[mythtv-users] Google Nexus Player as MythTV Frontend

[Martin Compton]

On 11/22/2014 09:10 PM, Gary Buhrmaster wrote:
> On Sat, Nov 22, 2014 at 6:29 PM, Matt Emmott <memmott at gmail.com> wrote:
> ...
>> Let's forget about the format of the recordings for a moment - Assuming that
>> all recorded content was H.264 (or something else that this device could
>> handle), is it possible to get a full MythTV front end running on this
>> hardware?
> Trying to answer the question asked (not a different question).....
>
> A "Full MythTV FrontEnd" is possible.  But it is not
> likely RSN...
>
> Now, the question is imprecise, but here are some
> of the issues and ways to think about it.
>
> The Nexus Player is a Android device.  While Android
> does run a Linux kernel, it does not run a GNU user
> space, which is what most people consider to be
> (GNU/)Linux.  MythTV runs on (GNU/)Linux, and
> workalikes.  That means things like a functioning
> glibc, and qt.  Even porting/compiling the libraries
> would not be enough, since MythTV itself does not
> have support for the android video codec API.  Such
> would have to be written.
>
> An Android player is possible (some already exist),
> but it will not be a "Full MythTV Frontend" without
> (a lot) more work, since a "Full MythTV Frontend"
> does not mean just playing video (otherwise the
> XBMC player would be considered a "Full MythTV
> Frontend").
>
> There were some discussions that some future
> (not designed, let along coded) MythTV Frontend
> might be QML based.  About a year (or more) ago
> there was work by an individual (since suspended)
> to code some of the functionality on Android.  It
> was an interesting first step.  But (lots) more work
> required (likely including a number of prototypes
> and false starts along the way to be thrown away).
>
> Using the hardware to run GNU/Linux is also possible,
> but such devices have locked boot loaders.  Ways
> around that will no doubt exist, but it is likely to not
> be for the faint of heart (unless JTAG debugging is
> second nature).  The first ADT-1 root hack was
> done via a kernel exploit, but that is not likely to be
> long term sustainable.
>
> Also (over a year ago) there was a question posed
> on list regarding what is the absolute minimum
> functionality for a "MythTV Frontend".  What are
> you willing to have not exist or be supported?
> Is one willing to give up all plugins?  To give up
> theming?  If a "Full MythTV Frontend" means
> everything, than the bar is high, and the time
> frame for achievability is even longer.  If everyone
> can start to agree to eliminate features in the
> Frontend, I suspect we can get those commits
> in RSN to delete those features, in order to
> prepare for the future.  You job, should you
> choose to accept it, is to define those deprecated
> features.
>
> On the other hand, $99 devices are getting faster
> and more capable.  Even if the Nexus Player is
> not the platform you are looking for, next years
> (or the year after that) $99 device might be (your
> countries inflation target may vary and influence
> what $99 will purchase next year).
>
> And that is the way to think about it all.
> _______________________________________________
Same here: I'll wait for an affordable, fully Linux capable PC on 
stick.  Although I did order a "FireTV" stick since it was not 
expensive, and it can't be any worse than the Panasonic DMP-BDT350. At 
the least it should be able to play 1080i video via Plex.