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Idea #9512: Ubuntu Media Centre Remix

Written by gweaver the 5 Jun 08 at 12:27. Category: Multimedia. Related project: Nothing/Others. Status: New
Rationale
The new Ubuntu Netbook Remix looks really good. I think it would be great if there was a similar Media Centre Remix (or Entertainment Centre, Home Theatre, Multimedia or HTPC Remix, call it what you will).

The Netbook Remix interface looks much better suited to TVs than either the Ubuntu and Ubuntu Mobile interfaces, so could be a great starting point for a Media Centre Remix.

Ideally the Ubuntu Media Centre Remix would integrate remote control functionality, and include a range of multimedia software tweaked to be controlled via remote and displayed on a TV.
PVR, DVB-T, DVB-S support should also be included.

The Media Centre Remix would be easy for users to install (unlike a lot of existing HTPC and PVR software) and would give an ideal platform for multimedia developers to focus on.
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Solution #1: Auto-generated solution of idea #9512
Written by gweaver the 5 Jun 08 at 12:27.
Ubuntu Brainstorm was updated in January 2009. Since the idea #9512 was submitted before this update, its rationale and solution are not separated. Please vote accordingly, and if you have the necessary rights, please separate the rationale from the solution. Thanks!

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gweaver wrote on the 5 Jun 08 at 12:29
Ars technica have a good preview of Ubuntu Netbook Remix here:

http://arstechnica.com/news.ars/post/20080604-hands-on-with-the-ubuntu-netbook- remix.html

gweaver wrote on the 5 Jun 08 at 12:30
Oops, that url is broken - here is the tinyurl version:
http://tinyurl.com/3laf8b

Liam McDermott wrote on the 5 Jun 08 at 14:10
I'd give you double points if I could: for spelling 'centre' correctly. ;-)

But seriously, great idea. Ubuntu ease-of-use with MythTV 1337ness, sounds like a winner!

loneowais wrote on the 5 Jun 08 at 14:47
Most awaited thing ever...

gweaver wrote on the 5 Jun 08 at 14:51
There is a blueprint for easy remote control configuration here:
https://blueprints.launchpad.net/mythbuntu/+spec/easy-remote-control-configurat ion
(http://tinyurl.com/5pw53u)

This would be a part of the Media Centre Remix


n2 wrote on the 5 Jun 08 at 15:18
I feel like they is already enough of a Linux presence in the HTPC market with software like Elisa and MythTV.
Due to the legal circumstances surrounding some codecs I think it's better to leave media centre distros up to unofficial remixers like LinuxMCE and Mythbuntu.

@Liam McDermott - What is wrong with 'centre'?

gweaver wrote on the 5 Jun 08 at 15:29
I can't see any reason why MythTV, Elisa and the like couldn't be run on top of a Media Centre Remix.
The key thing about a Remix is just to provide a desktop that is suitable for viewing on a TV and controlling via a remote control.
The software on top of that should be down to user preference.

granadajose wrote on the 5 Jun 08 at 16:51

+1

I think that it is very important to provide officialy this kind of multimedia stations. With a nice packaging, this could be a winner!

Liam McDermott wrote on the 5 Jun 08 at 18:56
> @Liam McDermott - What is wrong with 'centre'?

Nothing! I was complementing the op on spelling it correctly. But only in a light-hearted way. :)

uaneme wrote on the 6 Jun 08 at 17:00
http://www.mythbuntu.org like that?




sciurus wrote on the 7 Jun 08 at 02:51
There's mythbuntu if you want MythTV, and elisa is in the repositories. What more are you asking for?

gweaver wrote on the 10 Jun 08 at 22:18
MythTV is fine if you want a dedicated setup, and Elisa doesn't yet have DVB-T support (so I hear)...

I'd envisaged Ubuntu Media Centre Remix as being a desktop and menu system tweaked to display well on a TV and control by remote. I do not envisage it as a full blown dedicated media centre like MythTV/Elisa/LinuxMCE/Entertainer etc. Not everyone wants a full blown MythTV install on their computer.

rupertson wrote on the 22 Nov 08 at 19:52
This is -EXACTLY- what I'm looking for!

I have a dedicated media PC running Mythbuntu 8.10 for myth backend and XBMC for the front end... Sometimes I want to switch between the two as XBMC's Myth client is still a bit flacky.. and lets be honest Myth's GUI is comparatively poor and doesn't do the generic audio/video thing anywhere near as good as XBMC ... as it is now I have to get up & plug in a mouse to do this switch.

Who knows what else I could launch from such an interface. Emulators, web browser for Hulu.com access.. etc.

For those who keep saying 'isn't this just Mythbuntu'... no, this would be a more full featured window manager for the 10 foot GUI. I don't want LinuxMCE, I don't want XBMC or Myth to 'own' my desktop, I think the netbook remix GUI with LIRC support would be superb for this role. (I had actually begun looking into configuring that myself, but ... I'm just not that skilled)

+1

(and come on now, it's 'center' & we all know it ;-) )

andersja wrote on the 27 Nov 08 at 16:12
See also LinuxMCE - there is an AWESOME 20 minute video with a basic, but well-integrated user interface.

Unfortunately it's based on Ubuntu 7.10 and no Intrepid / Hardy version seems near.

LinuxMCE features + XBMC stylishness would really fload my boat ;-)

http://wiki.linuxmce.org/index.php/Video

andersja wrote on the 27 Nov 08 at 16:18
See also Idea# 16013 for HD Video playback!

http://brainstorm.ubuntu.com/idea/16013/

mammalsauceman wrote on the 12 Aug 09 at 19:16
i got an idea for this

1. install UNR on your htpc
2. install your favorite media centre program
3. get a wiimote and use xwii to control ur computer with it
4. enjoy your improved htpc


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