[mythtv-users] x-box or cheap PC for frontends?

Tue Mar 16 13:07:45 EST 2004

I'm also running the Xbox Myth frontend. I installed a mod chip rather 
than using a software hack.  (I'm using the Chameleon v1.0 ... check 
www.easybuy2000.com for more info) As an alternative to installing linux 
on your xbox, you can boot from a "LiveCD" version.  This lets you boot 
it entirely off of a removable CDRW, so you don't have it actually 
installed on the hard drive.  (On my xbox, the booting process takes 
approximately 5-10 minutes from power-on to Myth-Love)  I'm using the 
Svideo/digital audio A/V pack, and it works fine.

Anyone else booting from a LiveCD?  Are your load times similar?  I've 
also noted some problems booting the CD occasionally, but cycling the 
power seems to get it to work. 

--Phill W.

Bill Bradley wrote:

>Well it depends on how you want to install linux on it.  You can use the 
>software mod with MechAssault to install linux.  This will allow you to 
>install to the save game partition.  If you have a mod chipped xbox, you 
>flash the bios and replace the hard drive with a larger model and just run 
>linux.  I used the software mod.  This requires that the MS Dashboard be of a 
>certain version. MS updated the dashboard via xbox live to fix the 
>vulnerability that allowed you to run unsigned code from the MEchAssault save 
>game.  I bought a refurbed box off of ebay, figuring that it would have the 
>original dash on it and I lucked out.  There is a step by step guide and an 
>xbox hardware db @ http://xbox-linux.sourceforge.net/ that you will want to 
>check out....
>
>As far as video inputs, if I was using the wrong terms...I meant the standard 
>"Yellow, Red, White" input connectors.  I dont have the svideo kit, so I dont 
>know if this works or not.  Check the http://xbox-linux.sourceforge.net/ site 
>for more info...
>
>On Monday 15 March 2004 10:54 pm, malcolm wrote:
>  
>
>>That sounds very promising.  If I'm understanding the way you are
>>explaining; You installed Dennis's xbox Myth to the hard drive which frees
>>up the DVD player so it's also a DVD player?  Sounds cool.
>>
>>Are there any differences in x-boxes I should know about?  Or can I just
>>hit ebay and pick pretty much any xbox with remote?
>>
>>You mentioned component video does not work but you use the composite.
>>Aren't those the same thing?  Sorry I'm not a video genius ;)
>>My TV will just be using s-video or coax so as long as xbox has one of
>>those out I'm good.
>>
>>Thanks
>>Malcolm
>>
>>----- Original Message -----
>>From: "Bill Bradley" <wbradley at bham.rr.com>
>>To: "Discussion about mythtv" <mythtv-users at mythtv.org>
>>Sent: Monday, March 15, 2004 8:53 PM
>>Subject: Re: [mythtv-users] x-box or cheap PC for frontends?
>>
>>    
>>
>>>it works great.  i bought a 2nd xbox just run a frontend on.  I use the
>>>      
>>>
>>def
>>
>>    
>>
>>>encode settings with my PVR 250 @ 640x480 with no problems.  I use Dennis
>>>Cartier's (mentioned on this list and xbox-linux user) modified Xebian
>>>      
>>>
>>1.0.1
>>
>>    
>>
>>>(minimal stripped for myth) and so far it does everything my other
>>>      
>>>
>>frontend
>>
>>    
>>
>>>does.  It includes support for the xbox dvd playback dongle for remote
>>>control.   If you dont like the xbox remote, there is a hack to get a
>>>stabdard USB IR receiver working. Picture and sound are clear right out
>>>of the box, plus no compiling.  Just install , reboot, and voila.  The
>>>only tweaking is b4 the install you have to edit the config file for
>>>mount
>>>      
>>>
>>points,
>>
>>    
>>
>>>interfaces and mysql.txt.
>>>
>>>The only issue I am aware of is Component Video.  It does not work in
>>>this release of Xebian (I could be wrong).  I use standard Composite
>>>Video and
>>>      
>>>
>>it
>>
>>    
>>
>>>looks fine...but then I dont have an HDTV....  You may want to check the
>>>xbox-linux user list over at sourceforge.
>>>
>>>On Monday 15 March 2004 08:15 pm, malcolm wrote:
>>>      
>>>
>>>>Hey guys,
>>>>
>>>>I'm finally at the point of expansion where I'd like to make a Myth
>>>>frontend box for my basement.  I want it to be able to play
>>>>pre-recorded shows and possably watch live TV with pause functionality.
>>>> Having it
>>>>        
>>>>
>>also
>>
>>    
>>
>>>>double as a DVD player would be cool but not required.
>>>>
>>>>Quite honstly I don't think I could build a tiny cheap PC even close to
>>>>        
>>>>
>>the
>>
>>    
>>
>>>>cost of an X-box.
>>>>So I'm wondering from those that have actually used an x-box for a
>>>>        
>>>>
>>frontend
>>
>>    
>>
>>>>is how well does it work?  Is sound and picture clear and nice or does
>>>>        
>>>>
>>it
>>
>>    
>>
>>>>take lots of fiddeling and tweaking to make it work?
>>>>
>>>>What about a remote?  I assume the x-box has an IR receiver on it?
>>>>
>>>>If it makes any difference I capture with the Myth's default settings
>>>>of 4500 on video and 384 kb/s on the audio with a 350/250 combo.
>>>>
>>>>Or if there are any other cheap combo PC type solutions out there I'd
>>>>be interested to hear about them.
>>>>
>>>>Thanks
>>>>Malcolm
>>>>
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>>>>
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>>>      
>>>
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>>    
>>
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