PC-BSD or back again with Mac OS X?

[burak]

I'm a long time Mac user and now, mainly because my eMac is too noisy, I need something new. It will be used as a general purpose computer: audio, video (with remote), word processing and web surfing (no gaming or wifi-ing something).

Because of the seemingly plausible arguments that one could build a better computer cheaply and because I like and sympathise with the open source idea (and dislike Windows) I've begun considering Linux Mint.

But then I've read that, even if I could overcome the hardware compatibility issues and manage to get as quiet a computer as a new Mac, it's impossible or almost impossible for the likes of me to get bit perfect audio output in Linux. I don't think I have golden ears and I've read that the bit perfectness might not be all that important, but again I see that it doesn't hurt either (I like reassurance). Besides, XBMC seems to have some issues in Linux as well.

Looked for an alternative and found PC-BSD which seemed (as being not a distro, but both kernel and OS) more stable and equally easy, as well as having bit perfect output and easy XBMC installation.

Yet in an "open sound" forum I've read that both BSD and Linux suffer from low quality algorithms or something.

Now Would you advice me to go back to Mac OS X again and be done with it without headache? Or would you point out PC-BSD as a safe route?

Thanks in advance, at least for reading.

[thnewguy]

I'm probably going to get some flak for this, but if you want to work with audio and have a remote-controlled multimedia experience that works without any hassle, you're probably better off with OS X. (A part of my soul died writing that.)

BSD, and Linux for that matter, work fine outputting audio and video, but most distros don't input sound in "real time" which can be a problem for recording artists.

PC-BSD is stable and useful and more fun than a barrel full of high monkies, but there is a learning curve. If you are considering a switch I think you should keep that in mind. We're all happy to help you try out BSD and will give you lots of pointers, but there will be an adjustment period.

If you're curious why not download the live DVD and give it a try. It'll let you playwith PC-BSD without installing the software on your hard drive and it'll give you a chance to see what works and, possibly, what doesn't without any commitment.
http://www.pcbsd.org/content/view/202/11/

[burak]

Many thanks for your considered and honest reply, thnewguy.

I'm not working with audio or video, I just want to have a decent sound in playing audio files and a decent media center software like XBMC.

As my computer is an ancient PPC eMac, I can't try anything.

Thanks again...

[Skull Fire]

for puely the best its hard to beat some of the proprietary stuff available in windows. im sure apple has nice offerings too, though i despise them more than windows .

really i think there is a ton of great stuff in open source though. with very nice performace and its free ! plus you will have constant free updates and upgrades.

depending which version of mint you use it can be quite nice. i only use kde and use mint 10 kde on occasion. the nice part is you can download certain meta packages that give you everything, like ubuntu studio's audio and video packages that come with everything, more than you will probably use. the only slight issue is you need install any proprietary drivers yourself

the nice part with pc-bsd is the pbi, to let install some packages easily, but you also have the entire freebsd base of packages to pull from and build it anyway you want. also the proprietary drivers are usually ready to go in pc-bsd. im pleased with the audio and video performance on open source and would recommend it myself.

[burak]

Thank you, Skull Fire. Because of what you said I was heavily leaning towards PC-BSD.

[bebuxe]

Ah so you want a simple kernel for your machine that's too noisy to be your media player. Almost os can do that, but pcbsd is overkill for your machine. if all you want to set up is a running sound database, but beileve your machine is moderate in its power I prefer you use dynebolic (http://dynebolic.org/). It won't solve your machine "noise" problem because that's a BIOS thing (assuming we are talking about the (primary) secondary storage device (hard drive) sound or the fan). There are ways to get around that after a kernel boots (like accessing BIOS option after the BIOS, or editing the BIOS by the OS)

if you want to install something something even more simple (an almost dying machine of old age) pupylinux, dsml, mfsBSD, netbsd, etc. (something that uses little processing power). Then install the minimal apps, like mplayer, a script to run with mplayer, and forget about a database (unless u intend to share with other comps, I still suggest no database, just an NFS partition, let users log in the NFS, and download any files from there, even play lists). I believe there's even smaller better music players that support play lists than mplayer, but right now i forgot most of them. In freebsd there are lots.

but since i don't know your plan, I assumed very much. For all I know, you can install freebsd, get one of those awesome small music player that support playlists, make your files be under a NFS partition (not the entire OS), remove almost all other apps from freebsd base install, compile a new small kernel for the lolz, add speakers and its "driver" (i.e. if_pcm_load="YES"), install a simple wm like dwm or fluxbox, and have a blast playing with all the fun freebsd has to offer (like ports).

reply here, or email/pm me about your plan, we can probably help. just plan it out.

[burak]

Thank you, bebuxe. Things like accessing BIOS options etc. seem like quantum physics to me!

My music (370GB of Apple Lossless) files and DVDs (nearly 1TB of Video-TS folders) reside on a WD network drive (AFP: Apple File Protocol). Now using an old version of those integrated Macs (Power PC Mac + CRT monitor). This produces a huge noise constantly. Besides, I can't use a remote to control music playback.

Apart from these entertainment purposes I use this machine for word processing and web surfing. So Libreoffice, a PDF viewer, a dictionary app or two, a web browser and sometimes iTunes stay open at the same time. And other times I play DVDs.

For those purposes and as a silent computer initially I was planning to buy a Mac Mini, but as I like FLOSS (or FOSS) and think it advantageous freeing me from Apple, I turned to PS-BSD. Advantageous may be if I can manage and have some luck, so I'm not sure if it will be logical for me!

Yet again, instead of a Mac Mini I'd like to get a custom PC. I'm trying to examine what's compatible with PC-BSD and bear in mind the necessity of an efficient CPU etc. for quietness.

I gather, an efficient (Sandy Bridge?) i3 or i5 something with its integrated video card would be enough for me, but PC-BSD has just started work on supporting those integrated video cards. So nVidia seems to be a safer choice. Sorry for bringing the hardware issues here, but I couldn't help.

If you don't think I'm committing a suicide, I'll probably try this route and come back to you once I get, or about to get, that custom PC.

Only if you all could be unhelpful; then it would be easier to choose the seemingly safer, Mac Mini route!

[bebuxe]

now i am confused.... :???:

if you want to make an entertainment system that plays your sounds/music via a remote control, that's a project.

If its just want a normal playing desktop machine, all most any os will help (even with the music player project).

and if you want to build your own pc with parts, that's another project of its own. All of them can be done, you just need to plan it out in detail, delineating steps of what you want to achieve. Then we will work from there.
Ok?

once you plan out your project, then you can relay it here for what you need help on. remember an OS does nothing without a machine.

[burak]

Sorry for the confusion.

Within a couple of weeks I'll be in a very big and friendly computer shop (in fact it's a close friend's family business). And I'll ask them to build me a PC or to offer an existing one with:

Possibly an i3 or i5 Sandy Bridge processor; a compatible motherboard; a sound card with toslink output (maybe an M-Audio model); a modest nVidia video card (won't be using it for gaming); a silent power supply; silent cooling fans (if necessary); an efficient case; an internal Bluray player; and maybe a solid state internal drive (for efficient and silent operation). All these must be compatible with PC-BSD and must work as silently as a Mac Mini or an iMac. Once the hardware parts get worked out, I'll ask confirmation here.

On this new machine I'll (hopefully) install PC-BSD (I've alread read the Handbook). It will be placed in my study and will be used as a regular computer with word processing and web surfing. Besides, connected to my active loudspeakers (with built-in amps) it will also be used as my audio and video player (instead of a dedicated CD/DVD player + amp).

For video I'll use VLC or mPlayer etc. and for audio Amarok or Banshee etc. But in addition I want to be able to use a media centre application like XBMC with remote control. And I'll rip CDs and DVDs and now and then may use Handbrake for Blurays.

Now, though I'm not a golden eared audiophile, I'd rather have bit perfect audio output or/and a decent audio playing experience, as this will be my only entertainment system secured in the only room available for these things (along with performing duties like word processing and web surfing).

If this system works fine, then I will build/buy a second one for my nephew as well (leaving behind another "ex-loved" Mac).

Once again, many thanks for your continuing concern.

[burak]

Forgot to mention: there'll surely be a screen as well. In fact, what I want is a Mac-Mini-with-monitor alternative through PC-BSD. Instead of Mac OS X I want to use PC-BSD for regular AV duties as well as for word processing and web surfing. That's all. I'd like to have the same or almost same hassle free and silent operation, with the same, decent audio sound.