MythTV style linux htpc software without the PVR

For the last two years I've been running a Debian/KDE based HTPC in my lounge for playing my backed up dvds and cds. I'd been using Konqueror and a wireless mouse, but I'd now like an interface that's a little more suitable for the television.

I've been searching high and low for software that provides a simple browser gui ideally suited to a television. So far I've scoured mailing lists, linux forums, google and all the sources that I could think of. The ones that I have come across are;

MythTV/Freevo - both have a perfect media browser, but this PC does not have network access to download television listings, nor does it have a television card. I installed Knoppmyth, but couldn't find a way to disable the PVR/listings functions.

Geexbox - which also had a lovely GUI ideally suited to my needs. However, for space reasons, my HTPC does not have a cd drive (I plug one in for installing software, but when it's closed up in the lounge there is no room for one.)

I've looked at the Microsoft alternatives - Media Center Edition, Meedio, SageTV etc, but I can't justify spending the money (I currently have none :D ) or moving back to Microsoft products when there may be a Linux alternative.

If anyone knows of a package that meets my needs, I'd be truly grateful. I'm really quite close to banging my head on the desk until I draw blood, it's bothering me that much. Thanks :)

xbox + xbmc for the win :)

have you got an xbox at all ?

I would guess you would want a similar interface to the ones that "carputers" use etc...as its a similar idea.
maybe look around http://www.mp3car.com/vbulletin/forumdisplay.php?f=5 ?

Hi Theo,

your in a bit a jam with network connectivity or a TV card as that pretty much is the core of the HTPC software.

I'm trying to work on a non-mouse/keyboad driven controller for my debian based htpc.
I looked at touch screen technology but the cost and the actual hassle of having it as a second intput along side the TV is a little too much hassle.

However my alternate configuration is working although its very basic and still has a LOT of bugs in it.

I bought a spare ipaq from a user on hexus (funny enough) which was good value. Got a linux micro kernel on it, and I'm using irda at the moment although I'm trying to move it to bluetooth, along with the touchscreen driver to use some custom software to display buttons that simulate keyboard/mouse strokes so eg: "open dvd list" is one button, then say an up and down button and a select button to select the DVD. A button to turn on the TV card software etc etc.

As I said its running over IR at the moment but I will move it to bluetooth, but it also has bugs in it.

consider the ipaq a linux remote control (it looks quite cool actually) but with much more advanced features.

I don't have an Xbox unfortunately, Moby. The missus wanted to play Pikmin on the Gamecube instead, so that's what we have now :/ It's no bother really. This PC isn't particularly high spec, but it's good enough for the task at hand.

I had a look at the carputers forum, and I'm going to have a look more in depth into them later. From the brief perusal I gave that forum they're the kind of interface I want, but I think they were all windows based. I'll see if I can find some sort of linux based jobs that are similar. Thanks for the link Twigman :)

Thanks for the ideas ikonia, I'll keep that in mind for a possible route to take in the future. I currently have a serial IR remote set up in Lirc that works quite well. I built it a couple of weeks ago with my last few pennies, so a new fangled job is out of the question for the time being. I do like the idea though!

Thanks for the replies guys, much appreciated and you've all opened up different avenues for me to explore. I'm going to keep looking for a package that does what I need, and I think I might have a look into possibly coding my own. Thanks again :)

http://www.mp3car.com/vbulletin/forumdisplay.php?f=77

any help ?

I feel like a right dullard. :Oops: Thank you sir :)

freevo is pretty much like mythtv, but cannot do simultaneous stuff (i.e can´t record and play, i.e. be a pvr)