HTPC/Server - advice. Anyone gone down the Linux route?

Whiffle

Whiffle

Whiffle

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Hi there,

I am a bit of a newcomer to Linux but now I am a bit of a convert, I am beginning to see the real benefits of it over Windows.

I am now running Linux on my laptop and Desktop and am now wondering whether it might be worth changing my HTPC/Server.

My server is currently running Windows 7 with Argus TV as the backend and XBMC as the frontend (it has 8GB of RAM, 4GB of which is used for timeshifting to RAMDisk). The Desktop and Laptop PCs run XBMC and connect to the Server also clients.

I have done a lot of research and it does seem that there are definite advantages of a Linux Server - stability, no defragging etc.

However, the one thing that does worry me is the lack of a decent backend - there seem to be three main Linux options: VDR, TVHeadend and MythTV but they just don't seem to on the same level as Argus (or indeed Mediaportal).

It would be great to hear from anyone who has had a go at a Linux only PVR setup and how they got on.

Thanks
 
I have a backend/frontend on my HP microserver running XBMCbuntu with TVHeadend. I like the stability of XBMC far more than when I used to have it on Win Server 2k8R2, but TVheadend just isn't there yet. Timeshift not working properly, but I think it's getting there. I like the stability of Linux for XBMC more than I want TVheadend to catch up with Argus etc but it that way.

Any questions go for it!
 
I've been running a MythTV setup for quite a while now, currently have the backend on a HP Microserver running Ubuntu Server and frontends on Mythbuntu and XBMC on my Windows 7 PC. It takes a bit of setting up but is a very flexible system once you get used to it. Most of the pain was with the TV card driver though (TBS haven't open-sourced theirs :/), it's worth checking linuxtv.org for compatibility before jumping in.
 
Crowze said:
Most of the pain was with the TV card driver though (TBS haven't open-sourced theirs :/), it's worth checking linuxtv.org for compatibility before jumping in.
Click to expand...

If you take any advice OP, take this bit. I use a Sony Play TV for my DVB-T tuner and it worked easily but IMO don't even consider things not listed on the linuxtv site, far too much hassle than it's worth and you'll end up blaming linux
 
Thanks very much for your input.

I had a go with MythTV over the last days and have to say that the setup was appalling. I have had quite a lot of experience with various PVR setups over the years but I just could not get my HVR-2200 tuner card to work even though it is supposed to be supported.

My DVB-S2 Nova card was found but even then I just could not get MythTV up and running in any shape or form.

I was going to have a go with TVHeadend but as was mentioned above, the timeshift issue is bit too much of a minus point to consider.

As Steinooo correctly warned, I began blaming Linux (which is what I really wanted to avoid, given that I am a new convert).

I think that I shall have to accept that if you really do want a faultless PVR setup at the moment, you really have no choice but to run a Windows-based backend.

I will keep an eye on TVHeadend to see if it ever reaches a point when it can rival Argus TV.

Thanks
 
Whiffle said:
Thanks very much for your input.

I had a go with MythTV over the last days and have to say that the setup was appalling. I have had quite a lot of experience with various PVR setups over the years but I just could not get my HVR-2200 tuner card to work even though it is supposed to be supported.

My DVB-S2 Nova card was found but even then I just could not get MythTV up and running in any shape or form.

I was going to have a go with TVHeadend but as was mentioned above, the timeshift issue is bit too much of a minus point to consider.

As Steinooo correctly warned, I began blaming Linux (which is what I really wanted to avoid, given that I am a new convert).

I think that I shall have to accept that if you really do want a faultless PVR setup at the moment, you really have no choice but to run a Windows-based backend.

I will keep an eye on TVHeadend to see if it ever reaches a point when it can rival Argus TV.

Thanks
Click to expand...
Media portal f/b end is meant to be good, it's funny as a lot of SETTOPBOXES
 
Unfortunately you will find that none of the Linux based PVRs are as complete as their windows counterparts in my opinion. The best of them is TVheadend and even that has only just added timeshifting.

The .NET framework along with BDA drivers for most tuners cards is the reason for Argus to be so feature complete. I'd really like to see a Linux TV Engine improve, certainly in ease of setup but alas they've not been; this is the reason why I now use Windows Servers for my server setup and then mix android, windows and Linux for playback...

At least at client level there are options!
 
Media portal f/b end is meant to be good, it's funny as a lot of SETTOPBOXES
Click to expand...

I used Mediaportal (backend and frontend) for years was very happy with it - the only reason I changed the backend was that it was a lot more flexible with regards to scheduling - I only have three tuners and was getting a lot of clashes.

Argus has not only sorted this out but have never crashed as far as I can remember - something that Mediaportal backed did have the occassional tendencey to do.

Blizzard X - completely agree. There is definitely a gap in the market for a Linux equivalent that rivals Argus or indeed any of the other Windows backends.

I will keep an eye out on the Linux ones and will have an occasional play but as things currently stand, Windows is still the only way to go.

Thanks very much for your comments everyone.
 
Whiffle, there is a lot of internal code changes occurring to Argus which is shifting away from some of the more native MS products, such as WCF to more open source products and more REST based approach. While this will still mean Windows for the foreseeable future, it may mean that elements of the engine could be ported to other O/S's, something that Dot-I is keen to see I believe.
 
I have an unraid server as back end with mysql hosting xbmc database, plex server, sickbeard/couchpotato/sabnzbd and soon to have tvheadend once ive installed the tv tuner.

Front ends i have a mix of xbmc (main desktop pc, htpc in living room and pi in bedroom) and plex on laptop and plexweb app on phones.

Installed trakt plugin so keep both the plex/xmbc library watched status in sync.

Ive just cancelled sky so hoping with the tv tuner installed I will have live pause/rewind etc capability again
 
I run MythTV and XBMC on ubuntu, mythtv is very good at timeshifting and recording rules are very powerful.
Setup is a pain though, i mostly blame MySQL. all my big headaches have been caused by getting the database working correctly.
 
I think the other main problem with the Linux based PVR options are that they are either really easy to configure (e.g. TVheadend) but missing features OR feature complete but a pain in the arse to setup. Combine this with getting some tuner cards working make it a daunting task for most people!

I also hate that XBMC have not yet sorted out their TV elements. The guide / timer options are rubbish in comparison to MediaPortal or even Windows Media Centre.
 
I run Linux on my Server, 10.4 Server IIRC. Just checked the uptime and it's 570 days with no UPS, haven't really touched it either. Just left it to do its job.
 
XBMC all the way. Nice GUI and command-line available too.

A huge advantage of this system is that there's a good wi-fi remote app available and lots of in-system apps for things like youtube, vimeo and iplayer.
 
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