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

[Whiffle]

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

 

[Whiffle]

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]

Media portal f/b end is meant to be good, it's funny as a lot of SETTOPBOXES

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.