[mythtv-users] Where to Start?

[Brian Wood]

On Saturday 27 December 2008 14:09:57 William M. Sorgenfrei wrote:
> Greetings to all,
>
>
>
> I tried to search the list and could not find much for beginners.  I have
> found lots of information across several sights, however I am looking for
> recommendations or to model a working configuration of someone else's.
>
>
>
> The architecture I have in mind is:
>
> 1 Master server with 2 capture boards
>
> 1 Backend server with 2 capture boards.
>
> 2 front ends to start.
>
>
>
> I am planning to run open suse 11.1 x64 on a P4 3.4ghz with 4 gig of RAM.
>
>
>
> I would like to have the best sound, video capture boards, and remotes
> possible.  Can anyone recommend a working setup?  Also, I need to have a
> reliable easy to use remote control.  Ideally, I would like the ability to
> use a universal remote in the long term.
>
>
>
> Lastly, I have direc TV satellite how would I connect it to the Back end
> servers?  Does the signal get split from the dish or out or the
> DVR/Satellite box?
>
>
>
> I was thinking of installing the software before I get the aforementioned
> items.  How hard it is to change hardware configurations post hoc.
>
>
>
> Lastly, can I use a DVI to HDMI cable in lieu of DVI-DVI or traditional PC
> connection?
>
>
>
> Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

If you are a beginner I would suggest you start with one of the "All-in-One" 
disks like Mythbuntu, Mythdora, KnoppMyth or the like. Unfortunately there is 
no such animal based on SuSE.

These disks will generally give you a working installation in well under an 
hour, this will allow you to experience how things are supposed to work, how 
to configure things etc. You can then move on to your favorite Linux distro 
and a customized "from scratch" installation.

The best way forward would depend on how much Linux experience you have, are 
you a beginner with Myth or Linux in general?

You should be able to use a DVI-to-HDMI cable, though of course you won't be 
able to push audio through it.

With satellite you record the output of the satellite receiver, as composite, 
S-Video or even component (if using an HD-PVR). You can control the receiver 
with an IR blaster, though some of the DirecTV receivers can be controled by 
the serial port.

Obviously you should start with a single frontend, then get the second one 
running after the system is up.


-- 
beww
beww at beww.org