GeeXboX, like WOMP and Movix 2, is a LiveCD version of MPlayer which turns any computer into a multimedia station without needing to install to a hard disk.
Of the 3 distributions mentioned, it is the slickest in appearance. It has a beautiful bootup sequence which ends with the disc being ejected automatically. Put in a DVD, VCD, etc., and the player begins automatically.
Of the 3 distributions, I also found it the most buggy and least forgiving of wrong keystrokes. It did not recognize my mouse so I was forced to use the keyboard for everything. The built in help screen was impossible to read because the TV-out on my video card alters the display size on my monitor as well. You can use the arrow keys to muddle around with GeeX menus, but if you press the wrong key (or the right key too many times) the software will lock and you’ll be forced to reboot. Also, with repeated use, GeeX sometimes likes to start in a middle chapter instead of from the beginning of a disc. It does not use DVD menus, and this can make it extremely difficult to select a chapter, or to know where you are on the disc should GeeX start in the middle.
If you know MPlayer’s keyboard controls by heart, and your typing is beyond reproach, you have nothing to fear from GeeX. Likewise, if you want to just put in a DVD and watch it all the way through without skipping chapters, fast fowarding or rewinding, etc., then GeeX might work well for you. Should you be fortunate enough to have your mouse work, this might help your experience tremendously.
I’m partial to Movix 2’s perfect reproduction of MPlayer without all the fancy graphical layering, but unfortunately Movix does not support TV output on my ATI All-in-Wonder. Bugs and all, GeeX is my current portable player system, though I have to rate it lower than its competitors for its instability.
GeeXboX
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