[mythtv-users] XBox as a frontend?

Ryan Shoff RyanShoff at McBrideandShoff.com
Fri Jun 20 11:17:19 EDT 2003


The Xbox make a very good front end. I've been working on the Xbox-linux
project for a long time, and MythTV is one of the best uses of it.  Overscan
can easily be controlled with the "xbv" utility.  The remote control works
with a special kernel module that simulates keypresses.  It does not require
Lirc at all.

My XBox plays 352x480 with about 20% CPU usage.  This is all my 650 MHz dual
processor backend can record without being jerky. The Xbox can handle DVD
playback so I'm sure much higher resolutions are possible.  Remember the
Xbox has a 733 MHz CPU with 64 MB of shared processor and video memory for
comparison purposes.

One downside is that there is no sound mixer in hardware, so volume control
doesn't work.  You have to use your TV's volume control.  Also the remote
control keys repeat a little too quick if you press too long.  Both of these
could be fixed in software if someone wanted to. 

I would also like to point out that there is a way to boot the Xbox-linux
without using a mod chip.  By using a special game save that exploits a
buffer overflow in the "007: Agent under fire" game, you can boot linux.
That is how I am booting linux and using MythTV.


Ryan Shoff

http://www.xbox-linux.com



-----Original Message-----
From: Dennis Cartier [mailto:pvr at trigger.net]
Sent: Friday, June 20, 2003 4:04 AM
To: Mythtv-users
Subject: [mythtv-users] XBox as a frontend?


I would like to hear from anyone attempting to use the XBox as a
front-end. I am wondering how hard it is to get the remote control working
under Lirc and whether or not the TV-out driver supports over scan properly.
As well knowing that it can play 720 x 480 DVD quality Mpeg2 without
stuttering would also be nice.

Dennis Cartier

---
A Microsoft Certified System Engineer is to information technology as a
McDonalds Certified Food Specialist is to the culinary arts.
	Michael Bacarella commenting on the limited value of certification.


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