I meant to write this a couple of months ago but work and other things kept me busy.
Following the early promise of XBMC, I started getting problems and annoyances. If I hadn't touched it so that it actually did things I wanted via the various add-ons then I might still be using using it but alas no.
I problems started after I installed a new theme or skin....various things started to give errors concerning python by the looks of the error reports. I tried reinstalling XBMC to start again but nope, it wasn't having it. CatchupTV for example, just didn't want to know so I gave up and bought myself a Samsung smart TV.
OH well, but the TV did show what could be possible for the future if I combined all my gadgets, etc. A whole new world emerged the more I thought about things.
And with this post I will end it at its current location and move it. I want to relaunch what I am doing and take it further. Please comment as at times I feel I am wasting my time with no feed back. I don't even know if my solutions work for others.
Nighthawk
Tuesday 27 November 2012
Saturday 15 September 2012
Xbmc.....Part 2, getting the android app to work with Fedora setup.
I have become a massive fan Xbmc and have begun getting it working to suit me via my F17 system. One thing I like about it is that I can controll it via remote. You have two choices, the first is a MCE remote control, I don't have one of these lying around (at the moment). Or two, the android app.
When I had Xbmc working on Chakra, the app worked great and was really easy to set up. With Fedora, not so. I found through some research that the problem was due to the channels used were blocked. I wasn't sure why till I checked the system firewall. Obviously Chakra either had no firewall or it wasn't working right.
To get the android app to connect to the system I had to do the following.
1. Open the settings for the router, with the BT homehub, Xbmc was added to the access list easily.
Once that is done, open Xbmc on the computer and the app.
At this point I suggest you go to
These instructions are well laid out and easy to follow and theres no point in me copying them!
There are however two additional steps for Fedora.
1. Open the firewall GUI
2. Go to Otherports
3. Click add+
4. type in 8080 in the window that comes up, press enter and click Apply
5. Repeat above but this time add 9777.
You also need to make sure your user name and password are in the android profile setting.
That should work.
Any Question or commends welcomed!
Nighthawk
Xbmc in Fedora..part 1, getting the sound to work
Following on from my last post concerning my hunt for a distro for my tower PC, Fedora is working great. I have installed XBMC so that I can use the system as a media system as I use my laptop and Nexus 7 for a lot of things.
The only problem at the moment which I will try and fix in the coming weeks is the surround sound. It sucks, I remember this from before although I though that I had fixed the problem. It will require some research as I don't really know that much how the audio works on some systems and not on others.
After I installed the Xbmc on the system, I found that it worked alot better than when I used it before with Chakra, I don't know why this was. The first thing I had to do was get the sound working. I had to reset the audio via the terminal.
I do this each time I re install or when it goes wrong and have to check the settings to getting the surround sound working (or in this case its just semi working).
1. Open terrminal
2. Type alsamixer, press enter.
3. Press F6, this will give you the options for the sound card to use, in my case Invida, which may the problem in getting all the speakers working in F17. Select which one you want to use.
4. Press right arrow to move along the various out put setting, to raise the out put use the up arrow or down arrow to lower it. Also, it may pay to chance the channel setting from 2 to 4 or 6.
5. Press escape.
NOTE: There are times when your settings are not remembered by the system and you will have to go through this again!
Now open Xbmc, first check that it as sound, very often you will have to go in to settings and change the audio settings. In mine, I found that my webcam was listed for the sound card this was changed to the Nvida card.
The best results I found was to have all of the settings on 'Default'. The surround sound setting just didn't work (yet!). I need to check some wiki for more info on sound in Fedora as I am sure that this is what is causing the problem. Once I had the following settings, I had sound.
Audio Output Analog
Speaker Configuration 5.1
Audio Output Device Defaults(ALSA)
Nighthawk
The only problem at the moment which I will try and fix in the coming weeks is the surround sound. It sucks, I remember this from before although I though that I had fixed the problem. It will require some research as I don't really know that much how the audio works on some systems and not on others.
After I installed the Xbmc on the system, I found that it worked alot better than when I used it before with Chakra, I don't know why this was. The first thing I had to do was get the sound working. I had to reset the audio via the terminal.
I do this each time I re install or when it goes wrong and have to check the settings to getting the surround sound working (or in this case its just semi working).
1. Open terrminal
2. Type alsamixer, press enter.
3. Press F6, this will give you the options for the sound card to use, in my case Invida, which may the problem in getting all the speakers working in F17. Select which one you want to use.
4. Press right arrow to move along the various out put setting, to raise the out put use the up arrow or down arrow to lower it. Also, it may pay to chance the channel setting from 2 to 4 or 6.
5. Press escape.
NOTE: There are times when your settings are not remembered by the system and you will have to go through this again!
Now open Xbmc, first check that it as sound, very often you will have to go in to settings and change the audio settings. In mine, I found that my webcam was listed for the sound card this was changed to the Nvida card.
The best results I found was to have all of the settings on 'Default'. The surround sound setting just didn't work (yet!). I need to check some wiki for more info on sound in Fedora as I am sure that this is what is causing the problem. Once I had the following settings, I had sound.
Audio Output Analog
Speaker Configuration 5.1
Audio Output Device Defaults(ALSA)
Nighthawk
Monday 27 August 2012
Battle of the distros.
Well yesterday I was wondering if the new updated download for Chakra had been released. The answer was yes BUT my understanding was that 64 bit system are being supported with a 'screw you' attitude to 32bit users.
I think the idea and principles behind this distro is well intentioned I have had enough of things going wrong and spending my time fixing something that is broken for the wrong reason. I want a system that works but is under constant development because perfection is never gained with a computer system because of all the new stuff coming out. One day I WILL find the rolling distro to suit me although I can see me building one myself.
Hence my day yesterday being WASTED going through SIX distros.
The winner was my favourite.......Fedora KDE
XMBCunbuntu wasn't to bad but getting the sound system to working was a royal pain. Worked in the end and will be considered for the media centre I intend building when I get a round to it.
Kubuntu 12.04. This isn't bad but the thing crashed half way through re-doing the hard disk partitions.
Bodhi 2. whatever this one was so close but I couldn't redo the partitions on the hard drive which totally messed the installation up. Actually this one came second and was close to staying installed.
Ubuntu 12.04. Not bad but unity sucks but only on the grounds that it cann't be customized. Otherwise lots of new stuff and possibilities with this one. Also the official distro at work (although I prefer KDE).
KDEMint. again, potential...until the installer crashed. I might give this one ago again at some point but not for a while yet.
Fedora17. Yes, I know that its nearly time for F18 (with another stupid name). but I know I can relie on this distro. If its good enough for NASA then its good enough for me. Besides, it as always worked well for me. Apart from the sound, surround sound 5.1 doesn't seem to want to work. I will come back to this when I can.
Orosa I took one look at this and didn't like it, only because of its appearance.
So, I know have Fedora on both machines, this laptop works really well but the PC needs work to get it perfect (but see above comment), this will go on and on and on.......I wonder how I would get the rolling system I so desire?
Nighthawk
I think the idea and principles behind this distro is well intentioned I have had enough of things going wrong and spending my time fixing something that is broken for the wrong reason. I want a system that works but is under constant development because perfection is never gained with a computer system because of all the new stuff coming out. One day I WILL find the rolling distro to suit me although I can see me building one myself.
Hence my day yesterday being WASTED going through SIX distros.
The winner was my favourite.......Fedora KDE
XMBCunbuntu wasn't to bad but getting the sound system to working was a royal pain. Worked in the end and will be considered for the media centre I intend building when I get a round to it.
Kubuntu 12.04. This isn't bad but the thing crashed half way through re-doing the hard disk partitions.
Bodhi 2. whatever this one was so close but I couldn't redo the partitions on the hard drive which totally messed the installation up. Actually this one came second and was close to staying installed.
Ubuntu 12.04. Not bad but unity sucks but only on the grounds that it cann't be customized. Otherwise lots of new stuff and possibilities with this one. Also the official distro at work (although I prefer KDE).
KDEMint. again, potential...until the installer crashed. I might give this one ago again at some point but not for a while yet.
Fedora17. Yes, I know that its nearly time for F18 (with another stupid name). but I know I can relie on this distro. If its good enough for NASA then its good enough for me. Besides, it as always worked well for me. Apart from the sound, surround sound 5.1 doesn't seem to want to work. I will come back to this when I can.
Orosa I took one look at this and didn't like it, only because of its appearance.
So, I know have Fedora on both machines, this laptop works really well but the PC needs work to get it perfect (but see above comment), this will go on and on and on.......I wonder how I would get the rolling system I so desire?
Nighthawk
Thursday 19 July 2012
Life with Chakra
I know I've been ignoring this blog for a while but I've had good reason...finishing uni and now I have finished I can write more of my thoughts and research into my new project.
Part of this centres around having a rolling release linux distro on my PC and of those that I have looked at Chakra still seems the best BUT theres issues.
Recently there seems to be problems in various areas. The first was that I have a feeling the KDE or at least something was going wrong. sound didn't work right, if it worked at all. Things I should have been able to do with files management and Amarok as well others just didn't so I reinstalled my system keeping the /home partition. I have it up and working again but not as it should. I cann't install stuff as I did before. And the thing that really gets me is not being able to upgrade.
I am going to wait for the next release with systemd and other new stuff and start again. I will try and keep the home partition but if I have to redo that then I have everything backed up.
Oh, the new new project?
It centres around one main computer where I do everything but the machine is a slave to me and is more to keep my life simple and save me time. Something that it doesn't at the moment. I want something that is in tune with me and something that is more like you see in Sci-Fi. Not something that is constantly going wrong or is full of problems. It also involves a kindle and my android phone.
Nighthawk
Part of this centres around having a rolling release linux distro on my PC and of those that I have looked at Chakra still seems the best BUT theres issues.
Recently there seems to be problems in various areas. The first was that I have a feeling the KDE or at least something was going wrong. sound didn't work right, if it worked at all. Things I should have been able to do with files management and Amarok as well others just didn't so I reinstalled my system keeping the /home partition. I have it up and working again but not as it should. I cann't install stuff as I did before. And the thing that really gets me is not being able to upgrade.
I am going to wait for the next release with systemd and other new stuff and start again. I will try and keep the home partition but if I have to redo that then I have everything backed up.
Oh, the new new project?
It centres around one main computer where I do everything but the machine is a slave to me and is more to keep my life simple and save me time. Something that it doesn't at the moment. I want something that is in tune with me and something that is more like you see in Sci-Fi. Not something that is constantly going wrong or is full of problems. It also involves a kindle and my android phone.
Nighthawk
Tuesday 1 May 2012
Vinyl to digital using Linux part 2
Following on from my last post where I described my set up now comes the bit where you should, if all goes according to plans produce some music on your computer from your vinyl.
When you have all the hardware and software set up and ready to go the process should be simple but there may be one or two problems.
The one that I have encountered a couple of times, is a strange screech. I simply restarted the recording to get rid of it. I have no idea what it is.
The other problem was when I first started recording but the problem is solved by moving the start indicator past the '0' on the bar that shows the recording (the waving line sound level, no idea what its called).
To get the recording simply play the record as normal and press the red record. If all goes well you should have the music play through the computer speakers and you should see the indicator on Audacity progress as well while the recording takes place.
When finished you are faced with the task of splitting up the recording into separate tracks. This is normally very easy unless the tracks run into each other like the one I had yesterday. When you zoom out of the bar with the recording you should see the large areas of noise separated at intervals. The picture below shows what a tracks look like with the intervals with a single track highlighted (shaded area).
Once you have done one track the rest are simple to do.
Do NOT delete anything at any stage, it will mess things up.
The following steps will hopefully lead through the process. If not let me and I will make the changes.
1. Mark the beginning of the track to be saved.
2. Hold the left click on the mouse and move the curser to the end of the area to be saved. It should be shaded as in the picture.
3. Create a folder to save the track so that you can have the album in one place. I simply have the band and album title.
4. Go to file and click on Export Selection (this means just the shaded area will be saved/exported).
5. When the file window open, name the track/file, song title is normal in this instance.
6. Once you click save, that window will go and a new one will appear. This will enable you to enter the import stuff, basically the metadata for the track. Once the information is in, click save.
7. That track is done, now repeat for the next track.
Suggestions for improving these instructions are welcome and will be edited in.
Nighthawk
When you have all the hardware and software set up and ready to go the process should be simple but there may be one or two problems.
The one that I have encountered a couple of times, is a strange screech. I simply restarted the recording to get rid of it. I have no idea what it is.
The other problem was when I first started recording but the problem is solved by moving the start indicator past the '0' on the bar that shows the recording (the waving line sound level, no idea what its called).
To get the recording simply play the record as normal and press the red record. If all goes well you should have the music play through the computer speakers and you should see the indicator on Audacity progress as well while the recording takes place.
When finished you are faced with the task of splitting up the recording into separate tracks. This is normally very easy unless the tracks run into each other like the one I had yesterday. When you zoom out of the bar with the recording you should see the large areas of noise separated at intervals. The picture below shows what a tracks look like with the intervals with a single track highlighted (shaded area).
Once you have done one track the rest are simple to do.
Do NOT delete anything at any stage, it will mess things up.
The following steps will hopefully lead through the process. If not let me and I will make the changes.
1. Mark the beginning of the track to be saved.
2. Hold the left click on the mouse and move the curser to the end of the area to be saved. It should be shaded as in the picture.
3. Create a folder to save the track so that you can have the album in one place. I simply have the band and album title.
4. Go to file and click on Export Selection (this means just the shaded area will be saved/exported).
5. When the file window open, name the track/file, song title is normal in this instance.
6. Once you click save, that window will go and a new one will appear. This will enable you to enter the import stuff, basically the metadata for the track. Once the information is in, click save.
7. That track is done, now repeat for the next track.
Suggestions for improving these instructions are welcome and will be edited in.
Nighthawk
Sunday 29 April 2012
Vinyl to digital using Linux part 1
Its just one of those things where you want to listen to a favorite track while in the car or working away but it is on vinyl back at home. Often I really need to hear a track because it is stuck in my mind or I'm in the mood for it but its not on my phone or computer and I know full well that I have it on vinyl so recently I did something that I have been meaning to do for some time. Got my turn table connected to my computer. Or laptop to be precise.
This will be part 1 of 2 parts. The actual setting up and recording.
Part 2 will be separating the results into the separate tracks and saving them as individual songs instead of one big track.
Apart from the obvious laptop the only additional hardware is a turn table (I used the one connected to my sony midi hi-fi but any standard turntable should work).
The important bit for this to work, is a USB Audio Phono Preamp. I use one by Pinnacle systems which came with Steinberg Clean plus version 5. I got this years ago (when I still had XP that got deleted one drunken night). I get really good results with this set up.
To actually get started you need to check a number of things are set right in software.
1. Before you launch Audacity turn your turn table so that software picks up on start up, otherwise it won't be work.
2. Click on the Device Toolbar and check that USB Audio CODEC is set as the recording devices and that the default sound card that you use is also selected.
Also makes sure that the recording channels are set on 2 (stereo).
3. You will also want to have software play through clicked on so that you can hear if its actually get through. (Also means that you can listen to the music). This is where having more memory pays off because it doesn't work at all well on the old laptop or the desktop with 2gb.
4. In the mixer toolbar, turn the left-hand output volume slider up.
The right-hand volume slider can be used to vary the volume/loudness of the recording it self.
5. Also, make sure that the Project Rate botton is set to 44 100 Hz.
Right, that should now make it all work,
Now start playing the record and press the red button to record.
Play and record the whole of the record as this is a lot easier than doing each track.
In part 2 I will deal with what to do with the recording.
Nighthawk
This will be part 1 of 2 parts. The actual setting up and recording.
Part 2 will be separating the results into the separate tracks and saving them as individual songs instead of one big track.
Hardware
Apart from the obvious laptop the only additional hardware is a turn table (I used the one connected to my sony midi hi-fi but any standard turntable should work).
The important bit for this to work, is a USB Audio Phono Preamp. I use one by Pinnacle systems which came with Steinberg Clean plus version 5. I got this years ago (when I still had XP that got deleted one drunken night). I get really good results with this set up.
Audio File Type.
Audacity start as .ogg as the default but you can change this to what feel is more convenient or works best on your music device.
Software
For this I used what appears to be the standard software: Audacity or at least that is what I have found to be the standard in audio recording with Linux.To actually get started you need to check a number of things are set right in software.
1. Before you launch Audacity turn your turn table so that software picks up on start up, otherwise it won't be work.
2. Click on the Device Toolbar and check that USB Audio CODEC is set as the recording devices and that the default sound card that you use is also selected.
Also makes sure that the recording channels are set on 2 (stereo).
3. You will also want to have software play through clicked on so that you can hear if its actually get through. (Also means that you can listen to the music). This is where having more memory pays off because it doesn't work at all well on the old laptop or the desktop with 2gb.
4. In the mixer toolbar, turn the left-hand output volume slider up.
The right-hand volume slider can be used to vary the volume/loudness of the recording it self.
5. Also, make sure that the Project Rate botton is set to 44 100 Hz.
Right, that should now make it all work,
Now start playing the record and press the red button to record.
Play and record the whole of the record as this is a lot easier than doing each track.
In part 2 I will deal with what to do with the recording.
Nighthawk
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