Linux XBMC and OpenWRT

[exobyte]

Is there any interest in getting XBMC to run on a modded Linksys/Netgear/etc set top box?

OpenWRT is an open source 3rd part firmware for routers, so firmware for video devices is a natural move. With Linux XBMC, there could be disto specifically for set top boxes.

Something to think about...

[Unbehagen]

Isn't OpenWRT especially for routers and because of that contains mostly router functions? Why should those two marry? Shouldn't a multimedia software come together with a slick multimedia distro?

[exobyte]

Originally Posted by Unbehagen

Isn't OpenWRT especially for routers and because of that contains mostly router functions? Why should those two marry? Shouldn't a multimedia software come together with a slick multimedia distro?

Not so much routers as much as embedded devices where stability and disk space are a concern. My idea it to put XBMC on something like a Netgear EVA700. For that, a distro for embedded platforms is important.

There actually aren't that many routing functions built into OpenWRT. Mainly, there are kernel options that are shut off so it's lightweight.

[FlappySocks]

Originally Posted by exobyte

My idea it to put XBMC on something like a Netgear EVA700. For that, a distro for embedded platforms is important.

The Netgear doesn't do HiDef. You may as well use a chipped XBox.
AppleTV, or MacMini may be a better choice.

I think the developers are concentrating on getting XBMC to work on a standard X86 Linux platform, and then spinoff projects, such as AppleTV and PS3 will follow.

Video drivers are the biggest problem - mpeg2 is about the only thing thats accelerated in the Linux. Hopefully something will come out of Nvidia, ATI or Intel soon.