How can I make a Media Linux Machine?

Question

I have an old windows computer that I have deleted everything on the hard drive. I would like to find a distribution of Linux that would be good for a Media center. I need the distribution to run on a small amount of ram. And I don't quite know how good the graphics card is. I'm primarily going to be using this computer as a DVD Player and a music player via external hard drive music. Thank you to all that respond. I will choose the best answer that I deem the best!

Thanks Again!
Corbin

Answer 1

Ah, at first I thought you were trying to make a Tivo like system which can be done with installing the myth-TV package.





I would boot the Ubuntu or Fedora Core 11 live CD and see how well it performs. Then there is an option to click on "Install" on the desktop to install it to your system.



I've used FC11 and recommend that version of Linux (though it's VERY similar to Ubuntu with the added benefit of being closer to the business RHEL version)



http://fedoraproject.org/



After installing FC11 from live CD, I would do the following:

(note, these all can be installed graphically as well)



Basic Tools:

From the command line type 'su -' to become root then issue this command:



yum -y install k3b gftp nmap telnet-server kdeedu kdenetwork kdegraphics system-* thunderbird



(I think I'm missing some here but this is an OK start)



Full Open Office install (including uneeded langs)

yum -y install openoffice.org*





For full Video and mp3 support (use the FUSION repository):

Download the following and install them with rpm -Uvh

http://download1.rpmfusion.org/free/fedora/rpmfusion-free-release-stable.noarch.rpm

http://download1.rpmfusion.org/nonfree/fedora/rpmfusion-nonfree-release-stable.noarch.rpm



Now, Install the XMMS player (which is a lot like WinAmp)

yum install *xmms*

(i suggest you change the skin or look and also add the playlist and eq views, but now you can play any audio with this. Look for "audio player" under Sound and Video")



Now install mplayer

yum -y install *mplayer*

(look for the mplayer icon under Sound and Video)



Another thing, if you plug this box into your TV , you can use Mplayer to play video right to it.. then setup a remote desktop session using the "Share Desktop option" in FC. Read up on VNC and krdc, it's easy to setup.



Good luck :-)

Answer 2

It relies upon. If that's a rather recent computer that's nevertheless usable, your terrific wager is to adhere with homestead windows. regardless of each thing, XP is an incredible working equipment. although, if it has a plague/is broken previous fix/is rather previous, you should installation linux. right here're some distros to compliment between: beginner- Ubuntu, Linux Mint Semi-Savvy- Debian, Sabayon stronger- Gentoo, Linux-from-scratch by skill of how, GIMP is a advantageous application, yet once you don't love it you could actually installation a compatibility layer referred to as WINE that'll run maximum of your homestead windows classes. additionally, a digital device working interior of Linux (somewhat harder to establish) might additionally be waiting to run the two OS X and homestead windows classes.

Answer 3

OpenSuse 11 has an extensive collection of multimedia players, streaming video. dvd support (you have to add the NON OSS package due to licensing limitations; it's free but a separate download from the main DVD) Video editors. DVR software...



good luck :D

Answer 4

Try Xubuntu