Difference between revisions of "MythTV on Mac OS X"

From MythTV Official Wiki
Jump to: navigation, search
(Install OS X)
(Pre-built Downloads)
(318 intermediate revisions by 37 users not shown)
Line 1: Line 1:
{{Cleanup}}<br>
+
New users: before attempting to install MythTV for the first time, please familiarize yourself with the distinction between
 +
[[Mythfrontend|frontend]] and [[Mythbackend|backend]].
 +
 
 +
MythTV works just fine on OSX (but see the backend gotchas below).
 +
 
 +
= Hardware Requirements =
  
New users: before attempting to install MythTV for the first time, please familiarize yourself with the distinction between
+
=== Frontend ===
[[frontend]] and [[backend]].
+
To watch TV at acceptable speeds, you'll want at least an 800 MHz G4 or better. For HDTV nearly any Intel-based Mac released from 2006 onwards will suffice, though newer machines will allow the use of better deinterlacers for 1080i content.  
  
For MythTV on Mac OS X on Intel machines, see also [[Myth on Mac x86]]. (However, this seems to be the more recent page.) For a working IR remote, see [[Keyspan Express Remote]].
+
=== Backend ===
  
= Installing pre-built MythFrontend binaries =
+
The backend takes very little CPU power, except when marking commercials.  Any Mac capable of running OSX 10.5 Leopard or later will work fine.
  
== Pre-built Downloads ==  
+
= Pre-built Downloads =  
 
{| border="1" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="5" style="border-collapse:collapse; border-color:#8eabd0; background:#e7edf5"
 
{| border="1" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="5" style="border-collapse:collapse; border-color:#8eabd0; background:#e7edf5"
 
|- style="background: lightsteelblue"
 
|- style="background: lightsteelblue"
!Version !! Download
+
!Version !! Status !!
 
|-
 
|-
| 0.21-fixes
+
| 0.28 (recommended)
 +
| Production
 
|
 
|
* [http://www.thesniderpad.com/index.php?option=com_remository&Itemid=42 The Sniderpad.com] ( [http://www.thesniderpad.com/index.php?option=com_remository&Itemid=42&func=select&id=7 Frontend] and [http://www.thesniderpad.com/index.php?option=com_remository&Itemid=42&func=select&id=8 Backend] Weekly Universal Builds)
+
*[http://sourceforge.net/projects/mythtvformacosx/files/ MythTV frontend and backend for Mac OSX on Sourceforge]
* [http://macvana.com/mythtv/FIXES/ macvana.com] (intel)
 
 
|-
 
|-
| 0.21
+
| v0.28-pre-3649-gae35a28 (beta)
 +
| Testing
 
|
 
|
* [http://macvana.com/mythtv/RELEASES/ macvana.com] (intel/universal frontend and intel full packages)
+
*[http://www.avenard.org/files/mythtv/mac/MythFrontend-v0.28-pre-3649-gae35a28.zip MythTV 0.28 beta] complete frontend (requires OS X >= 10.9 and 64 bits host)
* [http://www.thesniderpad.com/index.php?option=com_remository&Itemid=42 The Sniderpad.com] (Universal [http://www.thesniderpad.com/index.php?option=com_remository&Itemid=42&func=fileinfo&id=749 Frontend] and [http://www.thesniderpad.com/index.php?option=com_remository&Itemid=42&func=fileinfo&id=754 Backend])
 
 
|-
 
|-
| 0.20.2
+
| 0.27.4
 +
| Production
 
|
 
|
* [http://www.thesniderpad.com/index.php?option=com_remository&Itemid=42 The Sniderpad.com] (Universal, [http://www.thesniderpad.com/index.php?option=com_remository&Itemid=42&func=fileinfo&id=537 frontend] and [http://www.thesniderpad.com/index.php?option=com_remository&Itemid=42&func=fileinfo&id=543 backend])
+
*[https://sourceforge.net/projects/macportsmythtvinstaller/ MythTV 0.27.4] complete frontend/backend systeml including MariaDB and MythWeb - (MacPorts-built installer). Includes fix for impending SchedulesDirect disruption.
* [http://vanvalkinburgh.org/2007/09/24/mythtfrontend-0202/ Vanvalkinburgh] (Universal frontend)
 
* [http://macvana.com/mythtv/RELEASES/ macvana.com] (intel)
 
 
 
 
|-
 
|-
| 0.20-fixes
+
| 0.27.3
 +
| Production
 
|
 
|
* [http://www.thesniderpad.com/index.php?option=com_remository&Itemid=42 The Sniderpad.com] (ppc)
+
*[http://www.avenard.org/files/mythtv/mac/ MythTV 0.27.3 compiled on an irregular basis (universal build runs on 10.6+)]|
* [http://collectivity.goof.com/articles/2006/10/01/mythfrontend-0-20-fixes-for-os-x-universal collectivity.goof.com]
 
* [http://padilla.net/mythtv-osx padilla.net] (intel)
 
* [http://macvana.com/mythtv/FIXES/ macvana.com] (intel)
 
 
|-
 
|-
| 0.20
+
| 0.27
|  
+
| Production
* [http://www.thesniderpad.com/index.php?option=com_remository&Itemid=42 The Sniderpad.com] (ppc)
+
|
* [http://collectivity.goof.com/articles/2006/09/27/mythfrontend-0-20-for-all-mac-os-x-variants/ collectivity.goof.com] (universal)
+
*[http://sourceforge.net/projects/mythtvformacosx/files/ MythTV frontend and backend for Mac OSX on Sourceforge]
* [http://macvana.com/mythtv/RELEASES/ macvana.com] (intel)
+
*[http://www.avenard.org/files/mythtv/mac/ MythTV 0.27.3 compiled on an irregular basis (universal build)]
 +
*[https://sourceforge.net/projects/macportsmythtvinstaller/ MythTV 0.27.0] (MacPorts-built installer) - complete frontend/backend systeml including MySQL and MythWeb.
 
|-
 
|-
| 0.19-fixes
+
| 0.26
|  
+
| Production
* [http://collectivity.goof.com/articles/2006/04/08/mythfrontend-for-mac-os-x-ppc-intel collectivity.goof.com] (ppc & intel)
+
|
 +
*[http://www.avenard.org/files/mythtv/mac/ MythTV 0.26 compiled on an irregular basis (intel only, universal 32/64 bits, runs on 10.6+)]
 +
*[http://sourceforge.net/projects/mythtvformacosx/files/ MythTV frontend and backend for Mac OSX on Sourceforge]
 +
*[[MacPorts]] mythtv-core.26 - full install including bindings but not plugins. Firewire support possible.
 
|-
 
|-
| 0.19
+
| 0.25
|  
+
| Unsupported
* [http://www.thesniderpad.com/index.php?option=com_remository&Itemid=42 The Sniderpad.com]
+
|
* [http://collectivity.goof.com/articles/2006/04/08/mythfrontend-for-mac-os-x-ppc-intel collectivity.goof.com]
+
*[http://www.avenard.org/files/mythtv/mac/ MythTV master compiled on an irregular basis (intel only, universal 32/64 bits)]
 +
*[http://sourceforge.net/projects/mythtvformacosx/files/ MythTV frontend and backend for Mac OSX on Sourceforge]
 +
*[[MacPorts]] mythtv-core.25 - full install including bindings, PPC and Intel architectures, firewire support possible
 
|-
 
|-
| 0.18.1-fixes
+
| 0.15 through 0.24
|
+
| Old
* [http://www.thesniderpad.com/index.php?option=com_remository&Itemid=42 The Sniderpad.com]
 
|-
 
| 0.18.1
 
|
 
* [http://www.thesniderpad.com/index.php?option=com_remository&Itemid=42 The Sniderpad.com]
 
* [http://collectivity.goof.com/articles/2006/04/08/mythfrontend-for-mac-os-x-ppc-intel collectivity.goof.com]
 
|-
 
| 0.18
 
|
 
* [http://www.thesniderpad.com/index.php?option=com_remository&Itemid=42 The Sniderpad.com]
 
|-
 
| 0.16
 
|
 
* [http://www.ornstedt.nu/mythtv-0.16-1.dmg Ornstedt.nu]
 
|-
 
| older
 
 
|
 
|
[[Nigel Pearson]] can also provide a 0.15 or 0.17 binary, if you really need one.
+
* Please see [[Older_OSX_Builds]]
|-
 
| svn (nightly builds)
 
|
 
* [http://www.thesniderpad.com//index.php?option=com_remository&Itemid=36&func=select&id=3 The Sniderpad.com] (Nightly Universal Builds)
 
* [http://www.macvana.com/mythtv/TRUNK/ macvana.com] (intel)
 
 
|}
 
|}
 +
Want to contribute builds? Read more at the [[Mac OSX Release Build Contributors Page]].
  
 +
= Using MythFrontend =
  
You're now ready to run mythfrontend! Find the MythFrontend.app icon and double click it to start mythfrontend. If it doesn't start, open a console window to see the mythfrontend output which may give you some clues as to what's wrong.
+
'''MythFrontend''' is a normal OSX app that has no special dependencies to run. Version 0.27 is officially supported on 10.8 and 10.9.  Version 0.25 through 0.26 are compatible with 10.5 to 10.7. Older versions are compatible with versions of OSX from 10.3.x (Panther) through 10.6.x (Snow Leopard).
  
= Installing MythTV Backend on Mac OS X using prebuilt binaries =
+
{{Warning}} Note: in order for the MythTV Frontend to do anything useful you must first have a MythTV backend installed and configured. Additionally the frontend and backend generally need to be the same major version to work together.
  
{{Warning}} '''The prebuilt MythBackend.app binaries from 0.21-fixes do not work on Snow Leopard as of 20090921 SVN Revision 21625. It's recommended you do not upgrade to Snow Leopard if you rely on MythBackend.app'''
+
The first time you run '''MythFrontend''', it will enter a setup mode where you must configure the details of its access to the backend, and its display options. For v0.25 the frontend must be configured to use OpenGL. See [[ForcingOpenGL|here]] for instructions.
  
 +
See the [http://www.mythtv.org/wiki/User_Manual:Detailed_configuration_Frontend User Manual] for more information on configuring the frontend.
 +
  
Install Mysql 5.0 for Mac OS X from the Mysql site (they have a package specifically for OS X).
 
  
Open Terminal.  Type in the following and press enter:
+
==== Accessing MythWeb ====
<pre>
 
cd /usr/local/mysql/bin/
 
</pre>
 
  
--- Note: after installation, the mysql server needs to be started.  this is usually done via "/usr/local/bin/mysql/bin/mysqld".  this will prompt an error message for lack of access to the directory. type "chmod oug+rwX directory" to enable it.  then you can proceed:---
+
To watch streamed video on [[MythWeb]] servers from OSX, you may have to [[MythWeb_client_on_Mac_OS_X|alter the treatment of streaming files]].
  
Delete the anonymous mysql accounts by entering the following commands:
+
= Installing MythTV Backend =
<pre>
 
shell> ./mysql -u root
 
mysql> DROP USER '';
 
</pre>
 
  
If you don't know your machine's hostname, look it up in the table produced by entering
+
The MythTV backend and its MySQL database run smoothly on OSX.
<pre>
+
Setting up the backend is somewhat more complicated than when using prebuilt Linux distributions such as MythBuntu.  Inexperienced users who run into trouble may wish to gain experience with MythTV on Linux as training for setting it up on OSX.
mysql> SELECT Host, User FROM mysql.user;
 
</pre>
 
  
Then, set passwords for root account by entering the below commands and substituting your desired password for "newpwd" and your backend machine's hostname for "host_name."
+
The main additional complexities of installing the backend on OSX are
<pre>
+
* Installing MySQL
mysql> SET PASSWORD FOR 'root'@'localhost' = PASSWORD('newpwd');
+
* Setting initial MySQL database and permissions
mysql> SET PASSWORD FOR 'root'@'host_name' = PASSWORD('newpwd');
 
</pre>
 
  
  
Finally, create the mythtv user and database in MySQL, substituting your desired password for that user where it says "mythtv-password":
 
  
<pre>CREATE DATABASE if not exists mythconverg;
+
== Set Up MySQL ==
GRANT ALL ON mythconverg.* TO mythtv@localhost IDENTIFIED BY "mythtv-password";
 
FLUSH PRIVILEGES;
 
GRANT CREATE TEMPORARY TABLES ON mythconverg.* TO mythtv@localhost IDENTIFIED BY "mythtv-password";
 
FLUSH PRIVILEGES;
 
ALTER DATABASE mythconverg DEFAULT CHARACTER SET latin1;
 
</pre>
 
  
The above commands are equivalent to the setup script that runs automatically when you install MythTV on other *nix distributions.
+
The MythTV backend relies on having a MySQL database available for storing information about upcoming and past recordings, channel setup, and the like.
  
Now download the backend (from one of the servers above).  [as of aug 10, mythtv-setup from the 0.21-fixes crashes immediately on a macbook 10.5.8.]
+
==== Download and Install ====
  
Launch "MythTV-Setup.app" and go through the configuration stepsFollow the instructions (it will tell you to run "MythFillDatabase.app" once you've setup your capture card).
+
Grab and install MySQL 5.1 for Mac OS X from the [http://dev.mysql.com/downloads/mysql/5.1.html#macosx-dmg Mysql site]Either the 32-bit or 64-bit version is fine, except for Australian users running OSX 10.7 who will need 64-bit libraries to run [http://svn.whuffy.com/ shepherd] for TV guide data.
  
You're done!  Watch and record TV using "MythFrontend.app".
+
For controlling the MySQL database server, you can choose one of the following options:
  
Caveat to running Myth backend on OS X: as of v0.21, the Mac OS X backend does not support the majority of tuners listed as being supported by the (Linux) version of MythTVThe following tuners are known to work using the Mac version of Myth backend: HDHomeRun. Recording via firewire from set top boxes such as the Motorola 6412 or Motorola DCT 6200 is also known to work. Plans (if any) for additional support are unknown.
+
# Set up the database server without locking it to a user account by installing '''MySQLStartupItem.pkg'''More information for the curious is [[MySQL_For_Myth_on_Mac_OS_X|here]].
 +
# Choose a user account responsible for running the database server, then install '''MySQL.prefPane''' for that account.  You will almost certainly want to use ''System Preferences -> Accounts'' to make that account automatically login.
  
Important Note: (As of mythtv 21-fixes-20081020) The MythFillDatabase program (fetches schedule info) depends on wget which is not included in a default install of Mac OSX 10.5 "Leopard". It can be installed via Fink, MacPorts or other methods. MythTV-Setup.app also uses wget when trying to obtain the channel list so ideally get that installed first.
+
==== Server Startup ====
 +
After installation, the MySQL server needs to be started.
  
Also Note: (As of mythtv 21-fixes-20090215)  Multicore machines are likely to run afoul of bug {{Ticket|5832}}, crashing setup while trying to perform a scan for channels. While on some operating systems one can use the <code>taskset</code> command to restrict to a single core, OSX lacks any equivalent. The problem is claimed to be fixed in the "mythtv-channel-scan" branch of SVN, but as of this writing no prebuilt backend binaries are available for this branch.  The best workaround is presently to set up a temporary backend on Linux, scan channels, and then copy the <code>channel</code> and <code>dtv-multiplex</code> tables back to the Mac using <code>mysqldump</code>. (Not everyone runs into this problem)
+
* Reboot and the server will start automatically if you used the Startup Item.
 +
* If you have installed '''MySQL.prefPane''' preference pane instead
 +
** Go into System Preferences and select '''MySQL''' in the ''Others'' category
 +
** Check ''Automatically Start MySQL on Startup''
 +
** Click on the '''Start MySQL''' button.
  
== Fix for recording via Firewire ==
+
==== Initial Database Setup ====
  
There is one important note if trying to record via FireWire on an Intel Mac. As of mythtv 0.21-fixes-20090316, the MythBackend cannot get a LAM lock signal when recording TV via FireWire. The solution is to check the "Open with Rosetta" checkbox on the Get Info panel of MythBackend.app. See [http://www.gossamer-threads.com/lists/mythtv/users/352434#352434 this post] for information.
+
Open '''Terminal'''. Type in the following and press enter:  
  
Because of this, it's important to open MythBackend.app from the Finder and not from a Terminal window because it won't open with Rosetta. There must be some PPC-specific FireWire code in there.
+
''shell> ''cd /usr/local/mysql/bin/
  
This method had successfully been used to record HD over FireWire on a Intel Mac Mini (Macmini3,1) on a Motoroa DCT 6200 cable box.
+
Here, the <code>''shell> ''</code> characters indicate the shell prompt, not something you need to type.
  
= Building MythFrontend yourself =
+
===== Configuring Default Database Users =====
  
==Introduction ==
+
Enter the specialized MySQL shell
  
The easiest way to build MythTV from source is to download the packager script. Either http://svn.mythtv.org/svn/branches/release-0-21-fixes/mythtv/contrib/OSX/osx-packager.pl or http://svn.mythtv.org/svn/trunk/packaging/OSX/build/osx-packager.pl. This script just needs XCode and an internet connection - it downloads and builds all the dependencies, and if you are lucky gives you several double-clickable applications.
+
''shell> ''./mysql -u root
  
Sadly, this doesn't always work. Maybe one of the downloadable dependencies has been outdated, and someone needs to try building againsta  newer one. Maybe the MythTV source code has changed and broken Mac builds. Look on the [[Myth_on_Mac_-_Build_status]] page for hints about this.
+
which should start and prompt you for input with the <code>mysql></code> prompt.
  
The rest of this guide is meant for those who would like to try out the latest MythTV code on Mac OS X, but are having trouble setting up the development environment. Many folks have had trouble figuring out which dependencies and versions are necessary, so this will help you get to a known working configuration. If you like to copy-and-paste commands, you'll love this guide.
+
Delete the anonymous MySQL accounts by entering the following command:
  
{{Note box| To use the OS X version, it may be easier to have a Linux machine running a recent SVN version of MythTV to act as a backend. If you've never installed MythTV, you should start with the Linux version, and only look at the OS X version once everything's working properly there. That said, many people use a OS X with FireWire STBs, IPTV, and the HD Home Run}}
 
  
If you just want to watch TV on your Mac, and you aren't planning to do development, you're better off using a prebuilt binary.
+
<pre>mysql> DROP USER ''@'localhost';</pre>
  
These instructions also assume that you're doing a completely clean reinstallation on your machine. If you don't start from scratch, some of the instructions may not be correct for your setup. If you're really having problems, back up your data and try these instructions again, doing a clean re-install of OS X as directed below.
 
  
== Install OS X ==
+
If you don't know your machine's hostname, look it up in the table produced by entering
  
The first step is to get a computer running Mac OS X. To watch TV at acceptable speeds, you'll want at least an 800 MHz G4 or better. For HDTV nearly any Intel-based Mac from 2007 onwards will suffice.
+
''mysql> ''SELECT Host, User FROM mysql.user;
  
If you're starting from scratch, install Mac OS X 10.3 (Panther) or later on your future Myth box. Do a clean installation, not an upgrade -- I recommend the "Erase and Install" option to be sure you won't have problems from earlier data on your drive. For underpowered systems, when you're offered the chance to Customize the installation, turn off all the options except "BSD Subsystem". (The option "Essential System Software" cannot be turned off, so you will have two checked items total.)
 
  
Continue with the installation and restart. Go through the setup and registration screens as normal. Once you reach the Finder, run Software Update and get any OS updates. Apply the updates and restart when directed by Software Update.
+
Then, set passwords for the root account by entering the below commands and substituting your desired password for ''newpwd'' and your backend machine's hostname for ''host_name''.
  
Not all software updates can be installed in one step, so you should run Software Update again after installing updates. QuickTime is used for MythTV video, so it is recommended to update that. Install any updates and restart; keep repeating this pattern until no updates remain.
+
''mysql> ''SET PASSWORD FOR 'root'@'localhost' = PASSWORD('newpwd');
 +
''mysql> ''SET PASSWORD FOR 'root'@'127.0.0.1' = PASSWORD('newpwd');
 +
''mysql> ''SET PASSWORD FOR 'root'@'host_name' = PASSWORD('newpwd');
 +
''mysql> ''SET PASSWORD FOR 'root'@'host_name.local' = PASSWORD('newpwd');
  
Underpowered systems may also wish to [http://www.macosxhints.com/comment.php?mode=view&cid=56590 disable Spotlight indexing] to avoid intermittent performance drops.
+
This root password is not one you will generally have to share, but you should [http://www.howtoforge.com/reset-forgotten-mysql-root-password definitely] make a record of it.
  
== Install OS X Developer Tools ==
+
===== Database Privileges and Character Set =====
  
You've got the latest and greatest OS, but the tools for compiling software are installed separately. Visit the [http://connect.apple.com/ Apple Developer Connection] website and log in. If you don't have an ADC account, you can create a free one. This gives you access to Apple developer tools, prerelease software, and other useful items.
+
Finally, create the ''mythtv'' user and <code>mythconverg</code> database in MySQL, substituting your desired password for that user where it says ''mythtv-password'':
  
Once you've logged in, click on "Download Software" and then "Developer Tools". Download the latest "Xcode Tools" software. Install the software by opening "Xcode Tools.mpkg" from the "Xcode Tools" disk image. You can do an Easy Install, the defaults are fine for building MythTV.
 
  
To checkout MythTV from Subversion source tree the Subversion Binary [http://downloads.open.collab.net/binaries.html Subversion Client and Server for Mac OS X] is required. Download and install the application. Subversion will be installed in /usr/local/bin.
+
''mysql> ''CREATE DATABASE IF NOT EXISTS mythconverg;
 +
''mysql> ''GRANT ALL ON mythconverg.* TO mythtv@localhost IDENTIFIED BY "mythtv-password";
 +
''mysql> ''FLUSH PRIVILEGES;
 +
''mysql> ''GRANT CREATE TEMPORARY TABLES ON mythconverg.* TO mythtv@localhost IDENTIFIED BY "mythtv-password";
 +
''mysql> ''FLUSH PRIVILEGES;
 +
  ''mysql> ''ALTER DATABASE mythconverg DEFAULT CHARACTER SET utf8 COLLATE utf8_general_ci;
  
== Set up your environment ==
 
  
That's it for the graphical Mac stuff. From here on out, we'll be working in Terminal. If you're a Unix geek, things should look a lot more familiar. If you aren't comfortable with Terminal, this probably isn't the best place to start; I suggest you learn a bit more about Unix before attempting to go further.
+
This MythTV password will be given to any frontend you use, and is therefore going to be kept relatively insecure, so don't choose a password that is important to you.  The customary choice for this password is ''mythtv''.
  
From a new Terminal window, start by setting up some useful environment variables in your profile. Create a ''.bash_profile'' in your favorite text editor:
+
The above commands are equivalent to the [https://github.com/MythTV/mythtv/blob/master/mythtv/database/mc.sql setup script] that runs automatically when you install MythTV on Linux distributions.
# vi .bash_profile
 
Add the following to the new file and save it:
 
{{Code box|.bash_profile|
 
<pre>
 
export SRCDIR=$HOME/src
 
export QTDIR=$SRCDIR/qt-mac-free-3.3.8
 
export DYLD_LIBRARY_PATH=/usr/local/lib:$QTDIR/lib
 
export PATH=$PATH:/usr/local/bin:$QTDIR/bin
 
</pre>
 
}}
 
Next, load these variables into your current session, and create ''SRCDIR'' where you'll be downloading and compiling.
 
<pre>
 
. .bash_profile
 
mkdir $SRCDIR
 
cd $SRCDIR
 
</pre>
 
'''Optional:''' if you'd like to be able to run mythfrontend by double-clicking its icon from the Dock or the Finder, you'll have to set the <code>DYLD_LIBRARY_PATH</code> environment variable for the graphical environment. (Your <code>.bash_profile</nowiki></code> only affects what you do in Terminal.) To enable this, create the file {{Code box|~/.MacOSX/environment.plist|
 
<pre>
 
mkdir ~/.MacOSX
 
vi ~/.MacOSX/environment.plist
 
</pre>
 
}}
 
Add the following to the new file: <pre>
 
<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>
 
<!DOCTYPE plist PUBLIC "-//Apple Computer//DTD PLIST 1.0//EN" "http://www.apple.com/DTDs/[[Property List]]-1.0.dtd">
 
<plist version="1.0">
 
<dict>
 
        <key>DYLD_LIBRARY_PATH</key>
 
        <string>/usr/local/lib:/Users/username/src/qt-mac-free-3.3.8/lib</string>
 
</dict>
 
</plist>
 
</pre>
 
Replace ''username'' above with your user name. Note that we set the same directories as in the ''.bash_profile'', except that the other environment variables have been expanded into full paths.
 
  
== Free Type ==
+
If you will be watching TV on other computers using this backend, you will need to [http://stackoverflow.com/questions/6401218/granting-mysql-access-rights-to-all-machines-on-subnet create database permissions] for them as well. One common invocation is
  
[[Free Type]] is the first of several dependencies you will have to install for MythTV. First download and unpack the source code: <pre><nowiki>
+
''mysql> ''GRANT ALL PRIVILEGES ON mythconverg.* TO 'mythtv'@'192.168.1.0/255.255.255.0' IDENTIFIED BY "mythtv-password";;
curl http://download.savannah.gnu.org/releases/freetype/freetype-2.1.10.tar.gz | tar -xz
+
''mysql> ''GRANT CREATE TEMPORARY TABLES ON mythconverg.* TO 'mythtv'@'192.168.1.0/255.255.255.0' IDENTIFIED BY "mythtv-password";
cd freetype-2.1.10
+
''mysql> ''FLUSH PRIVILEGES;
</nowiki></pre>
 
Next, configure and make the source. These instructions use shared libraries for building MythTV, and include flags to turn on prebinding (a run-time optimization that launches programs faster), so they differ from the generic defaults provided by the project's install instructions. If you follow the commands here exactly, you should be OK. <pre><nowiki>
 
./configure --disable-static
 
make LDFLAGS="-no-undefined -Wl,-prebind,-seg1addr,0xC0000000 -lz"
 
sudo make install
 
</nowiki></pre>
 
When <code><nowiki>sudo</nowiki></code> asks for a password, enter your Mac login password. You'll get used to doing this a lot over the course of this guide.
 
  
[[Free Type]] is installed, so we return to <code><nowiki>SRCDIR</nowiki></code> in preparation for the next step. <pre><nowiki>
+
See the [http://dev.mysql.com/doc/refman/5.1/en/account-names.html MySQL manual] if you need more information on permissions.
cd ..
 
</nowiki></pre>
 
  
Freetype can also be installed via Fink or Portage OS X. See [[Fink And Portage]] for more information.
+
=== Finishing Backend Setup ===
  
== LAME ==
+
Now download the backend (from one of the servers above).
  
The process here is the same as [[Free Type]], so I won't repeat the same explanations. Just use these commands: <pre><nowiki>
+
Launch '''MythTV-Setup.app''' and go through the configuration steps.
curl http://superb-west.dl.sourceforge.net/sourceforge/lame/lame-3.97.tar.gz | tar -xz
+
* Specific instructions for the common case of an [[Backend_Mac_OS_X_USA_HDHR_Setup|HDHomeRun in the USA]]
cd lame-3.97
+
* Detailed explanations for other variations can be found in the [http://www.mythtv.org/wiki/User_Manual:Detailed_configuration_Backend User Manual].
./configure --disable-static --disable-frontend
 
make LDFLAGS="-no-undefined -Wl,-prebind,-seg1addr,0xC1000000"
 
sudo make install
 
cd ..
 
</nowiki></pre>
 
  
LAME can also be installed via Fink or Portage OS X. See [[Fink And Portage]] for more information.
+
You're done!  Watch and record TV using '''MythFrontend.app'''.
  
== MySQL ==
+
== Automatic Backend Startup ==
  
{{Note box|MySQL removes older versions of their software from their servers after a while. If mysql-4.1.22.tar.gz disappears, go to the server  [http://mysql.mirrors.pair.com/Downloads/MySQL-4.1/ here] and find the latest mysql-4.1.XX.tar.gz. Change the version number in the instructions below and mysql should build fine.}}
+
=== Method 1: Login Item ===
 +
Make '''MythBackend''' a Login Item for the DVR user, using the Accounts section of System Preferences.
  
 
+
=== Method 2: Launchd ===
Again, there's nothing too complicated. You only need the client library from MySQL, so these commands turn off a lot of the parts that the installation offers. <pre>
+
'''MythBackend''' is really a daemon, and it is nice to control it as such.  The approved way to automatically start processes in OSX is to use <code>launchd</code>. Placing the following property list in <code>~/Library/LaunchAgents/MythBackend.plist</code> of the relevant user account will cause '''MythBackend''' to be started whenever that user logs in, and restarted if killed or crashed.
curl http://mysql.mirrors.pair.com/Downloads/MySQL-4.1/mysql-4.1.22.tar.gz | tar -zx
+
<pre>
cd mysql-4.1.22
+
<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>
./configure --disable-static --without-debug \
+
<!DOCTYPE plist PUBLIC "-//Apple//DTD PLIST 1.0//EN" "http://www.apple.com/DTDs/PropertyList-1.0.dtd">
  --without-server --without-geometry \
+
<plist version="1.0">
  --without-extra-tools --without-docs \
+
<dict>
  --without-man --without-bench
+
<key>KeepAlive</key>
make LDFLAGS="-no-undefined -Wl,-prebind,-seg1addr,0xC2000000"
+
<true/>
sudo make install
+
<key>Label</key>
cd ..
+
<string>MythBackend</string>
 +
<key>ProgramArguments</key>
 +
<array>
 +
<string>/Applications/MythBackend/MythBackend.app/Contents/MacOS/MythBackend</string>
 +
<string>--logpath</string>
 +
<string>/var/log/MythBackend</string>
 +
</array>
 +
</dict>
 +
</plist>
 
</pre>
 
</pre>
 +
where we have assumed that '''MythBackend.app''' resides in a <code>MythBackend</code> subfolder of <code>/Applications</code>.
  
== Qt ==
+
To have MythBackend run as a specific user, insert the following under <code></array></code>, substituting '''mythtv''' with the username of your choice.
 +
<key>UserName</key>
 +
<string>mythtv</string>
 +
Also, don't forget to create and set the correct permissions for the log file
 +
sudo touch /var/log/MythBackend
 +
sudo chown mythtv /var/log/MythBackend
 +
Note that the path to the '''MythBackend''' application binary should be set to where you happen to keep it.  If you need to stop the process, you cannot just <code>kill</code> it.  Instead use
 +
launchctl unload -w ~/Library/LaunchAgents/MythBackend.plist
 +
and once you are ready to start it again type
 +
launchctl load -w ~/Library/LaunchAgents/MythBackend.plist
 +
in a '''Terminal''' window.
  
(Qt is an application framework from [http://www.trolltech.com Trolltech] while QuickTime is a media suite from [http://www.apple.com/quicktime Apple])
+
= Setting up MythWeb =
  
Installing Qt is a bit more complicated, so we'll take this one more slowly. First get the source code: <pre>
+
'''MythWeb''' is a convenient collection of website code that lets you set up recordings, browse the schedule, and review existing recordings without having to start the complete frontend. Since Macs have a built-in webserver, it's pretty simple to get [[MythWeb]] going as well. For complete setup instructions, please see [[MythWeb_on_Mac_OS_X_Backend|the OSX-specific instructions]].
curl ftp://ftp.trolltech.com/qt/source/qt-mac-free-3.3.8.tar.gz | tar -xz
 
cd qt-mac-free-3.3.8
 
</pre>
 
  
Be sure to use latest 3.3 version to avoid compiling errors in qtnetsocket.
+
= Gotchas and Warnings =
  
Make sure you update Quicktime completely, including the Quicktime SDK, using Software Update.
 
  
Leopard (Mac OS X 10.5) Users:  Before you can configure Qt3 on Leopard, you'll need to patch your installation.
+
==== Limited Tuners ====
<pre>
+
Most PCI video capture cards lack OSX drivers, so the Mac OS X backend does not support the majority of tuners listed as being supported by (the Linux version of) MythTV.
wget http://fink.cvs.sourceforge.net/*checkout*/fink/dists/10.4/unstable/main/finkinfo/graphics/qt3mac.patch2
 
patch -p1 < qt3mac.patch2
 
</pre>
 
  
Next, configure the installation. Qt takes a long time to build, so we turn off everything that's not absolutely necessary.  
+
The '''HDHomeRun''' network tuner is well known to work using the Mac version of Myth backend. Recording via firewire from set top boxes such as the Motorola 6412 or Motorola DCT 6200 is also known to work.  There are no current plans for additional hardware support.
  
{{Note box|the command below turns off all window styles except "Windows"; this style looks best with MythTV, in my opinion, so I don't build the others. You may want to remove some of the <code><nowiki>-no-style-blah</nowiki></code> flags and try out other styles on your system.}}
+
[[HDPVRCapture on Mac]] describes how to use HDPVRCaputre to record on Mac OS X with a Hauppauge HDPVR.
  
 +
==== Firewire Recording ====
  
<pre>
+
(As of mythtv 0.21-fixes-20090316) There is one important note if trying to record via FireWire on an Intel Mac. The MythBackend cannot get a [[Channel tuning|LAM lock]] signal when recording TV via FireWire. The solution is to check the "Open with Rosetta" checkbox on the Get Info panel of MythBackend.app. See [http://www.gossamer-threads.com/lists/mythtv/users/352434#352434 this post] for information.
./configure -system-zlib -fast -qt-sql-mysql \
 
  -no-style-cde -no-style-compact -no-style-mac \
 
  -no-style-motif -no-style-motifplus -no-style-platinum \
 
  -no-style-sgi -thread -no-ipv6 -qt-imgfmt-png \
 
  -qt-imgfmt-jpeg -no-imgfmt-mng -no-tablet \
 
  -I/usr/local/include/mysql \
 
  -L/usr/local/lib/mysql
 
</pre>
 
 
 
The configure step takes a while, but don't go get that cup of coffee right away; you will have to accept the GNU Gneral Public License before it gets going. Type <code>yes</code> when it prompts you, then you can take a break.
 
 
 
The make process requires a bit of explanation. Qt needs the <code>-single-module<</code> flag to build correctly with our MySQL installation; the first line adds this to the compile instructions. We only build the <code>sub-src</code> target, as we only need the Qt library; this skips the documentation, examples, and a hundred other things that aren't necessary for working with MythTV. <pre>
 
echo 'QMAKE_LFLAGS_SHLIB += -single_module' >> src/qt.pro
 
make sub-src
 
</pre>
 
We're now finished with Qt, and with all of the dependencies in fact.
 
cd ..
 
  
 +
Because of this, it's important to open MythBackend.app from the Finder and not from a Terminal window because it won't open with Rosetta. There must be some PPC-specific FireWire code in there.
  
'''Alternatively to compiling Qt yourself''', you can grab a precompiled package from http://naranja.umh.es/~atg/
+
This method had successfully been used to record HD over FireWire on a Intel Mac Mini (Macmini3,1) on a Motorola DCT 6200 cable box.
  
== Backend Setup ==
+
= Troubleshooting and Monitoring =
  
Make sure you set your backend to listen on some other IP address than 127.0.0.1 (which is the default). Run <pre><nowiki> mythtvsetup
+
=== Process View and CPU Usage ===
</nowiki></pre>
 
on your backend mythtv installation and put your not-127.0.0.1 IP adress in the database parameters; 192.168.1.x perhaps, whatever your network interface runs on and more importantly what IP address you set mysql to listen on.
 
  
You'll also need to allow connections to the mySQL server on your backend machine over your network.
+
To see if you have processes running, you can use the <code>ps</code> command in a terminal, or even better, you can use the '''Activity Monitor''' supplied by Apple (usually found in <code>/Applications/Utilities/</code>). Sort by process name. You should see MySQL as <code>mysqld</code> and '''MythBackend''' as <code>MythBackend</code>.
<pre><nowiki> mysql> grant all on mythconverg.* to mythtv@"10.0.1.%" identified by "mythtv";
 
</nowiki></pre>
 
  
== MythTV ==
+
=== Log Files ===
'''NOTE: If you decide to run ./configure and not use the osx-packager.pl, you MUST use the --disable-distcc flag or else your configure step will fail with some endianness check message.'''
 
  
Finally, we're ready for MythTV itself. Download the main MythTV source: <pre><nowiki>
+
By default, '''MythBackend''' and '''MythFrontend''' log to standard output (often <code>/var/log/system.log</code>).
svn co http://svn.mythtv.org/svn/branches/release-0-20-fixes/mythtv
 
</nowiki></pre>
 
Now we configure and make MythTV itself. Assuming that nothing is broken in the SVN tree (which happens sometimes for the Mac build), the defaults should work fine: <pre><nowiki>
 
cd mythtv
 
sudo ./configure --disable-distcc
 
make
 
sudo make install
 
</nowiki></pre>
 
  
If you look at your <code>config.err</code> file and see that the endian test failed, just use the osx-packager.pl script in the <code>contrib</code> directory to build MythTV.
+
It is convenient to separate the backend log from the general system log.  If you launch the backend with the <code>-l ''logfilename''</code> directive then it will log to ''logfilename'' instead. You can view the logs with <code>tail</code> in a command-line window, or more conveniently using '''Console.app''', also in <code>/Applications/Utilities/</code>.
Presuming you're in the <code>mythtv</code> directory already, simply type: <pre><nowiki>
 
cd contrib
 
perl osx-packager.pl
 
</nowiki></pre>
 
It may still fail using GCC 4.x but should work if you change your GCC modules to 3.3.3-7. It will take a while to complete. Basically, it re-installs everything you have installed to this point.<br><i>source: mythtv-user list</i>
 
  
 +
'''MythFillDatabase''' sends messages both to the standard output and the standard error.  You may like to similarly redirect that output.
  
If you're missing qmake, return to the qt-mac-free-3.3.8 directory from the previous installation and install it from there:
+
=== MythTV_Setup.app Exit code 153 / Setup Timezone tables ===
<pre><nowiki>
 
cd ../qt-mac-free-3.3.8
 
cd qmake
 
sudo make install
 
</nowiki></pre>
 
  
You must launch the frontend from the command line, as launching it through the Finder will not work properly (unless you completed the Optional section of step 3). Run the frontend with this command: <pre><nowiki>
+
If the MythTV_Setup.app from MythTV Backend goes through the connection to the MySQL server and then just aborts, verify you have the timezone information loaded into you MySQL installation. Follow the steps described in [[MySQL Time Zone Tables]] and it might help to get it working for you.
/usr/local/bin/mythfrontend.app/Contents/MacOS/mythfrontend
 
</nowiki></pre>
 
  
You'll be prompted for the MySQL connection parameters when it starts up. Enter the hostname for your Linux backend, and change any of the other parameters as appropriate. (This part is not Mac-specific and depends on your backend setup.) You should see the main menu for the frontend after it successfully connects to the MySQL server.
+
= Tips and Tricks =
  
When you update to the latest CVS, you should do a clean rebuild to prevent problems: <pre><nowiki>
+
==== Remote Control ====
make distclean
+
===== Apple Remote =====
cvs -z6 update -dP
+
The Apple Remote can be used to control the most common MythTV functions:
./configure
+
* Directional keys:  arrow keys
qmake mythtv.pro
+
* Play/Pause:  Enter
make
+
* Menu:  Escape
sudo make install
 
</nowiki></pre>
 
  
== Tips and Tricks ==
+
Holding down buttons will generate alternate inputs:
 +
* Hold Play/Pause:  P (play/pause playback)
 +
* Hold Menu:  M (Menu in playback)
 +
* Hold Left/Right:  Home/End
  
In the setup screens, explore the "TV Settings" -> "Playback" options. You'll find two pages of Mac-specific settings there. If your machine isn't fast enough, you can choose to drop frames here. If you have cycles to spare, you'll find fun settings like video in the Dock, on the Desktop, or in a floating (and optionally translucent) window.
+
See the [[Keybindings]] page for what these key equivalents will do in any given situation.  Keybindings can be altered in the settings menu using [[MythWeb]].  For example you may wish to try changing the "Pause" setting for ''TV Playback'' from ''P'' to ''P,Enter'' to support the play/pause button on the Apple Remote.
  
Apple Remote:  Standard keys work as expected:  Directional keys generate arrow keys, Play/Pause: Enter, Menu: Escape.  Holding down keys will generate alternate inputs:  Hold Play/Pause: P (play/pause playback), Hold Menu: M (Menu in playback), Hold Left/Right: Home/End.  The Apple Remote will not work properly on versions of Snow Leopard prior to 10.6.2 ({{Ticket|7112}}).
+
===== Other Infrared Remotes =====
 +
See [[Keyspan Express Remote]].
  
Some of the MythTV plugins, like [[MythMusic]], do not work in OS X. Mythvideo and mythweather are known to work at this time. To use the plugins, you have to compile and install them separately. Plugins are frontend features, installing them on the backend will not enable them on your frontend OS X box.
+
===== iPhone/iTouch Control =====
 +
Web-based remotes such as [http://mymote.wikispot.org/ MyMote] and others found [http://www.mythtv.co.nz/mythtv/remote/index.html here] or [http://legatissimo.info/node/355 here] should in principle work fine with an iPhone and OSX setups. Some features of MyMote may require [http://www.lirc.org/software.html LIRC].
  
If you want to try controlling MythTV via Bluetooth, Brad came up with a 'Salling Clicker' action
+
===== Android Control =====
http://members.shaw.ca/dignon/MythTV%20Remote%20Suite%20v1_1.cgz
+
The android app Mythmote can be used to control your mythtv frontend. Enable the Network control under Setup -> General -> Network Control.
  
 +
===== Computer To Computer Network Control =====
 
If you want to try controlling MythTV from another Mac (perhaps by a PowerBook from the couch), Generally Helpful Software has released an early beta of a remote control application, Remote Remote GH for MythTV  
 
If you want to try controlling MythTV from another Mac (perhaps by a PowerBook from the couch), Generally Helpful Software has released an early beta of a remote control application, Remote Remote GH for MythTV  
 
http://web.mac.com/grhowes/iWeb/Generally%20Helpful%20Software/Remote%20Remote%20GH.html
 
http://web.mac.com/grhowes/iWeb/Generally%20Helpful%20Software/Remote%20Remote%20GH.html
Line 385: Line 296:
 
Another Mac OS X network remote control is available at http://ignasiak.googlepages.com/mythremote
 
Another Mac OS X network remote control is available at http://ignasiak.googlepages.com/mythremote
  
There is also an application for Mac OS X called 'MythGrowl' that generates Growl notifications when your MythTV backend starts or finishes a recording. Not part of Mythfrontend but worth a mention. It can be downloaded at http://mythgrowl.sourceforge.net/
+
==== Surround Sound in 7.1 Channels ====
 +
To activate 7.1 audio (using either HDMI or DisplayPort); make sure to first launch the Audio MIDI Setup in <code>/Application/Utilities</code> and configure HDMI audio as 8 channels-24 bits (the default is just stereo). It is recommended to disable DTS and AC3 passthrough as it would reset the hdmi audio in two channels mode, which would break future multi-channels playback.
 +
Note that for the time being, E-AC3, TrueHD and DTS-HD MA bitstreaming do NOT work under MacOS. That's until Apple provide the required 192kHz digital sampling rate (the hardware supports it!).
  
To improve playback performance try new 'Use libmpeg2' setting (on the first page of Setup, Settings, TV Settings, Playback.
+
==== GPU Acceleration ====
 +
The frontend can accelerate H.264 video using the [[VDA|Video Decode Acceleration]] (VDA) GPU library, if available.
  
Running TV playback in a smaller window can also improve performance,
+
==== Display Scale Hacks ====
as can customising your backend recording settings. (e.g. Smaller capture from analog cards, 44.1KHz audio is a better match to some Macs than 48KHz)
+
Menus, titlebars and other text may be cut off on high-resolution televisions driven by your Mac, or be too small to see from a distance, which interferes with the ability to use your it as a standard computer. You can change the display scale to make applications appear better. To do this, modify the global scale factor
  
== Installing Plugins ==
+
''shell> ''defaults write NSGlobalDomain AppleDisplayScaleFactor 1.25
  
The following plugins will compile: [[MythVideo]] [[MythDVD]] [[MythGallery]] Torrentocracy
+
(To reset the scale just run the above commands both with a scale of 1.0.)
  
Here is how:
+
The scale factor (1.25) increases the OSX system fonts by 25%. Myth won't like this (and doesn't need it) so you need to force the scale factor for Myth back to the default 1.0.    For MythTV and any other app you wish to render on the with normal fonts, you can modify the app-specific scale factor like this
  
Grab the sources (cvs for official mythtv plugins, or from the website for other plugins) then run qmake (./configure first if needed)
+
''shell> ''defaults write net.psychosis.MythFrontend AppleDisplayScaleFactor 1.0
  
Edit the Makefile (not the one in the main folder but the one in the subfolder with the same name) and add <code><nowiki>-flat_namespace -undefined suppress</nowiki></code> to the LFLAGS variable
 
  
run make
 
  
run sudo make install
+
==== Playback Settings ====
 +
In the setup screens, explore the "TV Settings" -> "Playback" options. You'll find two pages of Mac-specific settings there. If your machine isn't fast enough, you can choose to drop frames here. If you have cycles to spare, you'll find fun settings like video in the Dock, on the Desktop, or in a floating (and optionally translucent) window.
  
== Updates to this page ==
+
==== MythGrowl Notifications ====
 +
There is an application for Mac OS X called '''MythGrowl''' that generates Growl notifications when your MythTV backend starts or finishes a recording. Not part of Mythfrontend but worth a mention. It can be downloaded at http://mythgrowl.sourceforge.net/
  
'''''Update''''' (22-05-05, by Bas Hulsken)
+
==== Performance Tweaks for Underpowered Systems ====
The CVS build script is rather outdated. For those interested, I updated the script by Jeremiah Morris a bit, to build a recent cvs version, with mythvideo, mythdvd, mythweather, mythgallery and myththemes enabled. You can find it at : [http://steadydecline.net/public/osx-packager-cvs.pl] (beware, slow adsl link) It should be easy to modify this script to add/remove plugins (at lines 286->300). Caveat Emptor: I'm a crappy perl-coder, I just improvise based on my C++ knowledge.. the script works, but probably breaks all perl-coding guidelines;-)
+
Performance with interlaced 1080i video is significantly affected by the choice of deinterlacer. Builds preceding v0.24 do not properly support the "2x" deinterlacers for 1080i60 (but they do for 480i), so if you are using one of those, try the "normal" version. Underpowered systems may do best with the Kernel deinterlacer, or Linear Blend if that's still taxing your CPU. Newer systems should be able to run Yadif or Greedy HIghMotion, which provide significantly better deinterlacing than the previous options.
  
'''Update''' (12-08-05, by Bas Hulsken)
+
Running TV playback in a smaller window can also improve performance, as can customising your backend recording settings. (E.g. Smaller capture from analog cards, 44.1KHz audio is a better match to some Macs than 48KHz.)
Above script updated to use SVN ([http://steadydecline.net/public/osx-packager.pl]), since this is the new CMS of myth. Also dependencies were updated to newest versions. Exif is disabled in mythgallery, since this won't compile for me (YMMV, try to enable it at line 306). Mythnews is also built now. You can build the 0.18.1-fixes release with './osx-packager -branch release-0-18-fixes'. Just running the script without options uses trunk (current version). I only tested with the 0.18-fixes, which compiles and runs fine on 10.3. But it probably should work for all. Obviously you need svn installed for this script to work (get a package somewhere, and make sure the svn binary is in /usr/bin or /usr/local/bin)
 
  
P.S. this script also supports LIRC, so you can compile lirc in slave mode on your mac (use no driver option) and connect to your backend server (set to listen mode). The backend should have, for instance, a RF remote. I'm having great succes with an ATI remote wonder.
+
==== Shutdown/Reboot ====
 +
Under General, enter the following to properly shutdown under OSX. You might also have to "sudo chmod +s /sbin/halt /sbin/reboot" to be able to execute the command as a non-super user.
 +
* To Shutdown: /sbin/halt
 +
* To Reboot: /sbin/reboot
 +
Then add shutdown/Reboot to mythfrontend exit menu.
  
server side (backend.mydomain.com): run lirc with: 'lircd --listen'
+
==== Disable Bluetooth Keyboard setup ====
 +
When a keyboard and/or mouse isn't plugged in the Bluetooth setup wizard will be displayed. To shut this off under OSX, go to settings->bluetooth->advanced, uncheck the keyboard wizard.
  
client side (mac): run lirc with: 'lircd --connect=backend.mydomain.com --permission=666'
+
==== Disable Mouse Cursor ====
 +
Hide mouse cursor option.  Select this to hide your mouse cursor.  Useful for headless (mouseless and keyboardless) setups.  If you don't enable this, your cursor will disappear only after moving the mouse. settings->appearance->Hide Mouse Cursor in Mythtv.
  
'''''Update''''' (26-08-05, by Geoff Kruse) The osx-packager.pl script has been added to svn in the contrib directory a few weeks ago. Please submit any changes as a patch to trac. The current version has been hacked to work with svn.
+
==== Auto Startup ====
 +
Start the mythfrontend app automatically upon login.  settings->users->login items
  
Latest version can be found in [http://svn.mythtv.org/trac/browser/trunk/mythtv/contrib/OSX /trunk/mythtv/contrib/OSX]
+
==== VNC Server ====
 +
Install an alternative VNC server if your VNC clients have trouble connecting to the built in one. I use VineVNC server.
  
'''''Update''''' (06-05-07, by Joann Bessler) Using osx-packager.pl and svn revision 13161 the backend builds and runs.
+
= For more information =
  
 +
==== Mailing Lists ====
 +
If you have problems with this guide, the [http://www.mythtv.org/mailman/listinfo/mythtv-users/ mythtv-users mailing list] is the best place to start. Check the [http://gossamer-threads.com/lists/mythtv/users/ searchable archive] to see if your problem has already been discussed. Also, you can check the [http://gossamer-threads.com/lists/mythtv/dev/ mythtv-dev list] to see if it's a problem with SVN; if you can't compile MythTV, you may just have to wait a few days and try again.
  
== For more information ==
+
==== External Links ====
 +
*[http://public.boonstra.org/MacMiniHTPCSetup.html Mac Mini frontend and backend] Hardware and software setup guide
 +
*[http://blog.myhdbox.com/2009/03/mythtv-on-mac-mini.html Mini usage report] Success report
  
If you have problems with this guide, the [http://www.mythtv.org/mailman/listinfo/mythtv-users/ mythtv-users mailing list] is the best place to start. Check the [http://gossamer-threads.com/lists/mythtv/users/ searchable archive] to see if your problem has already been discussed. Also, you can check the [http://gossamer-threads.com/lists/mythtv/dev/ mythtv-dev list] to see if it's a problem with CVS; if you can't compile MythTV, you may just have to wait a few days and try again.
+
==== Wiki ====
 +
* The user manual at [[User_Manual:Index]] has a lot of material, though it is Linux-oriented
 +
* For MythTV on Mac OS X on Intel machines, there is also also [[Myth on Mac x86]]. (However, that page is very out of date in many respects.)
 +
* Some suggested technical innovations for Myth on OSX are at [[Technical_Directions_On_OSX]]
  
When posting to the -users list, mention this guide and put "OS X" in the subject line. If you don't do those two steps, your humble guide author ([[Jeremiah Morris]]) may miss or ignore your message.
+
= Help Improve This Page =
 +
Finally, remember that this is a Wiki. If you find an inaccuracy, or have advice that may be helpful to others, improve this guide by adding your information!
  
Finally, remember that this is a Wiki. If you find an inaccuracy, or have advice that may be helpful to others, improve this guide by adding your information!
 
  
 +
[[Category:Distribution_Specific_Install_Guides]]
 
[[Category:MacOS]]
 
[[Category:MacOS]]
[[Category:Distribution_Specific_Install_Guides]]
 

Revision as of 21:19, 28 April 2016

New users: before attempting to install MythTV for the first time, please familiarize yourself with the distinction between frontend and backend.

MythTV works just fine on OSX (but see the backend gotchas below).

Hardware Requirements

Frontend

To watch TV at acceptable speeds, you'll want at least an 800 MHz G4 or better. For HDTV nearly any Intel-based Mac released from 2006 onwards will suffice, though newer machines will allow the use of better deinterlacers for 1080i content.

Backend

The backend takes very little CPU power, except when marking commercials. Any Mac capable of running OSX 10.5 Leopard or later will work fine.

Pre-built Downloads

Version Status
0.28 (recommended) Production
v0.28-pre-3649-gae35a28 (beta) Testing
0.27.4 Production
  • MythTV 0.27.4 complete frontend/backend systeml including MariaDB and MythWeb - (MacPorts-built installer). Includes fix for impending SchedulesDirect disruption.
0.27.3 Production
0.27 Production
0.26 Production
0.25 Unsupported
0.15 through 0.24 Old

Want to contribute builds? Read more at the Mac OSX Release Build Contributors Page.

Using MythFrontend

MythFrontend is a normal OSX app that has no special dependencies to run. Version 0.27 is officially supported on 10.8 and 10.9. Version 0.25 through 0.26 are compatible with 10.5 to 10.7. Older versions are compatible with versions of OSX from 10.3.x (Panther) through 10.6.x (Snow Leopard).

Warning.png
Note: in order for the MythTV Frontend to do anything useful you must first have a MythTV backend installed and configured. Additionally the frontend and backend generally need to be the same major version to work together.

The first time you run MythFrontend, it will enter a setup mode where you must configure the details of its access to the backend, and its display options. For v0.25 the frontend must be configured to use OpenGL. See here for instructions.

See the User Manual for more information on configuring the frontend.


Accessing MythWeb

To watch streamed video on MythWeb servers from OSX, you may have to alter the treatment of streaming files.

Installing MythTV Backend

The MythTV backend and its MySQL database run smoothly on OSX. Setting up the backend is somewhat more complicated than when using prebuilt Linux distributions such as MythBuntu. Inexperienced users who run into trouble may wish to gain experience with MythTV on Linux as training for setting it up on OSX.

The main additional complexities of installing the backend on OSX are

  • Installing MySQL
  • Setting initial MySQL database and permissions


Set Up MySQL

The MythTV backend relies on having a MySQL database available for storing information about upcoming and past recordings, channel setup, and the like.

Download and Install

Grab and install MySQL 5.1 for Mac OS X from the Mysql site. Either the 32-bit or 64-bit version is fine, except for Australian users running OSX 10.7 who will need 64-bit libraries to run shepherd for TV guide data.

For controlling the MySQL database server, you can choose one of the following options:

  1. Set up the database server without locking it to a user account by installing MySQLStartupItem.pkg. More information for the curious is here.
  2. Choose a user account responsible for running the database server, then install MySQL.prefPane for that account. You will almost certainly want to use System Preferences -> Accounts to make that account automatically login.

Server Startup

After installation, the MySQL server needs to be started.

  • Reboot and the server will start automatically if you used the Startup Item.
  • If you have installed MySQL.prefPane preference pane instead
    • Go into System Preferences and select MySQL in the Others category
    • Check Automatically Start MySQL on Startup
    • Click on the Start MySQL button.

Initial Database Setup

Open Terminal. Type in the following and press enter:

shell> cd /usr/local/mysql/bin/

Here, the shell> characters indicate the shell prompt, not something you need to type.

Configuring Default Database Users

Enter the specialized MySQL shell

shell> ./mysql -u root

which should start and prompt you for input with the mysql> prompt.

Delete the anonymous MySQL accounts by entering the following command:


mysql> DROP USER ''@'localhost';


If you don't know your machine's hostname, look it up in the table produced by entering

mysql> SELECT Host, User FROM mysql.user;


Then, set passwords for the root account by entering the below commands and substituting your desired password for newpwd and your backend machine's hostname for host_name.

mysql> SET PASSWORD FOR 'root'@'localhost' = PASSWORD('newpwd');
mysql> SET PASSWORD FOR 'root'@'127.0.0.1' = PASSWORD('newpwd');
mysql> SET PASSWORD FOR 'root'@'host_name' = PASSWORD('newpwd');
mysql> SET PASSWORD FOR 'root'@'host_name.local' = PASSWORD('newpwd');

This root password is not one you will generally have to share, but you should definitely make a record of it.

Database Privileges and Character Set

Finally, create the mythtv user and mythconverg database in MySQL, substituting your desired password for that user where it says mythtv-password:


mysql> CREATE DATABASE IF NOT EXISTS mythconverg;
mysql> GRANT ALL ON mythconverg.* TO mythtv@localhost IDENTIFIED BY "mythtv-password";
mysql> FLUSH PRIVILEGES;
mysql> GRANT CREATE TEMPORARY TABLES ON mythconverg.* TO mythtv@localhost IDENTIFIED BY "mythtv-password";
mysql> FLUSH PRIVILEGES;
mysql> ALTER DATABASE mythconverg DEFAULT CHARACTER SET utf8 COLLATE utf8_general_ci;


This MythTV password will be given to any frontend you use, and is therefore going to be kept relatively insecure, so don't choose a password that is important to you. The customary choice for this password is mythtv.

The above commands are equivalent to the setup script that runs automatically when you install MythTV on Linux distributions.

If you will be watching TV on other computers using this backend, you will need to create database permissions for them as well. One common invocation is

mysql> GRANT ALL PRIVILEGES ON mythconverg.* TO 'mythtv'@'192.168.1.0/255.255.255.0' IDENTIFIED BY "mythtv-password";;
mysql> GRANT CREATE TEMPORARY TABLES ON mythconverg.* TO 'mythtv'@'192.168.1.0/255.255.255.0' IDENTIFIED BY "mythtv-password";
mysql> FLUSH PRIVILEGES;

See the MySQL manual if you need more information on permissions.

Finishing Backend Setup

Now download the backend (from one of the servers above).

Launch MythTV-Setup.app and go through the configuration steps.

You're done! Watch and record TV using MythFrontend.app.

Automatic Backend Startup

Method 1: Login Item

Make MythBackend a Login Item for the DVR user, using the Accounts section of System Preferences.

Method 2: Launchd

MythBackend is really a daemon, and it is nice to control it as such. The approved way to automatically start processes in OSX is to use launchd. Placing the following property list in ~/Library/LaunchAgents/MythBackend.plist of the relevant user account will cause MythBackend to be started whenever that user logs in, and restarted if killed or crashed.

<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>
<!DOCTYPE plist PUBLIC "-//Apple//DTD PLIST 1.0//EN" "http://www.apple.com/DTDs/PropertyList-1.0.dtd">
<plist version="1.0">
<dict>
	<key>KeepAlive</key>
	<true/>
	<key>Label</key>
	<string>MythBackend</string>
	<key>ProgramArguments</key>
	<array>
		<string>/Applications/MythBackend/MythBackend.app/Contents/MacOS/MythBackend</string>
		<string>--logpath</string>
		<string>/var/log/MythBackend</string>
	</array>
</dict>
</plist>

where we have assumed that MythBackend.app resides in a MythBackend subfolder of /Applications.

To have MythBackend run as a specific user, insert the following under </array>, substituting mythtv with the username of your choice.

<key>UserName</key>
<string>mythtv</string>

Also, don't forget to create and set the correct permissions for the log file

sudo touch /var/log/MythBackend
sudo chown mythtv /var/log/MythBackend

Note that the path to the MythBackend application binary should be set to where you happen to keep it. If you need to stop the process, you cannot just kill it. Instead use

launchctl unload -w ~/Library/LaunchAgents/MythBackend.plist

and once you are ready to start it again type

launchctl load -w ~/Library/LaunchAgents/MythBackend.plist

in a Terminal window.

Setting up MythWeb

MythWeb is a convenient collection of website code that lets you set up recordings, browse the schedule, and review existing recordings without having to start the complete frontend. Since Macs have a built-in webserver, it's pretty simple to get MythWeb going as well. For complete setup instructions, please see the OSX-specific instructions.

Gotchas and Warnings

Limited Tuners

Most PCI video capture cards lack OSX drivers, so the Mac OS X backend does not support the majority of tuners listed as being supported by (the Linux version of) MythTV.

The HDHomeRun network tuner is well known to work using the Mac version of Myth backend. Recording via firewire from set top boxes such as the Motorola 6412 or Motorola DCT 6200 is also known to work. There are no current plans for additional hardware support.

HDPVRCapture on Mac describes how to use HDPVRCaputre to record on Mac OS X with a Hauppauge HDPVR.

Firewire Recording

(As of mythtv 0.21-fixes-20090316) There is one important note if trying to record via FireWire on an Intel Mac. The MythBackend cannot get a LAM lock signal when recording TV via FireWire. The solution is to check the "Open with Rosetta" checkbox on the Get Info panel of MythBackend.app. See this post for information.

Because of this, it's important to open MythBackend.app from the Finder and not from a Terminal window because it won't open with Rosetta. There must be some PPC-specific FireWire code in there.

This method had successfully been used to record HD over FireWire on a Intel Mac Mini (Macmini3,1) on a Motorola DCT 6200 cable box.

Troubleshooting and Monitoring

Process View and CPU Usage

To see if you have processes running, you can use the ps command in a terminal, or even better, you can use the Activity Monitor supplied by Apple (usually found in /Applications/Utilities/). Sort by process name. You should see MySQL as mysqld and MythBackend as MythBackend.

Log Files

By default, MythBackend and MythFrontend log to standard output (often /var/log/system.log).

It is convenient to separate the backend log from the general system log. If you launch the backend with the -l logfilename directive then it will log to logfilename instead. You can view the logs with tail in a command-line window, or more conveniently using Console.app, also in /Applications/Utilities/.

MythFillDatabase sends messages both to the standard output and the standard error. You may like to similarly redirect that output.

MythTV_Setup.app Exit code 153 / Setup Timezone tables

If the MythTV_Setup.app from MythTV Backend goes through the connection to the MySQL server and then just aborts, verify you have the timezone information loaded into you MySQL installation. Follow the steps described in MySQL Time Zone Tables and it might help to get it working for you.

Tips and Tricks

Remote Control

Apple Remote

The Apple Remote can be used to control the most common MythTV functions:

  • Directional keys: arrow keys
  • Play/Pause: Enter
  • Menu: Escape

Holding down buttons will generate alternate inputs:

  • Hold Play/Pause: P (play/pause playback)
  • Hold Menu: M (Menu in playback)
  • Hold Left/Right: Home/End

See the Keybindings page for what these key equivalents will do in any given situation. Keybindings can be altered in the settings menu using MythWeb. For example you may wish to try changing the "Pause" setting for TV Playback from P to P,Enter to support the play/pause button on the Apple Remote.

Other Infrared Remotes

See Keyspan Express Remote.

iPhone/iTouch Control

Web-based remotes such as MyMote and others found here or here should in principle work fine with an iPhone and OSX setups. Some features of MyMote may require LIRC.

Android Control

The android app Mythmote can be used to control your mythtv frontend. Enable the Network control under Setup -> General -> Network Control.

Computer To Computer Network Control

If you want to try controlling MythTV from another Mac (perhaps by a PowerBook from the couch), Generally Helpful Software has released an early beta of a remote control application, Remote Remote GH for MythTV http://web.mac.com/grhowes/iWeb/Generally%20Helpful%20Software/Remote%20Remote%20GH.html

Another Mac OS X network remote control is available at http://ignasiak.googlepages.com/mythremote

Surround Sound in 7.1 Channels

To activate 7.1 audio (using either HDMI or DisplayPort); make sure to first launch the Audio MIDI Setup in /Application/Utilities and configure HDMI audio as 8 channels-24 bits (the default is just stereo). It is recommended to disable DTS and AC3 passthrough as it would reset the hdmi audio in two channels mode, which would break future multi-channels playback. Note that for the time being, E-AC3, TrueHD and DTS-HD MA bitstreaming do NOT work under MacOS. That's until Apple provide the required 192kHz digital sampling rate (the hardware supports it!).

GPU Acceleration

The frontend can accelerate H.264 video using the Video Decode Acceleration (VDA) GPU library, if available.

Display Scale Hacks

Menus, titlebars and other text may be cut off on high-resolution televisions driven by your Mac, or be too small to see from a distance, which interferes with the ability to use your it as a standard computer. You can change the display scale to make applications appear better. To do this, modify the global scale factor

shell> defaults write NSGlobalDomain AppleDisplayScaleFactor 1.25

(To reset the scale just run the above commands both with a scale of 1.0.)

The scale factor (1.25) increases the OSX system fonts by 25%. Myth won't like this (and doesn't need it) so you need to force the scale factor for Myth back to the default 1.0. For MythTV and any other app you wish to render on the with normal fonts, you can modify the app-specific scale factor like this

shell> defaults write net.psychosis.MythFrontend AppleDisplayScaleFactor 1.0


Playback Settings

In the setup screens, explore the "TV Settings" -> "Playback" options. You'll find two pages of Mac-specific settings there. If your machine isn't fast enough, you can choose to drop frames here. If you have cycles to spare, you'll find fun settings like video in the Dock, on the Desktop, or in a floating (and optionally translucent) window.

MythGrowl Notifications

There is an application for Mac OS X called MythGrowl that generates Growl notifications when your MythTV backend starts or finishes a recording. Not part of Mythfrontend but worth a mention. It can be downloaded at http://mythgrowl.sourceforge.net/

Performance Tweaks for Underpowered Systems

Performance with interlaced 1080i video is significantly affected by the choice of deinterlacer. Builds preceding v0.24 do not properly support the "2x" deinterlacers for 1080i60 (but they do for 480i), so if you are using one of those, try the "normal" version. Underpowered systems may do best with the Kernel deinterlacer, or Linear Blend if that's still taxing your CPU. Newer systems should be able to run Yadif or Greedy HIghMotion, which provide significantly better deinterlacing than the previous options.

Running TV playback in a smaller window can also improve performance, as can customising your backend recording settings. (E.g. Smaller capture from analog cards, 44.1KHz audio is a better match to some Macs than 48KHz.)

Shutdown/Reboot

Under General, enter the following to properly shutdown under OSX. You might also have to "sudo chmod +s /sbin/halt /sbin/reboot" to be able to execute the command as a non-super user.

  • To Shutdown: /sbin/halt
  • To Reboot: /sbin/reboot

Then add shutdown/Reboot to mythfrontend exit menu.

Disable Bluetooth Keyboard setup

When a keyboard and/or mouse isn't plugged in the Bluetooth setup wizard will be displayed. To shut this off under OSX, go to settings->bluetooth->advanced, uncheck the keyboard wizard.

Disable Mouse Cursor

Hide mouse cursor option. Select this to hide your mouse cursor. Useful for headless (mouseless and keyboardless) setups. If you don't enable this, your cursor will disappear only after moving the mouse. settings->appearance->Hide Mouse Cursor in Mythtv.

Auto Startup

Start the mythfrontend app automatically upon login. settings->users->login items

VNC Server

Install an alternative VNC server if your VNC clients have trouble connecting to the built in one. I use VineVNC server.

For more information

Mailing Lists

If you have problems with this guide, the mythtv-users mailing list is the best place to start. Check the searchable archive to see if your problem has already been discussed. Also, you can check the mythtv-dev list to see if it's a problem with SVN; if you can't compile MythTV, you may just have to wait a few days and try again.

External Links

Wiki

  • The user manual at User_Manual:Index has a lot of material, though it is Linux-oriented
  • For MythTV on Mac OS X on Intel machines, there is also also Myth on Mac x86. (However, that page is very out of date in many respects.)
  • Some suggested technical innovations for Myth on OSX are at Technical_Directions_On_OSX

Help Improve This Page

Finally, remember that this is a Wiki. If you find an inaccuracy, or have advice that may be helpful to others, improve this guide by adding your information!