Myth(HD)TV, part 2.

Geek said:

In part 2 of my Myth(HD)TV series I want to discuss an overview of the hardware and software that goes into building a MythTV based HTPC.

When I first started with MythTV it was in version .15 if my memory serves and it was a #$#!@$@ (for Beetle Bailey Fans) to setup and configure and required nothing short of "uber geek" status to accomplish. The project has matured significantly since then and thanks to the community there are modified Linux Distros dedicated to the project. Mythbuntu for instance makes configuring and setting up MythTV on a new system (or a virtual machine) and absolute cake walk.

When it comes to hardware for a new project I am definitely not one to run out and buy a bunch of new stuff. I scrounge up whatever I can find and build a frankenputer which usually gets referred to as "Sandbox" because in essence that is exactly what the computer is, my big boy sandbox. Once my proof-of-concept is operational then I look into buying new hardware to make it come alive.

Hardware requirements vary greatly based on the wants/needs of the user. My HTPC runs 24/7/365 so I do my best to keep the power consumption down while still having enough horsepower to do things such as transcoding video. If you have no desire to transcode video then an ultra low power CPU like the Intel Atom on an ION platform is perfect. My needs are a little hungrier than that. I use the MythWeb interface to stream back recorded shows online. If you've heard a Slingbox, I have enough of that functionality in MythWeb. It's not as easy to get to and use away from my home network, but it is possible.

The ability to stream video through MythWeb requires the HTPC to transcode the file to a reduced quality that is small enough to transfer over the Internet. That process requires a significant amount of resources and a more powerful CPU.

My current system consists of the following:

CPU: AMD64 X2 5050e (65Watt, 2.6GHz, Dual-Core, 64bit)

RAM: 4GB DDR2-800

HDD: 1x 500GB (System), 1x 1.5TB (User Files), 1x 750GB (MythTV Recordings) all are SATA II

For an operating system I run Ubuntu 64bit, but I've added on the Mythbuntu packages for ease of configuration. My suggestion for a dedicated Mythbox is to use Mythbuntu and if you want to use Boxee or Hulu, stick with 32bit unless you want to hate yourself and start over. Boxee doesn't have an official 64bit version and making the 32bit version work is a headache you don't want. Hulu on the other hand relies on Flash which is also a bit of a nightmare when it comes to 64bit Ubuntu. One thing that is really missing in my HTPC is the ability to stream Netflix, however I solved the problem by purchasing a blu-ray player with built-in support for Netflix streaming. Before that purchase I was considering a move to a Mac or even (God forbid) Windows based HTPC just for Netflix functionality.

TV tuners is where it gets really interesting because you need to know what source you are going to record from. There are so many possibilities.

1. OTA (over-the-air) broadcasts using an Antenna with an ATSC tuner.
2. Analog Cable broadcasts using an NTSC tuner.
3. Unencrypted Digital Cable broadcasts using a ClearQAM tuner.
4. Digital Encrypted Cable broadcasts using analog outputs of a STB (set-top box)
5. Digital Encrypted Cable broadcasts using a firewire enabled STB
6. Digital Encrypted Satellite broadcasts using analog outputs of a STB

Personally, I'm doing 2 and 3. I record analog cable and digital unencrypted cable which as far as I'm concerned are two of the three easiest setups. OTA for someone close enough to pick up the broadcasts with an antenna would be just as easy.

Anytime you involve a STB it will complicate matters and what's the point of recording an analog version of a digital broadcast? To be honest you'd be better off using the satellite service DVR. That's not to say that MythTV and an HTPC wouldn't be useful to you because it is way more than just a DVR which I will get into in future posts. Cable STB's can be a little different, the FCC requires that cable companies provide a STB with a functional firewire port upon request allowing the use of a DVR like MythTV to record the digital programming. Getting the cable company to enable the port on your STB will probably be a bit of a challenge, most are completely unaware of the FCC's requirement.

There are NTSC, ATSC, ATSC/ClearQAM and hybrid NTSC/ATSC/ClearQAM tuners, with single and multiple tuners in various configurations, but if you're using a set top box you want one with S-Video inputs as well. In part three of Myth(HD)TV I will go in depth on my TV tuner selection and why I chose the ones that I did.

Geek out...

She Said:

...she didn't say, but hopefully some day she'll chime back in. Farmville seems to be more important.