I’m getting to the point that the browser, apps, and OS from the last update/upgrade of the Boxee system are far enough out-of-date to be causing some major annoyances.
So I’m thinking about hacking the system to get to root, and I’m considering a live version of openSuSE on a USB stick, so I would have an upgradable OS with a functional web browser, and would be able to continue using my existing Boxee Box hardware for streaming video, audio, and other files.
Is there a variation more in tune with the original Boxee/XBMC interface, which could easily be manipulated into this type of service? Has anyone got experience with this or recommendations that they’d like to share?
I realize this is aging hardware, and that it would be easier to just pick up a Chromebox or NUC for a couple hundred dollars and have a more powerful system, but I already have this hardware, and I’d like to get just a bit more use out of it.
Thanks in advance for any helpful suggestions or recommendations!
On 2015-05-20 20:56, copperlion wrote:
>
> I’m getting to the point that the browser, apps, and OS from the last
> update/upgrade of the Boxee system are far enough out-of-date to be
> causing some major annoyances.
>
> So I’m thinking about hacking the system to get to root, and I’m
> considering a live version of openSuSE on a USB stick, so I would have
> an upgradable OS with a functional web browser, and would be able to
> continue using my existing Boxee Box hardware for streaming video,
> audio, and other files.
What is Boxee Box? :-?
–
Cheers / Saludos,
Carlos E. R.
(from 13.1 x86_64 “Bottle” at Telcontar)
It was essentially a mini-(micro? nano?)-PC designed to run a fork of XBMC, with an underlying Linux OS. It started as a D-Link brand, but it wasn’t really supported very well. The last update, which included an update to the Flashplayer and other software plugins, happened a couple of years ago, so the only way to update or upgrade the software is to hack something else onto it. The hardware itself is basically an older/early version of a Chromebox or NUC, without a lot of upgrade options. I do like the RF remote/keyboard, though, and my wife requires that it remain easy to navigate and use with that remote. So in part I’m trying to find out if I should be able to find drivers for all of the Boxee Box hardware, including the remote, to be functional with a live version of openSuSE. I’m fairly sure the live version of openSuSE can reasonably easily be configured with power and versatility of the current release, yet the easy navigation of XBMC/Kodi, MythTV, or some other such home theater-like interface.
> Boxee Box hardware, including the remote, to be functional with a live
> version of openSuSE. I’m fairly sure the live version of openSuSE can
> reasonably easily be configured with power and versatility of the
> current release, yet the easy navigation of XBMC/Kodi, MythTV, or some
> other such home theater-like interface.
Some of these gadgets have an active users group that create alternative
updates for some time, till the people with the knowledge and means
switch to another gadget. You should search google to see if there is a
forum or support group (probably outside of the company).
Although reading the wikipedia, it seems that the original software was
VERY closed.
I would have a look at mythtv or other sites to find out if you can
flash your gadget with their software. Not install openSUSE on it, but a
dedicated multimedia center distro like the mythtv guys do. It may
probably mean you lose features, though. Those depending on proprietary
contracts at least.
–
Cheers / Saludos,
Carlos E. R.
(from 13.1 x86_64 “Bottle” at Telcontar)
