Messages

31

Users / Is HDMI supposed to look worse?

« on: March 09, 2009, 02:37:41 am »

Hey all, right now, I'm using a VGA interface @720p for LMCE and couldn't be happier.  However, I did dabble with HDMI for a while since my lcd tv has both vga and hdmi.  I noticed that both in LMCE and in ubntu (never tested in windows), the picture looks worse when I use a DVI>HDMI cable.  I've tested with different cables too.  Everything is alot less clear using HDMI.  Font shrinks and are unreadable. Pixels also seem alot bigger and blockier, even though I run at the same resolution as VGA.  I don't feel the need to correct this, I just want to understand why this happens.  Why does quality degrade so much?  Shouldn't quality go up?  Does anyone else experience this? 

32

Users / Re: How did you end up here, using LinuxMCE?

« on: March 09, 2009, 02:16:33 am »

My story is long and gradual, but is interesting to me when I look back on it.  It involves me moving completely from a passive windows (only used for games) to the media powerhouse of linux.  I first discovered linux in 2006.  A computer science class which everyone has to take at my school (gen ed class) involved giving presentations on windows vs. Macs.  After every point, like "windows is more vulnerable to viruses", the prof would also make a little linux jab, like "but linux doesn't get viruses at all".  So, he introduced me to ubuntu dapper drake.  I think it was 6.04.  Well, my particular lappy had some video card trouble and I gave up on linux.  I had never needed to put this much effort into getting my computers to work.  But eventually, a computer science major on my wing heard about my troubles and found a fix for me.  I finally had a working linux box.  I quickly learned to love linux, especially ubuntu. 

Then, later that year, the tech help area of my school was selling a used 32" crt monitor.  It was massive, cheap, and weighed 150+ pounds (I checked the tech specs on it), so naturally, I bought it.  I started by just playing movies and music on that monitor.  Since I was in a small dorm room, I could sit back on the couch and use this monitor hooked to my lappy.  Well, pretty soon, I wanted a dedicated computer for that monitor.  We watch alot of movies in college now-a-days, plus everyone was impressed by such a big monitor.  So, I ended up building a desktop computer to drive the monitor.  This was very nice and good, so I soon upgraded to surround sound speakers and began looking for the best linux movie player.  In that search, I discovered mythtv.  It worked pretty nice and could do music and movies, which is all I wanted.  So, then I bought a cheap IR remote and got that going.  Pretty soon, I thought I'd give TV tuners a try.  So, I began to dabble with that.  Soon, I signed up for schedules direct and ditched the 150 pound monitor for a sleek, off brand lcd tv. 

So at this point, I was just enamored with linux in general and would browse around youtube watching linux videos.  And low and behold, I came across the LMCE demo video.  I was blown away and immediately knew I wanted to chase that rabbit.  Several upgrades and a whole lot of tinkering later, I have a sweet, working system that will definitely keep expanding as I graduate college (may of 2009!) and get a house.  I can't imagine still using boring old windows.   

33

Users / Re: Do I have to use KDE?

« on: March 06, 2009, 08:16:23 pm »

Sorry Thom.  I'll try to keep my information straight, but I felt like I read that somewhere in a "future goals" section. 

34

Users / Re: Do I have to use KDE?

« on: March 06, 2009, 12:06:04 am »

I hear ya.  From time to time, I like to try out other distrobutions of linux and everytime, I come back to gnome.  With KDE, I almost always have errors out of the box, even with kubuntu 8.10.  But I agree with the earlier posts in that you should really try to learn KDE.  It will make troubleshooting that much easier when using LMCE.  I know that one of the future hopes of the devs (whether it is achieved or not is another question) is to condense LMCE from a whole OS system to an installed program.  For example, you could install ubuntu 8.10, then open synaptic and install LMCE from there.   At least, I read this at point and liked the idea of it.  And then, LMCE could spread out and get .rpms developed and yums.  That way, LMCE could integrate into a fully customizable desktop.  But for now (7.10), LMCE is heavily integrated into KDE. so learn to love it. 

35

Users / Re: "Disc detected in drive." recurring message

« on: March 03, 2009, 06:25:44 pm »

I've definitely seen dvd's that will not load properly in linux.  For example, an american carol would not mount on my LMCE or ubuntu box.  I could easily see discs loaded with DRM only mounting partially, then failing and trying again.

36

Users / Re: More info on the tearing problem

« on: March 02, 2009, 11:07:13 pm »

I've also noticed that UI2+alpha is more responsive and clears out very quickly once I've pressed a button.  In UI2+masking, calling up the gyro menu sometimes begins slowly and leaves black boxes.  I've just learned to live with it, but alpha blending eliminates that for me.

well that is almost exactly what I was experiencing. Using the steps from the wiki, specifically:

Disable De-Interlacing
Change method to libmpeg2
Enable OpenGL

Fixed that issue immediately. My UI2-masked is ultra smooth and responsive now.
Just have to figure out how to get the changes to stick on a router reload. But go ahead and try it. Just the first parts. I have not modified the recorded tv parts of it, just the playback. Makes it super nice.

Just give it a try  

Regards,

Seth

So, is there a specific wiki page describing this process, or should I look for each individually?

37

Users / Re: Trouble with libdvdcss2

« on: March 02, 2009, 07:23:34 pm »

Ok, apparently, letting it sit overnight caused it to start working.  I guess libdvdcss2 just needed some time to simmer.

38

Users / *SOLVED*Trouble with libdvdcss2

« on: March 02, 2009, 08:19:09 am »

I'm running a fresh install of 7.10.  I don't know why, but nothing appeared in the "Add software" section of setup (empty menu with no choices in it).  I'd had this happen before and I usually just come back later and they are there.  Well, my options did not appear to install libdvdcss2, so I went to the medibuntu website and downloaded the .deb package manually.  I made sure it was the gutsy version and ran the install.  However, this didn't work, even after a reboot (you need to reboot in regular ubuntu after installing libdvdcss2).  I still can't watch dvds and receive the message that libdvdcss2 is probably not installed. 

So then, I thought I would try to use the "add software" section.  Now, the options have finally shown up in the list, but this doesn't install it either.  So, please help!  Why can't I install libdvdcss2?!  I've used the .deb method before and it worked, but not this time.  Anyone? 

Thanks

39

Users / Re: Orbiter blinking randomly

« on: March 02, 2009, 08:14:09 am »

Solved by installing newer video card driver.

40

Users / *SOLVED*Orbiter blinking randomly

« on: March 02, 2009, 12:43:47 am »

Running LMCE 7.10 on a fresh install.  Also, tried several reinstalls.  Orbiter is blinking to black every so often.  Interval between is random, but I think it has to do with CPU usage.  Any ideas?

41

Users / Re: Need help with rs232 tv

« on: March 01, 2009, 06:13:58 am »

No, I am using the vga plug, I just meant that this is not a monitor:  it's a TV with a vga input. 

42

Users / Re: Linuxmce can't recognize wav files from iTunes

« on: March 01, 2009, 04:35:43 am »

Doesn't itunes use some sort of encryption?  If so, you'll need to decrypt your files before LMCE can read them.  Thank you apple!  Also, make sure you have installed the w32 codecs from the add software menu.  I think that's in Advanced>Advanced>Install software

It's somewhere in the on screen wizard.

43

Users / Re: Need help with rs232 tv

« on: March 01, 2009, 04:32:37 am »

I am only looking to turn the tv on and off, but this is a tv first, then a monitor.  How would one go about doing this?

44

Users / Re: Where do I edit recordings path

« on: February 27, 2009, 07:23:54 pm »

If I understand you correctly, you're hoping to tell mythtv to save your tv recordings to your second harddrive?  If that's the case, I'm sorry to say that you cannot do this.  I asked that question myself and heard it straight from Thom (a dev) that this is not possible.  It is due to an older version of mythtv.

45

Users / Re: Need help with rs232 tv

« on: February 27, 2009, 04:50:36 pm »

Sorry, I haven't been messing with this problem in a long time.  My parents ended up moving to a new house and I lost my serial cable in the process.  I've just been content to stand up and turn the TV on analog style.