I said hello in the Welcome New Members section and suggested I have some knowledge of MythTv.
Crossing from the other side!?
I thought to put down some experiences and advice so that it might help others.
My advice;
1. Get used to a Linux distribution first...make sure thru some Googling that it is conducive to MythTV. Perhaps the best way is to grab an old PIII or Athlon Sytem to start off with...this way when you are happy you have the experience to build it into the more modern expensive unit. (wife proof as well)
1. My preferred distribution with MythTV is Ubuntu. There is some traps though so read on.
2. Do not expect to have a 20 minute GUI session and it is all done. Each aspect of the build can be quite painful, more so for a linux newbie. Some of the stuff is plain easy though.
3. Be prepared to have the Favorites/Bookmarks section of your browser filled with links to help get the install to be working. Make sure to tackle each section in turn and then move on the next.
4. There is only one graphics card suitable for this purpose...Nvidia. Dance with the Devil if you are game (Intel, ATI, Matrox etc) but be warned. I had everything from blue people to nothing with ATI.
5. The latest Distribution and the best hardware are not necessarily the best option. Some bleeding edge Kernels have problems with LIRC and Distro's that update every three months can be a pain to re-complie. Turn the updates off. This has been the Ubuntu issue for me.
6. Chipsets are everything...before buying anything for your system put the model in and type problems after that. eg. I made my current and past installs work with a HVR-1100 MCE TV card (chipset ok). Tried the HVR 1110 (Chipset had changed and no dice. Same is true for a lot of Linux hardware so do your research.
My Experiences:
I started with a P111 on Debian with a 1.4 Tualitin. Great machine but only 4x AGP etc etc. It took a while to get the first live TV on the screen (about 2 Days...but I am pretty stupid!!!)
The next biggest hurdle, and it will be at your end, was the LIRC (Linux Infrared ,....) At the time of my build LIRC wasn't part of the Kernel (linux heart) and had to be manually installed/compiled. Thats only one bit..you can use a command line interface to see it work but then you have to get MythTv to read it and that involved files appropriate to your remote be pasted all over the place.
The EPG is a bit awkward as well but documented at OzTiVo.
After all this fear installed in you there are benefits to Myth..
1. The native webserver (PHP/Apache)in Linux can allow you to command all things with your TV remotely (Port fowarding assumed). ie I can be at work and schedule a program to be recorded, have the commercials removed and then have the file re-encoded and placed on a Lan or otherwise remote server.
2. It can index and sort according to your folders etc Video files stored either on another box (Windows included) or the host box. As well you are able to have your files described by IMDB inclusive cover artwork etc.
3. The system can be split in a backend and a front end such that you can have an Xbox/Playstation/Quiet comp in a room and the heart of the system in another box making all the noises with fans etc.
4. When you have finished you can have the system set up exactly as you want. My current MythTv install in the bedroom has the Power Switch on the remote just flicking the Monitor off while the box continues on and records/transcodes etc. Basically there is lot of options and plugins available.
5. Drop a DVD in and rip to your server in a custom file ie Divx or VOB etc. It can do that while you are watching Live TV.
The Hardware requirements are listed at the main MythTV website but as a rule if you want just to use the record/web interface part of it to compliment your existing HTPC a PIII 1ghz equivalent is fine. If you want to watch HD and record at the same time a 2.4 or Athlon up equivalent is the go.
The whole experience is not without a lot of frustration. Just when you think you have it nailed something breaks or changes but you can get there.
The main reasons I had a shot with MythTv first was that it was free of proprietary junk that is associated with Windows. Free and freedom. It also was customizable for my use and would bend to my will with enough Googling. The biggest reason was the challenge and after having it working fine for about 6 months I can say it was worth it.
If you think the same way have a go and if I can't help there is lot of others out there willing to.
