Relevant system specific information:

OS: Ubuntu Desktop 11.04
HDMI Device: XFX ATI 5770

sudo alsamixer

Ensure no devices are muted (indicated by “MM”).

sudo alsactl store 0

This step saves the running alsa configuration

sudo aplay -l

This command will list the installed alsa devices.  Choose the device which you want to output the HDMI audio from – paying attention to the card number and device number.

card 1: Generic [HD-Audio Generic], device 3: HDMI 0 [HDMI 0]

The above information is used to configure a custom audio device within XBMC.  Within the XBMC system configuration settings, change the output device and output passthrough device to custom with the following name:

plughw:1,3  (Note that yours may differ – it is based on the output of the aplay command.

After saving, restarting the machine, and re-launching XBMC, I was now receiving audio over HDMI – though sounds for the system menus no longer functioned (an issue I’ve since ignored).  However, when I played audio, it did not seem as though I was receiving the center channel audio.  I was able to fix this by an odd combination of configuration settings.  While playing a video I set the audio to analog – changed the volume from -60db to 0db, and switched audio back to HDMI.

1. Experiment with Linux. Linux is a great thing to be at least familiar with. Just grab a “Live CD”, either by downloading or ordering, and boot your PC to its CD-ROM drive. You can then experiment in this environment without making any permanent changes to the system. For those really looking to further their understanding of linux, I would recommend installing it to your local hard drive (assuming you are not overwriting data). Linux file systems can differ dramatically from a windows environment, and for the ones I have dealt with, there are many things to be learned aobut the parition setup and allocation. With a LiveCD you can bypass having to deal with that, but it does limit what you can do as far as playing around with the operating system.

2. Create a file server. Throw some hard drives in the box (it is up to you whether you would like to setup a RAID array for these drives. For this sort of arrangement, you may also need additional hardware (a RAID controller) for this setup.) Keep in mind that almost all properly setup file servers used in the business world are on some sort of RAID configuration. You can configure the box to any setup you would like. I enjoy a VNC only box (no monitor/keyboard/mouse attached) that I can throw in a closet and only run a patch cable and power cable out for. If you are looking at making a file server please keep some form of backup in mind.

3. Setup a local server for WAN use. I set one of these up a few years ago and couldn’t be happier with it. Best use of old hardware I have found so far! On mine I run VNC and just created a DNS2GO account so I wouldn’t have to stay on top of the always-changing IP of a residential line. This sort of configuration allows for a lot of customization. You could create it to run all messaging protocols, a place to save email using thunderbird, outlook, etc. Also can dedicate one place for any file sharing applications (if you desire to use one). It saves a lot of time having these sorts of applications on one machine rather then spreading the tasks around to 2-3 different ones. Customization is endless, and it’s very convenient to log into a familiar work environment when you are in need of your word processing, graphic design, or other applications at a workstation with only internet access and the minimum Windows XP of Vista system applications.

4. Create a Home Theater PC (HTPC). Now, depending on what you want to do with the machine really depends on the hardware you are using for it, or how much $ you are willing to dump into it. If you would like merely a TV tuner, DVD player, or to play similar video files which don’t demand much from graphics or processor you may be fine with something as minimal as a p3 with 512 MB or RAM. Of course, check the minimum requirements for the TV Tuner you purchase or any of the file formats you play. However, even if you don’t want to spend a fortune re-building an old box, you can do great things by just installing a TV tuner (around $50 nowadays) and a DVD-ROM drive if it is not included. The only other part needed will be an adapter from DVI to HDMI (depending on the desired resolution). There are a lot of variables with creating a Home Theatre PC that will probably need to be covered in a separate entry. Basically, for TV viewing and DVD play, the demand on CPU and memory isn’t too bad, and an older system with a few newer parts may perform well. Play around with it, definitely a worthy weekend project.

5. Mod that case! An entire community within the computer enthusiast world. Case modding is the art of modifying a computer case (usually tower-cases vs. laptops) to improve looks or performance of the unit, or both! There is anything from computers crammed into Nintendo Entertainment System cases, to computers with UV lighted, water cooled components.

These communites are mainly composed of galleries, tutorials, and contests about “case mods”. It is easy to find them all around and find something you like and want to imitate or that inspires you. Case mods can range from $1 to thousands of dollars, it all just depends on what you would like to create with the ordinary p3 sitting in the closet and how much time you want to dedicate to making it happen.

Links:
Ubuntu LiveCD Download

Knoppix LiveCD Download

UltraVNC

Bit-Tech – good read for some high budget case mods

I do plan on creating a more in-depth article about HTPC creation, so check back soon. I also may start up with a few photoshop tutorials now that things are a bit more up and running. Thanks for reading!

-MadHatter