LinuxQuestions.org
Share your knowledge at the LQ Wiki.
Go Back   LinuxQuestions.org > Forums > Linux Forums > Linux - Desktop
User Name
Password
Linux - Desktop This forum is for the discussion of all Linux Software used in a desktop context.

Notices


Reply
  Search this Thread
Old 09-22-2006, 11:22 PM   #1
buckdog
Member
 
Registered: Mar 2006
Distribution: Puppy, KnopMyth
Posts: 36

Rep: Reputation: 15
Media Center Linux Box


I have an oldish Gateway with Ubuntu. It has a 500MHZ PIII, a NVIDA GeForce graphics card that I am planning to upgrade to one with S-Video, and almost 400mb of ram.

Is there Ubuntu software or another distribution that I could use to make this a good media center box that I could operate with ease on my TV via a remote.

Also, where could I get a compatable remote?

I am really a linux noob, and got lucky with an instal of Ubuntu with no issues.

Thanks!
 
Old 09-22-2006, 11:36 PM   #2
musicman_ace
Senior Member
 
Registered: May 2001
Location: Indiana
Distribution: Gentoo, Debian, RHEL, Slack
Posts: 1,555

Rep: Reputation: 46
Knoppmyth is probably your best bet. It is debian based like Ubuntu. Google knoppmyth to find the website. There is also a FedoraMythology site but that is for a more detailed process.
 
Old 09-22-2006, 11:42 PM   #3
buckdog
Member
 
Registered: Mar 2006
Distribution: Puppy, KnopMyth
Posts: 36

Original Poster
Rep: Reputation: 15
Will this be able to play all of my AVI files using various codecs (the all work in VLC), and will I be able to use a remote control?

Thanks a ton for the link! Since it is Debian based, does that mean that it will work as long as Ubuntu does?

Also, I am looking at buying this card. Do you think 64MB of V-Ram will be enough for just watching TV?

I am not interested in any encoding or anything like that. I just want MythTV, my videos, and my DVD's to run smoothly.

Does MythTV play DVD's, or will I have to use something like mPlayer for that?

Thanks!

Last edited by buckdog; 09-22-2006 at 11:52 PM.
 
Old 09-23-2006, 03:04 AM   #4
musicman_ace
Senior Member
 
Registered: May 2001
Location: Indiana
Distribution: Gentoo, Debian, RHEL, Slack
Posts: 1,555

Rep: Reputation: 46
Being "debian based" means that the package tools used to update the software installed are the same. Ubuntu, Knoppix, and Debian all use dpkg and apt-get.

I'd imagine it includes all the codecs, but that should be on their website. I built a gentoo MythTV box, so I had to get the codecs through the gentoo package tools. www.pcalchemy.com has hardware for HTPCs, but again I don't know which remote you want to use and I don't know the differences between the configurations I have and the configurations you need. It is widely known that Knoppmyth is supposed to be the easiest MythTV setup.

Google is your friend:
http://pvrhw.goldfish.org/mirrors/mysettopbox.tv/
http://knoppmythwiki.org/
http://pvrhw.goldfish.org

Last edited by musicman_ace; 09-23-2006 at 03:06 AM.
 
Old 09-23-2006, 09:05 AM   #5
buckdog
Member
 
Registered: Mar 2006
Distribution: Puppy, KnopMyth
Posts: 36

Original Poster
Rep: Reputation: 15
Thanks for all of your help!

I am getting ready to download an ISO, but I was wondering if I could try it out before I use it. In other words, can I dual-boot it with Ubuntu before installing. If something doesn't work out, I don't want to have to reconfigure Ubuntu the way I like it.

Also, I have some HDTV files I got from Bittorrent. They are 350MB for 40 minutes of content.

Thanks!

Last edited by buckdog; 09-23-2006 at 09:47 AM.
 
Old 09-23-2006, 09:16 PM   #6
musicman_ace
Senior Member
 
Registered: May 2001
Location: Indiana
Distribution: Gentoo, Debian, RHEL, Slack
Posts: 1,555

Rep: Reputation: 46
Never tried a dual boot with Myth.
 
  


Reply


Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is Off
HTML code is Off



Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
linux media center postitnote100 Linux - Software 2 06-19-2006 10:57 PM
Media Center PC Linux Os waynejkruse10 Linux - Distributions 5 10-29-2005 08:59 AM
linux as media center linmix Linux - Hardware 1 09-01-2005 08:33 PM
media center linux echasketch123 Linux - Distributions 1 06-12-2005 12:26 AM
Linux Media Center ? maxboost Linux - Enterprise 3 04-18-2005 04:33 AM

LinuxQuestions.org > Forums > Linux Forums > Linux - Desktop

All times are GMT -5. The time now is 09:54 AM.

Main Menu
Advertisement
My LQ
Write for LQ
LinuxQuestions.org is looking for people interested in writing Editorials, Articles, Reviews, and more. If you'd like to contribute content, let us know.
Main Menu
Syndicate
RSS1  Latest Threads
RSS1  LQ News
Twitter: @linuxquestions
Open Source Consulting | Domain Registration