My Mythtv build and install.... I hope you like it.
Reads from top to bottom, just like a book.
Reads from top to bottom, just like a book.
The Software install
Ewwwkay.
I eventually followed Daniel Hyams Fantastic How-to.
Its a pretty solid how-to, but I found a few things that tripped me up:
I couldn't enter Gedit from 'su', I had to exit 'su', do a 'sudo gedit' then re-enter 'su'. What's up with that? After a while, I started using vi as my editor. Much easier once you know your way around. So learn the simple vi instructions and it'll make your life easier. If you get really stuck there is the Ubuntu forums, or the Mythv How-to's.
I also gave Knoppmyth a go. Just download and rip the CD, then it is super easy to install. Use the Hyams instructions for setting up your Zap-2-it account before you start. If you are totally new to this, or just building a DVR and don't want to use your machine as a computer, this is absolutely 100% the way to go.
With either solution, you can SSH and VNC into your Mythtv box, but Ubuntu gives you your working desktop where I found Knoppmyth gave me a new desktop for each VNC login. (I might have been doing something off!!??). I like that Ubuntu has the ongoing security patches and support too.
But that is just me. You'll have to make your own decision.
I eventually followed Daniel Hyams Fantastic How-to.
Its a pretty solid how-to, but I found a few things that tripped me up:
I couldn't enter Gedit from 'su', I had to exit 'su', do a 'sudo gedit' then re-enter 'su'. What's up with that? After a while, I started using vi as my editor. Much easier once you know your way around. So learn the simple vi instructions and it'll make your life easier. If you get really stuck there is the Ubuntu forums, or the Mythv How-to's.
I also gave Knoppmyth a go. Just download and rip the CD, then it is super easy to install. Use the Hyams instructions for setting up your Zap-2-it account before you start. If you are totally new to this, or just building a DVR and don't want to use your machine as a computer, this is absolutely 100% the way to go.
With either solution, you can SSH and VNC into your Mythtv box, but Ubuntu gives you your working desktop where I found Knoppmyth gave me a new desktop for each VNC login. (I might have been doing something off!!??). I like that Ubuntu has the ongoing security patches and support too.
But that is just me. You'll have to make your own decision.
Mythtv - The Parts
You might have some bits lying around, but here is what I spent. I've seen some sites reckon you can put together a mythv box cheaper, (You could get that Linspire PC at Frys for $150 with a PVR 150 at $99 and a 300 GB drive $80 - Total $330), but below is what the receipts said I spent.
- Exisiting motherboard, AMD 1.2 GHz, Socket A, (free?)
- Existing video card, GEForce4 - MX440 with comp out (free?)
- Hauppauge PVR-150 = $99.99
- RAM 512, KVR400512R, (after mail in rebate) = $19.99
- PC Case, Silverstone SST-LC03-S = $139.99
- Wireless networking card, Linksys LKS WMP 54G = $49.99
- (Optional) Removeable drive bay, PMD691-BLK = $ 19.99
- DVD ROM, LIN SOHD16P9S = $34.99
- Hard Drive, 300 GB PATA (DMA ultra), ST3300631-RK = $85.49
- Logitech S510 cordless keyboard = $49.99
- Video Card Chipset cooler = $9.99
- Various plugs and hookup cables = ~ $20.00
- Donation to Daniel Hyams for his Mythtv install guide = $20.00 (figured that was enough for a few beers)
Total cost = $550.41
(plus a few $ in sales tax)
As my brother-in-law says "All paid for".
Sure I could have bought a tivo or off the shelf DVR, but this gives me much more flexibility. I heard the new Tivo's erase your shows against your will, so here I have a bit more control. Plus I know when I get back to NZ, this'll work on just free to air tv. (I just need a PAL PVR-150 or 500).
So its over to you if you want to go down this path. I've learned a whole lot. A lot about Linux and Ubuntu, a lot about Knoppmyth and Mythtv. And I get to watch the shows I like, when I like with no ongoing fees. Plus it stores my DVD's and Music, and I can browse the web on the TV. Great for those evenings where there is nothing on TV and you want to bring YouTube to the TV!
Mythtv set - the build.
Ok.
Firstly, dont rush yourself. I'm sure I had to nip out to Frys and the shack somewhere in the middle.
If you've never messed around inside a computer you might want to have a friend help you. As for tooling, you'll need a phillips screwdriver and that is about it. You'll see I used a craft knife, so make sure you have adult supervision. Luckily my wife was on hand to supervise me....
Firstly, dont rush yourself. I'm sure I had to nip out to Frys and the shack somewhere in the middle.
If you've never messed around inside a computer you might want to have a friend help you. As for tooling, you'll need a phillips screwdriver and that is about it. You'll see I used a craft knife, so make sure you have adult supervision. Luckily my wife was on hand to supervise me....
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Caution
When your messing with computer components, you want to use a static strap.
If you dont have a static strap, make sure you one hand on the metal case, while your working around inside. This will reduce the possibilty of 'static' electrical charge builidng up.
Failure to prevent static discharge may result in failure of sensitive electronic components. These components may not fail straight away, but you will severely reduce their service life.
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Ok... here goes.....
Caution
When your messing with computer components, you want to use a static strap.
If you dont have a static strap, make sure you one hand on the metal case, while your working around inside. This will reduce the possibilty of 'static' electrical charge builidng up.
Failure to prevent static discharge may result in failure of sensitive electronic components. These components may not fail straight away, but you will severely reduce their service life.
-----
Ok... here goes.....
The Silverstone case, fresh out the box! I want the end result to look this tidy. I dont want any extra wires hanging around either.
The empty Silverstone case. Just opened the lid. I'm really impressed with the workmanship. I've seen easier cases to get components in and out of, but overall, this is a nice case.
The MB on the mounting tray. It'll take a whole heap of form factors, so its up to you what you use. Obviously fanless is going to be quieter. You'll note in later photos I replaced the CPU fan with a quieter fan.
The IR reciever on the end of the cable that came with the PVR-150. I'm cutting it down to fit it behind the 'reset' hole on the front of the case. It'll be much tidier than having wires haning everywhere.
Here the IR reciever is fully exposed, Ready to be glued into the back of the front panel.
The front panel took a bit of work to remove, and its done from the inside of the case. Make sure you dont scratch anything. I put clear tape over the front panel to protect it. Then pulled it off once I was done.
Here the IR reciever is fully exposed, Ready to be glued into the back of the front panel.
The front panel took a bit of work to remove, and its done from the inside of the case. Make sure you dont scratch anything. I put clear tape over the front panel to protect it. Then pulled it off once I was done.
I ground out the back of the aluminium and hot glued the IR reciever in place. Took a bit of work and re-work to get the hole the right depth.
The IR reciever inside the front panel and all put back together. Looks quite good. It gets good reception from anywhere in the living room.
The PVR-150 installed. You can see I'm kinda tidy in my cases. I like to keep the wires tidy and out of the way.
New video card fan. I had to buy a new fan for the old MX-440 as the bearings had gone in the old one. I'm not having a fan making that Grrrhrhrrrrhhhrrhhr noise..... . I would have liked to have gone totally fan-less, but a fan was cheaper than a new video card, and I'm not made of money....
My setup connections. Obviously I have to change the AV input on the TV to watch replays of shows if I havent been using the mythtv to watch the TV. Also, as the DirecTv can tune one channel at a time, we cant tape one channel and watch another. I'd need to get a second reciever and pay another $4.95 a month or something. Once I get back to NZ, I'll be free-to-air only, so will get another tuner (PVR-500 :PAL) so I can watch one and tape the other etc.
My Mythtv Build
I read somewhere that its the rules that if you build a Mythtv box, you have to post your log... and as they said, I don't make the rules, I just follow 'em.
There are some more features and screenshots of Mythtv here.
There are some more features and screenshots of Mythtv here.