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I am interested in setting up a mythTV system. I currently have Dish Network and two receivers; the vip622 for HD, and 625 for my SD TV.

I am a TV snob and rarely watch non-HD content and prefer the 16:9 ratio over 4:3 for display. The kids use the SD TV for their kiddie shows.

If I had a backend system and two front end systems, would I be able to have the backend system in a different room with both satellite boxes? I am considering that as an option because I would like to have the ability (if possible) to record two shows (one from each receiver) and watch two shows (one on each set) on the front end boxes. Naturally in that scenario the shows being watched would have been recorded prior and would not be live.

Is that possible? If yes. What kind of hardware do I need? If it is not possible, how close can I get to that goal and what hardware would get me there?

Thanks in advance!
StevenD

Since I have never done this before, I am going to tackle the one part that is really important to me first; the HD.

I think my options for the HD capture from Dish are pretty limited. I plan to get a hauppauge 1212 to capture the HD from my dish 622. I assume the hauppauge will connect to a backend myth server that I assemble. Then that backend server connects to a frontend myth server that will be used to display on my TV.

I want to build the backend server kinda hefty, because I want it to be able to handle the HD stuff and potentially the SD capture from another source. In addition to that, I think it would be nice to use that backend to serve up other media.

I assume the front end myth server will be fairly standard. I need it to be able to comfortably present the content to my hdtv.

Any suggestions for the backend and frontend components? I have no idea what kind of video cards to put in each one...

I would suggest you head over to AVS Forums. There are some great resources for MythTV there.

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/forumdisplay.php?f=76

jstgtpaid wrote:I think my options for the HD capture from Dish are pretty limited. I plan to get a hauppauge 1212 to capture the HD from my dish 622. I assume the hauppauge will connect to a backend myth server that I assemble. Then that backend server connects to a frontend myth server that will be used to display on my TV.

For HD satellite the PVR-1212 is your only option. Usually for a first time build the frontend/backend are on the same physical computer. The backend houses the mysql database that contains your program guide. All the scheduling and recording is handled by the backend. The frontend is the GUI which does video playback and all the other multimedia plug-ins. I also have a small form factor Ion box that's just a frontend. It connects to my main box over the network and I'm able to access all the same content and functionality.

jstgtpaid wrote: I want to build the backend server kinda hefty, because I want it to be able to handle the HD stuff and potentially the SD capture from another source. In addition to that, I think it would be nice to use that backend to serve up other media.

I'd recommend a 1-2 TB SATA hard drive. That's plenty of space of HD recordings. 1 TB drives go for like $80 now. RAID is a bit of overkill IMHO. For memory I'd go with at least 2 gig.

jstgtpaid wrote: Any suggestions for the backend and frontend components? I have no idea what kind of video cards to put in each one...

You generally want to stick to an Nvidia graphics card that can handle VDPAU:
http://www.mythtv.org/wiki/Vdpau
Don't spend more than $75 for a graphics card. Often you'll see discussions on the mythtv-users mailing list about what card to buy. My main box has a fanless 8600GT card. My Ion frontend has an onboard Nvidia 9400 mobile graphics card. The key is to get a VDPAU capable card that's quiet.

Ok... Here is what I have picked out so far... If something is way out or wrong, please let me know.

--Backend HD capture--

• HD-PVR 1212 ordered

--Backend--

• AMD X2 3ghz dual core
• MSI Mobo nvidia 8200 card
• WD 1TB HD 7200rpm
• Antec Case
• kingston 2x2GB ram
• thermaltake 430w PS
• Sony dvd rw

--Frontend--
ASRock ION 330

• Intel Atom 330 (Dual-Core CPU)
• NVIDIA ION graphics processor
• 2GB DDR2 800 MHz memory, support dual channel, maximum memory capacity 4GB
• 2.5" HDD 320GB
• DVD Super Multi (Slim type)

Other than that, does this look okay/complete?

Well... I have ordered the stuff... I will let you know how it goes...

jstgtpaid wrote:Well... I have ordered the stuff... I will let you know how it goes...

Good luck and let us know if you have any issues.

The box o'loot has arrived! I am now entering mad scientist mode... I d/l'ed the mythbuntu 9.10 CD so hopefully that will simplify the process...

I will let you know!

StevenD

I installed mythbuntu 9.10 64bit on the backend server. I hooked up the hauppauge 1212 and mythbuntu detected it. I think that I have missed a bunch of steps because I have not yet told mythbuntu where I am getting my video from. Plus, I have not setup any IR devices. Is it safe to assume that it will use the one connected to the 1212?

Also, I setup the ASRock ION front end, however, it does not appear to be able to connect to the mysql database. Which is odd, because during the install it could see it, however once it is setup and running it does not appear to see it...

I am still playing with it, but if there is something obvious that I missed, please let me know.

Thanks in advance,
StevenD

Well, I got the ASRock to talk to the backend. I need to get some sort of IR receiver for the ASRock so I can control the front end with a remote.

I don't seem to be able to get a channel listing yet from my Dish Receiver. I will work on that later tonight.

How does that 1212 interact with the backend? Does the backend manage the 1212 via the usb, so that the 1212 can change the channels and such?

jstgtpaid wrote:Well, I got the ASRock to talk to the backend. I need to get some sort of IR receiver for the ASRock so I can control the front end with a remote.

The M$ MCE 1039/1040 (also branded as a Dell OVU 4300) remote IR receiver/blasters can be had for under $20. I paid $17 on Ebay back in August when I put together my Zotac Ion box.

jstgtpaid wrote: I don't seem to be able to get a channel listing yet from my Dish Receiver. I will work on that later tonight.

When you run mythtv-setup you define your capture devices, enter program source (schedules direct), then associate the inputs on the capture devices to your data source. When you exit out of mythtv-setup you should get a prompt asking if you want to run mythfilldatabase. You should click ok. That will start the download of 2 weeks of guide information for your Dish lineup. Definitely read the general MythTV capture device setup instructions in the wiki:
http://www.mythtv.org/wiki/User_Manual:MythTV_structure
Also read the wiki entry for the 1212. There is some important information in there:
http://www.mythtv.org/wiki/Hauppauge_HD-PVR

jstgtpaid wrote: How does that 1212 interact with the backend? Does the backend manage the 1212 via the usb, so that the 1212 can change the channels and such?

The backend tells the capture device to start/stop recording based on your scheduled recordings. The changing of channels is usually handled by an IR blaster and a channel changing script. You will need to find a script appropriate for you satellite box. I wrote this guide for the Motorola DCT700 cable box:
https://help.ubuntu.com/community/Motor ... t=(dct700)

Do a search for your model satellite box and MythTV. I'm sure there's a writeup somewhere.

For years I've used the M$ MCE remote/receiver/blaster without any issue. I recently starting using a firewire cable connected to my cable box. Unfortunately firewire channel changing is only an option for cable subscribers who have a cable box with a working firewire port.

The M$ MCE 1039/1040 (also branded as a Dell OVU 4300) remote IR receiver/blasters can be had for under $20. I paid $17 on Ebay back in August when I put together my Zotac Ion box.

Like you, I have one of those fancy logitech remotes. Therefore, I really don't need or want another remote. Plus, I must admit that I was a wee bit concerned about the various MCE remotes out there (some vista, some xp etc). In any case, I opted to just get an IR receiver. I will use my harmony remote to control it.

I checked the mythtv setup files and it looks like mythbuntu automatically puts a link in there to a dish lirc file. I am not certain that will work, but I will find out soon enough.

When you run mythtv-setup you define your capture devices, enter program source (schedules direct), then associate the inputs on the capture devices to your data source. When you exit out of mythtv-setup you should get a prompt asking if you want to run mythfilldatabase. You should click ok. That will start the download of 2 weeks of guide information for your Dish lineup.

I missed a critical part in the schedules direct signup. For some reason, when I initially signed up, I didn't see the option to pick a TV source (dish). Since I didn't have that setup in schedules direct, even when I followed the above, it wouldn't get anything. But now that is working. I have a schedule list and all the channels are there. I even took the time to d/l some icons for the channels.

Thanks for the information on the 1212!

I am making progress on the setup but it is going slow... But that is okay.