[tokyo]

I would like to know which linux distribution is popular for HTPC usage. I've done some reading on this forum and found out that KnoppMyth is an easy to install and use flavor.


Please tell me what linux flavor are you using?


Here's my HTPC specification which I have been using under Windows XP.


CPU: Athlon XP2500

Memory: PC2100 256MB

MB: WinFast K7NCR18G-ProII

Graphic : Radeon 9600 pro, 128MB (Sapphire)

DVD: Combo Lite-on LTC-4816H

HDD: 80GB Seagate ST380011A

Sanyo Z2 projector


Thanks.


____________

Tokyo

 

[hadees]

I like to use gentoo not because it is the easiest (which it isn't by far) but because there is alot of good documentation so if you follow it you should be okay.


Also you have cool things like ebuilds for most of the mythtv stuff that lets you build the source really easy and you can get a mythtv cvs ebulids which are really nice if you want to have your mythtv box on the cutting edge.


There is an alright guide to installing it from gentoo on gentoo-wiki.com


And really once you install the gentoo base system (which is the hardest part) emerging compiles and installes everything for you so you just have to worry about configs files and what ever else.


I also like it because updating is very simple.


But then again gentoo isn't for everyone, it is alittle overwhelming at first but their install handbook explans alot and their forums are the best of any linux distro I have ever used.


On a side note you might not notice this but mythtv 16.0 is masked in portage meaning gentoo isn't sure it is stable. That doesn't mean it they just try it out for alittle while before they make it the standard anyway you should unmask it and not use 0.15.1-r1

 

[darkwire]

I'm currently setting up gentoo for mythtv as well, it is a rather daunting task though, but the gentoo forums themselves have lots of great guides even one for doing mythtv.


I moved from Slackware to gentoo mainly because I wanted a better package management system and packages compiled to my machine specs for max performance, which I felt was important in a htpc device.


Although I'm sure Fedora or any prepackaged bin distro will do you fine if you don't want to go through all the headaches


Edit: I originally opted for KnoppixMyth when I had Slackware, because of the headache slack gave me when trying to compile myth. That works great as well.

 

[amdi8]

I'm a reasonably experienced Linux user. I tried setting up Mandrake with MythTV and it was a major pain in the butt with missing dependencies and all.


Then I tried KnoppMyth, and it was a breeze. It's based on Debian, which helps a lot if you're already familiar with it. I would strongly recommend it for MythTV.

 

[yes dear]

Slackware has many "power" linux users. That means that any question about setting up anything can easily be answered in a forum. Whole distribution is run by one person giving it a kind of elegance and consistency. Everything works and keeps working. Debian, i've not tried but seems to attrack people who like to tweak and optimize. Probably a strong choice as well

 

[tokyo]

Thank you for your posts regarding linux distribution for HTPC purpose. It seems that almost most the distributions are ready for HTPC with just a proper tweaking.


My Suse 9.1 just crashed on me (no reaction when I choose Linux in the lilo dual boot menu) and I would need to re-install linux (I'm not an expert in Linux so, I'll rather make a clean install).

So, it's the right time to test other Linux flavors for my HTPC which is mainly for viewing movies (dvd) and listening to music (online & cd).


I'll try to build the basics using Gentoo and add the necessary applications afterwards. This will make my system small & fast (I hope). Well, the biggest challenge for me I think would be installing, setting, and making my 9600 pro work for my tft display and Z2 projector.


Oooops, I have to read those Gentoo documentations/FAQ now so, thank you again for your information. If you find info regarding Gentoo+9600 pro+Z2 projector please post them.


.....Linux (HTPC) for me?.....hard but fun.....enjoy Linux!


___________

Tokyo