Going to be attempting going from 0.23 to 29.0

[dborn]

Hi all,
I've been happily using mythtv 0.23 on a Mythbuntu 10.04 for way too long now.
I was tempted to upgrade for a long time but my setup "just worked" so I held off. Until now.

Now I have to upgrade for many reasons (some are obvious I think).
My current mythtv backend+frontend computer is dual-boot from a previous step up so my plan is to:
Install xubuntu 16.04.3 on the unused partition (already done)
Add the mythbuntu 0.29 PPA (already done)
Install the mythtv package from the PPA
Install the mythbuntu-control-center from the PPA
I have 3 data HDDs (2x1TB filled with 400+ recorded programs, 1x2TB filled with movie ISOs from my collection of DVDs)
I plan to re-use all the same hardware if possible.
I know I will have to backup my 0.23 database and hopefully restore it on the new 29.0 system.

I'm expecting this whole operation to be quite complex and frustrating but I'm going to try it nonetheless. I love mythtv way too much to just drop it.
I figure I can always just reboot in 0.23 and live my life in happy obsolescence if I can't make it work.

If you have any words of wisdom, warnings, suggestions, hints or any other form of encouragement, I would be most grateful!

In any case, wish me luck!
Daniel

[bill6502]

I'd suggest reading (if you haven't) the 0.24->29.0 release notes. Mostly, the
Special Instructions section:

https://www.mythtv.org/wiki/Release_Not ... structions

For example, in 0.26 the conversion to UTC timestamps will take a long time
if you've got lots of recordings. So, don't give up/abort the change.

Good luck.

[dborn]

Hi Bill,

Thanks for the link, no I hadn't read those release notes.
There is a wealth of information for MythTV, some of it obsolete.

I don't mind spending the amount of time needed to do the conversion (maybe I'll clear out some of the recordings I would likely never watch), thanks for that info.

Best Regards,
Daniel

[pvr4me]

You haven't mentioned database backups. It would be prudent to take one (or more) backups of the database before starting on the migration process.

https://www.mythtv.org/wiki/Backup_your_database

Craig

[dborn]

I have automatic database backups set up so I would already have one available.
After much consideration, I have decided to start fresh and will just delete the entire 430 TV shows recorded.
I'm making DVD copies of the ones we don't want to lose, the rest will just get erased.

I feel the hassle of upgrading the existing database over so many releases and risk of messing things up is just too great vs the TV shows we would save. Besides, the new system will only keep one of the tuners (hdpvr) since our cable provider is ditching the analog signal so the saa7164 will not be used on the new system.

The other problem I have is the backend is in heavy use and regularly records several shows per day so I would likely have to perform several database upgrades while I work out the kinks, since TV shows are not static on the HDDs. By doing a fresh start, I can just get everything working during low use times and then when I'm ready to switch over, delete all the recordings, reboot into the new system and activate all the recording schedules. Once.

[bill6502]

Probably too late now, but there is: https://www.mythtv.org/wiki/Mythlink.pl
to create meaningful names to recording files. Then they can be moved to
the videos directory. That way folks can keep their recordings.