Messages

1

Developers / Re: Building from source

« on: March 14, 2010, 05:11:25 pm »

Did you do these steps from the wiki?

Code: [Select]

pushd /var/www
wget http://deb.linuxmce.org/ubuntu/dists/intrepid/lmce-alpha2/binary-all/libft-perl_1.0_all.deb
wget http://deb.linuxmce.org/ubuntu/dists/intrepid/lmce-alpha-latest/binary-all/mail-transport-agent_1.0_all.deb
dpkg-scanpackages . >Packages
gzip -c Packages > Packages.gz
popd


2

Users / Re: 7 random questions

« on: February 25, 2010, 05:41:23 pm »

4th post in a row - sorry about that

i was able to configure the VDPAU support for xine by using the configuration screen provided by xine itself.
no tearing, perfect graphic quality, playing a 720p movie without lagging, 10-20% usage of the cpu.

thats how i wanted it

how can i do that with mplayer? using the same method by opening mplayer, configuring it, closing it, playing movie in LinuxMCE doesnt work since its calling with the start parameters -vo "xv, x11"

That sounds encouraging. I haven't touched that issue in a while and just decided to "live with it" while I worked on other projects. I'll take a stab at it this weekend and see if I can get things working with the required patches and command line switches. I know some other people have been working on it, too, so there might already be a LinuxMCE workaround out there.

You should also search for threads about the NVIDIA Ion chipsets (Zotac and Acer AspireRevo, in particular) and VDPAU in MythTV for good references.

There's also a good (and long) thread from the Ubuntu forums that might help: http://ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?t=1037625

3

Users / Re: 7 random questions

« on: February 24, 2010, 01:36:40 am »

7) i dont know how to explain that exactly - i hope you will understand ... when playing videos on my philips aurea (40'', full hd) it looks like parts of the screen are later updated than others. the best example is a flying camera over some mountains (braveheart intro e.g.) - the lower part is running smooth, the top quarter is updated later so you see the delay (looks like lagging). if you dont understand it i can try recording the screen and post the video here.

The NVIDIA driver for Linux seems to be the culprit. You can search for "tearing" (the "Z" like shape between the current frame and the previous one) and find that it's a well known issue. If you test with a clean Ubuntu install you can still make out the tearing during fast motion. Using a UI1 or UI2 without alpha blending helps the situation but the fundamental problem is still there. There are ways to cover it up but the vertical sync doesn't seem to work at all in Linux. You can blame NVIDIA's driver implementation for that. 

4

Users / Re: Remotely Access Music?

« on: December 06, 2009, 07:48:27 pm »

I have my Core setup as a subnet of my main network. I'll then connect my laptop to the external network side and play music using SoftSqueeze. You have to remember to open the proper ports for Squeezebox to connect if you're not on the LMCE internal network side.

Also, for security reasons, I use an SSH tunnel to access SqueezeCenter when on the road (hopping into one of my non-LMCE boxes on the external side of my LMCE network). If you have your Core connected directly to the Internet then I'd recommend just tunneling directly into it and not opening up the ports on your firewall. My setup is a little more convoluted because I'm usually accessing files on my non-LMCE boxes, too.

5

Users / Re: Cannot rip movies from vbox MD?

« on: August 01, 2009, 03:42:02 am »

Hi,

What I experienced on the Core - which was a little confusing - the movie would be picked up - a dialogue box would pop up and show the title.

The ripped movie would start to play for about 2 - 3 seconds and then crap out with the cssdvd message.

The next time I'd try to play it would just go to the cssdvd message.  Only after reboot would the dialogue box appear.

Have you tried a ripped source?

Make sure you set the DVD region. Linux can be picky about that for some DVD drives.

6

Developers / Re: Build 0810 Errors

« on: July 21, 2009, 12:03:58 am »

Database host:localhost user:root pass: name:main_sqlcvs_ubuntu port:3306
Users:
In table: DeviceTemplate:FK_Manufacturer:1123 Manufacturer:PK_Manufacturer:NULL
Database integrity check failed
Caught exception: Database integrity check failed
***DATABASE SCHEMA INVALID. IMPORT IS THE ONLY VALID OPTION***
Database is invalid. Import
is the only available options
Description: Pluto System Database
Path: pluto/database
sqlCVS $PLUTO_BUILD_CRED -n -v -s "InfraredGroup_Command:FK_Device,InfraredGroup_Command:FK_Users,InfraredGroup_Command_Preferred:FK_InfraredGroup_Command" -r constants -D main_sqlcvs_ubuntu dump ***FAILED***
Error: sqlCVS $PLUTO_BUILD_CRED -n -v -s "InfraredGroup_Command:FK_Device,InfraredGroup_Command:FK_Users,InfraredGroup_Command_Preferred:FK_InfraredGroup_Command" -r constants -D main_sqlcvs_ubuntu dump failed!
GetNonSourceFilesToMove failed
Aborting!

Will

I've seen that error before (after I started mucking around the with the build process). I ended up having to recreate the environment from scratch:

Code: [Select]

sudo apt-get remove mysql-server
sudo apt-get autoremove
sudo rm -r /var/lmce-build/
After that then follow the Wiki instructions for Building 0810 from Source (http://wiki.linuxmce.org/index.php/Building_LinuxMCE_0810)

roughly:

• apt-get update/upgrade
• install mysql-server
• sed cmd
• start mysql
• svn update UbuntuHelper
• install.sh
• create builder custom.conf file
• prepare.sh
• build.sh

...magic!

7

Users / Re: Alpha install failing

« on: July 19, 2009, 05:39:49 pm »

I had to edit the mce_wizard_data-double_nic.sh install file and swap eth0 with eth1. If you don't do this first (before running all the scripts and getting errors) then that file will already be copied to the /tmp folder and won't be recopied. I'm pretty sure it propagates into other config files, too, (beyond /etc/network/interfaces) so it's easier to make that change first.

8

Users / Re: Asterisk - LinuxMCE Integration

« on: July 18, 2009, 11:13:38 pm »

I would start looking in the file /etc/asterisk/extensions.conf. I think you might want to start tracing in the [macro-dial] section and follow that. It's a little confusing at first but not impossible with some basic Asterisk tutorials. I've mucked with the security portions before (/etc/asterisk/extensions_custom.conf) and the different messages were played using the Playback() command. I think they were WAV files but not sure. Also, you can edit the external Perl scripts which get executed based on button presses. Link that with some MySQL queries and DCE commands and you're rockin' LMCE remotely!

9

Developers / Re: Problem editing ruby commands for new device template

« on: July 18, 2009, 10:58:30 pm »

(off the top of my head...)

You can create a new codeset with any special name you want but ultimately you'll need to click the button to Add/Remove Commands. Then you can select the proper Generic/Internal commands you need for a Ruby GSD.

10

Developers / Re: Workshop: Datagrids

« on: July 01, 2009, 07:06:18 am »

Count me in

11

Developers / Re: Dev environment setup for just compiling

« on: July 01, 2009, 07:00:26 am »

I've only recently started getting the hang of the full source build environment, so take my suggestions with a grain of salt. One of my main issues was that I work from home and can't have my main network tied up or torn down when re-installing or rebooting LMCE. I also wanted to reduce the craziness of my network cabling scheme.

After much frustration, I finally decided to virtualize the LMCE core machine. I already had an internal test server with VirtualBox and can now use it to keep "snapshots" of my system at certain configuration points. Also, this lets me run a separate VM running just the build environment in parallel.

I use VirtualBox on an Ubuntu Server 9.04 machine with 2 NICs. One points towards the always working network (cable modem) and the other points towards my LMCE test network -- both have WiFi routers. My server, LMCE VM, and builder VM all straddle both NICs using bridged interfaces (so they all get their own "true" MACs and IPs). To help out, I set up VBox to run headless and can start and stop each one using init scripts. Logging in is easy over SSH and even using RDP to peek at the screens!

So far, I haven't had any trouble using N800s, Media Directors (1080p), my HDHomeRun, Squeezecenter, and even USB devices (ZWave, DIO boards, and RS-232 for GSD).

I know this isn't for everyone but it might ease the pains of dedicating separate machines to test, run, and build LMCE. Until I get everything sorted out it keeps media management between rebuilds a little easier, too (music and DVDs stay shared on the server for LMCE to "find" on each re-install).

Finally, I followed the same "Building 8.10 from Source" Wiki article to set the builder VM up... very helpful! You might want to also refer to this post from Thom (http://forum.linuxmce.org/index.php?topic=7462.msg55175#msg55175) for additional help on an effective build process.

12

Developers / Re: Development: Supporting Gyration Media Center Remotes

« on: May 09, 2009, 05:09:07 pm »

Are donations still being accepted for this work? I am really interested in this and would like to support it in any way possible.

13

Developers / Re: Discussion on true Multi-room Solution (continued)

« on: May 05, 2009, 01:34:52 am »

OK I have been lurking for a while,

I understand that DigiLinX cracked this problem in their Netstreams line. (http://www.netstreams.com/residential.aspx)

They can not only keep audio synced between zones but also between video playing through a ViewLinX and surround sound through SpeakerLinX.

I think they archive this by:

1) Minimize latency in all playback devices devices
2) Pass only uncompressed data over the wire (including video) using Multicasts
3) Rely on a high bandwidth gigabit switch

I think they may also time stamp all packets and use a local ntp style time sync between all devices on the net.

I'm not sure this is something LinuxMCE could or would want to offer but I thought I would at least point it out as food for thought.

Dave.

Ps. Passing uncompressed data only is the reason they are limited to 1080i at the moment. 1080p 60fps  requires more badwidth than gigabit. http://www.netstreams.com/commothertech.aspx?ID=3

 

NetStreams:
About a year ago I wanted to take the plunge and buy a full NetStreams setup. On the plus side, the system is scalable, syncs perfectly, handles audio/video streams, supports bidirectional audio (intercoms), etc. After looking at the mechanics of an install I ran into a few issues:

First, you need to use their proprietary GigE switch and dedicate it to their traffic only. I imagine you could hang a few LinuxMCE boxes off it and not get in too much trouble but it's not a supported installation method.

Second, the components are really expensive. Also, you have to contact and hire a licensed NetStreams installer to even pretend to get the products in your hands. Any devices I've been able to find, otherwise, are old demo type units. Not really a DIY type solution.

PulseAudio
As you can tell, multi-room sync'd audio is important to me. The problem I can see happens when you start listening to music in one room, add another room, and then change the source in the original room. I'm not a pulseaudio expert but I can't think of how to transfer that source to originate from a new location without restarting the stream from a new machine. I don't think pulseaudio has the ability to solve this.

Keep in mind that pulseaudio won't give any success for streaming the video part for movies, TV, or concert videos -- only the audio stream.

Softsqueeze/Squeezeslave
At the moment I've been playing a lot with softsqueeze and having pretty good luck with it. This is exciting because I can start a softsqueeze client (or even a headless squeezeslave as a command line client) from pretty much any electronic device. I like this solution because it's heavily supported, the DCE device is already made, and can turn devices not able to run as full MD's into simple music players.

Network audio pipes
As another alternative, the core could cue up each audio stream and then allow each MD (or other capable audio streaming device) to just "tune in" and play. It would require a new DCE device but might be worth the effort since it's mostly shell scripting. Here's probably the best (and easiest to jump right in) intro into piping the audio around the house: http://www.debian-administration.org/articles/145


Let me know if you guys see any glaring reason to go one way or the other. I will be working on solving this regardless (for my own enjoyment!) but it would be nice if I take the path that's most useful to the rest of the community, too! Ideas?

14

Users / Re: Stop asterisk from being hijacked

« on: May 04, 2009, 05:11:03 pm »

This was my first submission to Trac so be easy on me! I think it's in there correctly (http://svn.linuxmce.org/trac.cgi/ticket/188) but let me know if I missed something so I can do it properly next time.

15

Users / Re: Stop asterisk from being hijacked

« on: May 04, 2009, 02:08:12 am »

I've added an entry to /etc/hosts.allow for Asterisk and it seems to get the job done:

Code: [Select]

asterisk : proxy01.sipphone.com : allow
asterisk : 192.168.80. : allow
asterisk : localhost : allow
asterisk : ALL : deny

Before, I was able to easily connect the N800 SIP phone app from any external network and make dialed calls using default extension info (for example: 200,200). Now I can at least limit that access to specific hosts (or none at all) but I'm not sure if there are any security loopholes still open. Am I missing anything obvious by not trying to upgrade FreePBX and locking it down there?

Good points Thom... LegoGT, please still make the trac entry with the notes/comments referenced by myself and Thom.

No problem. I'll add it tonight.