[mythtv-users] Starting out - need advice

[Stephen Mowry]

 Responses below...
 
 -----Original Message-----
From: mythtv-users-bounces at mythtv.org
[mailto:mythtv-users-bounces at mythtv.org] On Behalf Of Michael Segulja
Sent: Saturday, January 10, 2004 11:01 AM
To: Myth TV List (mythtv-users at mythtv.org)
Subject: [mythtv-users] Starting out - need advice



I am not new to Linux, but I am new to Myth, so I have a couple of questions
before I get started experimenting.  I already have a DirecTV/Tivo unit, so
I'm not really looking at the PVR functionality in Myth, but I would like
something for MP3 playback, video, and photo playback through my home
theatre system and TV.  It looks like Myth would be excellent for this, plus
running it on Linux would be perfect.
 
So, first question: Will Myth work well for what I want to do, i.e. mainly
playback of MP3 music and the occasional photo slideshow and home movie
playback? 
 
# Yes
 
Second question: What distribution would you recommend?  I haven't built the
system yet, so I'm ready to put whichever distribution would be the best.  I
usually prefer Mandrake if it will do what I want. 
 
# Any distribution is good, although you'll spend the least amount of time
configuring if you use Knoppmyth (mysettopbox.tv).  It is a stripped down
Debian install, but it's takes minutes to get everything working.   Read the
stickies in the installation forum, download the iso and boot off of it.
After install is complete, use apt-get to grab any other software you need.
Simple, fast, and effective.  Redhat is probably the next best (as far as
documentation and ease of installation), although compared to Knoppmyth you
are looking at order of magnitudes difference in configuration time.
 
# Another suggestion, since it's your first time doing this, document
everything you do, every little tweak that someone tells you to do etc.
Then throw it into HTML and post a link on the forums.
 
Third question:  How do I control it?  I have a Sony RM-VL1000 remote that I
would like to use.  I know I would need LIRC for this, but what other IR
hardware would I need? 
 
# My suggestion would be to buy an IR keyboard and make your Sony "Learn
it".  I.e. arrow keys, pause, play, rewind etc.  That way for most
everything you just use the Sony and when you really want to shell out to
Mozilla or something you have a keyboard as well. 
 
I appreciate the help and look forward to seeing what advice you all have.
 
Thank you very much,
 
Michael Segulja

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