[mythtv-users] Myth frontend to watch video with no backend

[Michael T. Dean]

On 05/24/2007 01:12 PM, Chris Ward wrote:
> I have a Myth frontend/backend setup, with most of the video storage 
> on the backend. I access video via NFS on the backend, and it works 
> fine. I would also like to watch video on a hard drive on the 
> frontend, without a backend present (taking the smallish frontend on a 
> trip). I was thinking I could sync video to it sort of like the 
> AppleTV does, but I can't get the frontend to start up with no backend 
> present. Is there a way to allow this?

Nope.  It's been discussed many times.  At one time, I considered 
writing code to support this ( 
http://www.gossamer-threads.com/lists/mythtv/users/203179#203179 ).

However, I lost interest in the idea when I realized how great things 
work with "mythrename.pl --link", copying files to my laptop hard drive, 
and playing them back with xine.  I'm using links named with 
'%T-%oY%om%od-%S' format (causing sorting to be by title/original 
airdate so I know the order to watch them).  I can skip any commercial 
break in 5 keystrokes, but most in 3 or less, using xine's SeekRelative 
commands.  Granted, I have to be near the keyboard (I don't bring a 
remote with me), but then again, it's a "lap"top computer... :)

Therefore, some cut-down backend for Myth just isn't worthwhile enough 
for me to develop it.  If you do develop it, though, I'm sure many would 
find it useful.  (It would also be much easier to develop if you first 
take on the job of working MySQL embedded into Myth and create a 
"mythdataserver" that provides access to all data rather than requiring 
frontend clients to talk directly to the DB.  With that setup, there 
could be a "mythofflinedataserver" that reads "sync'ed" data from 
somewhere other than a MySQL instance, like a file or whatever.)

Mike