2010-10-28, 22:46
I was a long time user of XBMC on the XBOX original. A couple of years ago in my quest for high definition I handed the XBOX down to my Mom who still happily uses it and I migrated to a PS3 and PS3 Media Server software running on my Windows Home Server. The PS3 Media Server application development has died off and it can no longer accommodate new MKV due to audio encoding issues. Long story short, I've decided to use an extra PC I have and happily return to XBMC. At least "happily" is my plan.
HARDWARE:
I've successfully run both LIVE 9.11 and Dharma BETA 3 from bootable CD, as well as successfully installed both to the hard drive (individually, not simultaneously). Both work without issue in all regards with the exception of the remote control which I cannot get to work at all. Dharma BETA 3 is currently installed but I'm happy to install whatever is necessary.
I have spent time on the forums trying to piece together the correct setup and believe I have done so.
The IR receiver is in fact receiving commands per the LED. However, XBMC does not respond. Plugging the IR receiver into a Vista PC and the Harmony successfully controls Media Center on the computer, so the hardware is physically functional.
So the issue apparently lies with either the codes the Harmony is sending the IR receiver, the way the IR receiver is feeding data to XBMC, or my configuration of XBMC.
Unfortunately I lack any (not enough, simply ANY, with the exception of what I'm doing here for XBMC LIVE) Linux experience so I'm at the mercy of extremely specific directions being provided. Many of the forum posts generically refer to Linux options and commands without specifying the full directions. So I often hit a road block.
Let me recap what I've done to configure and test LIRC.
By all accounts on the more recent forum posts this hardware should work by default without any special configuration. So I'm left to assume I'm doing something wrong that is extremely obvious to everyone but myself. Haha.
If I had to venture a guess I'd guess the XBMC is configured properly and the IR receiver is functional but the Harmony remote itself is not programmed correctly. However, I cannot figure out a way to determine what codes it's sending. It could be pushing out keyboard commands instead of IR codes, which from what I read will not work.
I'm not sure what additional data I can provide at this time so I'll patiently await some assistance.
Unrelated, with the exception of my remote control woes XMBC is truly superb. It overcomes all of the annoyances of the PS3's simplistic menu bar and reliance on DLNA servers.
Thanks.
HARDWARE:
- Ginormous PC in a 4U rack enclosure. I used to use it for hosting VST for music recording.
- Gigabyte EP45-UDR3 motherboard with built-in audio/LAN/firewire/more
- Intel Dual Core E52000 (not overclocked)
- 4GB RAM
- NVIDIA GeForce 8400
- Internal SATA hard drive and DVD drive
- Hewlett Packard IR receiver
- Logitech Harmony 880
- PS2 Key board and Mouse
I've successfully run both LIVE 9.11 and Dharma BETA 3 from bootable CD, as well as successfully installed both to the hard drive (individually, not simultaneously). Both work without issue in all regards with the exception of the remote control which I cannot get to work at all. Dharma BETA 3 is currently installed but I'm happy to install whatever is necessary.
I have spent time on the forums trying to piece together the correct setup and believe I have done so.
- Harmony 880 has a "device" for XBMC programmed as Media Center PC > Microsoft > Windows Media Center
- XBMC "activity" has buttons assigned to control Media Center PC.
- XBMC has LIRC programmed as Windows Remote All, and transmitter as None
The IR receiver is in fact receiving commands per the LED. However, XBMC does not respond. Plugging the IR receiver into a Vista PC and the Harmony successfully controls Media Center on the computer, so the hardware is physically functional.
So the issue apparently lies with either the codes the Harmony is sending the IR receiver, the way the IR receiver is feeding data to XBMC, or my configuration of XBMC.
Unfortunately I lack any (not enough, simply ANY, with the exception of what I'm doing here for XBMC LIVE) Linux experience so I'm at the mercy of extremely specific directions being provided. Many of the forum posts generically refer to Linux options and commands without specifying the full directions. So I often hit a road block.
Let me recap what I've done to configure and test LIRC.
- Access Linux prompt with CTRL+ALT+F1
- Login with my non-root user account. The default xbmc/xbmc user account is apparently disabled, I have not figured out how to create one, nor do I know if I need root level access to successfully complete this task.
- After successful login I run "sudo dpkg-reconfigure lirc" and select Windows Remote All, and transmitter as None. When I return to the prompt I type "SUDO REBOOT" and the system restarts.
- XBMC still has no remote control
- Access Linux prompt with CTRL+ALT+F1
- Login with my non-root user account.
- Run "SUDO IRW" which should theoretically show me all of the commands coming from the remote. However, I do not see anything on the screen. If I press keyboard buttons, I see various characters appear on screen. Just nothing when using the Harmony.
By all accounts on the more recent forum posts this hardware should work by default without any special configuration. So I'm left to assume I'm doing something wrong that is extremely obvious to everyone but myself. Haha.
If I had to venture a guess I'd guess the XBMC is configured properly and the IR receiver is functional but the Harmony remote itself is not programmed correctly. However, I cannot figure out a way to determine what codes it's sending. It could be pushing out keyboard commands instead of IR codes, which from what I read will not work.
I'm not sure what additional data I can provide at this time so I'll patiently await some assistance.
Unrelated, with the exception of my remote control woes XMBC is truly superb. It overcomes all of the annoyances of the PS3's simplistic menu bar and reliance on DLNA servers.
Thanks.