Code:
sudo polkit-auth --user xbmc --grant org.freedesktop.hal.power-management.suspend
sudo polkit-auth --user xbmc --grant org.freedesktop.hal.power-management.hibernate
sudo polkit-auth --user xbmc --grant org.freedesktop.hal.power-management.reboot
sudo polkit-auth --user xbmc --grant org.freedesktop.hal.power-management.shutdown
sudo polkit-auth --user xbmc --grant org.freedesktop.hal.power-management.reboot-multiple-sessions
sudo polkit-auth --user xbmc --grant org.freedesktop.hal.power-management.shutdown-multiple-sessions
OK... that's the grunt-work done... now reboot:
Code:
sudo reboot
If you have any video issues afterwards, type:
Code:
sudo nvidia-xconfig
To get the best out of it, go to Settings, Videos, Player and set Render Method to VDPAU. Then go to Settings, System, Audio Hardware and set the following:
Code:
Audio Output: Digital
AC3: Off
DTS: Off
Audio Capable Device: plughw:hdmi
Passthrough Output Device: hdmi
Downmix: On
This will give you stereo, mono and MP3s playing at the right speed. If you have a surround sound system capable of AC3 or DTS you can turn them on as needed.
Making startup look better
You can install usplash to get rid of all the text on boot. This is the Ubuntu default:
Code:
sudo apt-get install usplash libusplash-dev
OK, that's it for now. I'll edit this HOW-TO article as needed.
Enjoy!
Pete
PS! If you still do not feel comfortable with installing Ubuntu and XBMC for Linux on your own then you might instead be interested in checking out burgemaster's tutorial on HOW-TO install XBMC Live on Acer Aspire Revo - The Complete Guide for Newbies which will help you get XBMC Live installed on the Acer AspireRevo.