HOW-TO install XBMC for Linux on Ubuntu, a Step-by-Step Guide.

The following is the recommended way of installing XBMC as a standalone app for Ubuntu. This is not the most stripped down approach but it is the safest and most simplistic. Please also consider XBMC Live as an easy way to try XBMC without changing your system. For a more stripped down approach, consider the more advanced guide XBMCbuntu which starts with a minimal server install.

This guide assumes that desktop based Ubuntu (Gnome, KDE, XFCE) is installed and working and that your system meets the minimum requirements for XBMC. If you're having trouble getting to this point please visit Ubuntu Forums for help

Installing XBMC Ubuntu 9.10 Karmic or higher.

If you are using Ubuntu 9.10 or higher, you have the option of a more streamlined install. Load the terminal window and issue the following:

<span class="kw2">sudo</span> <span class="kw2">apt-get</span> <span class="kw2">install</span> python-software-properties pkg-config
<span class="kw2">sudo</span> add-apt-repository ppa:team-xbmc
<span class="kw2">sudo</span> <span class="kw2">apt-get</span> update
<span class="kw2">sudo</span> <span class="kw2">apt-get</span> <span class="kw2">install</span> xbmc xbmc-standalone
<span class="kw2">sudo</span> <span class="kw2">apt-get</span> update

You do not need to add the XBMC Repo nor the PPA Keys. XBMC is already installed. To have content, go to Adding the XBMC SVN Repo Installer (not to be confused with XBMC Repo below).

If you get an error with message "E: Broken package" while doing this, please go to the System menu, then Administration, then Software Sources and check the "Community-maintained open Source software (universe)" and "Software restricted by copyright or legal issues (multiverse)" checkboxes and apply the changes.

For NVidia hardware acceleration (VDPAU) in Ubuntu 10.04 install the following packages:

<span class="kw2">sudo</span> <span class="kw2">apt-get</span> <span class="kw2">install</span> libvdpau1 nvidia<span class="nu0">-185</span>-libvdpau<br /><br />

<br />

Adding the XBMC Repo.

Adding the XBMC Repo tells your system where to look for xbmc for installation and future updates

• From the Desktop, click System -> Administration -> Software Sources.
• Click the "Third Party Sofware" tab.
• Click "Add" for each of the following. For the Apt line type the following, substituting "jaunty" for your version:

deb http://ppa.launchpad.net/team-xbmc/ppa/ubuntu jaunty main<br />deb-src http://ppa.launchpad.net/team-xbmc/ppa/ubuntu jaunty main

• Click "Close". If you see a GPG Error upon closing the window, not to worry. That will be handled in the next step.

Adding PPA Keys.

These packages are signed with a unique key for added security. Synaptic needs to know this key in order to verify the packages' authenticity.

• Click here to view the PGP key
• Select the text from the beginning of the keyblock to the end (including those lines)
• Copy that text to the clipboard (Edit -> Copy)
• Open your text editor from Applications -> Text Editor.
• Paste the key contents (Edit -> Paste)
• Save the document in your home folder as xbmc-ppa.key
• Reopen Software Sources, this time choosing the "Authentication" tab.
• Click "Import Key File" and choose the newly created xbmc-ppa.key and press OK.

You can also combine all these steps into a single command-line command:

<span class="kw2">sudo</span> <span class="kw2">apt-key</span> adv <span class="re5">--recv-keys</span> <span class="re5">--keyserver</span> keyserver.ubuntu.com 0x6d975c4791e7ee5e

Installing XBMC.

Now that the repo and key have been added, install XBMC like any other program.

• Click System -> Administration -> Synaptic Package Manager
• Click "Reload"
• Search for "xbmc"
• Mark xbmc and xbmc-standalone for installation and mark additional changes when prompted.
• Click "Apply" and agree to the changes after reading them.

XBMC is now installed and ready for use.

Adding the XBMC SVN Repo Installer.

In Ubuntu the SVN Repositories are not automatically added. You must add them manually.

• First, download the SVN Repo Installer from:
• http://xbmc-addons.googlecode.com/svn/packages/plugins/programs/SVN_Repo_Installer.zip
• Extract it to the ~/.xbmc/plugins/programs directory. If this directory does not exist, run XBMC one time and then exit back to Ubuntu. The directory should now exist.
• Select XBMC Media Center: Applications -> Sound & Video -> XBMC Media Center
• Scroll down to Programs.
• Select program plugins.
• Select SVN Repo Installer
• Select xbmc-addons
• Select plugins
• Choose the plugins that you want to add (i.e., videos)

Autostart XBMC (optional).

By following these instructions, your system will boot directly into XBMC rather than your desktop from now on. It is advised that you delay this step until XBMC is setup as you'd like it.

• From the desktop click System -> Administration -> Login Screen
• From the "Security" tab choose "Enable Automatic Login" and select your username.
• Click "OK" to exit.
• Logout of your system.
• From the Login screen choose "Select Session"
• Choose "XBMC" and click "Change Session"

You're finished. Next time you login you should be greeted with XBMC.

Screenshots.

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About Hugo

Ubuntu is a Linux distribution that offers an operating system predominantly focused on desktop computers but also provides support for servers. Based on Debian GNU / Linux, Ubuntu focuses on ease of use, freedom in usage restriction, regular releases (every 6 months) and ease of installation.