Considering Setting Up MythTV on Linux
Posted: Sun Oct 13, 2019 6:54 am
I'm dropping DISH TV and going to OTA TV only. I've looked at the various DVRs out there and the ones I like the best are Tablo and TiVo, but they have problems I'd rather not deal with. I'd rather go with MythTV.
I used to run a business based on my software, in Perl, Javascript, MySQL, and Java. I wrote the code myself and the main programs ran on a Debian server that I maintained myself. So I can program and have always liked Linux. The problem is that it's been about 10 years since I could do much, seriously, on Linux. I am also limited, these days, in terms of time.
What I'd like is a Linux box running the MythTV backend with 4 tuners on it and then being able to use different devices to play back recordings or library videos from different rooms in my house and guest house.
The problem, as I said, is I'm seriously limited in time. I would have loved to have set up MythTV with an OTA antenna when we first moved in 2 years ago, but had to go with DISH TV instead because I did not have time to research a new system and figure out what I would need to do.
So I have a number of questions about MythTV. In some cases, I think I know some of the answers, but I want to clarify things so I know for sure.
1. I think I basically need a computer I can run Linux on, 4 tuners or a 4 tuner device (I think I've seen some out there), and the usual computer attachments (like mouse, keyboard, monitor...) to set up a MythTV backend. Do I need anything else?
2. Once I get a Linux system installed on a box, how hard is it to set up MythTV on it and get it working? Do I have to tweak a lot of settings and spend a lot of time fiddling with settings, or is it easy to start using it as a DVR right out of the box?
3. Where does MythTV get listings from? Do I have to subscribe to a service to get the data for a program guide?
4. Does a MythTV system need much in terms of maintenance? Can I have it updated automatically?
5. Does MythTV have a "binge mode" I can use to play all the recorded episodes of a particular TV show?
6. Are there problems using a Roku or Apple TV as a front end viewer for a MythTV backend?
If I can be sure I've found a good system that will do what I need, it's easier for me to set aside some time to set it up. The problem is I'm not sure to just settle for Tablo or TiVo, or to try to set up a MythTV or Plex system. I'm trying to at least narrow things down so I can at least pick a system to research and plan on using.
I used to run a business based on my software, in Perl, Javascript, MySQL, and Java. I wrote the code myself and the main programs ran on a Debian server that I maintained myself. So I can program and have always liked Linux. The problem is that it's been about 10 years since I could do much, seriously, on Linux. I am also limited, these days, in terms of time.
What I'd like is a Linux box running the MythTV backend with 4 tuners on it and then being able to use different devices to play back recordings or library videos from different rooms in my house and guest house.
The problem, as I said, is I'm seriously limited in time. I would have loved to have set up MythTV with an OTA antenna when we first moved in 2 years ago, but had to go with DISH TV instead because I did not have time to research a new system and figure out what I would need to do.
So I have a number of questions about MythTV. In some cases, I think I know some of the answers, but I want to clarify things so I know for sure.
1. I think I basically need a computer I can run Linux on, 4 tuners or a 4 tuner device (I think I've seen some out there), and the usual computer attachments (like mouse, keyboard, monitor...) to set up a MythTV backend. Do I need anything else?
2. Once I get a Linux system installed on a box, how hard is it to set up MythTV on it and get it working? Do I have to tweak a lot of settings and spend a lot of time fiddling with settings, or is it easy to start using it as a DVR right out of the box?
3. Where does MythTV get listings from? Do I have to subscribe to a service to get the data for a program guide?
4. Does a MythTV system need much in terms of maintenance? Can I have it updated automatically?
5. Does MythTV have a "binge mode" I can use to play all the recorded episodes of a particular TV show?
6. Are there problems using a Roku or Apple TV as a front end viewer for a MythTV backend?
If I can be sure I've found a good system that will do what I need, it's easier for me to set aside some time to set it up. The problem is I'm not sure to just settle for Tablo or TiVo, or to try to set up a MythTV or Plex system. I'm trying to at least narrow things down so I can at least pick a system to research and plan on using.