Modded XBox The Ultimate Multimedia PC?

Anonymous writes "Can a modded Xbox running homebrew software really beat all existing designed-for-the-living-room multimedia devices hands down?! Tom's Hardware Guide seems to think so. They reviewed Xbox Media Center (XBMC) and say the free open source software turn an Xbox into The Ultimate Multimedia Center, the ideal home playback system for audio and video. (Apparently there is a PC software version available too: Media Portal)" The article also explains some of the more convoluted issues surrounding XBMC. But I definitely agree that this is a great system.

Comments

Coincidence?

[John Girouard]

Anyone else getting an ad for Windows XP Media Center Edition in the middle of the article?

Re:Coincidence?

[Anonymous Coward]

No. It's already /.ed on my end.

System Requirements

[WiKKeSH]

What are the reccomended (or required) system specs for this setup?

Re:um..

[grub]

can something from microsoft really be The Ultimate?

It isn't until you install some free software on it. Think of it as spraying perfume on a pig.

Re:XBOX os

[LostCluster]

I wanna play XBOX games on my PC... :)

Come on... that's really "I wanna download X-Box games from P2P on the Internet and be able to run them on my PC."

If you really wanted to wedge X-Box onto a Windows or even a Linux PC... there's a nice open front door to do it through. Just get a PCI-TV card from one of several vendors, and install it. Then, buy a real XBox and plug it into the S-Video and RCA audio inputs on that on that TV card. There you go...

Re:Another Rip Off

[cosmo7]

You should not reinvent the wheel on user interface.

Imagine if the wheel had been square when it was first invented. Everything would be terrible. Cars would shake themselves apart. Bicycles would kill their riders. But people would say "don't re-invent the wheel" and so you'd be stuck with it.

Re:Launcher/Media Player integration is a big win

[Anonymous Coward]

"I think one of the great advantages of XBox Media Center is that it also doubles as an excellent shell/launcher"

Really? Doesn't the plastic case crack open after you fire the first shell? And how do you aim the thing?

Re:I've been considering this

[axonal]

"Here, kids - want to watch 'Blue's Clues on a Deserted Island and Joe Dies Horribly' again? OK" Such a terrible parent. I hope you have your handy dandy notebook.

Re:no question...

[hoggoth]

> if Microsoft were to release a supported XBMC-like application for XBox, you and everyone else here would be screaming foul, saying that Microsoft is trying to leverage their weight to take over your living room.

I wouldn't be able to hear the screams over my XBox Media Player blasting out movies and music.