Best Linux HTPC OS

g4m3rof1337

Active Member
What additional software will I need to make my HTPC complete?

Like recording stuff.

Since, I wont be using MCE.


Thanks
 

g4m3rof1337

Active Member
I don't have TiVo.
I have 2wire's latest HomeZone receiver.


I downloaded Ubuntu for 64bit AMD and intel.
I plan on using a dual core Pentium D.
1Gb ram.
Massive Hdd space.
A decent mobo.
A decent gpu.
a nice tv tuner and sound card.
And a nice psu.

And does this always have to be on?


How would I set it up?

With the tv tuner and soundcard and stuff. And having a 360 connected and disconnected along with the TV.
I plan on removing the 360 and tv for Xbox LANs.

Thanks
 
Last edited:

tlarkin

VIP Member
I was just about to link that same exact thing. It looks better than messing with Wine, after all Wine is not perfect.

~Jordan

Myth TV is freaking awesome and more powerful than most DVR boxes. it plays music, rips dvds, has a web based front end for MAME so you can play all your old favorite arcade games.

I would build one myself but I don't even have cable TV, lol
 

Irishwhistle

New Member
I don't have TiVo.
I have 2wire's latest HomeZone receiver.


I downloaded Ubuntu for 64bit AMD and intel.
I plan on using a dual core Pentium D.
1Gb ram.
Massive Hdd space.
A decent mobo.
A decent gpu.
a nice tv tuner and sound card.
And a nice psu.

And does this always have to be on?


How would I set it up?

With the tv tuner and soundcard and stuff. And having a 360 connected and disconnected along with the TV.
I plan on removing the 360 and tv for Xbox LANs.

Thanks

Ubuntu will run very smoothly on that. I run it on Pentium 3, 384MB RAM, and a 40Gig HD partition. It actually runs OK on that! There is lots of optional eye candy that will run great on a Gig of RAM.:D

~Jordan
 

tlarkin

VIP Member
That is the exact CPU I am using on my HP business class desktop at work. I have 2 gig of ram in there too (but that is because it also has vista business on it). For the most part Linux runs like a champ on that hardware.

What video card are you going to use? It seems to me from reading through other technology forums that nvidia makes a better linux driver. I am having some problems with my x550 ati on my linux box. I can't get beryl window manager to run right, the xgl keeps crashing, even after I edit the freaking conf file under /etc/X11/xorg.conf but I don't want to hi jack the thread or anything.

From what I have read though your biggest problem may be getting a TV tuner card that: 1) Supports full HDMI, 2) Supports your providers equipment and 3) is compliant with all software you run.

A lot of time cable TV providers will require special firmware on the equipment to run. They do this for a variety of reasons, they will tell you it is for quality control but honestly it is because they want to charge you for everything, and if they don't give you a choice of buying your own equipment you are then forced to pay. Just google search how asinine comcast is, they freaking charge you a $2.00/month rental fee for a freaking remote control! that is just freaking nuts!

Since you seem to be going with a Debian based distro your best friend will the APT, and .DEB packages. Just follow the instructions on that link I posted earlier you should be okay.
 

patrickv

Active Member
If you have TiVo it does not hurt to try it on Wine. If not, I'll look around.

~Jordan

haha..like it will work ? forget it dudes. Now this is where linux falls, in multimedia, it lacks software to do what that guy asked for.

and Jordan the next time don't ever say ubuntu is the BEST distro ever.
No. Ubuntu is the EASIEST distro ever, but not the best
 
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