Scot L. Harris wrote:
Yes, Jarod's guide has some good info for getting X to run out the PVR-350. I run the master backend on my main TV with just the connection to the TV. As part of that setup you create a new initrd file so it switches all output to the PVR-350 early on in the boot up.
Groovy! I also found several detailed instructions on getting X running on the 350. Now I can say bye-bye to the Radeon 7000 and just use the VGA that's onboard the motherboard during setup. That'll leave another slot for capture cards. UPS just showed up with my PVR-350...
I have not worked with the DVD much yet. On my todo list. :) I have read where it should be possible to run xine out the PVR-350 but it is not clear to me if the quality is going to be acceptable. Until then I use the old Apex DVD player.
I hope this works. Replacing the DVD player in the AV shelving is a primary goal for me.
There are three main parts to a mythtv system, the mysql database, mythbackend, and mythfrontend. You need ONE mysql database, it can be on any system you want but is typically on the first mythbackend system you setup. The mythbackend process runs on any system you have capture cards in. The master backend is the one with the mysql database.
Any system you want to watch recordings on you will run mythfrontend.
In most cases the first box will run all three.
The slave backends will run a mythbackend process and can run a mythfrontend process if you are using them to view recordings.
I eventually want to setup diskless frontend systems that boot from the network and only run the mythfrontend process.
Ooh, good idea! Added to Future Project list.
You want at least two so you can record two shows at once or watch live TV through the mythtv box and record a show at the same time. You don't have to have a capture card available to watch recordings.
Duh! I forgot about that scenario. Note to self - plan to get another tuner.
Start with one capture card to get it working. Then you can easily add a second card. I installed a PVR-250 in the first box as a second card. Takes just a minute or two to add it. You just run mythtv-setup again and add the card and video source. The system then starts using it.
I'm glad it's that easy.
I tried a PVR-500 card in the second box...
Too bad that's not working. But since it's easy to add cards, it sounds like I can afford to wait until support for that card settles out.
I over built the first mythtv box. Hindsight I would build a tower system with the TB of disk and run several capture cards and mythbackend on that system. Would tuck that one back in the office. I would then build diskless frontend systems for each TV. An additional backend system might be needed to get four capture cards running. But if the PVR-500 can work I would use a couple of those.
Right now I'm going to go with just the scenario you describe: everything on this one box. Already have a 'house server' in the garage providing net connection, etc. I hope to upgrade it at some point and make it the backend with a bunch of raided, hot-swap storage. Maybe do video capture too on it. Your idea to do diskless workstations is a good one. Might even be able to do something fanless!
Just did the ATrpms install of mythtv-suite. That's a lot of packages! But no errors, thankfully. We'll see how the PVR-350 works now.
Kirk Bocek