Thursday, 29 September 2011

A few Things on next steps

Time a problem. I built a lot with blogging it. Here are a few things and link to help build the backend PC.

Backend to download TV, Movies, Music

1. Need News groups or Usenet. Here's a link to convince you!
http://www.totalhtpc.com/usenet-vs-torrents/
Here's a deal for Usenet. It is what I use
Note: The link I had does not always work. Search Google for the following "news demon 9.99"

2. Install SabNZBD. Here is a Great reference...
http://www.ainer.org/sabnzbd-install-setup-configuration-guide-for-ubuntu-linux-mint
or here for a different way.
http://www.totalhtpc.com/part-1-sabnzbd-installation-and-configuration/
Follow guide to configure

3. For TV Shows. Follow this reference.
http://www.ainer.org/sick-beard-install-setup-configuration-guide-for-ubuntu-linux-mint
You may want to setup account @ newzbin.com. A small cost but best NZB files
Setup API key from SABnzbd for easy comminication between applications
Talks to TVrage for episode info

4. Movies.
Again... http://www.ainer.org/couch-potato-install-setup-configuration-guide-for-ubuntu-linux-mint

5. Music
http://www.totalhtpc.com/headphones-sickbeard-for-music/
Point it to you music collection and it will download you missing albums!

Thanks all for now
JoeAverge

Friday, 20 May 2011

HTPC - Part 3 - Base O.S. aka Mythbuntu

Been using myhttv for a while now although I have been using Mythdora distro.

I have decided to experiment with Mythbuntu as the base O.S. for the following reasons:
  • MythTV installed along with O.S.
  • Scaled down O.S. without a lot of bulky apps
  • Lot's of support forums
  • Like MythWeb interface...See potential
  • MythTV is FREE!!
  • MythTV is a TV caputre component I feel needed in any HTPC setup
Install process high level
  1. Download Latest Mythbuntu - http://www.mythbuntu.org/downloads
  2. Decided to use 32bit version. ead a few posts that had issues with 64bit
  3. Installed using ALL default(although I added MythNetvision later so you may add now. Kinda kewl app)
  4. Setup Static IP
  5. Setup Mythbuntu with the following ref. http://www.mythbuntu.org/wiki/mythbackend-setup
  6. Note: Carputer card setup was tricky. Capture card section refers to a very common error when using Houppouge cards. I t suggests using "MPEG-2 Encoder Card " but the latest version has the right card listed as "IVTV MPEG-2 encoder card"
  7. Most setting are default but I did input Static IP settings in the General section in case I add ontoher frontend later.
  8. MythNetvision kewl. I used the following to setup - http://www.mythtv.org/wiki/MythNetvision

HTPC - Part 2 - The Hardware

Hardware

Intel Pentium 4 641 Processor (3.20-GHz, 2-MB L2 cache, 800-MHz FSB)
Memory - 1 GB
Video Card: omboard shared memory
Capture card: Hauppauge WinTV PVR2 USB
80 GB hard drive - More to be added later (Will blog on the process)

HTPC - Part 1 - Idea

OK...Taking a little different tack....

Build an HTPC from scratch. (Kinda)
Here the plan:
  1. Install Mythbuntu as base O.S. and application. This will allow for capturing live TV and I really like the mythweb interface. (Want to find a way to stream over Web interface but...Later)
  2. Install SABNZBD - This will be a base for downloading TV show etc...from newdeamon with connections to newzbin
  3. Install SICKBEARD - Inernet PVR for finding latest shows from TVDB.com -> looking up in newzbin -> and send NZB file to SABNZBD
  4. Install MiniDLNA server - this will allow media to be shared over home network
  5. Install CouchPotato? - Find and download movies
  6. Experiment with different frontends (XBOX, Boxee, MythTV frontend, etc...)
Maybe more....

Monday, 7 March 2011

Linux Home Server Start

I wanna start blogging my home server setup. Currently I am using Amahi.
http://www.amahi.org/

I will talk about:
  • the things I like about Amihi
  • Application I use
  • Thoughts on where I want it to go (Develpemt)
  • Problems and Issues
  • HTPC thoughts. Amahi is helpful here too