Suggestion: MythTV box from system76

[newlinux]

It's great these forums are part of the Ubuntu forums now.

I think it would be great if system76 sold a mythtv machine, like apparently MonlithMC (http://monolithmc.com/) does. I know a lot of people like building there own, but it would be nice to be able to buy one. I like installing on my own desktop, but laptops seem more difficult. So does mythtv (for some). Since I'm pretty happy with my system76 laptop, I'd be interested in a mythtv box from System76.

That said, which box from system76 would be best for starting to make a dual tuner HDTV mythbox? If I were to use it as an HTPC I'd want it to output digital audio, be smaller, and quiet. If I just used it as a server I wouldn't care so much about those things, but I'd be interested in a thin client that could do those things.

[bobbybobington]

A "media center" type computer with mythtv and everything set up out of the box would be absolutely awesome. Perhaps including it in the koala mini performance as an option?

[crichell]

We have customers that have put Myth and Freevo on Koala Mini's. I think the Sable desktops would be perfect for this as well. They have DVI, VGA, s-video, and Composite TV out.

I'd really like to put one together - just a matter of having the time!

[Shay Stephens]

I was thinking about this too. An idea who's time has come?!?! 8)

[newlinux]

crichell, Please keep making a Linux HTPC in mind... It would be high on my list (and a way to justify to my wife the purchase of another computer). If I try and build it myself and fail or take forever after purchasing all the equipment, I'll never hear the end of it :) That's my main hesitation now. My comcast DVR is driving me nuts. And $800 for a series 3 HDTivo plus a monthly subscription? I'd buy a computer first and use mythtv -- Except that the Tivo would work "out of the box" -- That's where the premade DVR comes in. And don't get me started on the DRM'd MS Media Center and Vista...

[crichell]

I like the idea although I've been re-thinking HTPC lately. I think there may be a better way of doing it with a low cost device and Myth with some other open source technology mashed together - sort of like a media center hub. Consider what we could do with myth, apache, avahi, and webdav for the sharing. Mash it all up - keep it under $500 and we've got an awesome box that's the center for everything.

[newlinux]

That sounds great too... I'll look for it soon on your site :). I've been thinking about the best solution for my house, and I'm still not sure what it would be yet. I do know that I want something DRM free... so most likely Linux and open source will be the solution. I would also like a distributed solution as well. Lots of different ways and hardware. I'll be giving a solution a lot of thought before deciding what I'll build/buy. Wish I had more time and hardware to play with...

Just wish there was an easy way to get around digital cable encryption. I guess I don't always have to take the hi-res stream, S-video doesn't look bad with my current dvd recorder...

[Shay Stephens]

a media center hub. Consider what we could do with myth, apache, avahi, and webdav for the sharing. Mash it all up - keep it under $500 and we've got an awesome box that's the center for everything.

That is exactly the thing that I have been wanting. But the time for me to hunt down hardware, software, etc. is keeping me from diving in. If this were already basically setup and ready, I would jump at it.

[audioboxer217]

I think that would be awesome on a sevel. especially if you could keep it around $500. Dual tuners are a must though and that might jack up the price, but I would be willing to put up $1000 for a sweet setup like that.

[newlinux]

crichell, looking at the Sable, does the SPDIF out mean I can connect an optical or coax cord to my AV receiver and get Dolby digitil 5.1 and/or DTS when playing a DVD or appropriate vido file? I think this would make me prefer the Sable over the Kaola, since it doesn't seem to have that. How much room for expansion is inside the Sable (how many slots and what type). I'd probably buy a tuner card or two. Is the DVI out, DVI-I or DVI-D? Does it come with a DVI or VGA cord? Does SD card reader work in Ubuntu? And lastly, but very importantly, how quiet is it?

[crichell]

Hi newlinux -


does the SPDIF out mean I can connect an optical or coax cord to my AV receiver and get Dolby digitil 5.1 and/or DTS when playing a DVD or appropriate video file?

That's a great question. It is the type of connection you're thinking of so I think this should work for you.

How much room for expansion is inside the Sable

There are two PCI slots available. You could use one for wireless and one for a dual tuner card (I think these are availble now).

DVI-I or DVI-D?

DVI-D

Does it come with a DVI or VGA cord?

Nope

Does SD card reader work in Ubuntu?

Yes

And lastly, but very importantly, how quiet is it?

whisper quiet

[newlinux]

Thank you. If I decide build some type of media box I think I'll go with this. I have a networked DVD player and a dvd recorder with a hard drive. I was thinking of buying a networked upconverting DVD player (mine doesn't upconvert and it doesn't stream Hi def content).But I could just buy a computer with a dvd-writer -- then upconversion is automatically handled (I believe my understanding of this is correct, since the resolution output should be HD) and I have my dvd writer (to take the place of the DVD recorder) and a way to stream content from other computers (or just transfer them directly). i would just need a capture card. No need for wireless... I have a wireless bridge near where I would put this. So I could use two tuner cards. Thanks for the quick answers. I'll give this one some thought (and have to bargain with the wife). Do you have any specs on the wireless keyboard/mouse combos that are available with it (or pictures). What are the differences between the two?

[lonce]

Speaking of media center PC's. I was looking around getting info on them and found this website Tvease.net They are making mythtv based media center pc's for 499. The thing that caught my attention was built in bit torrent downloads built into the system and can be done with your remote. They look awesome. They arent taking orders yet but I will be first in line when they do.

[newlinux]

Are you with the company :)? They look like they are ways away from being up. Not enough specs online to make me comfortable yet (couldn't tell the processor, hard disk size, version of myth, or distribution of linux, etc.). Nevertheless, looks like there is more and more interest in this market, which can only be a good thing.

[lonce]

Yeah I am part owner of the company. We havent put specs up yet only because we are about a month away from shipping them. Here is a spec breakdown if you were wondering.

2.2 P4 processor
512 ram
40 gig hard drive
sony universal remote
b/g wireless out of the box
geforce 6200 video with high def out and decoder on card

Its definately not cutting edge, but it runs myth and ubuntu flawlessly. We have completely customized the myth so that you can download bit torrents with the push of a button and it will rip and burn DVD's with the push of a button.

Again its definately not cutting edge, however, it does exactly what it says very well. We have stripped ubuntu down and it boots in under 15 seconds. For techies it might not be their cup of tea, but for everyone else, just the fact that myth and ubuntu are setup is a huge plus. Not to mention you can download a bit torrent and burn it to disk with your remote is pretty cool.

It will be the newest myth .2 when it ships.

[lonce]

Forgot to add that it also has a 7.1 dolby digital and DTS certified audio card. And a custom case that looks like a high end stereo. All for 499. You cant beat that. It wont replace your home PC, but it will replace everything in your living room under your tv. Throw in that we added the ability to order blank media such as dvd's from your couch with your remote and its a great deal.

[lonce]

Forgot to add that it also has a 7.1 dolby digital and DTS certified audio card. And a custom case that looks like a high end stereo. All for 499. You cant beat that. It wont replace your home PC, but it will replace everything in your living room under your tv. Throw in that we added the ability to order blank media such as dvd's from your couch with your remote and its a great deal.

Here is a picture of it. We call it the Hannibal. Because it eats the competition for breakfast.

We are also working on a Tivo Killer we call the Freddy. It will haunt their dreams. Imagine a tivo with a dvd player, for 249 with no monthly fee. Thats about what it will be.

http://tvease.net/images/answer.jpg

[bobbybobington]

Yes!!!:D

[Zyzzyx]

Speaking of media center PC's. I was looking around getting info on them and found this website Tvease.net They are making mythtv based media center pc's for 499. The thing that caught my attention was built in bit torrent downloads built into the system and can be done with your remote. They look awesome. They arent taking orders yet but I will be first in line when they do.

Yeah I am part owner of the company. We havent put specs up yet only because we are about a month away from shipping them.
That may be great and all, but you lost a wee bit of respect in my view. Why didn't you just state to start with that you had a company coming out with this hardware, instead of surreptitiously trying to 'advertise' for your not-yet-released product? Then, once called on it (good catch, newlinux), start spouting all the goodness and details?

Sorry for this, but I've had problems with vendors sneaking about and posting 'advertising' on other forums in the past.


And further sorry to derail the thread from System76. It will be interesting to see what kind of specs you guys end up with for a MythSystem.

[newlinux]

I agree zyzzyx. I've run into the unsolicited affiliated advertisement before. Lonce, I'd have been happy to know you were the owner and just seen a post about your upcoming mythtv boxes, when they will be available, specs, etc. As it is, you don't make yourself look genuine, which would be a concern of most people looking to buy from a new company. If you have a good product you believe in, just state so. Most people on these forums are pretty fair in their judgement.

That said, I wish you the best in your efforts, and feel free to post a genuine message about your machines when they are ready to go, in the appropriate forum. As I said before, I hope a lot more people get into this market and there healthy competition forcing good prices and innovations that benefit consumers.

[lonce]

I am sorry guys. I didnt say that it was my company because I didnt expect to get into the conversation this deep. I have been a member here a while. Ubuntu completly replaced windows on my home PC.

I got excited thats all. I cant wait to roll these out because I know people have been waiting for them. I apologize to system76. I really didnt mean to hijack the thread and am sorry.

I only posted the specs because it was asked.

Again I am sorry.

Its crazy though. I never thought about going into business, then a buddy of mine switched from windows to ubuntu when I recommended it and we both came up with the idea of the myth TV boxes. I am just really excited to get it off the ground and didnt intend to offend anyone or step on toes. I am sorry again.

Long live ubuntu.

[lonce]

I think the biggest reason I didnt come out and say its my company is because I agree with you guys. I hate it when companies try to advertise. I only put the post in because System76 said they werent planning on making one and it was something everyone wanted. Then when asked, of course I am going to be honest. Again sorry.

[Zyzzyx]

Hey, thanks for the replies. Nice to see you understand the other side as well. Check your PMs for some other ideas.

[nalmeth]

It was a little misleading, but don't worry too much about it

On top of MythTV, I think it would be great to include some of the better open-source games in a game console spirit.

I noticed the tvease thing had an Nvidia card, and those koala's have intel cards, so they come with 3D support already.

A koala with MythTV, refinded OS games, TV-OUT, would be sweet

[lonce]

Yeah we chose that Nvidia card because it does have native 1080i TV out with decoder and encoder on the card. It takes alot of the processing off of the cpu. Thats why we can use a 2.2 instead of bleading edge. Again, its not going to replace your desktop PC. It could easily, but for most it wont. It will instead replace eveything in your living room except your TV. We have it set up so that all you need to do is answer 4-5 questions the first time you turn it on. Like how will you hook it to your Tv, stereo, and internet. After that it writes config files for your settings, then it reboots straight into myth.

[crichell]

Hi Lonce - good luck with your company. It seems like there's a market out there for a good Myth box.

[lonce]

Thank you. You guys inspired us. We were like, why not?

[newlinux]

I think throughout all this my question about the keyboard mouse combination got lost... But after looking at the knowledge base your site, Carl, I was able to find more info and the answers. I have another question. What resolutions does the sable support?

[crichell]

What resolutions does the sable support?

Its nVidia card will pump out pretty much anything. Generally resolution is restricted by the display not the card.

[newlinux]

Great! Thanks again.

[MikeyC]

Hi,

I'm keen to buy a Koala to use as a MythTV box, I just have a few questions:

1) I'm based in the UK - are you able to ship internationally, and can you supply one with a UK power supply (240v, 3 pin plug)?

2) The AOpen website says that the machine can do S/PDIF optical out with an adapter (http://minipc.aopen.com/Global/spec.htm) - is this the case, and where would I get one?

3) Is the standard Celeron M 1.46GHz option powerful enough to run the usual things on Myth TV (dual DVB-T reception / recording, DVD playback etc)?

Cheers!

Mike

[crichell]

Hi Mike,

1) I'm based in the UK - are you able to ship internationally, and can you supply one with a UK power supply (240v, 3 pin plug)?

We ship internationally - a Koala to the UK is $60. We don't supply UK power supplies; however, the motherboard works on both grids and a plug adapter is all that is required.

2) The AOpen website says that the machine can do S/PDIF optical out with an adapter (http://minipc.aopen.com/Global/spec.htm) - is this the case, and where would I get one?

I have no idea :) I don't think it's from aopen - probably a adapter from an electronics store.

3) Is the standard Celeron M 1.46GHz option powerful enough to run the usual things on Myth TV (dual DVB-T reception / recording, DVD playback etc)?

I would think so. Checking mythtv.org is probably a better source. The only questionable part for me is the recording but if it's being done via hardware that takes presure off of the processor.

[lonce]

The processor can handle it depending on the video card and what kind of compression your using for your video. It will also depend on what kind of content you are watching, standard or high def video. There are alot of variables in the equation. If you have a great video card, then the processor can be slower and vice versa.

[newlinux]

There are a lot of variables when it comes to recording and playing. You won't have any problem with DVD playback, and probably not with recording (you definitely shouldn't with Standard definition broadcasts, even if you are using a software encoder). The only place you might have any problems is playing back HDTV content while doing something else like recording (I don't think Myth or Linux support any hardware HDTV decoders yet). Are you planning on recording via firewire? Or are you going to buy a USB tuner card? I don't think the Koala has slots inside for a Tuner card (please correct me if i'm wrong - if so, I'll take another look at the Koala). That and the lack of S/PDIF is why I'm looking at the Sable. Let us know what you find out about the S/PDIF adapter.

[lonce]

The Hannibal and our MythTvease boxes are exactly what you are looking for. Even if you dont want to purchase one, we still give excellent support and help to anyone interested in mythTV and linux. Check out our forums and FAQ's.

[MikeyC]

Thanks for your input folks.

For a tuner, I'll probably attach a USB hub and two of these: http://www.novatech.co.uk/novatech/specpage.html?FRE-25451 - they are digital terrestrial and standard definition, so they shouldn't require too much juice.

As long as I can watch a DVD/TV/recording and record at the same time it's fine for me. I presume the Intel 945 GM Integrated Graphics isn’t crazily underpowered or anything?

I'm going to email AOpen regarding this S/PDIF adapter thing that they mention (not having it is a show stopper for me as well) - I'll post back any replies I receive.

Ionce – I’d prefer the Koala, simply because I like the look of it – particularly since it’ll have pride of place underneath my swanky new plasma tv!

One last question (promise) – I believe (from various reviews of the barebones case) that it has an IR receiver on the front panel. Is this the case, and can you get it to work with Ubuntu?

Cheers everyone,

M

[crichell]

Yes their is an IR receiver w/ remote control on the black model (not the silver model). It does work with Ubuntu and LIRC.

There is also a mini-pci tuner card now available - I'm not sure on stock yet. The only caveat is that their is only one mini-pci slot so it's either tv-tuner or wireless card.

[alecjw]

Mubuntu is beingmade right now. It's basically gonna be "Ubuntu Media Center"

[crichell]

I thought the Mubuntu name was being changed to Ubuntu Studio. Are they thinking about packaging Myth w/ the fork?

[newlinux]

I believe it is https://wiki.ubuntu.com/UbuntuStudio. I think it is going to be more meant for artists/musicians - allowing multimedia editing and not necessarily for the home theater crowd. It's hard to say though...

We need Mythubuntu or HTUbuntu or something :)

[crichell]

That's the impression I've received as well.

[superm1]

We need Mythubuntu or HTUbuntu or something :)
On this note. I wanted to start a Mythbuntu project, and include an easily installation setup based off of ubuiqity.

This is on the back burner for now, but if anyone else is interested in helping start this, email me. superm1@ubuntu.com

[lonce]

When we get our ubuntu mythtvease build done we are going to offer it as a download from our support site also. There are alot of different people working on this thing.

[wallcrawler78]

I agree with the whole MythUbuntu idea. I have had nothing but issues trying to get Myth off the ground. Knoppmyth bombs out right after disk partitions. Ubuntu wont let me Rip DVDs if i use the repo and Synaptic. Build from source?.. No error, but just refuses to work..

Myth loooks like it will rock, someone please create a step by step Ubuntu install process that supports DVD ripping that works! I have been in circles on this. Ok with that venting aside. I do love the fact that there is a ton of activity around Ubuntu and Myth. Ubuntu seems to be the most well rounded distro i have tried so far. Very stable, very impressive. I just need to get Myth finished on my AMD64 system.

[MetalMusicAddict]

Mubuntu is beingmade right now. It's basically gonna be "Ubuntu Media Center"
No.
I thought the Mubuntu name was being changed to Ubuntu Studio. Are they thinking about packaging Myth w/ the fork?
No MythTV and we arent a fork. Just a customized Ubuntu. We work within the Ubuntu dev community.
I believe it is https://wiki.ubuntu.com/UbuntuStudio. I think it is going to be more meant for artists/musicians - allowing multimedia editing and not necessarily for the home theater crowd. It's hard to say though...

We need Mythubuntu or HTUbuntu or something :)
Yes. We will have test disks in a few weeks. There will be an official announcement soon.

Ubuntu Studio is the Official name.

[theorem_hunter]

Deal me in...

this is amazing. im never going to buy another propriety system again. you guy's will be like a dream come true for a lot of people.

good luck :-D