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

[Bill Bradley]

Well it depends on how you want to install linux on it.  You can use the 
software mod with MechAssault to install linux.  This will allow you to 
install to the save game partition.  If you have a mod chipped xbox, you 
flash the bios and replace the hard drive with a larger model and just run 
linux.  I used the software mod.  This requires that the MS Dashboard be of a 
certain version. MS updated the dashboard via xbox live to fix the 
vulnerability that allowed you to run unsigned code from the MEchAssault save 
game.  I bought a refurbed box off of ebay, figuring that it would have the 
original dash on it and I lucked out.  There is a step by step guide and an 
xbox hardware db @ http://xbox-linux.sourceforge.net/ that you will want to 
check out....

As far as video inputs, if I was using the wrong terms...I meant the standard 
"Yellow, Red, White" input connectors.  I dont have the svideo kit, so I dont 
know if this works or not.  Check the http://xbox-linux.sourceforge.net/ site 
for more info...

On Monday 15 March 2004 10:54 pm, malcolm wrote:
> That sounds very promising.  If I'm understanding the way you are
> explaining; You installed Dennis's xbox Myth to the hard drive which frees
> up the DVD player so it's also a DVD player?  Sounds cool.
>
> Are there any differences in x-boxes I should know about?  Or can I just
> hit ebay and pick pretty much any xbox with remote?
>
> You mentioned component video does not work but you use the composite.
> Aren't those the same thing?  Sorry I'm not a video genius ;)
> My TV will just be using s-video or coax so as long as xbox has one of
> those out I'm good.
>
> Thanks
> Malcolm
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "Bill Bradley" <wbradley at bham.rr.com>
> To: "Discussion about mythtv" <mythtv-users at mythtv.org>
> Sent: Monday, March 15, 2004 8:53 PM
> Subject: Re: [mythtv-users] x-box or cheap PC for frontends?
>
> > 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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