September 2011 - WLUG - wlug.mailman3.com

Re: [Wlug] Myth Box Resources and HD DVR Info?

by Tim Keller

I can't speak to mythtv since it's been a very long time since I played with it, but I recently had to switch from the DirecTivo the Directv DVR and I have to say, I'm rather NOT impressed. It's very laggy (press a button, wait 1/2 a second to respond) Skippy... you see it on things like cartoons... it'll skip ahead 1/2 a second... very loud blips... I know this is just me whinny, but in the dark, I find that the remote just sucks. It's bulky and there's approximately 10 more buttons then you really want. Plus the buttons are laid out in such a way that you can't just grab the remote the remote and know how your hand is placed on it... Oh yeah... get of my lawn! On Thu, Sep 15, 2011 at 11:51 AM, brad <bkn(a)ithryn.net> wrote: > On Thursday, September 15, 2011 11:07:15 AM joel d wrote: > > Hi, > > > > I am re-working our TV to HDTV currently and trying to decide on a DVR. > > Currently I use Charter's DVR and not impressed with their DVR > > layout/features. > > > > Currently I am looking at either the DirectTV whole house DVR option > > or building a Myth DVR box(s). > > > > Not sure I want to bite off the Myth though due to needing 2 machines, > > tuner card, and chunks of my time (vs turnkey for an "appliance"). > > > Why would you need 2 machines? > > > I have read the docs at MythTV website but am asking current Myth users: > > > > 1) Others are running for Myth hardware (front and back end specs) > > > I have an HVR-1600 and HVR-2250. > > > 2) Any estimates on install startup hours and monthly maintenance hours. > > > This is very dependent on how you plan to use it, and if others plan to use > it. I don't watch a lot of TV but i do have it record a few programs. > > Install Hours: Significant time commitment is usually needed. I know that > configuring the remote was most difficult for me. This information is > coming from > almost two years ago, when i last installed. > > Month maintenance Hours: less than an hour, typically. > > > 3) Any tips for a quick & smooth Myth install in late 2011 > > > I use ubuntu with mythtv packages. I'm also running 10.04 since upgrading > can > be a major headache; so i try to stick with the Long Term releases. > > > My current plans include a video source of HD via satellite from Dish > > or DirectTV and am leaning towards a Samsung 55" LCD/LED set. > > > Getting HD on mythtv can be a little difficult sometimes, depending on your > cable provider. Don't expect to be able to simple connect the coax to your > MythTv tuner and get all the channels since many of them (typically all of > them except broadcast channels) are scrambled and you need to run though > the > cablebox to unscramble. I currently have the cable box output connected to > my > MythTv box and a firewire cable connected from my MythTv box to the > cablebox to > change channels. It works fine, but i can't watch and record something at > the > same time on non-broadcast channels. > > > I got the impression around three years ago that Myth was a "techie > > time intensive" thing to setup and run. > > I could be all wet on that impression or it may have changed. > > > Things are getting easier to setup. It especially helps if you have an HDTV > with a VGA 15pin or DVI input. As i said above the remote control is often > times a headache. > > All this being said. Since i have the know-how, i much prefer my mythtv > over > any cable company's DVR. > _______________________________________________ > Wlug mailing list > Wlug(a)mail.wlug.org > http://mail.wlug.org/mailman/listinfo/wlug > -- I am leery of the allegiances of any politician who refers to their constituents as "consumers".

Sept. 15, 2011

Re: [Wlug] Myth Box Resources and HD DVR Info?

by brad

On Thursday, September 15, 2011 11:07:15 AM joel d wrote: > Hi, > > I am re-working our TV to HDTV currently and trying to decide on a DVR. > Currently I use Charter's DVR and not impressed with their DVR > layout/features. > > Currently I am looking at either the DirectTV whole house DVR option > or building a Myth DVR box(s). > > Not sure I want to bite off the Myth though due to needing 2 machines, > tuner card, and chunks of my time (vs turnkey for an "appliance"). > Why would you need 2 machines? > I have read the docs at MythTV website but am asking current Myth users: > > 1) Others are running for Myth hardware (front and back end specs) > I have an HVR-1600 and HVR-2250. > 2) Any estimates on install startup hours and monthly maintenance hours. > This is very dependent on how you plan to use it, and if others plan to use it. I don't watch a lot of TV but i do have it record a few programs. Install Hours: Significant time commitment is usually needed. I know that configuring the remote was most difficult for me. This information is coming from almost two years ago, when i last installed. Month maintenance Hours: less than an hour, typically. > 3) Any tips for a quick & smooth Myth install in late 2011 > I use ubuntu with mythtv packages. I'm also running 10.04 since upgrading can be a major headache; so i try to stick with the Long Term releases. > My current plans include a video source of HD via satellite from Dish > or DirectTV and am leaning towards a Samsung 55" LCD/LED set. > Getting HD on mythtv can be a little difficult sometimes, depending on your cable provider. Don't expect to be able to simple connect the coax to your MythTv tuner and get all the channels since many of them (typically all of them except broadcast channels) are scrambled and you need to run though the cablebox to unscramble. I currently have the cable box output connected to my MythTv box and a firewire cable connected from my MythTv box to the cablebox to change channels. It works fine, but i can't watch and record something at the same time on non-broadcast channels. > I got the impression around three years ago that Myth was a "techie > time intensive" thing to setup and run. > I could be all wet on that impression or it may have changed. > Things are getting easier to setup. It especially helps if you have an HDTV with a VGA 15pin or DVI input. As i said above the remote control is often times a headache. All this being said. Since i have the know-how, i much prefer my mythtv over any cable company's DVR.

Sept. 15, 2011

Re: [Wlug] Myth Box Resources and HD DVR Info?

by James Gray

If you are concerned with the amount of setup time you might want to check out http://www.mythbuntu.org/ I haven't used it personally. It looks they've automated much of the setup process. On Thu, Sep 15, 2011 at 11:07 AM, joel d <joelgroup(a)gmail.com> wrote: > Hi, > > I am re-working our TV to HDTV currently and trying to decide on a DVR. > Currently I use Charter's DVR and not impressed with their DVR layout/features. > > Currently I am looking at either the DirectTV whole house DVR option > or building a Myth DVR box(s). > > Not sure I want to bite off the Myth though due to needing 2 machines, > tuner card, and chunks of my time (vs turnkey for an "appliance"). > > I have read the docs at MythTV website but am asking current Myth users: > > 1) Others are running for Myth hardware (front and back end specs) > > 2) Any estimates on install startup hours and monthly maintenance hours. > > 3) Any tips for a quick & smooth Myth install in late 2011 > > My current plans include a video source of HD via satellite from Dish > or DirectTV and am leaning towards a Samsung 55" LCD/LED set. > > I got the impression around three years ago that Myth was a "techie > time intensive" thing to setup and run. > I could be all wet on that impression or it may have changed. > > Thank you, > > Joel > _______________________________________________ > Wlug mailing list > Wlug(a)mail.wlug.org > http://mail.wlug.org/mailman/listinfo/wlug >

Sept. 15, 2011

Myth Box Resources and HD DVR Info?

by joel d

Hi, I am re-working our TV to HDTV currently and trying to decide on a DVR. Currently I use Charter's DVR and not impressed with their DVR layout/features. Currently I am looking at either the DirectTV whole house DVR option or building a Myth DVR box(s). Not sure I want to bite off the Myth though due to needing 2 machines, tuner card, and chunks of my time (vs turnkey for an "appliance"). I have read the docs at MythTV website but am asking current Myth users: 1) Others are running for Myth hardware (front and back end specs) 2) Any estimates on install startup hours and monthly maintenance hours. 3) Any tips for a quick & smooth Myth install in late 2011 My current plans include a video source of HD via satellite from Dish or DirectTV and am leaning towards a Samsung 55" LCD/LED set. I got the impression around three years ago that Myth was a "techie time intensive" thing to setup and run. I could be all wet on that impression or it may have changed. Thank you, Joel

Sept. 15, 2011

Re: [Wlug] Reminder: WLUG Meeting Tonight 7PM: IPv6

by Eric Martin

I really wanted to go to this but I can't, too much homework. On Wed, Sep 14, 2011 at 5:53 PM, Chuck Anderson <cra(a)wpi.edu> wrote: > Sorry for the late reminder. Please join us tonight for a talk about > IPv6! > > On Fri, Sep 09, 2011 at 08:48:46AM -0400, Chuck Anderson wrote: > > > Hi folks, > > Our next WLUG meeting is Wednesday, September 14 at 7:00 PM at the WPI > > campus in Worcester, MA USA. The meeting room is in WPI's Morgan Hall > > (building 'H' on the campus map [1]), down the hallway to the right of > > the dining hall entrance. > > > > [1] http://www.wpi.edu/Images/CMS/WPI/walkingmap.pdf > > > > This month, I'll be giving a talk on Internet Protocol Version 6, > > including basics of how it works, how to configure it on various > > systems, and various issues & benefits to using IPv6. > > > > After the meeting, we'll go out for pizza. > > > > See you all there, > > Chuck > > President, Worcester Linux Users' Group > > _______________________________________________ > Wlug mailing list > Wlug(a)mail.wlug.org > http://mail.wlug.org/mailman/listinfo/wlug > > -- Eric Martin

Sept. 14, 2011

Reminder: WLUG Meeting Tonight 7PM: IPv6

by Chuck Anderson

Sorry for the late reminder. Please join us tonight for a talk about IPv6! On Fri, Sep 09, 2011 at 08:48:46AM -0400, Chuck Anderson wrote: > Hi folks, > Our next WLUG meeting is Wednesday, September 14 at 7:00 PM at the WPI > campus in Worcester, MA USA. The meeting room is in WPI's Morgan Hall > (building 'H' on the campus map [1]), down the hallway to the right of > the dining hall entrance. > > [1] http://www.wpi.edu/Images/CMS/WPI/walkingmap.pdf > > This month, I'll be giving a talk on Internet Protocol Version 6, > including basics of how it works, how to configure it on various > systems, and various issues & benefits to using IPv6. > > After the meeting, we'll go out for pizza. > > See you all there, > Chuck > President, Worcester Linux Users' Group

Sept. 14, 2011

Announce: WLUG Meeting 9/14 7PM: IPv6

by Chuck Anderson

Hi folks, Our next WLUG meeting is Wednesday, September 14 at 7:00 PM at the WPI campus in Worcester, MA USA. The meeting room is in WPI's Morgan Hall (building 'H' on the campus map [1]), down the hallway to the right of the dining hall entrance. [1] http://www.wpi.edu/Images/CMS/WPI/walkingmap.pdf This month, I'll be giving a talk on Internet Protocol Version 6, including basics of how it works, how to configure it on various systems, and various issues & benefits to using IPv6. After the meeting, we'll go out for pizza. See you all there, Chuck President, Worcester Linux Users' Group

Sept. 9, 2011

Re: [Wlug] Drive cage recommendations?

by John Stoffel

Tim> I'd say it's a choice between the two iStarUSA units. Do you Tim> want hot swappable or not? I'd *like* hot swappable, but it's not required. But it would be nice. I've got four hidden 3.5" bays inside the system I can use as well, so I'm not too limited spacewise. Tim> On Wed, Sep 7, 2011 at 11:23 AM, John Stoffel <john(a)stoffel.org> wrote: >> >> Guys, >> >> I'm looking to add one or more of those 2x5.25" bay to 3x3.5" disk >> cages to my main file server, which is a CoolerMaster Centurion 534 >> case, which has tabs in between each 5.25" bay to help hold things in >> place. I thought about the 3x5.25 -> 4/5x3.5" expanders, but since I >> have four free 5.25" slots, it makes more sense to use a pair of >> 2x5.25"->3x3.5" cages. Plus most of the larger expanders won't work >> with tabs in the case. >> >> Part of my criteria is: cost, quiet cooling fan, durability of sleds, >> SATA III support, abitily to replace the cooling fan if it's too >> loud. >> >> So here's my top four choices. The IcyDock is the most expensive by >> far. Not sure I'd go for it... sorta leaning towards the iStarUSA >> models. The Norco has no reviews on newegg, so I'm leary of it. >> >> iStarUSA BPN-DE230SS-BLACK 2 x 5.25" to 3 x 3.5" SAS/SATA Trayless >> Hot-Swap Cage - OEM >> http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16816215240 >> >> iStarUSA BPU-230SATA-BPL 2x5.25" to 3x3.5" SAS/SATA 6.0 Gb/s Hot-Swap >> Cage - Lockable >> http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817121912 >> >> NORCO SS-300 3 Bay 3.5" SATA/SAS Hot Swap Rack Module >> http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16816133050 >> >> ICY DOCK MB453IPF-B 3 in 2 3.5' SATA I & II Hot-Swap Internal >> Backplane Raid Cage Module >> http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817994052 >> >> >> And a fall back model which should work just fine in my case, and >> which is really cheap, but takes up three 5.25" bays to hold 4 drives >> and isn't hot swappable... >> >> COOLER MASTER STB-3T4-E3-GP 4-in-3 Device Module Hardisk Cage >> http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817993002 >> >> Thanks, >> John >> _______________________________________________ >> Wlug mailing list >> Wlug(a)mail.wlug.org >> http://mail.wlug.org/mailman/listinfo/wlug >> Tim> -- Tim> I am leery of the allegiances of any politician who refers to their Tim> constituents as "consumers". Tim> ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Tim> _______________________________________________ Tim> Wlug mailing list Tim> Wlug(a)mail.wlug.org Tim> http://mail.wlug.org/mailman/listinfo/wlug --

Sept. 7, 2011

Re: [Wlug] Drive cage recommendations?

by Tim Keller

I'd say it's a choice between the two iStarUSA units. Do you want hot swappable or not? On Wed, Sep 7, 2011 at 11:23 AM, John Stoffel <john(a)stoffel.org> wrote: > > Guys, > > I'm looking to add one or more of those 2x5.25" bay to 3x3.5" disk > cages to my main file server, which is a CoolerMaster Centurion 534 > case, which has tabs in between each 5.25" bay to help hold things in > place. I thought about the 3x5.25 -> 4/5x3.5" expanders, but since I > have four free 5.25" slots, it makes more sense to use a pair of > 2x5.25"->3x3.5" cages. Plus most of the larger expanders won't work > with tabs in the case. > > Part of my criteria is: cost, quiet cooling fan, durability of sleds, > SATA III support, abitily to replace the cooling fan if it's too > loud. > > So here's my top four choices. The IcyDock is the most expensive by > far. Not sure I'd go for it... sorta leaning towards the iStarUSA > models. The Norco has no reviews on newegg, so I'm leary of it. > > iStarUSA BPN-DE230SS-BLACK 2 x 5.25" to 3 x 3.5" SAS/SATA Trayless > Hot-Swap Cage - OEM > http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16816215240 > > iStarUSA BPU-230SATA-BPL 2x5.25" to 3x3.5" SAS/SATA 6.0 Gb/s Hot-Swap > Cage - Lockable > http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817121912 > > NORCO SS-300 3 Bay 3.5" SATA/SAS Hot Swap Rack Module > http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16816133050 > > ICY DOCK MB453IPF-B 3 in 2 3.5' SATA I & II Hot-Swap Internal > Backplane Raid Cage Module > http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817994052 > > > And a fall back model which should work just fine in my case, and > which is really cheap, but takes up three 5.25" bays to hold 4 drives > and isn't hot swappable... > > COOLER MASTER STB-3T4-E3-GP 4-in-3 Device Module Hardisk Cage > http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817993002 > > Thanks, > John > _______________________________________________ > Wlug mailing list > Wlug(a)mail.wlug.org > http://mail.wlug.org/mailman/listinfo/wlug > -- I am leery of the allegiances of any politician who refers to their constituents as "consumers".

Sept. 7, 2011

Drive cage recommendations?

by John Stoffel

Guys, I'm looking to add one or more of those 2x5.25" bay to 3x3.5" disk cages to my main file server, which is a CoolerMaster Centurion 534 case, which has tabs in between each 5.25" bay to help hold things in place. I thought about the 3x5.25 -> 4/5x3.5" expanders, but since I have four free 5.25" slots, it makes more sense to use a pair of 2x5.25"->3x3.5" cages. Plus most of the larger expanders won't work with tabs in the case. Part of my criteria is: cost, quiet cooling fan, durability of sleds, SATA III support, abitily to replace the cooling fan if it's too loud. So here's my top four choices. The IcyDock is the most expensive by far. Not sure I'd go for it... sorta leaning towards the iStarUSA models. The Norco has no reviews on newegg, so I'm leary of it. iStarUSA BPN-DE230SS-BLACK 2 x 5.25" to 3 x 3.5" SAS/SATA Trayless Hot-Swap Cage - OEM http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16816215240 iStarUSA BPU-230SATA-BPL 2x5.25" to 3x3.5" SAS/SATA 6.0 Gb/s Hot-Swap Cage - Lockable http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817121912 NORCO SS-300 3 Bay 3.5" SATA/SAS Hot Swap Rack Module http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16816133050 ICY DOCK MB453IPF-B 3 in 2 3.5' SATA I & II Hot-Swap Internal Backplane Raid Cage Module http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817994052 And a fall back model which should work just fine in my case, and which is really cheap, but takes up three 5.25" bays to hold 4 drives and isn't hot swappable... COOLER MASTER STB-3T4-E3-GP 4-in-3 Device Module Hardisk Cage http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817993002 Thanks, John

Sept. 7, 2011