Linux equivalent for Media Center

[InsightGoalie]

Ok, so I constantly bat around the idea of going to linux. I've tried twice now, it's really more difficult then you guys say it is. At least difficult for a somewhat advanced Windows user, I'm just too familiar with it. Anyway, last time around my problem was getting correct wide screen settings. I think it had to do with my MSI ATI x1300 crappy graphics card. So, is there a good graphics card out there to use with linux? I really like the ATI HD2900 series because of the HDMI, can I get that to work correctly at 720p settings? (I'm thinking I'll get a new GPU with my tax return)

Ok besides that what is most important to me now, media center. Right now my PC is most use for internet/email/media, I rarely game. Well, I have the 360 and everyday, usually multiple times a day, use it's extender function to connect to my PC and watch recorded TV, etc... Is there a comparable linux program? I've heard of TVersity, does that function with the Media Center Extenders like the 360? How difficult is it to set up? Thanks guys.

[E6600]

First of all check this Linux Driver FAQ make sure the model you have on mind has a Linux driver provided by ATi

For the equivalent of Media Center there is LinuxMCE
and there is Entertainer project

That's what I can help you with. Not much..

[Romanc]

(You could probably do worse than trying out the Ubuntu Multimedia Center. They have a livecd so you can try it out before committing to an install.)
Edit: Scrap that - site is dead as a dodo. Go with E6600 on this one...

Not sure about graphics cards, but doesn't Nvidia still have the edge when it comes to Linux drivers?

[InsightGoalie]

I think Nvidia has the edge but, HDMI would be super nice to have in the future when I retro fit this PC to be a HTPC... I'll have to check out those programs. I'm assuming they have support for the 360 and other media extenders?

[chedabob]

Try MythTV.

[InsightGoalie]

Originally Posted by chedabob

Try MythTV.

I've heard a lot about that and using it with the old XBMC. I didn't think it worked with 360 though.

[chedabob]

Oh, if you want to use the Media Centre function of the 360, you can't do it under Linux. If you just want to stream audio and video, there's quite a few UPnP servers for Linux.

[InsightGoalie]

Originally Posted by chedabob

Oh, if you want to use the Media Centre function of the 360, you can't do it under Linux. If you just want to stream audio and video, there's quite a few UPnP servers for Linux.

Awww, lame. I was hoping there was a Media Center equivalent some linux genius figured out how to make and to have it "trick" the 360. In that case I'm not too sure I want to switch over to linux... I absolutely love the media center's extender abilities and usefulness with the 360...

[fiasco8]

By chance, I happened to have loaded MCE 2005 last night. I like it alot. To get my videos playing in Media Center I just had to load my graphics cares drivers and a couple of codec packs. It plays videos of course but the slide show and back ground music set ups are a nice tough also. I plan on moving a computer over to the HDTV to take full advantage of its capabilities but I need to upgrade my graphics card first or possibly build a whole other system that is HD capable.

[chedabob]

Insight: You could possibly use Virtualbox to install Media Centre, and just run it as a virtual machine. It's not a pretty solution, but it works.