About This Guide
About MythTV
MythTV is an open source media centre application which runs on the Linux operating system. It is similar to to TiVo and Sky+ in that it records TV from a tuner card onto the hard disk of a PC. It uses TV listings data to schedule recordings allowing it to automatically record whole series.
There are a wide range of plugins available to extend the functionality. Features available are:
- Record and playback TV from a number of tuner cards at once
- Pause live TV
- Display TV listings
- Record any selected programmes from the guide
- Record all episodes in a series
- Can archive any recorded programmes to DVD
- Can be controlled with a web browser over the Internet
- Can be controlled using a WAP-enabled mobile phone
- Can play MP3s and other audio tracks
- Plays downloaded MPEGS/AVIs direct to the TV
- Stores and displays digital photos on the TV
- Allows a number of frontends to view the content. These can be laptops or other PCs on the network.
- Allows a number of backends to record TV. These can be a number of PCs with tuner cards and large disks.
About Ubuntu
Ubuntu is an open source, linux-based operating system. It makes MythTV very easy to install, along with all the required multimedia applications and codecs. Plus, it will allow your media centre to function as a powerful desktop PC. Here are a number of the features available:
- Download shows over bittorrent for watching through Myth
- Surf the web from your living room
- Allow ssh and VPN access over the Internet for accessing your system
- Painlessly upgrade to the latest software every six months
About the Author
Garry Parker has been using and writing about MythTV since 2004. He has worked on a number of projects related to MythTV and Ubuntu; commercial, community and university based. He vents his artistic talents through his satirical side project, Ubuntu Satanic Edition.
Contact Information
If you'd like to give feedback on anything on this site, email Garry directly.