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In this instructable will show you from start to finish how to make your media center.
XBMC is an award-winning free and open source (GPL) software media player and entertainment hub for digital media. XBMC is available for Linux, OSX, and Windows. Created in 2003 by a group of like minded programmers, XBMC is a non-profit project run and developed by volunteers located around the world. More than 50 software developers have contributed to XBMC, and 100-plus translators have worked to expand its reach, making it available in more than 30 languages. (via XBMC.org)
Background:
Hardware, You will need a tv with eather a pc, dvi, or HDMI input, a computer with the same output as your tv, a network/internet and a USB remote.
Software, we will be using 4 different programs.
Windows 7 Ultimate, Enterprise, or Professional
XBMC, the actual media center
input director, allows remote control
Event Ghost, This will make everything work.
Optional: Kylo web browser
XBMC is an award-winning free and open source (GPL) software media player and entertainment hub for digital media. XBMC is available for Linux, OSX, and Windows. Created in 2003 by a group of like minded programmers, XBMC is a non-profit project run and developed by volunteers located around the world. More than 50 software developers have contributed to XBMC, and 100-plus translators have worked to expand its reach, making it available in more than 30 languages. (via XBMC.org)
Background:
Hardware, You will need a tv with eather a pc, dvi, or HDMI input, a computer with the same output as your tv, a network/internet and a USB remote.
Software, we will be using 4 different programs.
Windows 7 Ultimate, Enterprise, or Professional
XBMC, the actual media center
input director, allows remote control
Event Ghost, This will make everything work.
Optional: Kylo web browser
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The first step is to set up the equipment. You will need a keyboard and mouse to start but we can quickly get rid of them and operate wirelessly from a laptop. (optional) hook everything up and make sure it all works. Now since there are a million variables with the computer and tv I am leaving this step vague. Google is a great source. The process is pretty simple. Take your VGA, DVI, or HDMI cable and plug the computer into the tv. If you have front USB ports plug your KB and Mouse into those.
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Assuming you DON'T leave the XBMC frontend, AND you have a smart phone, download the official XBMC remote that will wirelessly operate the xbmc through your wifi network. No separate laptop needed. I have a wired usb keyboard with ports and trackball mounted on a board that i simply plug in when i need to work OUTSIDE of xbmc.
Skin it! i prefer Transparency! as it looks nicer, has more features than the stock skin, and seems simpler to operate.
Add-ons! by far some of the best things you can do is to install add-ons. streaming, scrapers, different views application launchers, theres so much to do.
Enable UPnP in networking, let your other toys around the house find and use your shared media files (PS3 works well with it) but you MUST keep XBMC running to use it. now you have MULTIPLE systems you can watch media on!
I would agree with the other posters, its cheaper to make this run on a linux setup, and mint IS the way to go. I run linux mint 10 with xbmc (both 10.1 and 11.0 on different builds) and its pretty easy to setup. the OS installs like any other OS and gives you the option to try before installing to make sure everything works right. and installing xbmc is as easy as looking at the online documentation or going to ainer.org and following what they do to a "T" for an awesome setup.
in the next few months, i hope to assemble all the parts needed to create an all in one hidden htpc/server, speaker enclosure, media shelf, DLP stand. Im currently considering re-purposing an old console stereo cabinet, if i can find the right style.
Personaly I have a MCE remote and the android app. the only reason I have input director is if I decide to do somehting else I dont need to find a keyboard and mouse. I also have a Logitech media board for the PS3 that is awsome for mediacenters.
I like the aeon MQ2 theme. actually MQ3 now with eden. My goal with this artical was to make a really easy guide with stuff people had around. I love the suggestions and I am going to make another with what ever turns out to be the best setup.