Mythbuntu 8.04 Configuration & Review

tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7312037828648622436.post-28229381402392719472008-06-25T13:24:00.010-05:002008-08-05T07:12:10.272-05:00Mythbuntu 8.04 Configuration & ReviewFor the past 16 months I have been using a simple home theater PC as a podcast aggregator, bittorrent client, and media center. The system consists of the following: <ul><li>Shuttle SN21G5 barebones kit</li><li>AMD Athlon64 3200+ CPU</li><li>512MB DDR400 RAM</li><li>500GB SATA HD</li><li>nVidia 7600GS GPU (w/heatsink only for silent operation)</li><li>8x DVD Burner</li><li>Sharp 720p HDTV </li></ul>Running <a href="http://www.ubuntu.com/">Ubuntu</a>, this system has performed admirably and despite the humble specs can play anything I have thrown at it. As an interface I used the <a href="http://wiki.awn-project.org/">Avant Window Navigator</a> (think OSX dock) to simplify the GUI and help me get around the overscan that is unavoidable on my HDTV. This still left me using a wireless mouse and Apple wireless keyboard to manage and play my media. I explored using my PS3 as a media center and using my HTPC as a DLNA server; but the PS3's codec support is abysmal, especially when trying to stream content to it. Giving up on that option, I found some info about <a href="http://www.mythbuntu.org/">Mythbuntu</a> and decided to try it out with my existing setup. Mythbuntu is based on the <a href="http://www.xubuntu.org/">Xubuntu</a>, but all the superfluous parts (OpenOffice, GIMP, etc) have been removed and <a href="http://www.mythtv.org//">MythTV</a> added; a customized installer and configuration editor round out the experience. The big advantage of Mythbuntu is that it handles a lot of the backend configuration on its own and provides a solid base for your HTPC experience. After installing Mythbuntu I set about achieving the following objectives: <ol><li>enable SPDIF sound output</li><li>connect to Apple wireless keyboard</li><li>correct overscan issues</li><li>configure remote control interface to work with Logitech Harmony 520 </li></ol>SPDIF I wanted to use SPDIF because it is digital and allows for multichannel audio. Xubuntu's built-in audio mixer, while providing the correct options for SPDIF operation, did not function properly. To resolve this I installed the gnome-media package from the repository; this includes the Gnome audio mixer and sound recorder among other handy plug-ins. After installation I was able to use my SPDIF output by checking the IEC958 box and setting the IEC958 slider to 0 in the gnome-volume-control. Apple Wireless Keyboard One of the downsides to Mythbuntu's minimalist installation is its lack of many common software utilities. In this case the absence of any bluetooth related applications prevented me from following <a href="http://www.highonsolder.org/2007/11/apple-wireless-keyboard-setup-ubuntu.html">my own tutorial</a> for syncing my keyboard to my HTPC. In order to get around this I installed <a href="http://blueman.tuxfamily.org/">Blueman</a>. It is a very solid bluetooth manager and I successfully connected my keyboard without issue. Overscan Probably everyone who has ever connected their computer to a television has had to deal with <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Overscan">overscan</a>. This annoying feature that cuts off the outside edges of the screen can be turned off on some HDTVs. Unfortunately mine does not offer this feature and so I have had to find other ways of getting around this. The first fix involves setting screen margins in the Workspaces and Margins utility. This restricts window sizes so that full screened windows do not extend out of view. I set my left and right margins to 32 pixels and my top and bottom margins to 16 pixels. The second and more important fix sets similar margins within the MythTV application itself. Inside the Utilities/Setup-Setup-Appearance menu there is are options for GUI width & height sizes as well as GUI X & Y offsets. I used the following settings to compensate for my HDTV's overscan: <ul><li>GUI width = 1220px</li><li>GUI height = 690px</li><li>GUI X offset = 30px</li><li>GUI Y offset = 15px</li></ul>Remote Control According to the Mythbuntu website regarding recommended remote controls, "I recommend the Windows Media Center (MCEUSB2) remote. It is a great remote and if you don't have one, then get one." Based on this I determined that a WMC remote was the way to go. Browsing around <a href="http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16880121002">Newegg</a> I found one that looked promising with multiple customer reviews stating its compatibility with MythTV. Using the Mythbuntu Control Center I checked the Enable a Remote Control box and selected the Windows Media Center remotes (new version) option from the drop-down box. Once I had the Anyware GP-IR02BK remote working I set about configuring my Logitech Harmony 520 to match. In the Harmony software I performed the following, Add Device-Computer-Media Center PC-Anyware GP-IR02BK. Then I added this device to my existing HTPC activity (which sets my HDTV & Receiver to the correct inputs) and customized the buttons to match the Anyware remote as much as possible. The only issue I ran into was that the Back button does not work, however the Stop button performs the same functionality so I just modified my Harmony configuration. Now I can control my whole setup with one remote. Review Thus far I have been very impressed with Mythbuntu's capabilities as a media center. The installer is well designed and does its job quickly. The interface is snappy and very usable. The Video & Music Players are decent, but I wish the browser tree was a little more customizable. My only major criticism is that the file browser does not automatically update when files are moved, deleted, or added. Overall Mythbuntu is a vast improvement over my previous setup and I am pleased with my decision to switch.Joehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02539531973641201676noreply@blogger.com