XBMCFreak

This is a first livecd based on the new 10.8 XBMC and Ubuntu Lucid version. With special thanks to Luigi Capriotti who helped me on this.

Everything you’ll find on this page is included in this release:

http://trac.xbmc.org/roadmap

- New are the Broadcom Crystal HD drivers and the HTS Tvheadend package.

- All the goodies from Ubuntu Lucid (fast booting, new kernel with TRIM for SSD, better Alsa, better drivers, grub2, new ati drivers, etc) are included.

- Addons

- All Playback (new ffmpeg) improvements

- All GUI framework inprovements

- Broadcom Crystal HD support and drivers

- New webserver

- HTS Tvheadend

- Library improvements

- New Scrapers and improvements

Since XBMC 10.8 is not finished this livecd could contain bugs. I experienced some problems with the network card on my Nvidia ION board: https://bugs.launchpad.net/ubuntu/lucid/+source/linux/+bug/562742

To convert this iso to a usb key you must follow this tutorial: http://www.xbmcfreak.nl/en/handmatig-bootable-usb-key-maken/

Apple released a new Mac mini. The new model is smaller and also from aluminium. Brand new is the HDMI port. Expect more info soon!

If you thought that Apple’s foray into the world of home entertainment died with the last iteration of the Apple TV, you’re quite wrong. A tip we’ve received — which has been confirmed by a source very close to Apple — details the outlook for the next version of the Apple TV, and it’s a doozy. According to our sources, this project has been in the works long before Google announced its TV solution, and it ties much more closely into Apple’s mobile offerings. The new architecture of the device will be based directly on the iPhone 4, meaning it will get the same internals, down to that A4 CPU and a limited amount of flash storage — 16GB to be exact — though it will be capable of full 1080p HD (!). The device is said to be quite small with a scarce amount of ports (only the power socket and video out), and has been described to some as “an iPhone without a screen.” Are you ready for the real shocker? According to our sources, the price-point for the device will be $99. One more time — a hundred bucks.

Not only will this be priced to sell (like hotcakes), it seems that Apple is moving away from the model of local storage, and will be focusing the new ATV on cloud-based storage (not unlike Amazon’s streaming scheme). For those still interested in keeping their content close, there will be an option to utilize a Time Capsule as an external storage component, but the main course will be all about streaming. The new ATV will do away with its current OS X-lite variation as a operating system, and will instead adopt the iPhone OS for the underlying experience. There’s no word at this point on whether apps and the App Store will be coming along for the ride, but it makes sense given the shared platform. Of course, scaling iPhone apps to that 52-inch plasma in your living room isn’t exactly a no-brainer. Perhaps not surprisingly, Apple won’t deliver the ATV news at the upcoming WWDC — that event will be focused on the capabilities of the new iPhone — but development on the product is most definitely full steam ahead. Is your TV screen the next battleground in the platform wars?

Complete story: http://www.engadget.com/2010/05/28/the-next-apple-tv-revealed-cloud-storage-and-iphone-os-on-tap/

XBMC released some info on H.264 accelleration on OSX. The following models are supported

* MacBook (Aluminum) shipped between October, 2008 and June, 2009.
* MacBooks shipped after January 21st, 2009.
* Mac Minis shipped after March 3rd, 2009.
* MacBook Pros shipped after October 14th, 2008.
* iMacs which shipped after the first quarter of 2009.

To see the full report follow this link: http://xbmc.org/davilla/2010/05/03/osx-gets-h-264-accelleration/

Davilla is just as quick as Elan from Plex. SVN r29647 and up has OSX hd video acceleration. More information you’ll find here:

http://forum.xbmc.org/showthread.php?t=72609

Elan released an update for Plex. The update should allow Plex to de H.264 video decoding using the GPU. More information you can find here:

http://elan.plexapp.com/2010/04/27/hardware-accelerated-h-264-decoding-on-plex/

Found the following article; For those interested in testing XBMC with a Broadcom Crystal HD on a Mac Mini this is a must read:

http://www.xlml.com/aehso/2010/01/13/mac-mini-xbmc-broadcom-crystal-hd-1080p-video/

Finally completing the circle again after the beta launch last month, Boxee has made its latest version available for the Apple TV. Available via an updated Launcher for those already running the Alpha version or ATVUSB-Creator for everyone else it should bring the facelifted UI and features Windows, OS X and Ubuntu users have been enjoying. Getting some 1080p oomph out of your set-top box will be difficult however, with no support for the Broadcom Crystal HD add-on “yet” and while performance has improved h.264 playback may still be limited even in this new version. Mash the read link and follow instructions to get moving, but feel free to bounce any thanks or issues towards the forum posters, XBMC coders and the rest of the posse who made this update possible.

http://blog.boxee.tv/2010/02/25/get-a-bite-of-this-–-boxee-beta-on-appletv/

If you’re interested in Plex. The following is worth reading: http://ryan.plexapp.com/?p=34