[mythtv-users] Want some advice on first MythTV build

[Ivan Kowalenko]

On Jun 16, 2006, at 11.57, Brian Wood wrote:

>
> On Jun 16, 2006, at 10:28 AM, Mache Creeger wrote:
>
>> For a client only, if you are not doing HDTV, I would seriously  
>> consider using an Xbox.  Versions after the initial 1.0/1.1 have  
>> only one fan, are relatively quiet.  They have mpeg decode  
>> hardware, can be netbooted, are in an attractive case, have a DVD  
>> player, and used on eBay or Craigslist are around $100 or so.   
>> Avoid the Xbox 360.

Actually, I'm pretty sure the XBox doesn't have any MPEG decoding  
hardware. Last I checked, it was all done in software. But, this  
isn't much of a worry if you're doing SD footage (which is all the  
XBox can handle). You should be able to do time stretch AND have an  
OSD (at least, with MPEG-2, don't know about MPEG-4), with no  
problem. Not sure about Picture-In-Picture, but I've heard mixed  
results (probably can't do that with MPEG-4).

>>   You would have to put some additional effort at implementing a  
>> "soft mod" (or $ and do a "chip mod") to allow it to boot Linux,  
>> but the web is full of discussions on this.  There is a MythTV  
>> package specifically for Xbox.
>
> But then he'd still need to run a backend someplace, and have it  
> networked to the F/E.

Well, in my case, such a requirement is actually a blessing. My  
Backend's case is too (physically) small to hold two hard disks. I  
have one laying out. To leave this out in the open would be a serious  
hazard, both to the hardware, and the people.

> I agree the X-Boxes make nice frontends, so do several other small  
> boxes like the MediaMVP, a Mac Mini, and even some PDAs.

Well, each one has mixed opinions. The XBox has limited RAM, so it's  
a little slower in navigating menus. the MediaMVP requires little set- 
up, and has a tiny footprint (in addition to its own remote), but  
lacks a lot of features that you'd find on a full Front End. The Mac  
Mini has its own slew of problems, mostly concerning graphics. You  
should be alright with a PPC Mac Mini, though. PDAs work out,  
assuming you have a fast enough connection, and a powerful enough  
processor, but then there's that tiny screen.

Of course, none of these units can be used for backend stuff. But, at  
least the XBox can do things from the Job Queue (commercial flagging,  
transcoding, etc.)

> If you're only doing SD with hardware-encoding capture devices it's  
> easy enough to make a small combination F/E-B/E that will work in a  
> Living Room, and it's easier for a first build. Worry about remote  
> frontends after the system is up and running.

Actually, I found "remote" front-ends to be the easiest thing to do.  
Unless you like a full computer sitting in your living room (or are  
willing to spend for a mini PC), you'll probably want a separate  
front end. I was able to get my front end up and running more quickly  
than it took to get my back end running.

Running a remote front end is as hard as putting some front-end  
software on your front-end (which can be pretty easy, depending on  
your route), edit one or two configuration files (such as enabling  
networking in MySQL, very easy), and enjoying. The longest part of  
the whole thing is probably the installation process.

> The X-Box would then make a nice bedroom or kidsroom unit.
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