MythTV

MythTV is an Open Source project (meaning it's source code is available for all and it is a free program, among other things) that acts as a sort of Tivo for your linux-based computer. It really does more than that. It's like a Tivo on steroids.

 

My primary combined frontend/backend system consists of:

• Case: CoolerMaster CAV-T04-UWA Silver Cavalier w/ 300W PSU ($65)
• Motherboard: Asus P4P800-E Deluxe Socket 478 ATX motherboard from Newegg ($116)
• CPU: 2.8 GHZ Intel Pentium 4 with HT from Fry's ($140 w/ECS motherboard)
• Sound Card: onboard
• RAM: 2x512 MB Kingston value PC3200 in dual channel mode ($20 each from Circuit City on sale)
• Video Card: XFX Geforce FX5500 256 MB DDR 4X/8X Video Card from Newegg ($60)
• Video Capture Card: two Hauppauge PVR-250 (already on hand)
• IR: Included with PVR-250
• Remote: URC-8011 with JP1 upgraded code (here's how)
• Operating System: Red Hat Fedora Core 3

My other front end system consists of:

• Case: Antec Aria
• Motherboard: Chaintech 7NIF2
• CPU: AMD Sempron 2400+
• RAM: 512 MB PC2700
• Video Card: Built in Nvidia GeForce4 MX
• Sound Card: Built in
• Video Capture Card: Video Capture Card: Hauppauge WinTV 401 (not used for capturing, used for IR port)
• IR: Included with PVR 250
• Remote: URC-6012 with JP1 upgraded code
• Operating System: Red Hat Fedora Core 3

I got it up and running in less than a weekend using this Jared Wilson's excellent guide on Redhat's Fedora Core 3. Specifics include:

• I downloaded the Fedora Core 3 (FC3) dvd iso and burned it to a dvd.
• I booted my computer with the FC3 dvd and typed “linux jfs” at the linux boot screen so that I could use jfs. If I had it to do again, I would just use ext3 so that my backup programs would behave.
• At the Installation Type Screen I chose a Custom installation.
• At the Disk Partitioning Setup screen, I chose to manually partition with Disk Druid. I partitioned my disk in accordance with Jarod's recommendation here. If I had to do it again, I would have chosen LVM to allow for easier hard drive upgrades.
• On the Network Config screen, I set up a static IP address
• On the Firewall Configuration page, I disabled both the firewall and Selinux.
• I followed the guide until step five, where I used:
  • # rpm -Uvh http://atrpms.net/dist/fc3/atrpms-kickstart/atrpms-kickstart-28-1.rhfc3.at.i386.rpm
• For step 6 I had to use:
  • # apt-get install kernel-smp=2.6.11-1.35_FC3
• For step 7 I installed ALSA according to his instructions, but configured the mixer via the command line in accordance with the MythTV docs:
  • $ amixer set Master,0 90%,90% unmute
  • $ amixer set PCM,0 90%,90% unmute
  • $ amixer set Line,0 75%,75% mute captur
  • $ amixer set Capture,0 90%,90% captur
  • $ su
  • # /usr/sbin/alsactl store
  • # exit
• At step 11, I used my own custom lircd.conf and lircrc file. Here is the How-to.
• I followed the guide through step 13. I made sure to type in ALSA:default instead of the default /dev/dsp to enable Alsa drivers instead of the default OSS.
• I followed the rest of his directions.

That's it!! I now have the capability to record two separate things and simultaneously watch whatever I have recorded on either my combined front/backend or any other frontend in the house.

I recently created a new "upgrade code" for the Hauppauge remote that was included with my capture card and edited my lircd.conf and lircrc file to my liking. Now everything works the way I want it to! I can't emphasize enough the importance of customizing your remote. It really increases your PVRs usability.