XBMC Babylon Beta 1 Available For Download

Boxee is based on XBMC fyi

4DoorSkyline

very kool... how is this different from boxee? J/w

@r0ckstarferlife:

Boxee has its little social network and it as well as Plex have built-in plugin collections for direct installation. Boxee can't use standard XBMC skins, but Plex can.

So is none of this available for the 360?

@greasypigarvin: No, only the original xbox (along with the other platforms).

If you follow the link of the 5 themes, one of said skins happens to be an awesome 360 theme.

Skin skin skin.

Use TVersity, works a treat.

laze

just_laze

@greasypigarvin:

Well, the 360 can alrady play a variety of video types, and do photo slideshows via a connected drive, NAS, or computer running Vista.

witnessx

Now if only I could find a way to EASILY get this onto my original Xbox. Hmmmmmmm...

Brandon Terrill

@Brandon Terrill: There actually is. Lifehacker did a How-to some time ago. Here is the link:
[lifehacker.com]

You just need a copy of Splinter Cell.

CapitalJigga

@r0ckstarferlife: They are basically the same, Boxee is based on XBMC but adds more "social" web2.0 features.

On the Apple TV, I also find that XMBC runs better than Boxee. My divx movies tend to skip (just a bit) under Boxee, but run fine in XBMC.
The interface and navigating menus is also quicker in XBMC.

CapitalJigga

does it let you play xbox games or is that feature cut off

@qwijybo: Original Xbox games? Yes. I'm not sure if you can play online with a soft mod, but I can't imagine you'd have to many people to play with these days.

@witnessx: It still has nothing on XBMC. Just sayin.

@PobreGizmo: oh yeah, and once I had all my ducks in a row, it probably took 15 minutes total.

PobreGizmo

@2-7offsuit is ioos: I found a great softmod yesterday (SID4) that lets you boot normally if you turn the xbox on by opening the cd tray. then it works just like a normal xbox, live and all.

PobreGizmo

@CapitalJigga: Agreed. I just softmodded an xbox yesterday. If you have a friend with a modded xbox, it makes the process super easy. Otherwise, splice a controller extender into a usb cord (just cut them open, splice, and match up the four matching colors, and you're there), then download the action replay software and move the softmodder to an xbox memory card. PM me if you want help.

PobreGizmo

@just_laze: Even though it is in no way a replacement for or similar product to XBMC? Okay.

PobreGizmo

@2-7offsuit is ioos: I was just logging in to say the same and your comment appeared. I knew I followed you for a reason.

PobreGizmo

I hope this is a lot faster than the last release on the xbox, I've had numerous issues with Atlantis running slow and unnecessarily swapping.

KA-CHUNK KA-CHUNK KA-CHUNK while switching menus...

And most of the 3rd party skins have some glaring issue which prevents me from using them...

Mykie Gunderson

forget skins. can somebody please walk me through how i can get to install all scripts and plugins. please start with what the difference between a script and a plugin is and where I can find them. Please don't point me to xbmcscripts.com. I just want to be able to watch youtube, veoh, metacafe, hulu etc., and use firefox on xbmc. Is that possible? How?

sisya

forget skins. can somebody please walk me through how i can get to install all scripts and plugins. please start with what the difference between a script and a plugin is and where I can find them. Please don't point me to xbmcscripts.com. I just want to be able to watch youtube, veoh, metacafe, hulu etc., and use firefox on xbmc. Is that possible? How?

sisya

@[xbmc.org]

Additional questions/reading look around or post on the plugin/script end user forum. [xbmc.org]

Basic difference between a script and plugin is that a script takes over the entire interface, and a plugin is essentially just adds additional "directories" of content within the regular interface. At least as far as I can tell.

The plugin/script process isn't as polished as it seems to be with boxee (probably plex too, don't have a mac to try it with). But I think that additionally polish in boxee has taken away some of the flexibility you get with plugins in xbmc. Flexibility can equal confusion for some.. so ymmv.

I wish these guys would add tuner support. Without tuner/dvr/guide I would have to give up too much to switch over from plain old media center. Shame too because it looks great!

JerryA

I wish these guys would add tuner support. Without tuner/dvr/guide I would have to give up too much to switch over from plain old media center. Shame too because it looks great!

JerryA

Niiiice, can't wait to try it.

jquack

Would love to be able to get Hulu working on XBMC (for Xbox-and natively not through Play-on or some other hack). With NBC and CBS and a few other networks already on there I don't watch much live tv anymore. (Record and stream the rest from my PC)

ri59

*hdhomerun*

Saptak Sen

Is hdmomerun support there yet when running on Apple TV?

Saptak Sen

@CaffeineCarlton:

I'm sorry.. but I said don't point me to xbmcscripts.com. I believe that includes "don't point me to xbmcscripts.com via xbmc.org" -->[xbmc.org] --> every fucking script on that page is for the xbox and if you scroll all the way to the bottom, they send you on a wild goose chase to xbmcscripts.com. I'm sorry if I sound a little angry but I've spent a freaking week on this installing, reinstalling, python fucking errors, fake "retrieving content" screens, youtube how-to videos with no effin' audio and what not. All I need is for someone to walk me through installing a youtube plugin and/or script and whatever else it takes to get youtube to work on xbmc for windows XP SP3 on a sony vaio laptop.

sisya

Anyone know a good tutorial for setting up a MythTV backend with xbmcmythtv plugin so I can use XBMC as the frontend?

@2-7offsuit is ioos: True. The Xbox 360 can't even handle subtitles from srt files which pretty much makes it useless as a media player for the non-english speaking folk.

ninjaviking

@2-7offsuit is ioos: True. The Xbox 360 can't even handle subtitles from srt files which pretty much makes it useless as a media player for the non-english speaking folk.

ninjaviking

Is that graphic from a movie or something?

r2mahara

@JerryA: Now i've not used this myself as I dont really have a use for a DVR but I've heard that if you use it on linux you can add mythTV features to XBMC via the scripting interface.

Alexander Ward

running xbmc for a while now... you can set it to launch videos with media player classic instead of the built in player...it boggles the mind that some people pay for shitty windows mce...this freebie owns it...

urbanturban666

Can some one explain the advantage of media center software?

I have over 200 GB of music, no video. I watch most of my TV through Hulu and over the air on my HD TV. I watch my DVDs through a dedicated player or Blu-Rays on my PS3.

Given my setup what advantage would I gain by using something like XBMC?

cocasio

@PobreGizmo: Just PMed you, hope you are able to help :)

John Tan

@PobreGizmo: Just PMed you, hope you are able to help :)

John Tan

My biggest complaint is the lack of a one-stop or "official" location for XBMC scripts & plugins. You would think XBMC's homepage would be a great place for that... if their script page didn't consist entirely of this:

"XBMC plugins and scripts can soon be download from xbmc.org.

Source for for XBMC plugins can be download from Google Code."

Yeah, it's said the same, broken Engrish bullshit for over six months. Very unprofessional and shady in my book. With this kind of lack of professional Web page programming, I'm shocked that a) XBMC keeps topping charts for "best media manager" and b) doesn't come bundled with spy/ad/bloat-ware. My guess is the same crowd of leet h4xx0rz who think Linux should be run entirely from the command line are the same folks who effortlessly hunt down scripts for XBMC.

Is ease of use too much to ask for?

BlackMage is doing the Time Warp agaaaaaaain!!!

@BlackMage is doing the Time Warp agaaaaaaain!!!: Team XBMC are working on this, to have a similar "XBMC Addon Store" to what Boxee and Plex has, ...but you will probably have to wait until the 9.10 (October 2009) release.

The concept will be 'one-stop-shop' for all Plugins, Scripts, Skins, Themes, and Mods for XBMC. All down loadable and manageable directly from the XBMC GUI without the need to use a computer to transfer files.

@BlackMage is doing the Time Warp agaaaaaaain!!!: Team XBMC are working on this, to have a similar "XBMC Addon Store" to what Boxee and Plex has, ...but you will probably have to wait until the 9.10 (October 2009) release.

The concept will be 'one-stop-shop' for all Plugins, Scripts, Skins, Themes, and Mods for XBMC. All down loadable and manageable directly from the XBMC GUI without the need to use a computer to transfer files.

@BlackMage is doing the Time Warp agaaaaaaain!!!: Team XBMC are working on this, to have a similar "XBMC Addon Store" to what Boxee and Plex has, ...but you will probably have to wait until the 9.10 (October 2009) release.

The concept will be 'one-stop-shop' for all Plugins, Scripts, Skins, Themes, and Mods for XBMC. All down loadable and manageable directly from the XBMC GUI without the need to use a computer to transfer files.

Anyone updated their AppleTV to Babylon? Wondering if there any issues.

fizzypop

Anyone updated their AppleTV to Babylon? Wondering if there any issues.

fizzypop

Anyone updated their AppleTV to Babylon? Wondering if there any issues.

fizzypop

I highly recommend "Media Info Plus" to all XBMC users:
[xbmc.org]

Media Info Plus is a media management software for desktop computers (only Windows and Linux right now), it helps you sort out your file collection of downloaded Movies, TV Shows, and music to assist XBMC with the metadata collection to easily enable the beautiful eye candy galore that XBMC is capable of if it has all that information.

An alternative to Media Info Plus is "Media Companion":
[xbmc.org]

I highly recommend "Media Info Plus" to all XBMC users:
[xbmc.org]

Media Info Plus is a media management software for desktop computers (only Windows and Linux right now), it helps you sort out your file collection of downloaded Movies, TV Shows, and music to assist XBMC with the metadata collection to easily enable the beautiful eye candy galore that XBMC is capable of if it has all that information.

An alternative to Media Info Plus is "Media Companion":
[xbmc.org]

I highly recommend "Media Info Plus" to all XBMC users:
[xbmc.org]

Media Info Plus is a media management software for desktop computers (only Windows and Linux right now), it helps you sort out your file collection of downloaded Movies, TV Shows, and music to assist XBMC with the metadata collection to easily enable the beautiful eye candy galore that XBMC is capable of if it has all that information.

An alternative to Media Info Plus is "Media Companion":
[xbmc.org]

@BlackMage is doing the Time Warp agaaaaaaain!!!: ...and it is unprofessional because XBMC is a non-profit open source project made up of people who only work on XBMC Media Center in their spare time without pay.

[xbmc.org]
Team XBMC is a worldwide project with all its members located in different locations, and most (including myself) do not have English as their second or even third language.

You can not compare this to Boxee which is a commercial company with full-time paid professionals working on it.

In conclusion, stop being an arse, understand you have no right to complain if you are not paying nor actively contributing to something about it yourself.

Do your part to help out or STFU.

WTF? PowerPC support? Correct me if I'm wrong, but aren't Boxee/Plex Intel-only? I'm DEFINITELY loading this on my Dual G5! Probably won't handle HD, but for SD and most torrents, this should work fine.

SaumyaZiti

you can have XBMC update automatically.
xbmcupdate.googlecode.com

koonfused

How can I update an existing xbmc xbox to this version?

MimiBabages

@Gamester17: i just want to thank you Gamester17 and rest of the Team XBMC. you and your crew have changed my TV and Movie watching habits. XBMC has truly been one of few could parting things in my life. i will be sure to donate to XBMC...it is money well spent.

thanks again.

FYI: anybody that is running XBMC on a Classic Xbox with an HDTV should really consider getting this HD Component cable from Amazon: [www.amazon.com] its only $10.00, has really good reviews, and the picture quality is outstanding! this cable is at least as good or better than the Microsoft XBox High Definition AV Pack and costs way less. im just sayin

Seeing a lot of people bashing the lack of scripts, etc... check out: [xbmc.org]

it's an installer for all the scripts that are hosted on the XBMC SVN. Far as I know, this is the stuff that WAS at xbmcscripts.com. Works like a charm for me. Too bad no hulu...

SenorPhatnutZ

@JerryA:

I agree, I'm really looking forward to the day when they add this. Don't know if it's something their planning on or not... but I run a myth backend on my linux box to handle that. It transcodes my video and drops it in to the appropriate servers on my media hub so as soon as it's recorded it's avialable to the XBMC boxes in the house. the mythweb backend makes it convenient to use my iphone to manage my recordings (and torrents) remotely. course, if you aren't on a linux box you could use sage or something else that will run in the background to do your PVR duties.

SenorPhatnutZ

@MimiBabages:
depends on the way it was installed. easiest way is if you have a hacked xbox (mod chipped) that is running an FTP server. Then you just download the prcompiled binary for your xbox and transfer it over to your xbox. (google, T3ch, or Tech, not sure which is right) Check the forums for support, and their download page will help you out too. Also, always remember to RTFM - they got tons of info on the site: [xbmc.org]

SenorPhatnutZ

@sisya: your tone inclines me to not be helpful, but since I know how frustrating it can be to figure this stuff out here's a hint: simplify your life by installing the SVN repo installer. depending on the version of XBMC ur using, you may be able to install it to your scripts folder or may have to use the version that installs as a video plugin. check out the script/plugins section of the SBMC forums here:
[xbmc.org]
The first sticky is the info you need to install the SVN Repo installer.

SenorPhatnutZ

@[xbmc.org]) which will allow you to install release version plugins and scripts directly in XBMC.

ChiliFF45

@sisya: Not for nothing but it was originally called XBox Media Center. Have you posted a question in the support forum at xbmc.org? I would think that the users there would be much more knowledgeable in XBMC scripting and would be able to assist you if you asked them for help.

ChiliFF45

@SenorPhatnutZ: +1 for SVN repo installer. It has all the plugins you want and installs them automatically.

@sisya: As for hand-holding someone with such a bad attitude, piss off. No one at xbmc.org forums is going to help you if you ask like that. First bit of advice, take a chill pill and ask nicely. Second: clear out everything and install the latest T3CH build of xbmc, before you go asking for help. Third, go to the forums at xbmc.org and read up. If you're still clueless, ask a polite, well-informed question, detailing what you've tried already. Oh, and if you're asked what version of xbmc you're using, don't say "latest" tell them the actual version #.

FYI, Hulu no workie, so don't bother installing that plugin.

Sion28

@SaumyaZiti: It should handle 720p Xvid's just fine, given that the old xbox can play these, I'm sure your dual g5 could. There's a big thread on xbmc.org on how to re-encode HD movies to high-bitrate Xvid's @ 720p resolution. They look awesome.

Sion28

@[lifehacker.com] from lifehacker, but for updated you might be hard. I would just find a release and good it (maybe one like "Installer deluxe") which i just found the TPB. But by following guides and tutorials, its really not that difficult.

redlandmover

@cocasio: Probably not much, as you dont have many videos. XBMC does have a decent music section in it, but if you use anything like iTunes or songbird, i wouldn't change. Mainly XBMC is used to organize a MASSIVE video collection. I'm up to 4.5 TB on my server, and without XBMC, I'd be staring at folder upon folders. But, since you are running all your videos through Hulu, I'd say skip XBMC (until Hulu gets their act together and start supporting other platforms other than browsers)

redlandmover

any reason why I should upgrade to this beta?

craig198

@SaumyaZiti: I installed it on my 1.4 GHz iBook G4 and it's working great. I don't have any HD stuff, but I'm very pleased with how it's performing at least with SD.

@sisya: Wow, you're kinda a dick for someone asking for help. Motivated? Me? Nope.

Ok, I gave in and found a $40 xbox. I've downloaded XBMC. But now, I have learned, I need to softmod the thing. I have googled the heck out of it and read about 20 different ways to do this...but is there a best, up-to-date and easy way for us idiots? Any and all help is greatly appreciated, thank you!

@Saptak Sen: Yes

@JerryA: Team-XBMC are working on this, and basic support should hopefully be in the XBMC 9.10 (scheduled for October 2008) point release, ...but if you can not wait then you can compile XBMC yourself from the "unified-pvr" SVN branch, more on that in XBMC official forums, just do a search for "unified AND pvr"

@SaumyaZiti: You are correct. Boxee and Plex only support x86 (Intel) processors.

...and also, while XBMC and Boxee runs on both Mac OS X 10.4 (Tiger) and Mac OS X 10.5 (Leopard), Plex only supports Mac OS X 10.5 (Leopard).

Both Boxee and Plex are based on XBMC Media center.

@qwijybo: turn the XBOX on with a disc in the tray and you go straight into the game - you never see XBMC.

@Brandon Terrill: Yup, I followed LH's tutorial, and a couple of others, to do this over Christmas.

Took some doing, but I got there! The hardest part was trying to use a USB stick as the XBOX memory card instead of just getting a memory card. Once I made that (used) purchase, it was super smooth.

The worst part is the amount of time I'm spending ripping all our DVDs to the PC.