Xbox as cheap alternative to MVP?

[Glasswalker]

Hey, just a curious question. From what I understand, the MVP is linux based, and the dongle is just a linux bin with a bunch of pre-compiled apps in it to run the client.

I am currently working on modding up an xbox (dirt cheap used nowadays) to run XBMC which is a really nice media front end that plays every audio/video format out there, and DVDs.

Since the XBox softmods are based on linux, would it not be possible to compile those same apps from the dongles to make an "XBoxMVP" that is compatible with the same protocols and such?

This would be awesome, considering used xboxes can be had for under $50 nowadays on ebay (and even in the $20 range if you look locally for one with a busted dvdrom, which is not needed for the softmod if you do it right) and they are settop, and have a remote and everything.

Just a curious consideration. Also it might allow for more capabilities, since the xbox can do HD output, as well as has a bit more processing and graphics oomph than the MVP does as far as I know.

Thanks for your feedback in advance!

[sub]

A year or two ago I did consider creating an xbox client for GB-PVR, but decided against it. I've now long since sold my xbox, so it wont be a task I'll be taking on, but I"m sure its entirely possible.

[Glasswalker]

Well, I am curious, what protocols and such does GBPVR use to stream the video? I was doing some reading and it looks like the MVP streams an entire framebuffer realtime to the display, which makes sense how you can render whatever gui you want on it. So could we not mimic the remote framebuffer functionality on an xbox somehow? is it a published (and possibly allready written) protocol? I am a programmer, and a pretty heavy duty linux buff (I am IT Manager for a large linux based web development firm). But I don't have a ton of experience with multimedia stuff in linux (mostly just client/server). Anyway, if I had code for a base protocol that kinda worked I might be willing to adapt, mind you perhaps I am not the guy for the job, either way I really think that an xbox client would add alot to the project due to their extremely low price now that ps3/360 are both out (and a large installbase of softmod users using XBMC now anyway, adding a gui that ties right into GB-PVR which can stream from an allready existing non-dedicated windows box with a tuner in it would draw alot more people to using this kind of setup. Hell I have like 5 friends using multiple xboxes to watch divx files from a samba share, who would jump on the opportunity to slap a $100 tuner in their windows box and run GBPVR in the background and have full PVR functionality on their xboxes.)

Also did I not see mention in a couple spots that software "emulators" of the MVP client have been written? (also is the source available for the client you use in linux right now on the dongle? or are you using a precompiled binary version of hauppage's dongle with modifications, in which case how do you get around licensing issues?)

Thanks!

[sub]

I dont have any source code for you, but the source to some of the MVP emulators were posted here in a couple of places. Also the sourceforge mvpmc project has MVP emulation that you could look at.

[Glasswalker]

Yes I contacted Jon over at MVPMC so that he might be able to help. Thanks!

[sub]

Another member here, mvallevand, might be the person most worth contacting. He was the author of mvpmc's emulation mode.

[Glasswalker]

Excellent! Thanks!

[BoomerBrian]

What about the XBOX360? It already is a media extender. Is there an API or something for it?

[sub]

Now that I would be interested in doing, but unfortunately its all securely locked down with no possibilities at this stage.

They do have some tools to let users write their own apps for the 360, but unfortunately its lacking the all important networking ability...

[Glasswalker]

2 things: BoomerBrian: Awesome idea, but I am more of a Sony fan myself (and since the PS3 has actual support for running linux and other 3rd party os on it, that is likely an easy one)

Second thing, Sub, I have sent mvallevand a pm, but do you have other contact info for him that you could pm me? I am eager to get in touch with him for details on his emulation code.

Looks like the MVP protocol is nothing more than a slightly modified VNC protocol, so it should be quite simple to make it all work, and if his emulator is 90% there, then I should be able to port the code to xbox, and fine tune it.

Thanks!