MythTV, Kodi, Plex, OSMC, and DVBLink tested
Role Play
MythTV works with a back-end server and a front-end client. Whereas the back end coordinates the internal work processes in the background, the front end serves as a user interface. A PC can take on multiple roles.
The most convenient way to configure the media center is still via MythTV's own control center. After installation, you just need to call the System | MythBuntu Control Centre or, depending on the desktop, System Tools | MythBuntu Control Centre. (Henceforth I will use System) The System Roles entry is at the bottom right; it lets you define the role of the current system. If you want the home theater PC to work as the sole media center, you need to activate the Primary Backend and Desktop Frontend roles (Figure 1).
Now you should set up the back end in line with the role definition, which hides behind System | Administration | MythTV Backend Setup on the desktop. Next, you should carefully configure the Capture cards, Video sources, Input connections, Channel Editor, and Storage Directories (Figure 2). Although MythTV usually correctly recognizes and addresses TV tuners connected to or in the system, you need to set the video sources themselves and link them to your tuner.
If you have multiple cards attached to your system, you can separate the sources, thanks to this construct. The automated scan for tuners makes work easier and defines paths for the recording function. After completing the rather painstaking configuration, you can start the back end and create the database.
To start the front end, from the desktop click Applications | Multimedia | MythTV Frontend. The media center's complete multimedia performance spectrum is now available on the interface (Figure 3). MythTV provides options to listen to radio stations; watch videos on CD, DVD, or the hard drive; play audio CDs; and look at pictures. The options in the main window in turn branch out into context-sensitive submenus so that no menu hierarchy is overloaded.
The media center supports several remote controls. They use the Linux infrared remote control (LIRC) routines [11] that support several IR controls without any additional configuration.
Kodi
Kodi is probably the best-known media center project in the Linux universe, although it may be more familiar under its old name, XBMC. Kodi, like MythTV, is included in many software repositories of large Linux derivatives and as Kodibuntu [12] in the form of a unique 64-bit-only distribution based on Ubuntu 14.04.
The Kodi project maintains dedicated repositories, so it is worth installing the latest version of the software from these repositories. Alternatively, you can update an older Kodibuntu installation to the latest version of the media center [13].
To install Kodi in Ubuntu, you need to add and update the corresponding repository, install the media center, and trace all necessary dependencies:
sudo add-apt-repository ppa:team-xbmc/ppa sudo apt-get update sudo apt-get install kodi sudo apt-get install kodi-pvr-*
The final command line installs the add-on clients needed to make use of TV recordings, program playback, and the electronic program guide (EPG).
A corresponding server is used as a back end, for which Kodi provides numerous server alternatives. You can configure the server immediately during installation or use a remote control (Figure 4).
Commissioning
Now you should be able to access the software from the desktop menu Sound & Video | Kodi media center menu. Several media groups are preset in the media center. Like MythTV, Kodi also plays all common media types. After opening it for the first time, you can select the language in the settings menu. If a TV card is attached to the computer and the personal video recorder (PVR) back ends and front ends are installed, you can configure and activate the PVR client from the System | Add-ons menu to put the TV card into operation (Figure 5).
This process requires a bit of manual work because not all front ends and back ends play well together. Additionally, I could not install all PVR clients during the test: Under Ubuntu 16.04 "Xenial Xerus," the Tvheadend client could not be installed on the disk because of missing dependencies. However, once I noticed it malfunctioning after activating a PVR client, I terminated Kodi and then restarted it.
The PVR client tries to import a list of all tuners when starting the software, and it displays a message if there are any problems, in which case, you can choose a different client-server combination.
If the configuration is successful, the TV and, if the TV card supports it, Radio entries appear in the main menu. Both provide all possible forms of use with the Channels, Guide, Recordings, Timers, and Search submenus. Additionally, you can set up Internet protocol television (IPTV), call up station media libraries, and play back their content (Figure 6).
Buy this article as PDF
(incl. VAT)
Buy Linux Magazine
Subscribe to our Linux Newsletters
Find Linux and Open Source Jobs
Subscribe to our ADMIN Newsletters
Support Our Work
Linux Magazine content is made possible with support from readers like you. Please consider contributing when you’ve found an article to be beneficial.
News
-
Fedora 40 Beta Released Soon
With the official release of Fedora 40 coming in April, it's almost time to download the beta and see what's new.
-
New Pentesting Distribution to Compete with Kali Linux
SnoopGod is now available for your testing needs
-
Juno Computers Launches Another Linux Laptop
If you're looking for a powerhouse laptop that runs Ubuntu, the Juno Computers Neptune 17 v6 should be on your radar.
-
ZorinOS 17.1 Released, Includes Improved Windows App Support
If you need or desire to run Windows applications on Linux, there's one distribution intent on making that easier for you and its new release further improves that feature.
-
Linux Market Share Surpasses 4% for the First Time
Look out Windows and macOS, Linux is on the rise and has even topped ChromeOS to become the fourth most widely used OS around the globe.
-
KDE’s Plasma 6 Officially Available
KDE’s Plasma 6.0 "Megarelease" has happened, and it's brimming with new features, polish, and performance.
-
Latest Version of Tails Unleashed
Tails 6.0 is based on Debian 12 and includes GNOME 43.
-
KDE Announces New Slimbook V with Plenty of Power and KDE’s Plasma 6
If you're a fan of KDE Plasma, you'll be thrilled to hear they've announced a new Slimbook with an AMD CPU and the latest version of KDE Plasma desktop.
-
Monthly Sponsorship Includes Early Access to elementary OS 8
If you want to get a glimpse of what's in the pipeline for elementary OS 8, just set up a monthly sponsorship to help fund its continued existence.
-
DebConf24 to be Held in South Korea
Busan will be the location of the latest DebConf running July 28 through August 4