DVD Issues...

[Rom]

Hi all,

This is my first post, so I'd like to say well done to all involved on creating Linux MCE - we need an answer to Windows MCE, and I'm glad this exists!

So, before I relay my issues, a little about myself - I am a seasoned Linux/UNIX user, and am fully capable in all areas, including development...  My system is as follows:

- Pentium-4 2.8GHz CPU (Family 15, Model 4, Stepping 1)
- P4M800-M7 (rev 1.0) Motherboard (VIA chipsets)
- 1GB RAM
- C-Media CM8738 Audio
- nVidia GeForce 6200 graphics (output via DVI/HDMI to a 42" plasma flat panel at 720p)

I'm running Linux MCE on Kbuntu 7.04, installed via CD (Kbuntu install CD + 2-CD Linux MCE set).

Here are the issues I'm experiencing:

* DVD (from disc) playback isn't very smooth.  It's watchable, but I can notice the slight jitters.
* DVD (from file) doesn't work at all - it looks like the attempt is made, but it brings me back to the UI straight away.  The log file says (I apologize for the ANSI codes):

05      12/29/07 23:14:12.849           ^[[33;1mCreated new stream with ID=1001 deint 0  100 0^[[0m <0xb6e38b90>
05      12/29/07 23:14:12.849           ^[[33;1mXine_Player::CMD_Play_Media() set stream 1001 as last rendering to screen.^[[0m <0xb6e38b90>
05      12/29/07 23:14:12.850           ^[[33;1mXine_Player::CMD_Play_Media() called for id 1001 filename: /home/public/data/external/DVD/Movies/Superman/Disc1 () with corresponding stream 0x8159d00.^[[0m <0xb6e38b90>
05      12/29/07 23:14:12.850           ^[[33;1mOpening media without chapters/title position: /home/public/data/external/DVD/Movies/Superman/Disc1 ^[[0m <0xb6e38b90>
05      12/29/07 23:14:13.064           ^[[33;1mOpening media FAILED^[[0m <0xb6e38b90>
05      12/29/07 23:14:13.065           ^[[33;1mXine_Stream::OpenMedia failed! Aborting!^[[0m <0xb6e38b90>
05      12/29/07 23:14:13.067           ^[[33;1mXine_Player::CMD_Play_Media() Failed to open media^[[0m <0xb6e38b90>
05      12/29/07 23:14:14.084           ^[[33;1mXine_Player::CMD_Play_Media() ended for filename: /home/public/data/external/DVD/Movies/Superman/Disc1 with stream 0x8159d00.^[[0m <0xb6e38b90>
05      12/29/07 23:14:14.111           ^[[33;1mXine_Player::CMD_Stop_Media() with corresponding stream id 1001 0x8159d00.^[[0m <0xb6e38b90>
05      12/29/07 23:14:14.111           ^[[33;1mXine_Stream::changePlaybackSpeed no running seekers found^[[0m <0xb6e38b90>
05      12/29/07 23:14:14.112           ^[[33;1mXine_Player::EVENT_Playback_Completed(streamID=1001)^[[0m <0xb6e38b90>
05      12/29/07 23:14:14.112           ^[[33;1mXineStreamEventListener called on non-initialized stream - aborting command^[[0m <0xb1f01b90>
05      12/29/07 23:14:14.213           ^[[33;1mClosed stream AV with ID=1001^[[0m <0xb6e38b90>

As you can see, it's not very useful.  Xine works fine *outside* of MCE.

* I have to use the F-keys on the keyboard to bring up the DVD menu during playback.  Is there an easy way to enable access to the DVD menu via the mouse only (e.g. right click)?

Thanks in advance for any help given!

Rom.

[totallymaxed]

Hi all,

This is my first post, so I'd like to say well done to all involved on creating Linux MCE - we need an answer to Windows MCE, and I'm glad this exists!

So, before I relay my issues, a little about myself - I am a seasoned Linux/UNIX user, and am fully capable in all areas, including development...  My system is as follows:

- Pentium-4 2.8GHz CPU (Family 15, Model 4, Stepping 1)
- P4M800-M7 (rev 1.0) Motherboard (VIA chipsets)
- 1GB RAM
- C-Media CM8738 Audio
- nVidia GeForce 6200 graphics (output via DVI/HDMI to a 42" plasma flat panel at 720p)

I'm running Linux MCE on Kbuntu 7.04, installed via CD (Kbuntu install CD + 2-CD Linux MCE set).

Here are the issues I'm experiencing:

* DVD (from disc) playback isn't very smooth.  It's watchable, but I can notice the slight jitters.
* DVD (from file) doesn't work at all - it looks like the attempt is made, but it brings me back to the UI straight away.  The log file says (I apologize for the ANSI codes):

* I have to use the F-keys on the keyboard to bring up the DVD menu during playback.  Is there an easy way to enable access to the DVD menu via the mouse only (e.g. right click)?

Thanks in advance for any help given!

Rom.

Hi and welcome.

The playback smoothness issue is usally seen when you select UI2 with Alpha blending in my experience. If you re-run the AVwizard and select UI2 with Overlay then I think you will see perfect DVD playback (at least we do here).

If DVD playback is working from your optical drive then I would suggest that your problem with ripped DVD's is to do with the file in question not having completed its rip correctly or that the database on your core is telling you the file is available but it isn't. We see this sometimes when the database gets out of sync with the actual files on our HD's. Double check that the fipped files you are trying to play are actually there.

Having to use the F-keys is annoying I agree. One easy way to fix this is to add an MCE IR receiver and remote to your Core/Hybrid then you can use the 'Green' button to re-display the menu-bar and the 'Back' button to hide it. Better button mapping for the remote is being looked at.

Andrew

[Rom]

Hi Andrew,

Thanks for the reply!  I do have UI2 enabled, but since none of the overlays are active during playback, I didn't think it would be the issue.  I will try switching UI's though!

As for the files, I tried Xine directly with the same files (in the same location, on the same machine via KDE), and it worked fine.  I checked the database and files, and they are exactly where they are supposed to be.  The path in the log file is correct...

The frustrating part is that Xine_Player doesn't give a useful error - I checked permissions, etc, and those are fine too...

Any other ideas?

Thanks again!

Rom

[Rom]

Okay, I fixed the playing-from-file issue - I had to rename the directory with a ".dvd" suffix!  Is that in any of  the user guides/manuals?  I'm sure people must come across this issue often when trying to play media that they had before installing LMCE?

Thanks!

Rom