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

Peter Loron peterl at standingwave.org
Tue Mar 16 14:30:21 EST 2004 

Which Live CD are you using? Pointers to .iso? Thanks!

-Pete

Phill Wiggin wrote:

> 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
>>>>>
>>>>> _______________________________________________
>>>>> mythtv-users mailing list
>>>>> mythtv-users at mythtv.org
>>>>> http://mythtv.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/mythtv-users
>>>>>       
>>>>
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>>>
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>>
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