[mythtvnz] TiVo replacement

[Rory Grant]

Hi Peter,

I'd second the advice for HDHomeRun if you have good terrestrial reception
at your place.

MythTV works in a server/client format.  This means that it has a backend
server, and a frontend.  Both of these can run on a single machine.  You
can also have other frontends attached on the network.  This has two great
advantages -
1. You can watch TV in a different room without having to run a coax aerial
cable.
2. You can watch live TV and recordings from anywhere in the house.

Your backend does not have to be high end.  For instance, I am running a
Backend/Frontend Mythbuntu machine with an AMD Athlon 64X2 processor and
4GB of DDR2 ram that is approximately 10 years old.

For the frontend, you want something with a graphics card that will drive
your 1080p HDMI screen.  On Linux, that means something with supported
Hardware acceleration.  When I was putting my machine together a few years
ago, that meant NVIDIA 600 series or above.  That may or may not still be
true.

You can use MythTV's native frontend, but I have moved over to using Kodi
as a frontend.  This runs acceptably even on a Raspberry Pi Model 1 B.

If you are using an HDHomeRun you don't even need coax to your backend,
just network.

In summary, there is a lot of setting up required to get a owrking MythTV
install compared to a consumer box like the TiVo, but once it's up and
running it is very versatile.

HTH,

Rory

On 6 March 2017 at 15:14, Peter Charlesworth <peter at charlesworth.nz> wrote:

> Robert,
>
> Just to let you know that your advice, generously given on Geekzone, has
> been followed by one budding MythTV follower.  I’m currently trying to get
> my head around all the terms and descriptions I am encountering, which I am
> not familiar with, but I think I can get up to speed with some assistance.
>
>
> Regarding the hardware, we have an old but effective “home theatre”
> set-up, currently running through the TiVo for TV input.  The TV has HDMI,
> the system has access to our fibre broadband, and the aerial is UHF.  The
> PC side is where I will probably have to build from scratch, and although
> we have a couple of defunct desktop towers, I doubt that any of the
> contents will make the grade.  Perhaps I can use an old box and restock
> it.  The home theatre trappings are currently in a large space under the
> stairs behind the TV, so that would seem an ideal place for a “back end”?
>
> Do there happen to be any members in the Epsom area in Auckland whom I
> might contact for a meeting and advice?
>
> Regards,
>
> Peter
>
>
>
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