[mythtv-users] dual use box, MythTV & parents PC

[Matt White]

On September 5, 2003 11:14 pm, Matt White wrote:
> What I'm thinking of doing is running a VNC server on the machine, and
> then putting a button on the Myth menu to EXEC vncviewer pointed at the
> local VNC server.  The only thing would be to hack up vncviewer a little
> bit so that your remote could shut it down, though if you're using a mouse
> and keyboard anyways for the actual desktop stuff, you can always click
> the close button.

Well, I just gave it a try, and it actually seems to work pretty well.  Here
is what I did:

* install VNC (I'm using TightVNC, but there are other flavors)

* edit the vncserver script after you've installed it:
  - set the geometry to your Myth desktop size
  - set the proper colour depth (less than or equal to your
	Myth desktop)
  - change the defaultXStartup variable to start your favorite
	window manager, etc.

* Start up a VNC server session, using an unused display
	number (ie. vncserver :2) and give it a password
	(if it's the first time you've run it)

* Create a password file using the same password you used
	for your vnc server in your mythfrontend home directory
	readable by the user running MythFrontend:

% vncpasswd /path/vncpass

* Edit the mainmenu.xml file and add an entry:
---snip---
   <button>
      <type>VNC</type>
      <text>VNC Desktop</text>
      <action>EXEC vncviewer -passwd /path/vncpass localhost:2</action>
   </button>
---snip---

I'm using an ATI Remote wonder as a remote right now, so I could even mouse
around and click the close button on the window.  If you do have a keyboard
hooked up, you can add -fullscreen to the command.  Use F8 to bring up a
popup menu that you can use to exit...

Now to figure out what I want to do with it :-)

-- 
Matt White                          whitem at arts.usask.ca
Arts and Science Computer Labs      University of Saskatchewan

It sure is Monday... Ain't it a sin
I've gotta work my way thru the week again.
	- Mark Chesnutt..."Sure Is Monday"