OpenELEC 2.0 the embedded XBMC distribution released

Hi LWN Team,

I would announce OpenELEC 2.0 *the* embedded XBMC Distribution was just 
released.

What is OpenELEC?
OpenELEC is an embedded Linux distribution that aims to allow people to 
use their Home Theatre PC (HTPC) in the same manner as any other device 
attached to your TV - like a DVD player or Sky box. Turn on your box, 
and OpenELEC is ready for usage in less than 10 seconds - as fast as 
some DVD players. A simple remote control is all you need to complete 
the experience. With OpenELEC you do not need to worry about updating, 
as the whole operating system will seamlessly self-update everything 
automatically when connected to the Internet (this includes XBMC). 
Installing OpenELEC takes less than 5 minutes and requires zero Linux 
experience. When installed simply add your media files, preferred addons 
and OpenELEC will “just work!.” Openelec supports a wide range of media 
shares, including cifs (Windows and most consumer NAS boxes default file 
sharing system), nfs and many more. This allows you to view your media 
(music, pictures and videos etc) on OpenELEC even though the files are 
somewhere else within your network.

OpenELEC 2.0 is the first stable Distribution ever, that includes direct 
XVBA (X-Video Bitstream Acceleration) support for XBMC. The advantages 
introduced by this implementation are enormous. It is now possible on 
AMD Systems with integrated UVD (Unified Video Decoder) to playback 
every H.264 and VC-1 encoded content directly. This reduces CPU usage 
drastically.

some of the most important Changes in Version 2.0:

- XBMC-11.0 (Eden)
Includes new native high-performance image compression for JPEG and PNG 
image types. If you previously enabled DDS fanart in 
advancedsettings.xml it should be removed. You can remove .dds files 
from the thumbnail image cache. Eden has improved sound card detection. 
This may change the naming of audio devices available on your system. If 
audio stops working after the update please adjust audio configuration 
in XBMC settings to use the updated device names.

- PVR Support
We are now including by default PVR support based on XBMC 11.0. These 
changes include PVR support within the XBMC GUI and include DVB firmware 
and drivers, TVHeadend, VDR, Njoy N7, MythTV, Mediaportal, HDHomerun and 
VU+ support in the OS.
Going forward all OpenELEC-2.0 images are PVR ready – the PVR functions 
can simply be enabled (or disabled) in XBMC settings.

- Improved AMD XVBA support
Thanks to the efforts of FernetMenta, Fritsch, Newphreak and many users 
who have been testing and providing feedback we have native XVBA support 
that replaces the old VAAPI temporary solution in OpenELEC 1.x. 
Performance and stability are massively improved.

- CEC Adapter support
- More supported hardware like DVB drivers, Remotes, Soundcards
- Airplay and Airtunes support

for the full Announcenment and Features list see: 
http://openelec.tv/component/k2/item/253-openelec-20-rele...

i hope this announcenment is worth for a news on lwn.net:-)

many thanks

Stephan Raue