OS for a HTPC.

Idleman · 14 Jul 2014 at 10:21

I'm putting together a small HTPC, to use mainly for video playback and browsing from the comfort of my sofa. Will also be using it to watch football streams.
I have never used any OS, other than Windows. So, I'm basically looking for a free alternative that I can use along with XMBC.
I will be using the AMD Sempron 3850 1.30GHz and a 60GB ssd for the OS and installing my movie hdd. To operate it from my sofa, I'll be using a small AIO keyboard with USB bluetooth dongle.
So, any recommendations or advice you can offer will be gratefully appreciated.

IC3 · 14 Jul 2014 at 17:12

Crunchbag
Bodhi Linux
Puppy Linux
Lubuntu
Xubuntu
Linux mint 14 MATE (Very similar to windows)
Vector Linux (light)

Idleman · 14 Jul 2014 at 17:20

IC3 said:
Crunchbag
Bodhi Linux
Puppy Linux
Lubuntu
Xubuntu
Linux mint 14 MATE (Very similar to windows)
Vector Linux (light)

So which is the best to use with XMBC?

Cheetah Designs · 14 Jul 2014 at 17:43

Idleman said:
So which is the best to use with XMBC?

There is actually an XBMC distro I believe. Not sure whether your system meets the requirements though: http://xbmc.org/download/

vila · 14 Jul 2014 at 18:34

I don't know if it can do streams - but Openelec IS an stripped back XBMC os

Idleman · 14 Jul 2014 at 19:51

Did'nt realise there were so many variants. Just need a Linus OS for access to the internet for browsing and watching football streams. Then XBMC to watch videos.
Everything else, I'll do on my main PC.
Might just use Openelec LS and the latest XBMC. Plus a little more research.

emu · 14 Jul 2014 at 21:45

if you are new to linux its got to be

linux mint or ubuntu but watch out for the unity interface on ubuntu

you might find it works really well on your large screen

Idleman · 14 Jul 2014 at 21:49

emu said:
if you are new to linux its got to be

linux mint or ubuntu but watch out for the unity interface on ubuntu

you might find it works really well on your large screen

Definitely a Linux virgin.

I'll check them out. Thanks guys.

IC3 · 16 Jul 2014 at 01:25

Idleman said:
Definitely a Linux virgin.

I'll check them out. Thanks guys.

Instead of plain Ubuntu, something like Xubuntu will be an better option (IMO).

There's also a XBMC OS

Idleman · 20 Jul 2014 at 14:13

Downloaded and installed Linux Mint Cinnamon 17. Restarted computer, get a box pops up on screen, introduction to Mint, regardless of what I click on, I get Modzilla Firefox.
I immediately get this message box pops up and I can't do anything. I click the box to retry and all that happens is a new window opens in firefox.

Could not grab your mouse.
A malicious client may be eavesdropping on your session or you may have just clicked a menu or some application just decided to get focus.
Try again.

Been at this for 2 hours now, also looked on the internet, cannot find a resolution to this.
So it looks like Windows for me, just don't have the time or patience to mess around any more. Spent hours reading up on the different Linux versions before deciding on Cinnamon. Now I find the problem I am having, has been around for years but no definitive resolution.

stopper · 20 Jul 2014 at 16:02

That is a distro problem and has been in Mint for a long time now.
You should be able to just click your desktop to close it. If not then I would suggest installing Ubuntu as Mint devs don't seem to care about it.

Idleman · 20 Jul 2014 at 16:31

stopper said:
That is a distro problem and has been in Mint for a long time now.
You should be able to just click your desktop to close it. If not then I would suggest installing Ubuntu as Mint devs don't seem to care about it.

Sorted out the mouse problem, plugged it in the rear usb port.

Also, got rid and am using Win 8.

stopper · 20 Jul 2014 at 19:37

Gave up at the first hurdle!
Bloody Windows users

IC3 · 20 Jul 2014 at 22:04

Idleman said:
and am using Win 8.

Idleman · 20 Jul 2014 at 22:07

stopper said:
Gave up at the first hurdle!
Bloody Windows users

Just put together a nice little HTPC and want to use it now. Not in a few days or weeks, spending time researching problems or how to do this and that. It just seems like to much unnecessary hassle.

But thanks for the help and advice.

Dazstoke · 21 Jul 2014 at 20:58

You should have gone for lubuntu.I've tried quite a few distros for exactly the same purposes as you and this is the one I've settled on .Works pretty much out of the box....and I have some pretty archaic hardware

stopper · 21 Jul 2014 at 22:07

Idleman said:
Just put together a nice little HTPC and want to use it now....snip....

To be fair, I prefer Windows for media and streaming. Getting it up and running is much easier and faster than Linux, in my experience anyway.
Though I would have chosen Win7.

When some one adds a "play to" option in the right click menu to Linux (and maybe a native port of warcraft), I will switch over permanently.

Columbo · 25 Jul 2014 at 17:10

I'd make the move to Linux permanently for my HTPC if only I could get Netflix working which after following 2 thousand different guides no matter what I try I cannot get it working.

Still using Mint on my laptop though without issue and love it to bits!

badcompany · 5 Aug 2014 at 12:59

Openelec
Xmbcbuntu