MythTV is an open source PVR software project.

It is well-known in the Linux world as a complex application with many dependencies, difficult to install. The FreeBSD ports system simplifies much of the process, but there remain components that must be set up manually. This page attempts to walk you through the tough parts.

MythTV is designed to utilize V4L to access video input devices (encoders, tuners). FreeBSD does not include V4L (it's 4L, after all). At this time, the multimedia/mythtv port works with Conexant iTVC MPEG encoders, including [http://www.hauppauge.com/pages/prods_pvr.html Hauppauge WinTV PVR-x50] cards.

Support for [http://www.pchdtv.com/ pcHDTV] cards currently does not exist, but we're hopeful the company will follow through on their offer to contribute a unit for testing.

It may also work with bktr cards – can someone confirm? If you have experience running MythTV with any of its other “supported” hardware under FreeBSD, please consider contributing to this page.

MythTV is flexible and modular enough that any dependencies are related to modules or specific functionality, and there isn't a heck of alot required by the base system. Due to MythTV's architecture, dependencies can be divided thusly:

• Front-end:
  • X (ideally using a video card that supports XvMC)
  • LIRC-compatible remote (optional)
• Back-end:
  • MySQL
  • Tuner (optional)
  • Scads of disk (optional)

• Install drivers for your hardware:
  • For Hauppauge cards, the ports are multimedia/pvr250 or multimedia/pvrxxx depending on your model.
    • Add to /boot/loader.conf :

# cxm_iic_load="YES"
# cxm_load="YES"}}}
  * For '''bktr''' (older Brooktree or Connexant 8x8), {{{kldload bktr}}} or rebuild your kernel.  {{{man bktr}}} for details.
  * For Plextor ConnectX (M|TV)402U devices ... wait a bit, I have one on order.  :)
 * ?

=== MythTV ===

 * If you want access to programme guide data, create an account at http://labs.zap2it.com/. (optional)
 * Install MythTV from the port:{{{
# cd /usr/ports/multimedia/mythtv
# make install}}}
 * Configure per the on-screen instructions.

----

== References ==
 * Software:
  * [http://www.mythtv.org/ MythTV site]
 * FreeBSD-specific:
  * [http://portsmon.freebsd.org/portoverview.py?category=multimedia&portname=mythtv multimedia/mythtv] in portsmon
  * [http://www.freebsd.org/cgi/man.cgi?query=bktr&apropos=0&sektion=0&manpath=FreeBSD+6.1-RELEASE&format=html bktr] man page
  * [http://portsmon.freebsd.org/portoverview.py?category=multimedia&portname=pvr250 multimedia/pvr250] in portsmon
  * [http://portsmon.freebsd.org/portoverview.py?category=multimedia&portname=pvrxxx multimedia/pvrxxx] in portsmon
 * Honourable mention:
  * [http://mythtv.son.org/ Installation guide by Stacey Son and Ari Maniatis], for MythTV 0.17 and FreeBSD 5.3