GeeXboX
Encyclopedia
GeeXboX is a free Linux distribution
providing a media center
software suite for personal computer
s. GeeXboX 2.0 and later uses XBMC for media playback and is implemented as Live USB
and Live CD
options. As such, the system does not need to be permanently installed to a hard drive, as most modern operating system
s would. Instead, the computer can be booted with the GeeXboX CD when media playback is desired.
This is a reasonable approach for those who do not need media playback services while performing other tasks with the same computer, for users who wish to repurpose older computers as media centers, and for those seeking a free alternative to Windows XP Media Center Edition
.
An unofficial port of GeeXboX 1.x also runs on the Wii.
Linux distribution
A Linux distribution is a member of the family of Unix-like operating systems built on top of the Linux kernel. Such distributions are operating systems including a large collection of software applications such as word processors, spreadsheets, media players, and database applications...
providing a media center
Home theater PC
A Home Theater PC or Media Center appliance is a convergence device that combines some or all the capabilities of a personal computer with a software application that supports video, photo, music playback, and sometimes video recording functionality...
software suite for personal computer
Personal computer
A personal computer is any general-purpose computer whose size, capabilities, and original sales price make it useful for individuals, and which is intended to be operated directly by an end-user with no intervening computer operator...
s. GeeXboX 2.0 and later uses XBMC for media playback and is implemented as Live USB
Live USB
A live USB is a USB flash drive or a USB external hard disk drive containing a full operating system that can be booted. Live USBs are closely related to live CDs, but sometimes have the ability to persistently save settings and permanently install software packages back onto the USB device...
and Live CD
Live CD
A live CD, live DVD, or live disc is a CD or DVD containing a bootable computer operating system. Live CDs are unique in that they have the ability to run a complete, modern operating system on a computer lacking mutable secondary storage, such as a hard disk drive...
options. As such, the system does not need to be permanently installed to a hard drive, as most modern operating system
Operating system
An operating system is a set of programs that manage computer hardware resources and provide common services for application software. The operating system is the most important type of system software in a computer system...
s would. Instead, the computer can be booted with the GeeXboX CD when media playback is desired.
This is a reasonable approach for those who do not need media playback services while performing other tasks with the same computer, for users who wish to repurpose older computers as media centers, and for those seeking a free alternative to Windows XP Media Center Edition
Windows XP Media Center Edition
Windows XP Media Center Edition is a version of the Windows XP operating system designed to serve as a home-entertainment hub. The last version, Windows XP Media Center Edition 2005, was released in October 2004.-Versions:...
.
An unofficial port of GeeXboX 1.x also runs on the Wii.
GeeXboX unique ISO generator
GeeXboX 1.x versions also came with a utility called iso-generator, which allowed the user to customize the GeeXboX discs, and the following options was then configurable via it:- Include your movie(s).
- Add non-free extra codecs.
- Add non-free firmware for your drivers.
- Add extra fonts for Asian users.
- Add extra themes.
- Configure the network settings.
- Configure audio related options.
- Configure video related options.
- Configure the remote control and receiver to be used.
- Configure an LCD display.
- Change theme, fonts and charset encoding.
- Choose the services to be started with GeeXboX (like UPnP and SHOUTcast).
- Modify MPlayer's startup options.
See also
- XBMC Media Center, the cross-platform open source media player software that GeeXboX uses as a front end GUI.