Freedom251 › Media Player Software
GeeXboX
by GeeXboX
What GeeXboX is
GeeXboX is free, open-source software combining a standalone media player with a Linux operating system for a home theater PC or media center. It runs on Linux, macOS, and Windows and supports hardware acceleration, subtitles, network playback, and a wide range of video and audio formats. Video support includes MPEG-1/2, MPEG-4, DivX, XviD, H.264, RealMedia, Windows Media, OggMedia, and Matroska. Audio support includes MP3, Ogg/Vorbis, WAV, AC3, DTS, MusePack, and FLAC, plus SHOUTcast WebRadio and WebTV streams. Files can come from NFS, Samba, or UPnP shares. A keyboard, remote controller, or joystick can operate its on-screen menu. The project describes bootable ISO and Live USB use with persistent storage, an XBMC Media Center 10.1 frontend, metadata services, disc playback, and network services. GeeXboX is licensed under the GNU General Public License and listed as free.
Who it suits
It suits people building a home theater PC or media center who want open-source playback across desktop systems. Network-share playback and remote-control options fit home media collections.
What it does well
- Free and open-source
- Supports Linux, macOS, and Windows
- Plays many video and audio formats
- Supports NFS, Samba, and UPnP media
- Includes subtitle and hardware-acceleration support
What to know first
- DVB digital TV card support was removed in a listed release
- V4L analog TV card support was deprecated
- Example hardware requirement is Pentium II 400 MHz with 64 MB RAM
Plans
| Plan | Billed and limits | Price |
|---|---|---|
| GeeXboX | Free, open-source Linux media player distribution | Free |
As geexbox.org lists them, read 9 Oct 2026. The maker's own page has the final word.
Verdict
GeeXboX offers a broad, free media-center feature set with network playback and flexible controls. Review its hardware guidance and television-card limitations if those functions matter.
Facts from GeeXboX's own pages
- Audio and streams
- The listed audio formats include MP3, Ogg/Vorbis, WAV, AC3, DTS, MusePack, and FLAC; it also supports SHOUTcast WebRadio and WebTV streams. · geexbox.org, 9 Oct 2026
- Boot and storage
- The project’s 2011 release post describes a bootable ISO and Live USB operation with persistent storage for settings and media data across reboots. · geexbox.org, 9 Oct 2026
- Controls
- Its on-screen menu can be controlled with a keyboard, remote controller, or joystick. · geexbox.org, 9 Oct 2026
- Disc support
- The 2011 release post lists CDDA, DVD, and unencrypted Blu-ray support. · geexbox.org, 9 Oct 2026
- Download availability
- The downloads page lists GeeXboX releases, a Debian repository for the ISO generator, and access to old releases. · geexbox.org, 9 Oct 2026
- Format support
- MPEG-1/2,MPEG-4,DivX,XviD,H.264,RealMedia,Windows Media,OggMedia,Matroska,MP3,Ogg/Vorbis,WAV,AC3,DTS,MusePack,FLAC · geexbox.github.io, 22 Sept 2026
- Founded
- 2002 · geexbox.org, 28 Sept 2026
- Free plan
- Yes · geexbox.github.io, 22 Sept 2026
- Hardware acceleration
- Yes · geexbox.github.io, 22 Sept 2026
- Hardware requirements
- The about page says a Pentium-class or PowerPC Macintosh computer can boot GeeXboX, and gives a Pentium II 400 MHz system with 64 MB RAM as an example capable configuration. · geexbox.org, 9 Oct 2026
- License
- The maker’s license page states GeeXboX is licensed under the GNU General Public License and describes source distribution obligations for distributors. · geexbox.org, 9 Oct 2026
- License model
- free · geexbox.github.io, 22 Sept 2026
- Media interface
- The 2011 release post lists XBMC Media Center 10.1 as the frontend, with movies and TV shows, subtitles, music, pictures, slideshows, and a media database. · geexbox.org, 9 Oct 2026
- Metadata
- The 2011 release post lists Internet MovieDB and TVDB metadata and cover grabbers. · geexbox.org, 9 Oct 2026
- Network media
- GeeXboX can play files from LAN shares using NFS, Samba, or UPnP. · geexbox.org, 9 Oct 2026
- Network playback
- Yes · geexbox.github.io, 22 Sept 2026
- Network services
- The 2011 release post lists NFS shares, Samba auto-discovery, UPnP/DLNA media discovery, ZeroConf announcements, and HTTP and FTP servers. · geexbox.org, 9 Oct 2026
- Notable limits
- The 2011 release post says DVB digital TV card support was removed in that release and V4L analog TV card support was deprecated. · geexbox.org, 9 Oct 2026
- Open source
- GeeXboX is free software that users can modify and build into their own release. · geexbox.org, 9 Oct 2026
- Supported platforms
- linux,windows,macos · geexbox.github.io, 22 Sept 2026
- Purpose
- GeeXboX is a standalone media player and Linux operating system intended for use as a home theater PC or media center. · geexbox.org, 9 Oct 2026
- Subtitle support
- Yes · geexbox.github.io, 22 Sept 2026
- Video playback
- The listed supported formats include MPEG 1/2, DivX, XviD, H.264, RealMedia, Windows Media, OggMedia, and Matroska. · geexbox.org, 9 Oct 2026
Where GeeXboX stands on Freedom251
- Media Player Software#26 of 76