Would some kind soul be willing to offer a total linux noob some advice on what to do next?
I got an install of Ubuntu 8.04 running and installed the last package release 12195 and it works, sort of, but I don't know what to do next. There are two big and one minor problems 1. when running the XBMC flashes constantly whether just sitting at the main screen or playing a video or song. 2. any time I try to open a folder that I've added as a resource containing more than a few files or folders XBMC crashes to the desktop.
I know there are updates and patches, I've seen the daily SVN updates page but it's pretty much like looking at hieroglyphics at this point. With the linux resources I have I'm sure i can figure out HOW to compile and run some of this but I don't have a clue what needs done next.
I'm running Ubuntu 8.04 on
Intel Core 2 Duo 3.0 ghz
2 gig of RAM
ATI Radeon HD 2600 Pro
Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks for the reply folks. I got the lastest PPA installed and one of my major problems is gone (crashing when loading large number of files or folders) but that persistent screen flashing is still there. I used EnvyNG to make sure I have the latest driver for my card...
Is there somewhere else more appropriate to ask specific questions about problems?
You have Ubuntu's crappy desktop effects off? (system > preferences > appearance) This is a common source of problems that no ones seems to be able to find in the many (probably nearing 100) posts that cover it.
FWIW, when my screen dims as a sort of screensaver I see flashes too but have not noticed them any other time. <weird>
"You have Ubuntu's crappy desktop effects off?"
DOH! I was going to reply and say I had it off but I thought I'd check again and wah-lah ...
Guess I got it on the first install of Ubuntu but forgot to switch it off on my second try.
Thanks!
Just out of curiosity, does anyone know of any program that will play Blu-Ray disks and runs on Unbuntu? I suppose it's not likely XBMC will be able to make use of my LG Blu-Ray/HD DVD drive, will it? Sure would be great if I could scrap Windows and the dual boot all together.
There's no way that I'm aware of to remove all the BR/HDDVD protections in Linux, much less play on the fly. I use AnyDVD HD on another PC and remux into mkv files, similar to the techniques described in the link in BLKMGC's sig.
Rip the BD disks using AnyDVD and eac3to, compress them using meGUI w/H.264 in a MKV container, and be happy! All of my media is ripped and all HD is compressed this way. Looks awesome and plays great under XBMC on Linux.
@
BLKMGK
what is the size of the file after conversion.
Depends on how much you compress it. I use a fairly heavy bitrate and a pile of custom switches - most likely overkill but I want as much quality as possible! So...
Jumper is only 7Gig, watching that tonight - size seems fishy
I am Legend - 12Gig
HitMan 11.8Gig
Batman begins 8.9
Matrix Reloaded 12Gigs
National Treasure Book of Secrets 10.6Gigs
You get the idea. You'd be VERY surprised at how small some of these are on the original media! BD has a method for swapping in scenes for various releases vs HD-DVD's way of duping movies that is a help for saving space. I use AC3 surround sound usually but there are other tracks you can use too - see the eac3to thread on Doom9 for help with that. I've got a tutorial on Doom9 and other places on how *I* do this stuff, would be happy to help others figure it out but probably best on another forum <shrug>
I've been using eac3to after seeing BLKMGK's posts and find it a great tool.
I don't touch the video bitrate though as I am looking for the best quality.
I take the best audio track available (lossless hopefully) and convert to 1500 DTS. I believe this is the best quality I can get via SPDIF. Looks and sounds amazing. File sizes are larger though with Matrix Reloaded at 15.5Gig and Casino Royale at 26Gig.
But HDD are cheap these days so I just keep stuffing em in the server
Compress one and drop the audio bitrate to 640, I will bet you do not see a difference. I can share the profile I use if you're using meGUI but it's likely overkill. Anyway, XBMC plays the files perfectly and the sound \video is terrific!
I will have a go with your profile if you can share, thank you.
I have made a few with two audio tracks, 1 1500 dts and 1 640 ac3 and can definitely tell the difference. I play it out through an
Integra DTR 10.5 with
VAF signature series speakers. (It has taken close to 8 years to put this together, as it not cheap and I'm not wealthy)
My concern with lowering the video resolution is I hope to be getting a Sony Bravia native 1080p LCD. I want to keep the pixel remapping to a minimum.
Thanks again
snappz