[mythtv-users] x-box as a frontend?

[Dennis Cartier]

Hi Brian,

I maintain the xbox version.

Brian wrote:
> Hi,
> 
> warning, a lot of newbie questions follow...
> 
> Does an x-box really make as good a front-end as everyone says?  From 
> what I've read, people seem very happy with them. I'm considering 
> getting one, in large part for running mythtv.

For the cost and unobtrusiveness factor, I think they make a pretty good 
front end.

> 
> Does the xbox work well for other parts of the myth suite, myth-game for 
> example?  Is 64M enough?

I include MythGame in my version, but have never used it myself and have 
not heard any feedback regarding if it even works. So ... not sure on 
this one.

> 
> Are newer x-boxes quiet?  Is the harddrive spinning when idle, or 
> watching live or recorded TV from a backend machine, or at other 
> unexpected times?

They are quiet compared to a PC. The hard drive remains spinning as it 
is need for a swap file due to the 64MB of ram. I would avoid buying too 
new of an xbox as they changed their TV chip to one from Focus recently 
and only the very latest Linux distros support it and mine does not yet.

> 
> Can the xbox DVD remote be used with myth?   Or,are there better ways to 
> go?

Yes people do use the DVD remote with Myth. I don't personally, I use an 
  ATI RF remote, but as far as I know they DVD is passable. There where 
some key repeat issues with it, but the modules have been patched to 
mitigate this issue.

> 
> What in addition to the xbox (and possible modchip) is needed to get 
> myth running?
> Just the x-box, usb keyboard, and possibly a modchip?

I have a USB keyboard and a USB remote plugged into my xbox and that is 
all that is needed. You could get away with just a remote, but I need 
the keyboard for fixing my mistakes during development.

> 
> Is anyone out there having success with gentoo on their xbox?

I originally tried GentooX before I settled on using Ed's Debian (now 
Xebian) as the basis for my Myth version. The compile times are a killer 
  with GentooX. Distcc is a definite must have if you go this route.

> 
> If you have a x-box frontend, would you recommend it to others?  Any 
> complaints about the setup?

I am curious to hear what others have to say :)

Dennis

> 
> thank you,
> -Brian
> 
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