Media Center box ideas [Mythbuntu?]

[ski]

I just want to see if I can get some discussion started about having a living room box on a dime (under $400). This idea has been around for many years, but is there a polished solution yet?

I've seen things like Popcorn Hour and D-Link Media Lounge but I am more interested in a configurable solution.

The solution I am looking at is Mythbuntu and a basic home-made computer (just Newegg some cheap parts). However, I have limited Linux experience at the moment, so I could be more confident with other solutions. Also, I looked over the hardware they recommend, and most of the TV Capture cards they list I've never heard of: Linky

Do you know of a solution that's nearing maturity? Or is Mythbuntu "the way" to go nowadays?

[mojo]

i'd say mythbuntu or myth tv are the ways to go. they're the most mature and will be the most flexible. there's also knoppmyth...i see a trend...

you can also check out my settop box (no, not mine) for info on another project. i think he's endorsing knoppmyth there too.

[Cubsfan]

I've always wanted to do a project like this, but in all honest, I have almost complete faith that it's more trouble than it's worth.

I realized a few years back how much I appreciate a "working" solution. My DVR does what it does. and it does it well. I don't really want to have to worry about installing patches on my DVR/DVD player, updating software, etc... Sure, I'd love the configurability, but not at the cost of having things not work and I have to fix them.

Just my $0.02

[mojo]

these boxes aren't just for DVR/DVD stuff. and they work well enough that they sell boxes that are "ready to go."

[Cubsfan]

Right, I'm not saying that they aren't feasible or anything, I"m just saying that I have yet to see a system that doesn't require regular "tinkering". Now, to be fair, the types of people who like to do this also like to tinker, but I don't think I'd count on one to run for years without any real effort going into maintaining it.

[Airencracken]

Infinitenothing uses a mythtv setup, though I think he uses knoppmyth. You should talk to him about it.

[mojo]

comparison linky

[attgig]

if you have an old copy of XP lying around, and are more comfortable with windows, you can go mediaportal
http://www.team-mediaportal.com/

windows version of mythtv

I've been using windows media center edition for a couple of years now (bought a dell box with media center edition preloaded for about 650, sold the monitor, and it cost me about 400-450 net), and I love it. I think for the 10 bucks a month cable charges for a dvr (or going tivo), I've saved more than half of my cost of my computer. plus, it served me well during the time my other machine had crashed, and was unusable.
On top of that, I've watched webstreams on there, as well as divx movies.
it's been very flexible, usable, and on top of that, I've had an upconverting dvd player without paying for it (the computer will convert dvds to whatever resolution you have it outputting).

The only thing is I've been using basic analog cable all this time. I don't have HD streaming through it, which I've been thinking about working on if I can find a dual tuner hd card for cheap.

[attgig]

Right, I'm not saying that they aren't feasible or anything, I"m just saying that I have yet to see a system that doesn't require regular "tinkering". Now, to be fair, the types of people who like to do this also like to tinker, but I don't think I'd count on one to run for years without any real effort going into maintaining it.

for me, going with mediacenter from windows provided easy usage without any tinkering. When I wanted to get other things going, then some tinkering was required. I'll admit. but, for normal dvr usage, it was really easy.

From what I see with mediaportal, it's just as easy. I would've used it (records in divx, saving space), but my tv card wasn't supported.