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MythTV

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MythTV
Developer(s)Isaac Richards
Initial releaseApril 10, 2002;22 years ago(2002-04-10)
Stable release
34 / 10 February 2024;5 months ago(2024-02-10)
Repository
Written inC,C++
Operating systemLinux,FreeBSD,macOS,Windows(playback only)
TypeDigital video recorder
LicenseGNU GPL
Websitewww.mythtv.org

MythTVis afree and open-sourcehome entertainment application with a simplified "10-foot user interface"design for the living room TV. It turns a computer with the necessary hardware into anetworkstreaming[1]digital video recorder,adigitalmultimediahome entertainment system, orhome theater personal computer.[2]It can be considered afree and open-sourcealternative toTiVo[3]orWindows Media Center.It runs on variousoperating systems,primarilyLinux,macOS,andFreeBSD.[4]

History[edit]

The MythTV project was started in April 2002 by Isaac Richards,[3]who explained his motivation:[5]

I got tired of the rather low qualitycablebox thatAT&T Broadbandprovides with their digital cable service. It's slow to change channels, ridden with ads, and the program guide is a joke. So, I figured it'd be fun to try and build a replacement. Yes, I could have just bought a TiVo, but I wanted to have more than just aDVR– I want a web browser built in, a mail client, maybe some games. Basically, I want the mythical convergence box that's been talked about for a few years now.

Features[edit]

  • Pause, skip, and rewind live TV shows
  • Completely automatic commercial detection and optional skipping
  • Intelligently schedules recordings to avoid conflicts
  • Interfaces withtelevision listingsources such asXMLTVorPSIP
  • Interfaces with nonprofit subscription listings serviceSchedules Directin theUnited StatesandCanada.Schedules Direct delivers the sameTribune Media Serviceslistings data that TiVo and other video recorders use.
  • SupportsATSC,QAM,DMB-T/HandDVB(everything supported byLinuxTV)high-definition television
  • SupportsXv,OpenGL,andVDPAUvideo output
  • SupportsH.264codec
  • SupportsVP9andH.265codecs as of version 0.28
  • A backend server and frontend client architecture, allowing multiple frontend client machines to be remotely served content from one or more backend servers. A single computer can perform as both the frontend client and the backend server.
  • Plays recordings at an accelerated or decelerated rate, adjusting the audio pitch as necessary
  • Schedule and administer various system functions using a web browser-based interface
  • Controls aset-top boxusing an infrared remote (IR blaster), orFirewire

HDTV support[edit]

MythTV is capable of capturingHDTVstreams from any source that will provide unencrypted video. This means broadcastATSCandDVBcontent, as well as encrypted DVB content when using a tuner with an integratedCImodule. Most U.S.cableandsatelliteproviders use encrypted video only accessible through their ownset-top boxes.Cable systems may provide some unencryptedQAMchannels, but these will generally only be local broadcast stations, and not cable programming or premium channels.

OpenCable devices are available to access encrypted content on U.S. cable systems, but as this is a fullDRMsystem, and not justCAlike DVB CI, every piece of hardware and software on the playback chain must be tested and licensed byCableLabs.At current, Windows Media Center is the only DVR software to meet these requirements, and only it, and other software using its recording libraries, can use these devices. In 2010, CableLabs relaxed the DRM restrictions allowing unlicensed devices to recordcopy freelycontent using these devices,[6]however it is still entirely up to cable operators what content they provide flagged as such.

As an alternative to direct digital capture, one can use an external decoder to receive the channels, and then capture using digital-analog-digital conversion (theanalog hole). A popular means of doing this conversion is to connect the component outputs of a set-top box to theHauppaugeHD PVR.[7][8]

Modules[edit]

MythTV's add-on modules (plugins) include:

  • MythVideoplays various video file formats
  • MythMusica music player,jukebox,collection manager, and CD ripper
  • MythGalleryonline photo gallery manager
  • MythNewsRSS feed news reader
  • MythWeatherfetchesweather forecasts– includingweather radar– from the Internet
  • MythBrowsersmallweb browser
  • MythGamefrontend for game console emulators
  • MythWebcontrols MythTV from a remote web browser
  • MythArchiveDVD burner
  • MythNetvisionstreaming video player intended primarily for Flash-websites likeYouTube
  • MythZoneMinderfrontend interface for aZoneMindersystem
  • UPnPAV MediaServer v1.0 compliant server: share media files with UPnP-clients

The base system integrates with its modules. A system can be controlled with an infrared remote control usingLIRC,or radio remote control usingkernel modules.

Operating systems[edit]

MythTV is available for many operating systems based on Linux or Unix, including Mac OS. The MythTV website distributes only source code, which must becompiledfor the desired system; executable programs can be downloaded from various third-party sources.[9]The software runs on and is officially supported by Microsoft Windows, but as of January 2013no official executable version was available; there are detailed instructions for compiling for Windows.[10]All core frontend features work under Windows, including LiveTV, scheduling, and watching recordings, but most plugins do not work without additional patches.[11]

Bundles[edit]

Notable projects that include a Linux distribution bundled with MythTV (and associated libraries) are:

  • FreeBSDhas several ports to support MythTV
  • LinHESis abootCDderivative ofArch Linux.Its MythTV frontend can be run from the CD. An entire installation to the hard disk can be made in minutes.
  • LinuxMCEbundles MythTV withKubuntuas the Linux distro, along with the Pluto Home automation suite.
  • MythbuntucombinesUbuntudistributions with MythTV. The Ubuntu community has built extensive resources for installing, configuring and troubleshooting MythTV. It was discontinued in 2016.
  • Ubuntu TVintegrates MythTV into a television-ready interface (based on theUbuntu Unityuser interface).
  • Xebianis a distribution ofDebianLinux for theMicrosoftXboxgame console and includes MythTV.

See also[edit]

References[edit]

  1. ^"Network – MythTV".
  2. ^Morrison, Graham (2009),"Build the ultimate MythTV box",Linux Format,no. 117, Future Publishing, pp. 56–59,retrieved4 March2010
  3. ^abBarylick, Chris (26 March 2006)."MythTV Invades Realm of Cable and TiVo".The Washington Post.Retrieved16 August2008.
  4. ^"MythTV operating systems".MythTV.org.12 August 2011.Retrieved10 January2012.
  5. ^User Manual:Introduction,mythtv.org. Retrieved 15 August 2008
  6. ^"CableLabs Approves Tuner Sharing and DRM Free Copy Freely Content".The Digital Media Zone. 15 August 2010.Retrieved10 January2012.
  7. ^"HD PVR Product Description".Hauppauge.Retrieved10 January2012.
  8. ^"Hauppauge HD-PVR – MythTV Official Wiki".MythTV.org.Retrieved10 January2012.
  9. ^"Download MythTV".MythTV.org.Retrieved16 January2013.
  10. ^"MythTV on Windows".MythTV.org.Retrieved16 January2013.
  11. ^"MythTV FAQ: Does MythTV run on Windows?".MythTV.org.Retrieved16 January2013.

External links[edit]

Wikimedia Commons has media related toMythTV.
Wikibooks has more on the topic of:MythTV
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