[mythtv-users] Sell mythtv "set-top" boxes

[Clint Byrum]

On Fri, 2003-05-16 at 09:47, adam i. howard wrote:
> > From: Jon Hoyt <samika at myrealbox.com>
> > To: MythTV List <mythtv-users at snowman.net>
> > Subject: Re: [mythtv-users] Sell mythtv "set-top" boxes
> > 
> > You could offer a pre-assembled HTPC box in a nice case 'ready to
> > install your pvr software of choice'.  Then you could call it 'Myth
> > compatible' and include a Linux distro all set up for Myth on a CD.  
> 
> 
> This sounds probably like the best I could do out of my garage. But


Another option is to partner with a local electronics store. Preferrably
one with a name like "BIG SCREEN BONANZA" or "ED'S PREMIUM ELECTRONICS".
If they had people coming in to buy a whole system, but these people
wanted more than TiVo could offer, MythTV would be a great alternative!
A decent box, some PVR-250's, and a monster 120GB disk would work great.
People buying a big system would be willing to pay probably $500 - $800
depending on the features. Heck with MythMusic, MythWeather, MythGame,
etc, the demo would probably suck people right in. You could even setup
a theme for the store. 

And the best part of all? These stores generally charge for
installation. You could get in on that with the Myth box.. hooking it up
to their internet connection and such. Since these are always custom
jobs, and they're usually wiring up speakers.. it would be no big deal
to also run some CAT-5, or setup a WAP, etc. etc.

The biggest hurdle would still be the schedule data. I like the idea of
finding a way to turn a TiVo subscription into a MythTV source if Zap2it
becomes unreliable.

Another hurdle that I haven't seen discussed is the mp3/mpeg4 patent
situation. I know that mp3 encoders and players are subject to some
fees. What about mpeg4?

This is one reason(among many) that I've been wondering how hard it
would be to switch to Ogg Vorbis for audio, and Ogg Theora for video.

-- 
Clint Byrum <cbyrum at spamaps.org>