XBMC for Linux specific FAQ

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Frequently Asked Questions for XBMC running under Linux-based operating systems.
XBMC FAQs

Contents


1 General FAQ

See also: XBMC all platforms FAQ for FAQs that apply to all versions of XBMC.

There are no official XBMC builds in other distros outside Ubuntu yet, if you use something other than Ubuntu check to see if XBMC is available via repositories.

See also: Installing XBMC for Linux for How-to install XBMC in other distros

1.1 Linux XBMC log

In Linux your XBMC log is located in the path below: (bear in mind this is when logged in as the xbmc user and not root)

See also: Accessing XBMC via SSH e.g. Putty
Note: The location of the log assumes you are logged in as user and not root.

$HOME/.xbmc/temp/xbmc.log

You can generate a debug.log Pastebin link automatically quickly to post anywhere that requires a debug.log.

Note: Don't forget to Enable Debugging

sudo apt-get install pastebinit -y
 
cat $HOME/.xbmc/temp/xbmc.log | pastebinit

If you run into issues it is helpful to keep certain things in mind, specially when your thinking about starting a thread of xbmc forums or open a bug report on XBMC bug tracker. Below is a list of information that should be included in a forum post but is not limited to.


For help/support visit XBMC Community Forums or IRC #xbmc-linux

See also: HOW-TO:Submit a bug report

1.2 Where is the UserData folder? 

$HOME/.xbmc/userdata

1.3 Where is XBMC installed?

The installation paths are like below:

Please remember that no user XBMC configuration files are kept here, refer to userdata for user-space files. 

/usr/share/xbmc/

/usr/lib/xbmc/

1.4 Does XBMC for Linux support Blu-ray or HD DVD playback with or without menus?

Yes, without menus. As of Dharma (10.0) includes support for playback of unencrypted Blu-ray directories when libbluray is installed. However, XBMC must be compiled from source. Installing from a repository like the Team-XBMC unstable ppa will not recognize whether libbluray is installed.
Currently, only the longest title is played from the Blu-ray directory, even on multi-video Blu-rays (e.g. TV shows). To play a Blu-ray directory, select the /BDMV/index.bdmv in the Blu-ray directory. If stacking is enabled, selecting the Blu-ray directory folder will start playback.
Frodo v12 includes better support for bluray .iso and folder, there is still work in progress in this area for post Frodo.

Playback Blu-ray Disc in XBMC with MakeMKV see below.

Attention talk.png playback Blu-ray Disc in XBMC for Linux with MakeMKV (Plugin Addon) Discussion thread

1.5 Which are the supported Linux distributions?

  • Supported Linux Operating-System installed on a supported computer, currently supported OS are:
  • It is possible to compile and run 32-bit XBMC under 64-bit (AMD64/EMT64) Ubuntu if you run it in a 32bit chroot.

1.6 What is current recommended hardware requirements for XBMC

For end-users the recommended minimum requirement is an x86-based computer, with a 3D GPU (Graphics Processing Unit) that at least supports Shader Model 3.0 and OpenGL 2.0 (that features 24bpp or 32bpp for 3D hardware-acceleration support, which the XBMC GUI needs to run smoothly at an acceptable frame-rate). Graphic adapters that support DirectX version 9.0c or later usually meet all of those mentioned requirements, (Team-XBMC recommends NVIDIA GeForce 6150 or later as NVIDIA are currently the manufacturer that offers good device-drivers for Linux (and NVIDIA GeForce 6150 or later supports OpenGL 2.0).

1.7 XBMC for Linux minimum requirements

  • For clarification; XBMC for Linux does not work on the Xbox game-console.

2 Troubleshooting

2.1 Boot issues

Some Intel GPU's have issues with rc6 it can be disabled via grub. 

sudo nano /etc/default/grub

Append i915.i915_enable_rc6=0 to: 

GRUB_CMDLINE_LINUX_DEFAULT="quiet splash i915.i915_enable_rc6=0"
Then run 
sudo update-grub

2.2 Video Device Driver

Incomplete.png INCOMPLETE:
This page or section is incomplete. Please add information or correct uncertain data which is marked with a ?
Most of the problems that you encounter with slow display or OpenGL related errors are because you do not have the proper or outdated display drivers installed.

2.3 Begin but install the video drivers the Ubuntu Way

  • For NVIDIA drivers follow the guide click this (link)
  • For ATI drivers follow the guide click this (link)
  • For Intel it is simpler since the drivers are open source so they are usually already pre-installed. You need to make sure that you use the newer Intel driver and not the older i810 driver or the 'vesa' driver. This could be verified by checking the 'Driver' value in /etc/X11/xorg.conf.
Make sure your hardware acceleration libva or sna is installed and working.
Deinterlacing in Intel hardware needs cutting edge drivers like xserver-xorg-video-intel, libva-intel-vaapi-driver

Below we can find forum discussions on various relevant topics, from complete setup's and configuration of drivers. NVidia forum discussion link does not exist yet, please add them if you know of any relevant ones.

Attention talk.png NVidia Place Holder forum discussion thread ?
Attention talk.png XVBA for AMD Radeon/Fusion/NVidia forum discussion thread
Attention talk.png Intel GPU forum discussion thread

2.4 Upgrading NVidia drivers in Ubuntu and variants

For Linux updating graphics drivers can be a decisive step in resolving some issues. Ubuntu and XBMCbuntu ship with often outdated drivers that do not support a platform fully. Make sure if you use other 3rd party ppa's (repositories) that hold versions of the NVidia drivers are removed, for sanity reasons dont remove any Ubuntu sources, as that is likely to break something if you remove any. 

sudo apt-get install python-software-properties pkg-config
sudo add-apt-repository -r ppa:the_3rd_party_ppa_you_wish_to_remove_here
sudo add-apt-repository ppa:ubuntu-x-swat/x-updates
apt-get update
sudo apt-get install nvidia-current nvidia-settings

Attention talk.png NVidia Drivers updates XBMCBuntu, Ubuntu and variants forum discussion thread

2.5 Intel SNA Acceleration

Intel uses vaapi for GPU accelerated video playback decoding, however there are other acceleration methods in the pipeline like SNA. Using GPU acceleration is a essential part to getting smooth XBMC GUI rendering and more importantly achieving smooth playback on Video materials, if your GPU supports acceleration of your file types. Create or edit your existing /etc/X11/xorg.conf and add to section Device as below. 

Section "Device"
Identifier "Intel Graphics"
Driver "intel"
Option "AccelMethod" "sna"
EndSection

Understand SNA see: Intel SNA vs. UXA On Ivy Bridge

Attention talk.png Optimal video settings for Intel GPU forum discussion thread

2.6 Verify OpenGL support

Once you have your drivers in place, you need to make sure that OpenGL is properly configured. Run the following command: 
# glxinfo | grep -i direct
The result should be: 
Direct rendering: Yes
If the result is "No" it means that the display driver have not been properly configured. Also, you can run the command glxgears and you should see the wheels turning smoothly.

3 Update XBMC from any ppa

We obviously recommend the use of our ppa's, and we acknowledge that Ubuntu is only a small percentage of the Linux distros in use, for e.g. Archlinux, Debian, gentoo and many others. Feel welcome to show how you can upgrade packages in other distros. Though this one is designed for XBMCbuntu and Ubuntu variant installs.

3.1 Where are XBMC Packages for Ubuntu/Debian?

Official
Xvba and improved Vdpau (not mainline)
3rd party (contains older Ubuntu support etc)


3.1.1 Ubuntu manual XBMC upgrade process

NOTICE: What might break when upgrading to v12 is a must read for users upgrading to a final Version.

Below is the transition to upgrade XBMC manually and/or change the repository being used if you have a different source ppa (it is recommended to remove any ppa's that contain same package sources). Attempting to simplify the process, If you use other Distros please dont hesitate to update/add subsection the relevant parts with your specific Distro information.

As below connect to your Debian based Distro via SSH to run these commands. 

sudo apt-get install python-software-properties pkg-config
sudo add-apt-repository -r ppa:current_XBMC_providing_ppa
sudo add-apt-repository ppa:the_ppa_you_wish_to_use
sudo apt-get update
sudo apt-get upgrade
sudo apt-get remove xbmc xbmc.bin
sudo apt-get install xbmc xbmc.bin

3.1.2 Arch manual XBMC upgrade process

This part needs to be updated ?

3.1.3 FreeBSD manual XBMC upgrade process

Upgrading XBMC in FreeBSD is pretty simple, as long as a new version exists in port
Update you port tree
portsnap fetch update
Update XBMC
portmaster multimedia/xbmc

3.1.4 Gentoo manual XBMC upgrade process

This part needs to be updated ?

3.2 Compiz is not compatible with XBMC

Make sure Compiz visual effects is disabled. You can do this by going to System -> Preferences -> Appearance -> Visual Effects. Make sure "None" is selected. Alternatively, you can tell Compiz not to interfere with XBMC. Install and run CompizConfig, and under General Options tick Unredirect Fullscreen Windows.
For NVIDIA-Graphics use Disable composite in xorg.conf, like so: 
Section "Extensions"
    Option "Composite" "Disable"
EndSection

Or in terminal 

sudo nvidia-xconfig --no-composite
Minimal xorg.conf for NVidia Minimal NVidia xorg.conf

3.3 Audio issues

For XBMC v12 Frodo specific settings please see AudioEngine.

3.4 Why do I get no audio devices detected ?

If you have installed lightdm this will happen, its is not a XBMC issue. Workaround exists.

See: XBMCbuntu no audio devices

3.5 Required packages 

sudo apt-get install alsa-utils libasound2

3.6 No sound in XBMC

Note: Unmute channels in alsamixer in all cases if your getting no sound via e.g. HDMI just for guidance a couple of quick reference commands below.

Substitute IEC958 with your device ID depending on your ​aplay -l​ output. 

amixer -q set Master 100% unmute 
amixer -q set PCM 100% unmute
amixer -q set 'IEC958',1 unmute
amixer -q set 'IEC958',0 unmute
Note: Make sure that in alsamixer your correct sound card is in use, to change you card you need F6 and then try either card to make sure its not something as simple as using correct card. Sometimes the onboard card may not be the card you want or need.
Note: Some systems that have multiple sound cards e.g.Intel Azalia (internal) - GT520 (external), you could try to disable the onboard card in system BIOS if its not in use. For e.g. Your using a soundblaster or Video card that are able to output audio e.g. HDA Nvidia.

3.7 HDMI Channel Audio remapping

Under some systems e.g. ION in combination with some Receivers the HDMI channels may be incorrectly mapped.

See also: HOW-TO: Remap HDMI audio on Gen 1 ION - Linux

4 Dual Audio setup

This is a grail for some XBMC users and with inclusion of AudioEngine it becomes more complex and even impossible in some cases.

puntloos a XBMC forums user posted his finding which according to post work relatively well for his hardware, install and setup, bare in mind that this may not work for everyone under all circumstances.

Attention talk.png Setting up dual audio forum discussion thread

5 Known issues

See: XBMC v12 (Frodo) issues

Retrieved from "http://wiki.xbmc.org/index.php?title=XBMC_for_Linux_specific_FAQ"
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