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Thanks for spoiling me


vidkun

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vidkun

Between you guys and XBMC team, I have been spoiled the past couple years. When I first started with HTPCs it was hell to get up and running. Installing codecs, LAV filters, external players, etc. I've been running XBMC with a MySQL backend for a couple years and it was great. No more codecs, filters, splitters, magic fairy dust, etc. Just install XBMC, point at the DB server, and enjoy. It took care of getting my bluray backups streamed in full 1080p with HD audio bit streamed to my AV receiver in all its glory.

 

Then MBS came along with XBMB3C and filled in all the gaps picking up slack where XBMC's MySQL backend dropped the ball. It was great.  I bring all this up because I recently decided to look at MBT. Boy is it beautiful. Unfortunately, it brought back all those memories of jumping through hoops to figure out all the crap that has to be installed/configured on the backside (LAV filters, LAV splitter, etc).  I gave it a shot and had some issues with a slightly sluggish interface (on a decently powered box), playback issues with large high bitrate movies freezing before even getting past the studio intros, and audio not coming through properly (if at all). 

 

Now I'll be the first to bet that my issues were more because of my screwing up configuration of some of the dependencies or missing a dependency altogether. However, what came next is where the spoiling comes in. In less time than I spent futzing with install MBT (on to an already existing OS install), configuring it, and trying to get past the above issues; I was able to completely reformat that drive, install a completely new OS (my first foray into OpenElec), have XBMC up and running, get XBMB3C installed, configured, my goto skin installed, configured, and streaming the very same videos flawlessly with all its HD audio goodness. No bullshit, no hassles, no re-educating myself on all the crazy codecs, filters, splitters, external players, whatevers that I had long forgotten about over the past years because I was doing just fine without them. It was simple, elegant, easy.

 

Now, MBT is absolutely freaking beautiful looking! I love what it brings to the table and the direction it is taking the HTPC interface and experience. But the requirements are a bit of a barrier to entry for newcomers to the HTPC arena and us older members that have no interest in reliving those nightmares of our earlier days. So I hope to see two major developments with MBT: 1) a linux port because I'm tired of dealing with a windows license, updates, odd issues, etc., and 2) improvements in reducing all the required BS on the backend such as installing/configuring LAV filters/splitters and external players.

 

In the meantime, I'm enjoying being spoiled by my newfound love for Openelec, XBMC, MBS, and XBMB3C. It's just so damn simple! Thanks guys!

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xnappo

Thanks a lot - we do this a lot for ourselves, but it is REALLY REALLY encouraging when people post positive feedback about our work.

 

xnappo

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