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

by Clint Moyer

You're not going to get Myth or any HTPC to work with DirecTV because there are no tuner cards that can unscramble the signal. Satellite TV requires a receiver from the vendor. We dropped DirecTV for over-the-air and TiVo and saved nearly $100/mo in the process. If you choose OTA, you'll want to consider the money and time investment for at least two PCs for Myth. TiVo will allow you to view recordings among all receivers on your LAN. Of course, there's a monthly fee for each TiVo... On 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

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

by Gregory Boyce

I'm not sure if it would work with the Premiere or not, but I wrote a commandline tool for downloading shows from my Tivo. I had larger plans for the project, but for now I find it rather useful for archiving shows off the tivo to watch later. It can either download the encrypted files, or decrypt them automatically if you have the tivodecode program. My scripts: http://tivoarchive.sourceforge.net/ Tivodecode: http://tivodecode.sourceforge.net/ On Thu, Sep 15, 2011 at 4:11 PM, John Stoffel <john(a)stoffel.org> wrote: > > I hate to say it, but I'm a Tivo convert, with a dual tuner premiere I > got earlier this year after my 9 year old series 2 finally bit the > bullet. > > The big payoff was not having to re-train the wife. *grin* And it > just works. I'd love to do a MythTV box at some point, but cable > cards, HD and all this is a huge hassle when I don't have the time. > > And honestly, the Tivo remote is the best by far. The UI is pretty > snappy too and just works. I have yet to see any other solution work > nearly as well and be nearly as accessible to non-tech savy users. > > >From an end-user perspective, having a good, well laid out remote with > a responsive UI is wonderful. You'll never go back once you've had > it. > >

Sept. 15, 2011

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

by John Stoffel

I hate to say it, but I'm a Tivo convert, with a dual tuner premiere I got earlier this year after my 9 year old series 2 finally bit the bullet. The big payoff was not having to re-train the wife. *grin* And it just works. I'd love to do a MythTV box at some point, but cable cards, HD and all this is a huge hassle when I don't have the time. And honestly, the Tivo remote is the best by far. The UI is pretty snappy too and just works. I have yet to see any other solution work nearly as well and be nearly as accessible to non-tech savy users. >From an end-user perspective, having a good, well laid out remote with a responsive UI is wonderful. You'll never go back once you've had it. John --

Sept. 15, 2011

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

by Eric Martin

Getting it working on mine was a small pain, mainly because I'm using what was bleeding edge at the time (no drivers). My big sticking point is that I can't record analog channels past 27 for some reason on one of my cards, and I've never had the time to figure out why. As for regular maintenance, it's fine as long as you don't mess with it too much. 90% of the time the maintenance comes because I've broken something, or forgotten to update a driver when I upgrade the kernel (I'm running in on Gentoo). I too have a Charter DVR (I caved for my wife) and I hate the new UI. Also, it doesn't always work and the mythbox has save my @$$ on occasion. Granted, it won't get full acceptance until it can record Mythbusters properly, and that's not happening until I finish school (this coming May). Also, I have some scripts that I run as cronjobs to backup the database that have been amazingly helpful, I use them at work for all of our MySQL databases as well. I'd be happy to post them if anybody is interested. On 09/15/11 11:07, 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"). > > 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 -- eric GnuPG Fingerprint = D1C4 086E DBB5 C18E 6FDA B215 6A25 7174 A941 3B9F

Sept. 15, 2011

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

by Tim Keller

off even! On Thu, Sep 15, 2011 at 12:02 PM, Tim Keller <turbofx(a)gmail.com> wrote: > 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". > -- 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 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