2014-04-12, 15:59
Hi all,
I have a bit of a specific setup question… I'm setting up a combined NAS/HTPC machine based on Arch Linux. Since it will act as a NAS, it will be running all the time, with all administration done headless. But at the same time, since it is a HTPC, it will also display XBMC on my TV sometimes. Now, I have the basic setup working, and I'm using CEC for remote control, which all works beautifully. But I'm thinking about what would be the best way of running XBMC only when the TV is on and actually in use, for a smooth experience (think WAF, even though I dislike that term) as well as for energy-efficiency?
I'm looking for a high-level answer – the nitty-gritty with scripting etc would come later
What I want to achieve, just to be clear:
A few alternatives that I've come up with, not sure which one is best, or if I should be doing something else entirely:
What do you think would be a good way to go? Grateful for any suggestions!
I have a bit of a specific setup question… I'm setting up a combined NAS/HTPC machine based on Arch Linux. Since it will act as a NAS, it will be running all the time, with all administration done headless. But at the same time, since it is a HTPC, it will also display XBMC on my TV sometimes. Now, I have the basic setup working, and I'm using CEC for remote control, which all works beautifully. But I'm thinking about what would be the best way of running XBMC only when the TV is on and actually in use, for a smooth experience (think WAF, even though I dislike that term) as well as for energy-efficiency?
I'm looking for a high-level answer – the nitty-gritty with scripting etc would come later
What I want to achieve, just to be clear:
- No terminal ever visible on the TV (when XBMC is not running, it could be blank or show an image)
- As low power consumtion as possible when the TV is not on (leave as much for NAS/serving processes as possible)
A few alternatives that I've come up with, not sure which one is best, or if I should be doing something else entirely:
- Start standalone X session with XBMC when TV is started, exit the session when TV is turned off (this drops me back at a tty after – can I make that a black screen instead somehow?)
- Start a very minimal X session automatically on boot, with energy settings that would turn off the screen on idle; start XBMC in this session when TV is turned on; quit XBMC when TV is turned off
- Have XBMC running all the time (is this efficient, if it outputs video to a turned-off screen? I'd rather not enable energy saving within XBMC itself, because then it would go to sleep while the TV is on; yes, I'm picky )
What do you think would be a good way to go? Grateful for any suggestions!