Difference between revisions of "Feature Wishlist"

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Before making any feature requests to the MythTV developers one first needs to understand the most basic truth about MythTV: "MythTV is a project by developers, for developers." If you look at things in that light, comments that get made by developers to users who submit feature requests ("Sounds good I look forward to your patch") make a whole lot more sense..
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{{Note box|Please be reasonable and positive with your feature requests, remember that all contributions to MythTV are by volunteers in their spare time. MythTV won't support piracy in any form, including torrents and use of soft cams, so to avoid embarrassment please do not ask.}}
  
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The developers of MythTV work for free (obviously), in their spare time. Most/all of us write software for a living, where they work all day long on things that other people want us to work on. When they work on Myth they focus on what's important to them. Features get implemented because a developer wants it bad enough to spend his spare time writing it and testing it and believes strongly in it enough to defend it from the other developers (to avoid the feature creep common in some projects). Bugs, especially crash bugs, get worked on by all of the devs as they encounter them as they impact everyone.
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The developers of MythTV work for free (obviously), in their spare time. Most/all of them write software for a living, where they work all day long on things that other people want them to work on. When they work on Myth they focus on what's important to them. A feature gets implemented because a developer wants it bad enough to spend his spare time writing it and testing it, and believes in it strongly enough to defend it from the other developers (which helps to avoid the feature creep common in some projects). Bugs, especially crash bugs, get worked on by all of the devs as they encounter them as those impact everyone.
  
 
That's not to say that the users don't matter, or that the developers never implement something that comes from a user. It's just that unless a developer says either "why didn't I think of that" or "I could knock that out in a couple hours" it will be a much lower priority.
 
That's not to say that the users don't matter, or that the developers never implement something that comes from a user. It's just that unless a developer says either "why didn't I think of that" or "I could knock that out in a couple hours" it will be a much lower priority.
  
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If you've got an idea for a feature that you'd like to see implemented here's some guidelines for submitting it:
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= MythTV Feature Suggestion Forum =
 +
 
 +
The new [https://forum.mythtv.org/viewforum.php?f=9 Feature Suggestion Forum] replaces this wiki page. Please use it instead.
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 +
= Archived Feature Request List =
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 +
{{HelpUs}}
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Requests from people who have contributed back to the project in some way carry a LOT more weight. Developers by and large tend to be rather blunt. People often mistake being terse and to the point for being insulting. Then they start a [http://www.gossamer-threads.com/lists/mythtv/users/59418 flame war on the mailing list] (which is pretty much certain death for a feature request) all because a developer either '''a)''' didn't take 3 paragraphs to tell them "I'm not going to work on this" or '''b)''' they think that the developer should drop whatever they're doing because *they* want it done. A lot of the devs are a bit defensive when it comes to requests, largely due to previous bad experiences.
  
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* Clearly indicate that it's a request not a demand.
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And, finally, remember this: if there's something you want badly enough, [http://groups.google.com/group/mythtv-contractors you can always offer to pay someone to do it].
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* Indicate your understanding that code speaks louder than words. (i.e. "If I could I'd write up a patch that does this but I'm not a dev")
 
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* Be very clear with how you envision your idea working. The more details you have in your request the better chance you have hitting that magical "knock it out in a couple of hours" mark.
 
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* Make sure you're not repeating a previous request. (search the archives)
 
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* Make sure what you want isn't already a feature. (it happens)
 
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* Do NOT be offended if a developer responds with "sounds good I look forward to your patch".
 
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* Requests from people who have contributed back to the project in some way carry a LOT more weight.
 
  
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That last one is pretty important. Developers by and large tend to be rather blunt. People often mistake being terse and too the point for being insulting. Then they start a flame war on the mailing list (which is pretty much certain death for a feature request) all because a developer either a) didn't take 3 paragraphs to tell them "I'm not going to work on this" or they think that the developer should drop whatever they're doing because *they* want it done. A lot of the devs are a bit defensive when it comes to requests.
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:Editor's note: Even moreso than on most pages, if you add a note here that a wishlist item is now available or in process, ''please note which version that information applies to'' ('added in 0.19', for example). Remember: wiki pages live forever. --[[User:Baylink|Baylink]] 17:00, 12 February 2006 (UTC)
  
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There may be a new way to get your favourite feature in MythTV. The guys over at http://lxmsuite.com plan on supporting MythTV development by tossing money at it. Of course, you'd have to subscribe first and pay monthly fees. I haven't tried it yet and can't comment on it. Just check it out, you are probably going to like it.
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== How to make a suggestion ==
  
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== In Development ==
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If you've got an idea for a feature that you'd like to see implemented here's some guidelines for submitting it:
  
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* [http://gossamer-threads.com/lists/mythtv/dev/7175 Share MythVideo/MythMusic-files between all frontends (via backend?)], Thor is working on this so called
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* Before anything else, ''check the [[Current Version]] release notes to make sure it's not already in there (yes, this happens).
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* [http://gossamer-threads.com/lists/engine?list=mythtv&do=search_results&search_forum=forum_1&search_string=mfe+mfd&search_type=OR&search_fields=sb&search_time=&search_user_username=&sb=score&mh=25 mfd/mfe] feature. [http://gossamer-threads.com/lists/mythtv/users/69087?#69087 It is planned to go into 0.16 (but wasn't)] ''Easily accomplished with NFS''
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* Clearly indicate that it's a request, not a demand.
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* Add an option to play FM-radio through a FM tuner (NOTE: A patch exists http://mythextra.napsi.net/mythFM.html but there's current less development on that)
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* Understand that code speaks louder than words. If you can, write a patch and submit it to [http://svn.mythtv.com TRAC]
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* a method to allow review of email on a POP3 server. No need to download the email, just browse what is there and read/delete/etc. in work: http://mythextra.napsi.net/
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* Be very clear with how you envision your idea working. The more details you have in your request the better chance you have hitting that magical "knock it out in a couple of hours" mark.
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* Make sure you're not repeating a previous request. (Search the wiki and [http://www.gossamer-threads.com/lists/mythtv/ mailing list archives])
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* Do NOT be offended if a developer responds with "sounds good; I look forward to your patch".
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* Requests from people who have contributed back to the project in some way carry a LOT more weight.
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When you're ready to submit your suggestion, add it to the end of the relevant page and section listed in "The Wishlists" section below.
  
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__NOTOC__
  
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== Wishes/Suggestions ==
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== The Wishlists ==
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* [[Feature Wishlist (Setup)|Setup and Configuration]] -- Anything for the setup process including hardware support. These are '''things you want mythtv to do prior to actually running mythtv'''.
  
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=== Backend Addons ===
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* [[Feature Wishlist (Backend Addons)|Backend Addons]] -- Backend additions are '''things you want mythtv to do when you're not around'''.
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* Full Program Save. If a program on a channel is recorded, and after that, the next program is also recorded, and if there is set to start earlier and stop later, these settings are ignored. How would it be to add support to save the data from the overlapp time to both files...
 
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* Add Support to view multiple Channels from one Transponer with DVB. SO That you can use more recordings, PIP as if you have two card's if you only have one. [http://www.gossamer-threads.com/lists/mythtv/users/150545  Handle multiple DVB channels simultaneously from a single multiplex]
 
  
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* Add Support to use Internet TV from the backend, so that it could be use like a normal Channel (Record, Skip Back, ...)
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* [[Feature Wishlist (Frontend Addons)|Frontend Addons]] -- Frontend additions are '''things you want to do in mythtv while using recordings'''.
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* SoftCAM Support ??? If it's leagal, this should be included (VDR has Support for this)
 
  
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=== Frontend Addons ===
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* [[Feature Wishlist (Plugin Addons)|Plugin Addons]] -- Plugin additions are '''things you want to do in mythtv while not using recordings'''.
  
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==== General ====
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* [[Feature Wishlist (New Plugins)|New Plugins]] -- New plugins are '''new things you want to do in mythtv while not using recordings'''.
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* [http://gossamer-threads.com/lists/mythtv/users/59418 make screenshot]
 
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* [http://gossamer-threads.com/lists/mythtv/dev/19084 Key to switch between windowed and full screen mode]
 
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* Myththeme plugin for downloading Themes and install it from an directory of all themes
 
  
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==== Menu Mode ====
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=== Platforms ===
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* [http://gossamer-threads.com/lists/mythtv/dev/19084 A clock in the menu system] (Maybe available with 0.19 when the new UI is used which allow animations...)
 
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* [http://gossamer-threads.com/lists/mythtv/users/29249 X10 Home Automation], or you could read this as a request to add a basic menu editing GUI, to add program start buttons for example
 
  
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==== TV/Recording Mode ====
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* MythTV Frontend running as a [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wii_Channels Wii Channel] (There is a [http://www.fossfactory.org/project.php?p=p102 small bounty] for this on FOSS Factory.  You can contribute to the bounty if you want.)
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* [http://gossamer-threads.com/lists/mythtv/users/51693 Ability to invert cutlist], to see all the funny prime-time commercials, no less
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* MythTV Frontend (TV client only) running natively on GlobalScale Linux D2 Plug ARM Marvell PXA510 – 800MHz see http://www.globalscaletechnologies.com/c-8-d2plug.aspx - ** UPDATE June '12 ** New D2 Plug availability occurred in October 2011.  We have received product and are now implementing the platform.  Some delays due to other work.  We are having good and bad results. We can compile code on the D2 plug, we are having problems with decoder (OpenMAX is not supported on ARM cpu) we are looking at the options. We still think that it is doable. Send suggestions to mythtv@quickcycle.com 
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* [http://gossamer-threads.com/lists/mythtv/users/59418 Zoom, with arrow keys to move around] ''(zoom is there...)
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* MythTV Frontend running on AppleTV (doable: see [[Installing MythTV on an AppleTV]] and a thread on the [http://www.gossamer-threads.com/lists/mythtv/dev/288558 developer] mailing list)
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* Make OSD Scrollable, so that longer Descriptions are also visible (Maybe autoscroll or with a key)
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* MythTV Frontend (TV plug-in only) running natively on AppleTV i.e. using Apple's FrontRow for menus.  See [http://wiki.awkwardtv.org/wiki/BackRow_Developers%27_Kit AwkwardTV Wiki] and [http://alanquatermain.net/brdevkit/ BackRow Developers' Kit]. This would create a single, modeless AppleTV front end / user interface.
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* options to adjust video hue, contrast, color, brightness via OSD [http://www.semester.dk/ChrisTV/images/osd_panel.jpg example screen from ChrisTV]
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* MythTV Frontend on Windows Mobile. Since a frontend is working on Windows, a Windows Mobile version could be promising, One challenge might be a touch interface.
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* MythTV Backend ported to ARM SoC i.e. NVIDIA's [http://blogs.nvidia.com/2011/02/tegra-roadmap-revealed-next-chip-worlds-first-quadcore-mobile-processor/ Ka-el and/or Denver projects].  While it is unknown if graphics accelerated drivers (VDPAU) will be made available to run a frontend the raw horsepower should be sufficient for a backend with storage, comm flag, and USB based tuners.  Imagine your 35W TDP Core2 Duo (T7200) CPU replaced by a 1W TDP CPU/GPU that has vastly less performance...
  
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=== New Plugins ===
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Platforms are the '''hardware and operating system''' setups that actually run the Myth applications.  This section should track the request to support platforms other than the default x86 PC environment.  This would include console ports like X-Box and PS3.
  
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* [http://www.gossamer-threads.com/lists/mythtv/users/24235 Mythalarm]
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=== Will Not Implement ===
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These are suggestions which for one reason or another will not be implemented in MythTV.
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* [http://gossamer-threads.com/lists/mythtv/dev/2899 Non-time shifting mode for watching regular TV], would be a bit difficult since the frontend/backend split, but might be possible when both are on the same machine. You could still draw the OSD if you would want.
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:: MythTV is designed as a PVR, which by definition necessitates that all TV be recorded and buffered. As mentioned, the frontend/backend split was designed with this requirement in mind, and MythTV would require a significant rework of the livetv code in order to reduce this buffer.
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:: '''fast channel changing''' is also an unachievable goal due to hardware constraints. Tuners and cable boxes take time to lock, mpeg encoders need to fill video buffers, digital tuners need to wait for stream information and then the first I-frame. All of this adds up to MythTV's internal lag becoming a less significant portion of the problem.
  
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=== Plugin Addon's (to existing Plugin's) ===
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* Peer-to-peer sharing of shows with friends who also use MythTV
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:: MythTV is designed for use with commercial TV. Fair use precedence allows you to record this for your own personal use, but does not authorized you to share or redistribute in any fashion. MythTV will never implement a feature whose sole purpose is to facilitate this, or any feature which would primarily be used for this.
  
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==== MythGame ====
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* [http://gossamer-threads.com/lists/mythtv/dev/3547 Auto update, or update notification] {[http://gossamer-threads.com/lists/mythtv/dev/5683 2]}
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* Support for an option to search for a rom!
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:: For those using package managers, your distro should provide this service automatically.
  
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==== MythMusic ====
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* Migrate to use VLC, or gstreamer, or some other codec library.
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:: MythTV was written from the start to be based off of ffmpeg. Any move away from that would require vast changes throughout MythTV, and is not likely to ever happen.
  
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Don't group A-G, H-K, etc.... It makes no sense to not group 1,2,3,4 and then group by alpha characters, especially when you have thousands of MP3s...
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* I demand MythWeb be rewritten in Python.  Because that's just the way open source works.
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:: This was actually emailed to a developer. It's a prime example of when to go back and try it again. Demanding things will never endear you and your cause to someone whom you expect to do your work for free.
  
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==== MythPhone ====
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* MythTV Frontend and backend runnning on a Casio fx7000G (1985) pocket calculator
 +
:: This platform is too limited to support a frontend or backend.
  
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==== MythVideo ====
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* MythTV Frontend running on the [[:Category:PS3|Playstation 3]].
 +
:: While running a backend on Playstation 3 is doable, the hardware is too limited to run the standard frontend satisfactorily. It is possible to use MythTV's UPnP support to play back most MPEG-2 recordings on the PS3.
  
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* [http://www.evil-zone.com/mythtv/series.htm Series browser]A small idea to make series browsing easy in MythVideo.
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* MythTV as a replacement for DVR/PVR interfaces, such as the Philips DVDR3455H/37. The Rockbox.org is a UI replacement project for music players, and MythTV could do the same for DVRs.
 +
:: The hardware on commercial DVR's is too limited to run MythTV. While these are getting more powerful every few years there is a second problem in that many of these devices use hardware without Linux drivers or run only signed binaries.
  
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=== Unsorted ===
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* Have MythTV setup and define network interface
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:: The network interface is outside of MythTV's purview. Most Linux distro's and other platforms MythTV runs on provide decent tools for doing simple network configs automatically or through a GUI and provide command line tools for more complex setups (ifconfig/ipconfig).
  
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==== With reference to website / mailing list ====
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* mythbackend (Ubuntu x86_64 v0.20.20070821-1) appears to catch signals (all, most?) and will exit with return code 0 even when core dumping.  I suggest to reserve exit code 0 for a deliberate, graceful shutdown, and instead using a non-zero exit code for other, non-graceful shutdowns and crashes.  This allows the user, or any process monitoring mythbackend (in my case I'm [[Using_pcsk_to_Supervise_mythbackend]]) to distinguish between the two situations.
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:: Please make sure you are checking the 8th bit of the exit code, Linux normally sets that to one and puts the signal in the low order bits. MythTV does not catch the segfault signal so the operating system is setting the return value.
  
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* How about rendering a mythtv page or set of trees based on a [http://www.sgtwilko.f9.co.uk/bluelava/ bluelava] webpage or config and using a lynx/elinks like navigation? That would suit me fine and would provide a great solution for integration without reinventing heyu, br, and bluelava.
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* Optionally disable the sync loop on the backend; comments say it's for NFS.. on a combined front end + back end this short-periodic sync can wreak havoc with file allocation, and cause excess fragmentation.
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* [http://gossamer-threads.com/lists/mythtv/users/57568 Type number and jump to channel in EPG], when you have hundreds of channels
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:: The comments are out of date, this is required on Linux with the CFQ and AS elevator algorithms. Since CFQ is the default on most Linux distro's the sync will stay for the time being. The need to disable it is too low to justify another setting. Commenting it out is fairly simple to do if your one of the few mythtv users changing elevator algorithms for greater backend performance. NFS does not require the sync on any modern Linux kernel.
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* [http://gossamer-threads.com/lists/mythtv/users/31556 LiveTV should also have a 'recording' priority], so you can queue shows that won't record when you are watching something else on LiveTV
 
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* [http://gossamer-threads.com/lists/mythtv/users/37404 Run a command when no input is detected], for example to switch on a decoder box or send a "Help!" mail or something.
 
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* [http://gossamer-threads.com/lists/mythtv/users/50770 View count], especially useful if stored per user, to see if everyone has already seen the recording - would be nice to have an addition to options menu for "mark as  seen by:" with submenu for defined viewers. This would really help in determining when shows can be deleted.
 
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* [http://www.gossamer-threads.com/lists/mythtv/users/68793 Draw a line to seperate days in recording menus] -and- [http://www.gossamer-threads.com/lists/mythtv/users/68793 Some new hotkeys]
 
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* [http://gossamer-threads.com/lists/mythtv/dev/21773 a 'digest' button that will bring up a scene index], possibly automated by grabbing a frame every X minutes, or by a framedump tool similar to the commercial cutter.
 
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* [http://gossamer-threads.com/lists/mythtv/users/51825 Show what recording profile were used to record a show], record profiles can change over time, so maybe this should fall back to displaying just the settings used. ''This exists to some extent you can see what profile was used but not what the settings are.  Select "edit recording schedule" from the menu in the view recordings screen''
 
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* [http://gossamer-threads.com/lists/mythtv/dev/345 FM- / internet radio support], [http://gossamer-threads.com/lists/mythtv/dev/2199 2], [http://gossamer-threads.com/lists/mythtv/dev/3107?search_string=feature;#3107 3], [http://gossamer-threads.com/lists/mythtv/dev/14617?search_string=mythmusic%20stream;#14617 a starting point?]
 
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* [http://gossamer-threads.com/lists/mythtv/dev/349 ATI AIW support], this is a difficult one. (I don't expect this ever to work but who knows HenkPoley) ''Not going to happen the AIW card is a horrible capture card (from a driver standpoint).''
 
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* [http://gossamer-threads.com/lists/mythtv/dev/938 Jump to quote from closed captioning], so you can for example have a search for 'weather' and jump to the weather forecast in today's news broadcast.
 
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* [http://gossamer-threads.com/lists/mythtv/dev/1332 Store CDDB ID for ripped CDs], [http://gossamer-threads.com/lists/mythtv/dev/1430 2] for easy fetching of updates from CDDB. ''(Is this already in? Or even handy?)''
 
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* [http://gossamer-threads.com/lists/mythtv/dev/1408 Lots of nice little ideas for MythNotify] [http://gossamer-threads.com/lists/mythtv/users/45200#45200 2], [http://gossamer-threads.com/lists/mythtv/dev/2039?search_string=feature;#2039 3]}, most of them pretty 'one of a kind' cases though.
 
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* [http://gossamer-threads.com/lists/mythtv/dev/1850 Recording suggestions], [http://www.gossamer-threads.com/lists/mythtv/users/25779 2], [http://gossamer-threads.com/lists/mythtv/dev/gforum.cgi?do=post_view_flat;post=7175;list=mythtv#7178 3]}, á la TiVo
 
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* [http://gossamer-threads.com/lists/mythtv/dev/2164 BabyCam / security cam via PiP], put a webcam in the baby's room and have MythTV display it via PiP. Might also be usefull together with the mentioned [http://motion.technolust.cx/ Motion] software to see if someone at your doorbell. ''MythPhone maybe?''
 
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* [http://gossamer-threads.com/lists/mythtv/dev/2622#2622 Automatic record/playback tweaking]
 
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* [http://gossamer-threads.com/lists/mythtv/dev/2899 Non-time shifting mode for watching regular TV], would be a bit difficult since the frontend/backend split, but might be possible when both are on the same machine. You could still draw the OSD if you would want. ''this defeats the purpose of a PVR, add a menu item to launch a non-buffering tv program in place of Myths "watch tv" item'' - This is better stated as a request for "fast channel changing" or "no 2 second delay". Current workaround is to switch channel changing behavior to "browse mode", but actually having "fast channel changing" would really help new user acceptance of mythtv.
 
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* [http://gossamer-threads.com/lists/mythtv/dev/3322 MythTV watchdog], which would store crash reports to be sent together with bugreports.
 
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* [http://gossamer-threads.com/lists/mythtv/users/30199 Peer-to-peer sharing of shows with friends who also use MythTV] {[http://gossamer-threads.com/lists/mythtv/dev/7175 2] = [http://gossamer-threads.com/lists/mythtv/dev/3324 3]} (uhm... can you spell l-a-w-s-u-i-t?) ''NEVER going to happen with core Myth''
 
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* [http://gossamer-threads.com/lists/mythtv/dev/3547 Auto update, or update notification] {[http://gossamer-threads.com/lists/mythtv/dev/5683 2]} (update notification should be feasable, IMHO - HenkPoley) ''Very distro dependant, apt-get solves 99% of the problem for most folks (those who are *using* packages, maybe... --BayLink)''
 
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* [http://gossamer-threads.com/lists/mythtv/dev/4520 Sending logs via email], probably good for an howto to do that with existing programs (logrotate or something?)
 
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* [http://gossamer-threads.com/lists/mythtv/dev/4506#4505 Automatically turn on CC / subtitles when LiveTV is muted], sometimes called QuickCaps apparently.
 
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* [http://gossamer-threads.com/lists/mythtv/dev/4727#4740 Broadcast notifications to all frontends], would be a MythNotify feature
 
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* [http://gossamer-threads.com/lists/mythtv/dev/5680 Channel lock],or just 'lock'. ''Users can receive a warning when attempting to change the channel while not caught up to real time, so the original purpose behind this is moot.''. Might (still) be handy for parents with little kids.
 
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* [http://gossamer-threads.com/lists/mythtv/dev/6383?search_string=feature;#6383 Burn DVDs/(S)VCDs from within MythTV]
 
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* [http://gossamer-threads.com/lists/mythtv/dev/6465 Action sound], a short confirmation 'blip' to say that a keypress was received and is 'being processed' --- This is difficult to achieve without impelemting and requring all audio devices to be routed through an ALSA mixer (which has it's own issues at the moment)  --- As a work around, look on the backend setup screen.  There is a config option for "Execute command when key pressed" (or something like thing) that you can configure to play a sound
 
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* [http://gossamer-threads.com/lists/mythtv/dev/6813#6813 Use RendezVous to let frontend and backend autodiscover each other]
 
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* [http://gossamer-threads.com/lists/mythtv/users/22689#22689 Screensaver for widescreen plasma/rear-projection TVs], to avoid burn-in when displaying 4:3 content
 
  
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==== Without reference to website / mailing list ====
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* Support for USB-UIRT - IR blaster
 +
:: This is a job for LIRC.
  
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* Mouse support. Would make it possible to use a touch screen to control MythTv. - option added
 
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* Ability to automaticly change Xine/MPlayer (etc.) keybindings file when you change MythTV hotkeys (seems difficult to me - HenkPoley). Or just a webpage with Xine/MPlayer configs that conform to MythTV default keybindings.
 
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* Channel icons when using Data``Direct for new users (See [http://mythtv.org/docs/mythtv-HOWTO.html#toc5.4 Official Docs] - WikiMyth)
 
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* On screen help. Press F1 and it tells you what keys do what at that point in time. Also tells you more about each function. ?How does this work with Remotes? --I'm planning on tackling this as my first bit of mythdev :) --DavidGreaves ''Try pressing "1" on your remote''
 
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* [http://libvisual.sourceforge.net/v2/index.php?page=development Implement libvisual into MythMusic] for additional effects
 
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* Provide some way for users with multiple available tv cards to switch channels, while keeping the ringbuffer for the previous channel until system runs out of tv cards. This would allow flipping between two shows and keeping the ringbuffer for both
 
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* Implement a frontend gui that is based on xosd for text display and display on top of xscreensaver modules running on root window - this would allow for cool 3d backgrounds in the mythtv frontend - there is a new GUI based on OpenGL in CVS ...
 
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* Add photo album support to MythWeb (something like JAlbum or gallery)
 
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* Add EXIF display option for photos in myth's photo gallery. Also, create thumbnails of very large jpgs to speed up display.
 
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* make myth's photo display more flexible to allow display of variable number of photos per screen (like iPhoto or picasa)
 
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* take transition effects from xscreenaver and implement them for myth photo module
 
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* implement opengl photo transition effects as effects to be selected for channel change in LiveTV
 
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* Provide ability for MythMusic user to select music by Genre - this would be an easy way to deal with large music colletions and playlists
 
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* Provide an onscreen IM client (based on MythNotify ?) Ideally it should integrate with GAIM and allow an IM chat in transparent text while watching TV with variable font size - possibly using [http://gaimnosd.sourceforge.net GAIMnOSD]
 
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* Add [http://www.skype.com/products/skype/linux/ skype] support to MythPhone
 
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* add asterix integration and configuration details to MythPhone and docs
 
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* add "smooth scroll" option to OSD Program Guide for horizontal and vertical scroll
 
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* Add an ebay module to watch and update active bids
 
−
* Add simple games that can be played via the remote control (i.e. arrow keys and enter) - like some type of simple minesweeper or sokoban
 
−
* Add support to MythGame for [http://www.epsxe.com/download.php epsxe] (Can be used with the new MythGame!) - Also add support for mtd to detect Playstation 1 cds (This not!)
 
−
* Implement support in mtd and MythDVD to support CD+G format using [http://sourceforge.net/projects/cdg123 libcdg123]
 
−
* Include the free [http://ftp.gnome.org/pub/GNOME/sources/ttf-bitstream-vera/1.10/ Vera fonts] in MythTV
 
−
* Integrate [http://mysettopbox.tv/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=2132 MythBurn] into main MythTV packages
 
−
* Provide a transcode to divx or xvid while recording option. Save a ringbuffer that is transcoded to divx and store in database as a TV Recording after processing to divx
 
−
* After an initial transcode from mpeg2 to mpeg4, I woul d like to be able to do a mega-sqeeze using nuvexport for archival purposes but still keep the file in mythtv records -- not in videos. Can .nuv be used as a container for xvid? I.E. initial PVR250 recording for an hour takes up 2gb. Transcode to mpeg4 brings this down to 1gb. Nuvexport "transcode" to xvid brings it down to ~400mb and keeps the recording and program info in mythtv.
 
−
* A way to process files and just remove cuts from cutlist without changing file format (to allow removing commercial from mpeg2 streams but keep mpeg2 format for easy transfer to dvd)
 
−
* Provide an option under setup that will gather system/mythtv config and info and allow a user to send an email to mythtv-users mail lists after careful prompting to ensure that new users can file useful bug reports or ask for help while including as much required information to provide a solution (Something similar to [http://freshmeat.net/projects/bug-buddy/ bug-buddy] )
 
−
* Have mythbackend back up the mythconverg database on a flexible schedule.
 
−
* alarm clock feature - start playing liveTV from a given channel for a set period of time on given days of the week (i.e. weekdays, weekends)
 
−
* support for secondary storage via NFS - when primary storage is full on a backend, go to secondary storage
 
−
* support for blog entries from inside of myth - provide hotkey that will open a quick form to add an entry to blogger or other common blog. Included in the posting would be the information about the show being watched at the moment - would be ideal to have a transparent overlay window for text entry so blog entry could be posted while still wathcing TV - useful to blog about a debate or talk show
 
−
* Add ability for mythtv to log all shows watched (live or recorded) during a day and store in a unique log file per day to store tv watching history. Add ability to put parental controls on mythtv to only allow a given number of hours of tv watching during the day, only allow certain channels during certain times on certain days of the week.
 
−
* update mythweb to graph TV usage/watching over time. Include time tv is on, most watched channels, most watched programs, most recorded programs, link to logs of mythtv usage per day
 
−
* A convenient way to comment on movies in IMDB after watching them. I.E. At the end of watching a MOVIE, add an option to the delete menu to jump to IMDB "post a review" for this movie (or a link to tvtome to comment on an episode of a series?)
 
−
* A solution to allow MythTV to watch and record encrypted digital cable broadcasts that the user has licensed.  This is an EXTREME pipe dream as it would require 1) cooperation, or at least noninterference, from the cable companies; 2) digital receiver cards that can accept CAMs from the cable provider; 3) volunteers to code the drivers.
 
−
* Note that this isn't *quite* as far fetched as it sounds.  It *may* prove possible to receive unencrypted (non-pay) digital cable channels in the US with the pcHDTV3000 card.  The encrypted ones would require a card compatible with a CableCard decryption card -- which cable companies *are* required to provide if you ask for one... but we're unlikely to see such a card ship *before* the July 1 2004 advent of the broadcast flag.  So support EFF in getting it thrown out.  :-) -- BayLink [[DateTime(2004-11-01T20:10:47Z)]]
 
−
* provide arbitrary encapsulation of ANY UNIX application started fullscreen inside of a VNC session and assign to a Channel - I.E - start a vnc session with xterm in fullscreen, assign to channel 100, start xchat logging into #mythtv-users and assign to channel 101, etc.
 
−
* LiveTV multichannel preview mode - show a snapshot of each channel on a 3x3 or 4x4 matrix. Allow arrow keys and ff/rw to scroll through channels and enter to select channel
 
−
* Add local movie showtimes module
 
−
* playlist queue - ability to manage a queue of recorded programs or videos for sequential playback
 
−
* change behavior going to livetv or attempting to change channels when all tuners are in use to provide a menu allowing the user to cancel a currently-running recording job and delete the recording.
 
−
* Add default MythTV setup options for ALSA : default for alsa devices and mixer. Provide documentation on how to have all ALSA output go though mixer (so that two sounds can play at the same time)
 
−
* Have MythTV emulate a standard uPnP "Media Server" to take advantage of "media center extender" hardware- [http://www.gossamer-threads.com/lists/mythtv/users/90754 See thread] - one example: [http://www.cybergarage.org/net/cmgate/cc/overview/ CyberMedia Gate]
 
−
* Add a Test Screen to help adjust TV colors correctly to view MythTV at the very best -- also add test sound effects for stereo, 5+1 sounds, etc sound debugging. This would be a nice addition to setup in myth. -- possibly [http://sourceforge.net/mailarchive/forum.php?thread_id=1491979&forum_id=1912  lprof-1.09 tools]
 
−
* Provide a setting for maximum time on LiveTV or "Watch Recordings" screen with active mini preview video without any user event (i.e. no remote signal, no keypress, no channel change). When time reached, kick MythTV back out to main screen. This will prevent unnecesasry ringbuffer disk I/O after set time. A reasonable default time for this may be 6 hours.
 
−
* Add option to MythWeb "backend status" to bump encoders out of LiveTV into "local" (i.e. - you left the TV in livetv mode, and nobody's watching)
 
−
* Add option in MythWeb to send a line of text to MythNotify - like a one-way page (probably most useful to add under backend status - where you can see that TV is on, and someone is likely to be in front of TV)
 
−
* Add search by title, actor, keyword, and new shows options to MythWeb. When searching for terms from mythweb, I would like to have them stored as search terms in myth GUI for future reference.
 
−
* Add option to limit the time length or filesize of recordings.  Long length MythTV recordings would automatically span multiple files similar to film rolls.  Allows TV marathons, sporting events, etc to be broken up into manageable pieces.
 
−
* Configurable "max_commercial_length", override recordedmarkup and skip max_commercial_length where appropriate. (sometimes I hit skip and jump 13 minutes, etc).
 
−
* More precise time offset for guide listings (My clock is spot on using NTP, but my provider's clock seems fast by 30-60 seconds). Or, allow "End Late" to be a negative value, could be used in combination with "Start Early" to accomplish same goal. This could also be used to compensate for any scheduler "lag".
 
−
* Add an "Export Recordings" mode under "Manage Recordings" that interfaces with mkmovie, nuvexport and nuv2avi in some integrated fashion so that TV recordings could easily be exported from MythTV without dropping to the commandline to do so.
 
−
* Add an option to import playlists for and streaming URL's for internetradio to MythMusic
 
−
* Add a capability to the encoder back-end to allow overlapping scheduled recordings to be recorded using the same encoder as long as they are on the same channel - would still produce 2 or more separate recordings, but would not produce a conflict if the recordings were on the same channel. Should be possible - the same video would appear in 2 or more different recordings.
 
  
−
* Speculatively record shows that the user *might* want to watch, even though the user hasn't manually asked for them. (But, of course, never let these take priority over shows the user says he definitely *does* want to be recorded).
+
[[Category:Wishlist]]
−
* Use Bayesian prediction (just like SpamAssassin) to get better at predicting which shows the user *might* want to watch. See http://www.whynot.net/view_idea?id=1236
 
−
* how about a feature that would allow you to 'markup' DVD's to skip unwanted scenes for parental control or even look at the subtitles and mute when there are bad words?
 
−
* suggestion that would require some v4l support...autodetect / enumerate all cards (and then of course allow deletion of individual sources via mythtv-setup).
 
−
* more tightly integrate mythfilldatabase into mythtv-setup...the setup tool should be able to know if you're the backend or not and know when you last ran mythfilldatabase...and it should let you run it from the gui.
 

Revision as of 09:07, 9 May 2014

Important.png Note: Please be reasonable and positive with your feature requests, remember that all contributions to MythTV are by volunteers in their spare time. MythTV won't support piracy in any form, including torrents and use of soft cams, so to avoid embarrassment please do not ask.

The developers of MythTV work for free (obviously), in their spare time. Most/all of them write software for a living, where they work all day long on things that other people want them to work on. When they work on Myth they focus on what's important to them. A feature gets implemented because a developer wants it bad enough to spend his spare time writing it and testing it, and believes in it strongly enough to defend it from the other developers (which helps to avoid the feature creep common in some projects). Bugs, especially crash bugs, get worked on by all of the devs as they encounter them as those impact everyone.

That's not to say that the users don't matter, or that the developers never implement something that comes from a user. It's just that unless a developer says either "why didn't I think of that" or "I could knock that out in a couple hours" it will be a much lower priority.

MythTV Feature Suggestion Forum

The new Feature Suggestion Forum replaces this wiki page. Please use it instead.

Archived Feature Request List

MythTV logo square.png Join us making your favorite media center even better than it already is today.

Requests from people who have contributed back to the project in some way carry a LOT more weight. Developers by and large tend to be rather blunt. People often mistake being terse and to the point for being insulting. Then they start a flame war on the mailing list (which is pretty much certain death for a feature request) all because a developer either a) didn't take 3 paragraphs to tell them "I'm not going to work on this" or b) they think that the developer should drop whatever they're doing because *they* want it done. A lot of the devs are a bit defensive when it comes to requests, largely due to previous bad experiences.

And, finally, remember this: if there's something you want badly enough, you can always offer to pay someone to do it.

Editor's note: Even moreso than on most pages, if you add a note here that a wishlist item is now available or in process, please note which version that information applies to ('added in 0.19', for example). Remember: wiki pages live forever. --Baylink 17:00, 12 February 2006 (UTC)

How to make a suggestion

If you've got an idea for a feature that you'd like to see implemented here's some guidelines for submitting it:

  • Before anything else, check the Current Version release notes to make sure it's not already in there (yes, this happens).
  • Clearly indicate that it's a request, not a demand.
  • Understand that code speaks louder than words. If you can, write a patch and submit it to TRAC
  • Be very clear with how you envision your idea working. The more details you have in your request the better chance you have hitting that magical "knock it out in a couple of hours" mark.
  • Make sure you're not repeating a previous request. (Search the wiki and mailing list archives)
  • Do NOT be offended if a developer responds with "sounds good; I look forward to your patch".
  • Requests from people who have contributed back to the project in some way carry a LOT more weight.

When you're ready to submit your suggestion, add it to the end of the relevant page and section listed in "The Wishlists" section below.


The Wishlists

  • Setup and Configuration -- Anything for the setup process including hardware support. These are things you want mythtv to do prior to actually running mythtv.
  • Backend Addons -- Backend additions are things you want mythtv to do when you're not around.
  • Frontend Addons -- Frontend additions are things you want to do in mythtv while using recordings.
  • Plugin Addons -- Plugin additions are things you want to do in mythtv while not using recordings.
  • New Plugins -- New plugins are new things you want to do in mythtv while not using recordings.

Platforms

  • MythTV Frontend running as a Wii Channel (There is a small bounty for this on FOSS Factory. You can contribute to the bounty if you want.)
  • MythTV Frontend (TV client only) running natively on GlobalScale Linux D2 Plug ARM Marvell PXA510 – 800MHz see http://www.globalscaletechnologies.com/c-8-d2plug.aspx - ** UPDATE June '12 ** New D2 Plug availability occurred in October 2011. We have received product and are now implementing the platform. Some delays due to other work. We are having good and bad results. We can compile code on the D2 plug, we are having problems with decoder (OpenMAX is not supported on ARM cpu) we are looking at the options. We still think that it is doable. Send suggestions to mythtv@quickcycle.com
  • MythTV Frontend running on AppleTV (doable: see Installing MythTV on an AppleTV and a thread on the developer mailing list)
  • MythTV Frontend (TV plug-in only) running natively on AppleTV i.e. using Apple's FrontRow for menus. See AwkwardTV Wiki and BackRow Developers' Kit. This would create a single, modeless AppleTV front end / user interface.
  • MythTV Frontend on Windows Mobile. Since a frontend is working on Windows, a Windows Mobile version could be promising, One challenge might be a touch interface.
  • MythTV Backend ported to ARM SoC i.e. NVIDIA's Ka-el and/or Denver projects. While it is unknown if graphics accelerated drivers (VDPAU) will be made available to run a frontend the raw horsepower should be sufficient for a backend with storage, comm flag, and USB based tuners. Imagine your 35W TDP Core2 Duo (T7200) CPU replaced by a 1W TDP CPU/GPU that has vastly less performance...

Platforms are the hardware and operating system setups that actually run the Myth applications. This section should track the request to support platforms other than the default x86 PC environment. This would include console ports like X-Box and PS3.

Will Not Implement

These are suggestions which for one reason or another will not be implemented in MythTV.

MythTV is designed as a PVR, which by definition necessitates that all TV be recorded and buffered. As mentioned, the frontend/backend split was designed with this requirement in mind, and MythTV would require a significant rework of the livetv code in order to reduce this buffer.
fast channel changing is also an unachievable goal due to hardware constraints. Tuners and cable boxes take time to lock, mpeg encoders need to fill video buffers, digital tuners need to wait for stream information and then the first I-frame. All of this adds up to MythTV's internal lag becoming a less significant portion of the problem.
  • Peer-to-peer sharing of shows with friends who also use MythTV
MythTV is designed for use with commercial TV. Fair use precedence allows you to record this for your own personal use, but does not authorized you to share or redistribute in any fashion. MythTV will never implement a feature whose sole purpose is to facilitate this, or any feature which would primarily be used for this.
For those using package managers, your distro should provide this service automatically.
  • Migrate to use VLC, or gstreamer, or some other codec library.
MythTV was written from the start to be based off of ffmpeg. Any move away from that would require vast changes throughout MythTV, and is not likely to ever happen.
  • I demand MythWeb be rewritten in Python. Because that's just the way open source works.
This was actually emailed to a developer. It's a prime example of when to go back and try it again. Demanding things will never endear you and your cause to someone whom you expect to do your work for free.
  • MythTV Frontend and backend runnning on a Casio fx7000G (1985) pocket calculator
This platform is too limited to support a frontend or backend.
While running a backend on Playstation 3 is doable, the hardware is too limited to run the standard frontend satisfactorily. It is possible to use MythTV's UPnP support to play back most MPEG-2 recordings on the PS3.
  • MythTV as a replacement for DVR/PVR interfaces, such as the Philips DVDR3455H/37. The Rockbox.org is a UI replacement project for music players, and MythTV could do the same for DVRs.
The hardware on commercial DVR's is too limited to run MythTV. While these are getting more powerful every few years there is a second problem in that many of these devices use hardware without Linux drivers or run only signed binaries.
  • Have MythTV setup and define network interface
The network interface is outside of MythTV's purview. Most Linux distro's and other platforms MythTV runs on provide decent tools for doing simple network configs automatically or through a GUI and provide command line tools for more complex setups (ifconfig/ipconfig).
  • mythbackend (Ubuntu x86_64 v0.20.20070821-1) appears to catch signals (all, most?) and will exit with return code 0 even when core dumping. I suggest to reserve exit code 0 for a deliberate, graceful shutdown, and instead using a non-zero exit code for other, non-graceful shutdowns and crashes. This allows the user, or any process monitoring mythbackend (in my case I'm Using_pcsk_to_Supervise_mythbackend) to distinguish between the two situations.
Please make sure you are checking the 8th bit of the exit code, Linux normally sets that to one and puts the signal in the low order bits. MythTV does not catch the segfault signal so the operating system is setting the return value.
  • Optionally disable the sync loop on the backend; comments say it's for NFS.. on a combined front end + back end this short-periodic sync can wreak havoc with file allocation, and cause excess fragmentation.
The comments are out of date, this is required on Linux with the CFQ and AS elevator algorithms. Since CFQ is the default on most Linux distro's the sync will stay for the time being. The need to disable it is too low to justify another setting. Commenting it out is fairly simple to do if your one of the few mythtv users changing elevator algorithms for greater backend performance. NFS does not require the sync on any modern Linux kernel.
  • Support for USB-UIRT - IR blaster
This is a job for LIRC.
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