[mythtv-users] x-box or cheap PC for frontends?

[Bill Bradley]

it works great.  i bought a 2nd xbox just run a frontend on.  I use the def 
encode settings with my PVR 250 @ 640x480 with no problems.  I use Dennis 
Cartier's (mentioned on this list and xbox-linux user) modified Xebian 1.0.1 
(minimal stripped for myth) and so far it does everything my other frontend 
does.  It includes support for the xbox dvd playback dongle for remote 
control.   If you dont like the xbox remote, there is a hack to get a 
stabdard USB IR receiver working. Picture and sound are clear right out of 
the box, plus no compiling.  Just install , reboot, and voila.  The only 
tweaking is b4 the install you have to edit the config file for mount points, 
interfaces and mysql.txt.

The only issue I am aware of is Component Video.  It does not work in this 
release of Xebian (I could be wrong).  I use standard Composite Video and it 
looks fine...but then I dont have an HDTV....  You may want to check the 
xbox-linux user list over at sourceforge.

On Monday 15 March 2004 08:15 pm, malcolm wrote:
> Hey guys,
>
> I'm finally at the point of expansion where I'd like to make a Myth
> frontend box for my basement.  I want it to be able to play pre-recorded
> shows and possably watch live TV with pause functionality.  Having it also
> double as a DVD player would be cool but not required.
>
> Quite honstly I don't think I could build a tiny cheap PC even close to the
> cost of an X-box.
> So I'm wondering from those that have actually used an x-box for a frontend
> is how well does it work?  Is sound and picture clear and nice or does it
> take lots of fiddeling and tweaking to make it work?
>
> What about a remote?  I assume the x-box has an IR receiver on it?
>
> If it makes any difference I capture with the Myth's default settings of
> 4500 on video and 384 kb/s on the audio with a 350/250 combo.
>
> Or if there are any other cheap combo PC type solutions out there I'd be
> interested to hear about them.
>
> Thanks
> Malcolm
>
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