MythTV setups Linux/Hardware

[XNine]

Anybody here ever set up a MythTV (basically, a homebrew Tivo)?

If so, what Linux did you use, and what hardware?

I'm looking at building one and selling my ReplayTv. Probably an AMD 1.8 GHz processor, 1 Gig of Ram, 100 Gig HD, and not sure of which TV cards and case yet...

Since I'm not fond of Linux (all of the installation and compiling BS) I was thinking of use KnoppMyth (basically, Knoppix(?) Linux with the MythTV installer that is painless to install on the system)

 

[Chuckles]

Ubuntu is the way to go! It's Debian based, which means GREAT apt-get support. If you don't know what apt-get is, it's basically a fast, stable, easy way to install packages. It even downloads it for you. From my experience, it's fairly light-weight as well. http://www.ubuntu.com/

DON'T get an ATI card. It doesn't work well with Linux.

 

[ravenvii]

I second the above on both counts. Ubuntu is a great, easy-to-use Linux distro. Easy to install, and nice-looking too.

ATI cards aren't supported well under Linux. You're much better off with a NVIDIA card. NVIDIA provides official drivers for Linux that provides full 3D acceleration and all the bells and whistles. A tip: get a fairly recent NVIDIA card too (no older than a GeForce 3, the newer the better). NVIDIA stopped supporting cards older than the GeForce 3, and thus made it a bit of a pain finding older drivers that support the older cards.

Anyway, thanks for putting MythTV into my consciousness - this gives me an idea for a use for my ancient Frankenstein Gateway PC running Ubuntu

 

[nowaycomputer]

I've got to say (as well) that Ubuntu is probably the best bet and the new version (Dapper) should be out pretty soon.

I did help a friend as he set up myth TV on an old P3 and a WinTV card (can't remember which one), but rather than doing the traditional Linux+Mysql+Myth+Other stuff, we used Knopp-myth. Definetely worth checking out (link).

Can't remember the specifics of the install, but the supplied docs were very useful and was manageable with our limited experience. From what I remember WinTV cards are generally supported quite well, but finding a card with a good spec and asking on the MythTV forums is probably safest.

 

[timswim78]

If you are interested in setting up MythTV, do not waste your time with Ubuntu or any other distribution that requires you to build Myth yourself. You'll spend a LONG time dealing with lots and lots of tedious details.

Instead, I suggest trying KnoppMyth, as nowaycomputer also suggested. It is a version of Knoppix Linux, that comes with MythTV already installed. It automatically detects most of your hardware. Although, you may have to answer a few questions about your TV card or something like that.
http://mysettopbox.tv/knoppmyth.html

I set it up on an extra AMD box that I have in less than an hour.

 

[XNine]

Excellent advice! Thank you.

I also have a friend who said that ATI cards suck when it comes to Linux.

I think if I HAD more experience with compiling kernals and what not, I'd probably go Gentoo or Ubuntu... My buddy uses Debian and Fedora Core exclusively.

I just have to figure out what case to use (around 150 bucks) that looks like a home theater componant.

 

[nowaycomputer]

I'm considering doing something like this quite soon, can I ask the first poster if he's planning to use an HDTV tuner? (or even an HD television or is it a monitor?)

I thought about just buying a cheap tuner with good compatability, but here in the UK, HDTV broadcasting is due to start pretty soon and I'd rather have something that'll last. Hell, I'm not even totally sure that there are tuners which are specifically HDTV or if its more a matter of your display

Are you gonna get one of those Micro ATX cases? The shuttles ones look good, but they ain't cheap.

 

[timswim78]

I use an Ideq with an Athlon 64:
http://www.biostar.com.tw/products/barebone/minipc.php3

This is another option, if you wish to choose your own motherboard:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16811144162

 

[XNine]

I'm considering doing something like this quite soon, can I ask the first poster if he's planning to use an HDTV tuner? (or even an HD television or is it a monitor?)

I thought about just buying a cheap tuner with good compatability, but here in the UK, HDTV broadcasting is due to start pretty soon and I'd rather have something that'll last. Hell, I'm not even totally sure that there are tuners which are specifically HDTV or if its more a matter of your display

Are you gonna get one of those Micro ATX cases? The shuttles ones look good, but they ain't cheap.

Well, I since I don't have an HDTV (yet) or HDTV cable (again, yet) I'll just be isntalling standard S-Video cards. S-Video is pretty nice as is.

As for a case I'me looking at the SILVERSTONE (google it, I can't at work) LC 14M case. It's even got a VFD display on the front and built in IR receiver, and DVD drive bay (to play/burn DVD's)... I'm wondering if I can use the original Superdrive from my PowerMac G4 for this...?

 

[greatdevourer]

I second the above on both counts. Ubuntu is a great, easy-to-use Linux distro. Easy to install, and nice-looking too.

It looks hideous! I'd recommend Kubuntu (it's KDE brother). It's usually a week or so late, but your eyes will thank you for it

I think if I HAD more experience with compiling kernals and what not, I'd probably go Gentoo or Ubuntu... My buddy uses Debian and Fedora Core exclusively.

Ubuntu is designed for getting people over from Windows, hence it is as easy as can be. I think you may have gotten Debian and Ubuntu mixed up

 

[floyde]

It looks hideous! I'd recommend Kubuntu (it's KDE brother). It's usually a week or so late, but your eyes will thank you for it

lol , I've always felt that the ugly one was KDE But then again, all Linux desktops are butt-ugly (without proper themeing, that is). I think Linux distros should ban programmers from all UI design tasks, they should recruit proper designers instead...

 

[Chuckles]

lol , I've always felt that the ugly one was KDE But then again, all Linux desktops are butt-ugly (without proper themeing, that is). I think Linux distros should ban programmers from all UI design tasks, they should recruit proper designers instead...

I disagree. That's the problem with you Mac users. Looks and OOOOOOOOHHHHHHH THE SAVE DIALOG MOVES DOWN FROM THE WINDOW are all that counts. Sorry, die-hard Linux user here. May still make the switch, though.

 

[tjmcardl]

Hey, I just did this awhile ago. Specs are; AMD 1700+, nvidia 4200Ti, 764 mb, 300 gb, winfast TV 2000 deluxe. It's running fedora core 4 and serves as a mythbox and a backup file server.

Ubuntu is great, but it's really more of a desktop OS, and mythtv is more like a server. You need better control over what programs are installed during set up than ubuntu gives you (for example, you don't need to waste time and space installing openoffice).

The downsides to fedora are that it's a huge download and that its package management system, yum, is not as good as ubuntu's apt-get. The upsides are that it's stable, configurable, and popular (has a large support community). Check out this guy's instructions, http://wilsonet.com/mythtv/fcmyth.php.

-Tim

 

[howesey]

Ubuntu is the way to go! It's Debian based, which means GREAT apt-get support. If you don't know what apt-get is, it's basically a fast, stable, easy way to install packages. It even downloads it for you. From my experience, it's fairly light-weight as well. http://www.ubuntu.com/

DON'T get an ATI card. It doesn't work well with Linux.

Humm, I never knew the did a PPC version that was a live CD.

downloading.