MythTV 0.24 released

Posted Nov 11, 2010 6:34 UTC (Thu) by daglwn (guest, #65432)
In reply to: MythTV 0.24 released by BaldHeadedGeek
Parent article: MythTV 0.24 released

I wouldn't exactly call this "easy:"

http://www.mythtv.org/wiki/Controlling_DirecTV_Set_Top_Bo...

Could I do it? Sure, I've built cables and such many times. Would I rather use my time for something else? You betcha.

MythTV 0.24 released

Posted Nov 11, 2010 14:47 UTC (Thu) by JEDIDIAH (guest, #14504) [Link] (4 responses)

You are employing a common Windows-user debating tactic: Conflate the most detailed expert level documentation with the typical use case.

Controlling an external cable tuner with MythTV is pretty much like the same on a Tivo. The main exception is that you are building your own Tivo box. You don't have to take the most difficult path possible. You can just BUY an IR blaster or a couple of USB->Serial cables.

Like old school Linux was, it's a matter of needing to put more effort into initial setup for something that is ultimately much more useful.

The situation is certainly not nearly as grim as you want to make it out to be.

There is no comparable appliance for a DirecTV subscriber.

MythTV 0.24 released

Posted Nov 11, 2010 16:49 UTC (Thu) by daglwn (guest, #65432) [Link] (3 responses)

You are employing a common Windows-user debating tactic: Conflate the most detailed expert level documentation with the typical use case.

I am simply pointing to the available documentation. If there is an easier way, it should be documented in a clear, straightforward manner. This isn't rocket science. Documentation matters.

MythTV 0.24 released

Posted Nov 11, 2010 17:24 UTC (Thu) by JEDIDIAH (guest, #14504) [Link] (1 responses)

It is. You are just plucking things out of context in order to create a false impression.

You don't have to choose the most esoteric option available.

MythTV 0.24 released

Posted Nov 11, 2010 23:00 UTC (Thu) by daglwn (guest, #65432) [Link]

It may be the most esoteric, but it's the one that pops up when I search for DirecTV on the MythTV Wiki.

MythTV 0.24 released

Posted Nov 24, 2010 1:45 UTC (Wed) by BaldHeadedGeek (guest, #1078) [Link]

Someone noticed that the newer DirecTV HD boxes have a web service running that can be used to change the channel. It's an undocumented "feature" of the box but it looks like it would eliminate the need for the USB cable.

Here is a link:

http://mythtv.org/wiki/Controlling_DirecTV_Set_Top_Box_(STB)_via_Network

I haven't tried this yet and I don't think my older H20 box has ethernet port, which of course is required.

MythTV 0.24 released

Posted Nov 11, 2010 15:02 UTC (Thu) by BaldHeadedGeek (guest, #1078) [Link] (4 responses)

I guess I bought cables that just worked for my two boxes. Just plugging them in is not hard. :) I agree making cables is not easy - but blaming mythtv for unavailable hardware is not right.

If I was going to get something going today, I would look into an ir tranceiver like the one from IguanaWorks:

http://iguanaworks.net/product1.psp

Then I think the channel changing script is a series of irexec commands.

Sure it takes effort to run your own HTPC setup than a solution from DirecTV. Do what makes you happy. It's important for others to know that they have a choice. I'd rather be in control than DirecTV.

MythTV 0.24 released

Posted Nov 11, 2010 16:56 UTC (Thu) by daglwn (guest, #65432) [Link] (3 responses)

If I was going to get something going today, I would look into an ir tranceiver

Why? It seems like a step backward from a direct serial/usb cable. I'm genuinely curious because LIRC has been very unreliable for me.

Then I think the channel changing script is a series of irexec commands.

This is a real problem. There's no way an ordinary user could set this up, and frankly, spending a few hours fiddling with channel changing scripts is not my idea of fun.

I guess my point is that the MythTV people seem to be focusing on the wrong stuff. Instead of making new plugins and DVD players, they really ought to get the basic setup working in a convenient, DVR-for-dummies kind of way.

MythTV 0.24 released

Posted Nov 11, 2010 18:03 UTC (Thu) by JEDIDIAH (guest, #14504) [Link]

No. MythTV is not a ready appliance. Of course it isn't. It's PC software. It isn't intended to be free of any sort of cost or effort. It's intended to be powerful and better than everything else.

It's certainly better than any of the appliances, including Tivo.

It is well worth the effort if you care much about your PVR experience.

Otherwise, stick to the shovelware appliance.

MythTV 0.24 released

Posted Nov 11, 2010 18:21 UTC (Thu) by leoc (guest, #39773) [Link]

LIRC is definitely the weakest link IMHO. I noticed that with kernel 2.6.36 the LIRC drivers have been merged into staging. Hopefully this will help to get them more stable and perhaps easier to use, particularly for the serial IR transmitter.

MythTV 0.24 released

Posted Nov 11, 2010 21:14 UTC (Thu) by BaldHeadedGeek (guest, #1078) [Link]

I guess the people who are doing the work get to decide what work to do. I don't disagree with you that a "DVR-for-dummies" would be a great goal. You make it sound like no one is trying to do this though - mythbuntu, LinHES, mythdora are certainly trying. I've been in the software biz a long time - making software easy to use is hard to do - but it should always be the goal.