Revision as of 20:32, 25 June 2021

Introduction

Mythbuntu makes the installation of MythTV and configuration of the system easier, faster, and less prone to configuration errors. Mythbuntu is used after Ubuntu or one of the compatible Ubuntu flavors is installed. Ubuntu is a Linux distribution based on Debian and composed mostly of free and open-source software.

Mythbuntu consists of the following:

• MythTV updates repository
• Mythbuntu Control Panel
• Mythbuntu theme

MythTV Updates Repository

A personal package archive (PPA) exists for each MythTV version and contains Ubuntu packages that are ready to install without building the software from the source code. The current stable MythTV version PPA and developmental version PPA are updated when MythTV developers commit upstream updates to the source code. Using a MythTV Updates PPA is recommended because the software is updated with important fixes more often than the default Ubuntu repository.

A MythTV Updates PPA can be added using Mythbuntu Control Panel or by using the commands shown below in a terminal. Replace "31" below as needed for the desired MythTV version. The current stable MythTV version is recommended for most users. The current stable version is 35.0. Use a whole number and not a decimal in the command below.

sudo add-apt-repository ppa:mythbuntu/31
sudo apt-get update

The MythTV backend, frontend and plugins can be installed from the added PPA using Mythbuntu Control Panel or by using the commands shown below in a terminal. The mythplugins package will install all available plugins. Each plugin can also be installed individually.

sudo apt install mythtv-backend-master
sudo apt install mythtv-frontend
sudo apt install mythplugins

A secondary backend is not common, but it can be installed from the added PPA using Mythbuntu Control Panel or by using the command shown below in a terminal.

sudo apt install mythtv-backend

Each PPA has additonal packages, but they are not needed for a standard installation.

Mythbuntu Control Panel

Mythbuntu Control Panel (MCP) aims to minimize the need to perform tasks using the command line. Some of the tasks that MCP makes easy can take a considerable amount of time when using the command line. MCP is based on the original Mythbuntu Control Centre application. More information about MCP can be found at https://www.mythtv.org/wiki/Mythbuntu_Control_Panel.

Currently, MCP can assist with the following tasks:

• Add a MythTV Updates PPA
• Install and uninstall MythTV and related software
• User and configuration file setup
• Enable networking and ensure the network is available before starting the backend
• Setup the backend as user mythtv (recommended for some tasks)
• Automatically start the frontend when booting the computer
• Install and uninstall MythTV plugins

Mythbuntu Theme

The Mythbuntu theme is dark with easily readable text. It is based on the MythTV Project Grayhem Theme.

Steps to use the Mythbuntu theme:

1. Start MythTV Frontend
2. Select Setup
3. Select Theme Chooser
4. Select Mythbuntu

History

Mythbuntu was previously a complete Ubuntu distribution and official Ubuntu flavor. When it was a separate distribution, Mythbuntu included an application named Mythbuntu Control Centre used to configure the system. MCC could also be installed on a regular Ubuntu installation and used to install MythTV and configure the system. After the separate Mythbuntu distribution was discontinued, the MythTV Updates repository was maintained with frequent updates and continues to be used by many people. One of the main reasons for creating a separate distribution was to have a minimal Ubuntu installation along with the MythTV and associated software. The need to have a separate distribution to accomplish this no longer exists since Ubuntu and Xubuntu now have a minimal install option when installing the operating system. Mythbuntu is now a community maintained project.