Mythbuntu: Turning Ubuntu Into A DVR System
Mythbuntu has released a new 7.10 beta, based on the Ubuntu 7.10 beta, which features a number of enhancements and new features. Mythbuntu is an Ubuntu derivative optimized for setting up a standalone MythTV DVR system. The project is not part of Canonical, nor is it officially affiliated with Ubuntu.
MythTV is a popular open source DVR solution that works well for converting an old PC system into a DVR box. Mythbuntu allows users familiar with Ubuntu to easily set up a lightweight MythTV installation. Programs not necessary for MythTV, such as OpenOffice, Evolution, and the full Gnome desktop, are omitted from Mythbuntu.
Version 7.10 is still a beta, but the release notes provide the following list of new features:
- Xfce based setup. No more openbox, it’s not even installed on the disk
- Network Manager included. You can do wifi networks both during and after install with ease.
- When quiting mythfrontend, you are brought back to an Xfce desktop.
You can administer the machine from here and change all settings.- VNC can be installed from multiple locales on disk
- ubuntu-mythtv-frontend isn’t used at all. All sessions are Xfce sessions, but all the benefits from the ubuntu-mythtv-frontend package have been merged into mythbuntu-default-settings
- Lots of additional features for mythbuntu-control-centre. Extra administration options, package updates, reloading package lists.
- Mythbuntu Installation can be performed directly from an existing Gutsy installation now via Firefox. See http://www.mythbuntu.org/existing-ubuntu for more information.
For more details and complete list of new features and bugfixes, check out the Mythbuntu release notes. If you’d like the give Mythbuntu a try, you can download it from the site or via your favorite bittorrent client.
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