Setting up a computer based DVR (with Mythtv for linux).

In several instructables, I have been talking about Mythtv a computer based dvr (Digital video recorder). Did not see any reason why I should pay a rental fee when there is inexpensive computer equipment to do the same. Not only that I can control what media stays on it. If you are not familiar with Linux, this instructable may not be for you. If you have a spare machine with a hard drive that can be erased, then more power to you. There are many ways to to have Mythtv, but I chose Mythbuntu for hopefully be close to a turnkey install.

Note: Pardon my less than perfect picture taking.

Step 1 What's needed.

Computer (the more powerful the better). More specific requirements at http://www.mythtv.org/wiki/Hardware_Requirements. with Ubuntu installed

Monitor or computer ready tv with input compatible with your vga or better video card.

Video source to record from such as: cable
Satellite Dish.
Over the air TV antenna. (http://www.instructables.com/id/Yet-another-dtv-antenna/)
etc. (What I am using)

"Digital" tuner/capture card or usb based unit. (i.e. Hauppage) Older cards are analog and will not work generally with the new media.

Network connection for updates and to be able to stream your media.

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For advanced users:
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The BTTV HOWTO

4. Loading the Modules

This section is only for those whose modules don't load automatically and/or correctly.

4.1. The Bttv Module

Once your card is installed, you can load the bttv module if your kernel hasn't already done it for you. Using the modprobe command as root, type

		# modprobe bttv

The modules videodev and i2c may be required prior to this if you are running a pre-2.4 series kernel. By default, the bttv will try to autodetect your card type; you can inspect /var/log/messages to see what it finds. If it doesn't autodetect properly, you can add the card=# option to the end of the previous command to force a your particular card type, a list of which are found  on your system in your kernel source Documentation if installed in the usual place (/usr/src/linux. If you get in trouble and need to remove the module, you can use rmmod:

		$ rmmod bttv

You can then reload the module with the appropriate options.

4.2. The Tuner Module

If necessary, load the tuner module, with

		# modprobe tuner

If the tuner is not correctly identified you may need to supply the magic number for tuner-type:

		# modprobe tuner type=#

You may need to dig into your case to see which tuner you have if you can't find the maker and model in the printed specifications that came with your hardware, or if this information is otherwise unavailable. It should be marked with the brand name and may support one or more of the three major broadcast standards in use in the world, whether NTSC, PAL or SECAM. In general, chipsets manufactured for the US market are NTSC; for Europe, PAL, and Asia PAL or SECAM. Some countries support more than one standard.

Once you have identified your tuner, select the value of n from the following list:

   tuner= n        type of tuner chip
  --------------------------------------------------------------

  tuner=0      Temic PAL (4002 FH5)
  tuner=1      Philips PAL_I (FI1246 and compatibles)
  tuner=2      Philips NTSC (FI1236,FM1236 and compatibles)
  tuner=3      Philips (SECAM+PAL_BG) (FI1216MF, FM1216MF, FR1216MF)
  tuner=4      NoTuner
  tuner=5      Philips PAL_BG (FI1216 and compatibles)
  tuner=6      Temic NTSC (4032 FY5)
  tuner=7      Temic PAL_I (4062 FY5)
  tuner=8      Temic NTSC (4036 FY5)
  tuner=9      Alps HSBH1
  tuner=10     Alps TSBE1
  tuner=11     Alps TSBB5
  tuner=12     Alps TSBE5
  tuner=13     Alps TSBC5
  tuner=14     Temic PAL_BG (4006FH5)
  tuner=15     Alps TSCH6
  tuner=16     Temic PAL_DK (4016 FY5)
  tuner=17     Philips NTSC_M (MK2)
  tuner=18     Temic PAL_I (4066 FY5)
  tuner=19     Temic PAL* auto (4006 FN5)
  tuner=20     Temic PAL_BG (4009 FR5) or PAL_I (4069 FR5)
  tuner=21     Temic NTSC (4039 FR5)
  tuner=22     Temic PAL/SECAM multi (4046 FM5)
  tuner=23     Philips PAL_DK (FI1256 and compatibles)
  tuner=24     Philips PAL/SECAM multi (FQ1216ME)
  tuner=25     LG PAL_I+FM (TAPC-I001D)
  tuner=26     LG PAL_I (TAPC-I701D)
  tuner=27     LG NTSC+FM (TPI8NSR01F)
  tuner=28     LG PAL_BG+FM (TPI8PSB01D)
  tuner=29     LG PAL_BG (TPI8PSB11D)
  tuner=30     Temic PAL* auto + FM (4009 FN5)
  tuner=31     SHARP NTSC_JP (2U5JF5540)
  tuner=32     Samsung PAL TCPM9091PD27
  tuner=33     MT20xx universal
  tuner=34     Temic PAL_BG (4106 FH5)
  tuner=35     Temic PAL_DK/SECAM_L (4012 FY5)
  tuner=36     Temic NTSC (4136 FY5)
  tuner=37     LG PAL (newer TAPC series)
  tuner=38     Philips PAL/SECAM multi (FM1216ME MK3)
  tuner=39     LG NTSC (newer TAPC series)
  tuner=40     HITACHI V7-J180AT
  tuner=41     Philips PAL_MK (FI1216 MK)
  tuner=42     Philips 1236D ATSC/NTSC 
  tuner=43     Philips NTSC MK3 (FM1236MK3 or FM1236/F)
  tuner=44     Philips 4 in 1 (ATI TV Wonder Pro/Conexant)
  tuner=45     Microtune 4049 FM5

4.3. Other Modules

Don't forget to load any other modules you may need, including btaudio if you plan on recording or capturing audio to another application.

4.4. Automating the Module Loading Process

After you know which modules and options you need, you can automate the process by putting the information into /etc/conf.modules or /etc/modules.conf, depending on your distribution. Then, running an application which needs the driver will cause it to be loaded automatically with the appropriate options. The following is an example entry:

		# TV
 alias	char-major-81    bttv
 pre-install bttv        modprobe -k tuner; modprobe -k msp3400
 options                 bttv               radio=1  card=3
 options tuner           type=2

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Comments

[Piranio]

Mythtv saved me a fortune over MSWindows Media center.