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You could take a look at XBMC, they are porting the Xbox Media Center (an opensource freeware HTPC app) to Linux. It's a great bit of software that initially ran on the original Xbox. It has now been ported to Ubuntu Linux and work has begun on a port to OSX.
You can find the most relevant and up to date information here.
There is as yet no single distro or easy installer. It must be compiled from source, but from what I've read and seen it runs very well. It is still in beta though.
You can find a decent Mythtv forum here. I'm sure there are others if you search around.
If you don't need live tv then I'd try XBMC Linux. There are other solutions getting about. Freevo is another option if you don't need live tv/timeshifting. If has good support and a large user base.
They are all version's of popular linux ditro's with mythtv pre-configured. I'd probably be using Mythbuntu if i could sort out my driver issues (DNTV Live Hybrid LP S2 )
But for the moment Media Portal on XP has been working great for me, over 2 months without a reboot (knock on wood). WAF has been great
You know, thats really sad in this day and age. MCE/VMC is pretty crappy but its still the best there is in terms of allround ability. Well, untill PlayTV is released anyway.
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That which is common to the greatest number has the least care bestowed upon it.
Aristotle
You know, thats really sad in this day and age. MCE/VMC is pretty crappy but its still the best there is in terms of allround ability. Well, untill PlayTV is released anyway.
Actually I was replying to this comment:
Quote:
Originally Posted by thomasj
Are there any forums similar to xpmediacentre.com.au that covers linux media centres?
Don't think I was implying that MCE/VMC are better.. I haven't used any Linux implementation long enough to make that call. I have used MP for 6 months and did find it better than MCE.
The only reason I am currently on Vista is because there was no compatibility for my DN Dual PCI-E card in Myth or MP at the time I installed Vista..
I have been toying with the idea of MP on XP on my current fast (vista spec) rig.. Would be an nice speedster..
If I could get a driver for all my tuners for Myth I'd go there too... Been waiting a long time for drivers to appear for PCI-e tuner cards there..
I know this has been covered time and time again but there has been a few new options poping up.
The trick I have learnt with MythTV is to make sure the hardware is in the compatibility list. Use NVIDIA for graphics and older, well tried and sorted TV cards and you'll find the install relatively straightforward. PCIE cards do not seem to be supported. Most dual tuner cards are a PITA to sort out. I'm using two DVICO based ULTRAVIEW PLUS cards + one Leadtek Winfast card. They worked with no fuss. I'm using ICETV for my EPG.
I have just upgraded to Mythbuntu 8.04 beta, which comes with MythTV 0.21. This is an absolute joy to install, bearing in mind the hardware observations above.
LIRC remains an issue. I have as yet not been able to get any Infrared remote control to work.
IMO, I'll be ready to ditch M$ software entirely this year. Of the five PCs networked in our house only one remains M$, which is the Vista Home Premium (SP1) based Home Entertainment system. And the headaches that is giving me is making me all the more determined to go the Linux/ MythTV way. It's not so much that Vista doesn't work. It's about "how" it works. Like mixed environment (Linux/ Samba/ Vista) network speed at < 150kbps, effectively unsuable - then the constant "do you really want to do this" dialogs for almost every little house keeping task.
IMO, M$ in releasing Vista did the Linux advocates a big, big favour.
I agree 100%. We have exactly the same Linux-to-M$ ratio in our house! Our 1 XP box only remains for Ipods/Itunes & syncing our PPC's to outlook. If it wasn't for those 2 tasks that would be gone as well!
I haven't got up the courage to upgrade to 0.21/8.04 yet. I think I'll wait for the full release. How are you finding it compared to 0.20? The recording multiple sub-channels on the one stream will be great. Can you also now record consecutive programs on the same sub-channel, with padding, or not?
My MS remote works fine, even been able to program those otherwise useless colour buttons. Which remote are you using & how far have you gotten?
For your epg have you tried shepherd? I've been using it for about 8 months and not had one single problem! The quality of the data is 1st rate also.
I haven't got up the courage to upgrade to 0.21/8.04 yet. I think I'll wait for the full release. How are you finding it compared to 0.20? The recording multiple sub-channels on the one stream will be great. Can you also now record consecutive programs on the same sub-channel, with padding, or not?
The simplicity of the installation blew me away. Still doesn't recognise PCIE (Compro E700) cards. Still won't recognise dual tuner cards, ie only works with one tuner. I use multiple tuners and haven't explored the sub-channel recording.,
Quote:
My MS remote works fine, even been able to program those otherwise useless colour buttons. Which remote are you using & how far have you gotten?
I notice in the boot sequence LIRC fails to initialise. This has been a constant problem but my head hurts too much to explore it. I have an MCE remote and remote keyboard. I believe there are different types but I have no idea how to ID mine.
Quote:
For your epg have you tried shepherd? I've been using it for about 8 months and not had one single problem! The quality of the data is 1st rate also.
I looked at installing it but the usual LINUX diatribe and obfuscated instructions left me bewildered. The ICE Guide is simple and and has hassle free, no BS instructions for MythTV. I don't mind paying for stuff that works.
At the moment the Mythbuntu box remains a work in progress. When it's all said in done, Windows MCE (XP & Vista) is much easier to get running. The issue is its poor stability and, as I said, that awful, awful networking.
I notice in the boot sequence LIRC fails to initialise.
Have you tried "sudo dpkg-reconfigure lirc" then, if it's a genuine MS remote, select "Windows Media Center Remotes (new version Philips et al.)". That should be it except for programming th buttons.
Quote:
Originally Posted by FredZ
I looked at installing it but the usual LINUX diatribe and obfuscated instructions left me bewildered.
Yeah, they can be pretty daunting sometimes! But, usually (as is the case with shepherd) just follow them one step at a time, copy & paste the commands, & it generally works.
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