[mythtv-users] Moving from KnoppMyth to Mythbuntu

[Ken Scales]

Colin McGregor wrote:
> As noted in another post to this list I have run into issues with the
> new version of KnoppMyth (version 5.5), which has me wondering "Is the
> grass greener on the other side". I have briefly played with Mythbuntu
> on my long suffering, often abused test box, and was basicly happy
> with what I saw.
>
> So, I am wondering what sort of pitfalls await me if I choose to move
> from KnoppMyth R5F27 to Mythbuntu 8.04?
>
> I am assuming the easiest route would be to install Mythbuntu 7.10, as
> it, like Knoppmyth R5F27 also runs MythTV 0.20, then take Mythbuntu
> 8.04. Right?
>
> Thanks in advance for any suggestions / advice.
>   
I migrated from KM R5F1 to MB 7.10 in December. After a lot of 
"consideration", I finally decided to treat the migration as if it were 
a move to a new platform, and I took the approach described in the 
MythTV Howto for moving to new hardware.  Essentially, this lets the new 
installation build the new MythTV configuration database info from 
scratch, conforming to its view of the system (which may differ between 
KM and MB due to software versioning and options, etc.).  Then you 
restore the data associated with all the recordings (tables: record, 
recorded, oldrecorded, recordedprogram, recordedrating, recordedmarkup, 
recordedseek).

This part worked well, and the new installation recognized all of my old 
recordings.  But I did run into quite a few other challenges that made 
the migration not very smooth. Main one was my irblaster (lirc_serial): 
it took me quite a bit of debugging to get it working at all, and I 
never did get it working reliably with my second satellite receiver 
until I upgraded from MB 7.10 to MB 8.04.

So, if you do decide to move from Knoppmyth to Mythbuntu, I agree with 
your plan to go KM_R5F29 -> MB_7.10 -> MB_8.04, if you want to retain 
your database info (but use the method described above).

Would I recommend the change? Frankly, I'm undecided on that point. I 
made the change for uniformity: all 4 of my PCs now are now 
Ubuntu-based. Knoppmyth served me very well for 3.5 years, though I do 
have some nits to pick. It provides an installation of MythTV that is 
basically an "appliance" that supports the MythTV featureset.  On the 
other hand, Mythbuntu tries to be a polished "media centre", and has 
developed a "personality" that is intended to make it easier to use for 
basic setups, but really tough to customize for specific configurations.

Good luck whichever way you decide to go.
Cheers / ashtonp