KnoppMyth
Encyclopedia
KnoppMyth is a Linux
distribution designed for use on Home Theater PCs (HTPCs). As of version R6, it is now called LinHES (Linux Home Entertainment Server). The most recent release (R6) is based on Arch Linux
, though previous versions were based on Debian
Linux with configuration scripts from the Knoppix
Linux distribution. Knoppmyth also contains "Knoppmyth"-specific scripts that install and configure the MythTV
PVR software as well as a number of add-ons. Most standard HTPC hardware is supported, and much of it is even configured automatically, making the often complex installation and configuration of a MythTV-based Linux
Home Theater PC system relatively easy and pain-free. The operating system was developed and is maintained by Cecil Hugh Watson.
Media Center Operating System. KnoppMyth comes as a CD-ROM
software distribution which automates the setup of the popular MythTV package as well as several HTPC-related add-ons.
Ultimately, KnoppMyth is used to create an HTPC (Home Theater PC). These HTPCs are commonly plugged into standard- or high-definition televisions rather than monitors for a complete Home Theatre experience. HTPCs bring the power of PCs to the lounge in one single 'all in one' device.
is stored on the same device as the backend. The front-end is the software required for the visual elements (or the GUI
) and is utilised by the common user to find, play and manipulate media files etc. The back-end is the server where the media files are actually stored. A full front-end and back-end system may have an advantage in that it has 'portability', i.e. it is a standalone device that is not dependent on a separate server (like a video game console
for example).
Alternatively, KnoppMyth can be used to install a MythTV client, front-end-only system. For example, users may have a central storage device (server) in their house, the server can then be accessed from numerous other devices throughout the house, these other devices needing only a front-end installation on devices containing minimal hardware. KnoppMyth can also run directly from a CD-ROM (i.e. without installation) providing that there is a network connection to a PC with a 'complete installation' (a MythTV back-end server).
Using a 'server' separate from one or more front-end units has the obvious advantages of multiple simultaneous access to shared media files. The server used would generally have hardware of a relatively high specification and would be kept outside of the main living room. An advantage of keeping the server PC outside the living room is that the cooling fan required to accommodate a 'fast' processor can be quite noisy (as can certain hard drives), it can be expensive to invest in fanless/heat sinking equipment to avoid such noise problems.
KnoppMyth can also be used to upgrade an existing KnoppMyth installation.
Linux
Linux is a Unix-like computer operating system assembled under the model of free and open source software development and distribution. The defining component of any Linux system is the Linux kernel, an operating system kernel first released October 5, 1991 by Linus Torvalds...
distribution designed for use on Home Theater PCs (HTPCs). As of version R6, it is now called LinHES (Linux Home Entertainment Server). The most recent release (R6) is based on Arch Linux
Arch Linux
Arch Linux is an independently developed, Linux-based operating system for i686 and x86-64 computers. It is composed predominantly of free and open source software, and supports community involvement....
, though previous versions were based on Debian
Debian
Debian is a computer operating system composed of software packages released as free and open source software primarily under the GNU General Public License along with other free software licenses. Debian GNU/Linux, which includes the GNU OS tools and Linux kernel, is a popular and influential...
Linux with configuration scripts from the Knoppix
Knoppix
Knoppix, or KNOPPIX , is an operating system based on Debian designed to be run directly from a CD / DVD or a USB key , one of the first of its kind for any operating system. Knoppix was developed by Linux consultant Klaus Knopper. When starting a program, it is loaded from the removable medium...
Linux distribution. Knoppmyth also contains "Knoppmyth"-specific scripts that install and configure the MythTV
MythTV
MythTV is a free and open source home entertainment application with a simplified "10-foot user interface" design for the living-room TV, and turns a computer with the necessary hardware into a network streaming digital video recorder, a digital multimedia home entertainment system, or home theater...
PVR software as well as a number of add-ons. Most standard HTPC hardware is supported, and much of it is even configured automatically, making the often complex installation and configuration of a MythTV-based Linux
Linux
Linux is a Unix-like computer operating system assembled under the model of free and open source software development and distribution. The defining component of any Linux system is the Linux kernel, an operating system kernel first released October 5, 1991 by Linus Torvalds...
Home Theater PC system relatively easy and pain-free. The operating system was developed and is maintained by Cecil Hugh Watson.
Practical Explanation
KnoppMyth is a Linux equivalent of the MicrosoftMicrosoft
Microsoft Corporation is an American public multinational corporation headquartered in Redmond, Washington, USA that develops, manufactures, licenses, and supports a wide range of products and services predominantly related to computing through its various product divisions...
Media Center Operating System. KnoppMyth comes as a CD-ROM
CD-ROM
A CD-ROM is a pre-pressed compact disc that contains data accessible to, but not writable by, a computer for data storage and music playback. The 1985 “Yellow Book” standard developed by Sony and Philips adapted the format to hold any form of binary data....
software distribution which automates the setup of the popular MythTV package as well as several HTPC-related add-ons.
Ultimately, KnoppMyth is used to create an HTPC (Home Theater PC). These HTPCs are commonly plugged into standard- or high-definition televisions rather than monitors for a complete Home Theatre experience. HTPCs bring the power of PCs to the lounge in one single 'all in one' device.
Ease of installation
A common complaint about MythTV is that it is difficult and time-consuming to install and configure. KnoppMyth is a general-purpose solution which contains a pre-configured MythTV installation system built on a full Linux platform. Using a computer with common and well-documented hardware, the manual configuration required will be considerably simpler than the alternative option of manually 'building' (installing) MythTV, in addition to 'building' numerous other programs that MythTV depends on.Complete Installation (Front-end and Back-end)
KnoppMyth can be used to install a full MythTV client and server system; in simple terms this means that the front-endFront-end and back-end
Front end and back end are generalized terms that refer to the initial and the end stages of a process. The front end is responsible for collecting input in various forms from the user and processing it to conform to a specification the back end can use...
is stored on the same device as the backend. The front-end is the software required for the visual elements (or the GUI
Gui
Gui or guee is a generic term to refer to grilled dishes in Korean cuisine. These most commonly have meat or fish as their primary ingredient, but may in some cases also comprise grilled vegetables or other vegetarian ingredients. The term derives from the verb, "gupda" in Korean, which literally...
) and is utilised by the common user to find, play and manipulate media files etc. The back-end is the server where the media files are actually stored. A full front-end and back-end system may have an advantage in that it has 'portability', i.e. it is a standalone device that is not dependent on a separate server (like a video game console
Video game console
A video game console is an interactive entertainment computer or customized computer system that produces a video display signal which can be used with a display device to display a video game...
for example).
Front-end only installations
Using a 'server' separate from one or more front-end units has the obvious advantages of multiple simultaneous access to shared media files. The server used would generally have hardware of a relatively high specification and would be kept outside of the main living room. An advantage of keeping the server PC outside the living room is that the cooling fan required to accommodate a 'fast' processor can be quite noisy (as can certain hard drives), it can be expensive to invest in fanless/heat sinking equipment to avoid such noise problems.
KnoppMyth can also be used to upgrade an existing KnoppMyth installation.
KnoppMyth Community
KnoppMyth users generally discuss ideas and help others at the official forum website.Version history
Since the first release in 2003, there have been about a dozen major and minor versions.- 2003-08-08 Release 1 "You better Belize it!"
- Based on Knoppix 2003-07-26 and MythTV 0.10
- 2003-08-25 Release 2 "Chicago, Chicago"
- Updated to MythTV 0.11
- 2003-09-01 Release 3 "Each of these my three babies"
- The CD can now be use as a frontend!
- 2003-11-03 Release 4 "CoCo2"
- Upgraded to MythTV 0.12.
- 2007-05-11 Release 5 Final 1 "Farewell days of my youth"
- 2008-07-06 Release 5.5 "Bone Marrow"
- 715536KB 2008-07-07 KnoppMythR5.5.iso MD5SUM=e58bebb074c8287d3f3d8bf61cc0413f
- 2009-09-26 Release 6