Linux What OS for a media computer?

Gent's,

I'm looking for a Linux distro designed for a media computer.

However My Linux knowledge isn't good and certainly isn't up to date. Does any one have any good experiences with Linux based media centers?

As in what Distro do you recommend, I really need a decent front end for display on my tv. Similar to XP MCE, however I really want to avoid paying for an MS license key, and would like to expand my knowledge.

any input welcome on the best way to do this?

E-beer for all decent responses!

 

try this tutorial...

http://revision3.com/systm/mythtv

 

Posting illegal stuff will get you banned... and it's not the first time you do so... /REPORTED

Now, MythTV is a frontend for about every distro, Gentoo has it, Ubuntu has it... It's not that easy to setup, but there are plenty of guides around that help you with setting it up for your favorite distro.

 

If you know that you aren't allowed to quote illegal stuff, why do you do it? You deserve the mods to kick your backside. You can do it in your own time, but don't get others into it.

On topic, as Glider said

 

No need to be asshats guys. If he's done something wrong the mods will get it. Not that it surprises me that a massively pro-linux person would be anti-MS-copying...

+1 for MCE with Ubuntu and a step-by-step guide. Get it going, then don't touch it.

 

48hr ban for posting warez, vr.

 

Glider,

So myth TV isn't an actual linux distro, I thought it was a bit small for a full OS!, What do you recommend as an easy distro to setup for use with myth tv?

/also can we keep things on topic? I know about the other options, however this is a learning process as well and I would like to give Linux a shot.

any way cheers for the responses so far.

 

Regarding easy distro's, stick with ones that are easy for everything, not just myth. My advice would be find a guide that will tell you how to do _everything_ - know how to do the entire thing before you've even done it, and then when you actually do the install you'll only have to spend a few hours searching around fixing issues

My 2 penneth would go to Ubuntu, or Fedora (since there were some superb guides for fedora floating about last year). The ubernoob disrto's probably don't offer any benefit over and above the standard nix-noob ones like ubuntu, so stick with the latter (they tend to be more customisable, have larger communities, and have communities that know stuff - possibily with the exception of ubuntu).

 

i meant KnoppMyth earlier.

it's Linux with MythTv built as one.

 

IIRC while KnoppMyth is slightly easier to get going, it's not nearly as customisable. Perhaps not an issue for everyone, but one to consider nonetheless.

 

Cheers Guys. As customization isn't something I'm to worried about, I am now downloading KnoppMythm and will run the install over the weekend. which should make in interesting Friday night

any one know of any good guides for this distro of Linux? and im hoping it does have gui based installer, or at least something that is easy to follow?

I will keep you up to date. - so far specofdust, ryanjleng & Glider I owe you one, cheers guys.

 

Keeping an eye on this as it sounds like what I have planned within the next few months.

 

http://mysettopbox.tv/doc.html will guide you through the frontend/backend setup (which can run on the same PC, but that isn't required)

 

You sir, are a legend.

any other thoughts about this people?