MP on 'Boxee box'? (1 Viewer)

[Hojou]

Ok so i need a silent MP client and don't really have the guts or time to build a silent HTPC.

There has been a lot of hype around for the Boxee software and the Boxee box from d-link BOXEE BOX By D-Link
but what i really like about that box is, that - apart from being butt ugly - should be silent and capable of hd video playback. It has a wireless n network (along with a 100mb normal cable network) - a sweet remote (with keyboard on the back)... I would REALLY like this box, and then swap out the linix+boxee software with some windows+MP client.

Only problem is, it has only 1Gb ram - would that be a problem running/streaming video with MP client from a server somewhere else in the house?

 

[Hojou]

Ok - a quick update. It seems MP client required specs is just 1 meg og ram so i guess i'm clear - can't wait!

 

[DieBagger]

Afaik the boxee box runs a linux derivant, right? Do you even know if it's possible to install windows on one of these boxes? Would be a nice thing though if it were actually possible...

 

[funkstar]

Not going to happen.

MP is an entirely Windows based media centre application. It is heavily dependant on the graphics, audio, BDA, networking and other APIs and components available on Windows, there is no way you are going to do a simple port to a linux based closed system like Boxee. Can you even install third parts apps on it? or can it be hacked to allow you install whatever software you want?

Even with access to allow other apps, you are going to code a MP front end from the ground up rather than porting the current client over from windows. It is completely possible, just going to a massive amount of work. I don't know how well documented the protocol between the client and the server is, but it is all open source, so it is possible.

 

[Hojou]

I was thinking, the boxee box seem to be based like a normal pc with a motherboard that hosts an Intel Atom processor, it might be possible it has a "normal pc" bios as well, making it possible to boot up on usb or the sd card reader. I would hope that i could put Win7 on an SD card and then boot up windows 7 there? The problem might be finding the drivers for the gfx card (PowerVR SGX535), sound card etc but if that was possible you should be able to boot into windows. With windows running, installing MP should be possible?

 

[pilehave]

Maybe the Intel GMA500 drivers can be hacked to work with the native SGX535, but I seriously doubt it.