[mythtv-users] Backend Plugins

[sgargash at comcast.net]

I've been happily running Mythtv for a long time, since 0.4 and I've been on .19 with a bunch of Media MVPs as frontends for a few years now. Over the last week, I've been in the process of upgrading to .24 (with a new machine) and I've realized that what I want from a convergence platform has changed. I still want a backend that holds all my media and to be able to access it from multiple frontends, but the meaning of "frontend" has evolved. There are devices that speak Myth protocol (classic frontends) and others that don't and never will (DLNA TV, Roku box), some of which support streaming (frontends, laptops), some of which that support storage (MP3 players), and some that support both (tablet, smartphone). And then there's all the different formats and resolutions that devices do or don't support. 

Judging from my google searches, my desire is not unique. I found the upnp server (haven't gotten it to work), mythroku channel, etc. But these seem kind of ad hoc and with various degrees of support. Given that it's open source, I'm not surprised, but is there something that I've missed? How are other people handling sharing their media data with lots of different types of devices? I'd lke to continue using mythtv, but is there another project that would be more appropriate for my desired use? Alternatively, is there any work on backend plugins (supporting different protocols on top of a common database), on-the-fly transcoding and exporting media data via virtual filesystems? 

Scott 
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