[mythtv-users] How does backend/frontend work with Directv?

[Curtis Stanford]

Hey thanks. Most helpful. Comments below:

On June 17, 2003 04:08 pm, Bruce Markey wrote:
> Curtis Stanford wrote:
> > I haven't actually set up a MythTV system yet and am not quite clear
> > what the separation is between the backend and frontend. I understand
> > the backend encodes all the video and the frontend decodes and displays
> > it. Has anyone done this separation using Directv or an external
> > receiver? Can someone verify my idea of how this works?
>
> Correct. An easier way to think of it is you have a backend
> where ever there is a capture card and can have a frontend
> where ever you have a screen.
>
> > - Put satellite receiver in the basement.
>
> Yes.
>
> > - Hook up to backend box capture card.
>
> Right, and setup an IR blaster to change channels.
>
> > - Frontend is next to TV and hooked to backend with ethernet.
>
> Perfect.
>
> > - Remote control on frontend.
>
> Exactly. Therefore, you do NOT want to us a remote that comes
> bundled with the capture card where the IR receiver plugs
> into the card (because the capture card is in the basement =).
>
> > OK, so when you want to watch TV, the backend changes to the right
> > channel, starts up the ring buffer and fires encoded video to the
> > frontend which then decodes and displays it?
>
> Yup.
>
> > When you fire a remote command at the frontend, does it fire the command
> > to the backend (if necessary, i.e. changing channels)? How does that
> > work?
>
> The IR commands through lirc and keyboard keystrokes go to
> the frontend.
>

I assume you meant backend above?

> There is a control socket and a file transfer socket. There
> are a lot of things the frontend(s) and backend(s) need to
> negotiate. If the user hits a key in the frontend's UI, the
> backend needs to be told to encode the new channel. This is
> true for even a standalone machine where one frontend and one
> backend are on the same box.
>
> You will also need an IR blaster (IR emitter) for your backend
> machine so that lirc on the backend can send change channel
> commands to the Directv box.
>

Or a serial cable to the low-speed data port. I already have that working.

> --  bjm
>
>
>
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