Linux PVR current status, MythTV, or ?, and hardware, etc.
 

Hi, I'm new and wanting to set up a Linux system and a Linux TV and PVR machine. I've searched a few times for information and the latest posts seem to be around 2004, 2006, and the like on the TV and PVR stuff.

My new Linux system is offline and will stay that way if I have my way because of the kind of attacks I have had on my Windows system, including someone sabotaging and disabling my CD and DVD writer-burners so that they are "not capable of burning".

So can someone direct me to the latest and best information on what is going on in Linux TV and PVRs??

Have the Dishnet type DVRs taken over and eliminated the need for Linux PVRs? I suspect that the commercial DVRs are designed to not allow skipping ads, and I'd like to be able to skip them.

And lastly, what are the questions I don't even know I should ask yet?

Pre-Thanks.

This may be one of the better sources. http://www.linuxtv.org/wiki/index.php/V4L_capturing

The whole skip ad is a iffy deal. You might be able to skip 30 seconds but the actual avoid an ad was only around for a short time on some platform.

That is a useful page for a starting point, but may be a bit misleading for someone looking for a PVR solution. For example ffmpeg is a command line video compression utility, as is transcode and mencoder. These apparently can be used to capture TV through scripting or command line but usually fit inside an application. GStreamer and streamer also appear to be part of a solution rather than a full application. Full PVR solutions mentioned there would seem at first glance to be DVR, fftv, XDTV, VLC, MythTV, videodog.

I've only used MythTV which is by now very mature and full featured (despite a rather steep learning curve). It's excellent as a headless PVR on a TV set, controlled through remote hand controls. It can power down the machine to start up at a later scheduled recording time; integrates program listings well; has an excellent web server for fine control remotely; plays DVDs and media files; streams Web media content; etc. etc. Some of the other simpler ones may be better for viewing directly on the desktop.

Ken

Thanks, guys.

I expect a steep learning curve, I'm new to Linux as well as Linux TV. Good project for me.

I just want to fast forward past ads, not have them automatically jumped past. Heck, some ads are cool enough to enjoy watching.

I don't generally like starting up a new thread because too many threads clutter up a forum.

Well, I'll start reading and check back.

Mythtv.
It is very flexible and you can get an automated install from mythubuntu. I have a Mythbox with three DVB-T tuners and a DVB-S card that I found in a bargain bin (Just so I don't miss anything). Another media centre is XBMC but it has no record TV support however it does interface with Mythtv's back end. As for Mythtv status take a look at mythtvs home page http://www.mythtv.org/ for news and tips on configuration information.

The link I posted had all that.

Oh really... Never mind then.

I've been reading like crazy. It's going to take a while to get my Linux head above water, I be thinkin'. But worth it.