MythTV is an open-source digital video recorder and media streamer software for Linux and Mac OS X. It is most often used in PCs as a free alternative to the popular TiVo service. It also has many of the network media streaming capabilities in Xbox Media Center. MythTV has almost all PVR functionality found with TiVo, including "Live TV" that allows you to pause, rewind, and fast forward live TV. It supports multiple TV tuners for multiple simultaneous recordings. Video is compressed using rtjpeg (from Nuppelvideo) or mpeg4 (from libavcodec). It is available as a free download, and is very often bundled with an Linux-based operating system for easy setup. One of the more popular MythTV bundles is Mythbuntu, a combination of MythTV and the popular Linux distro Ubuntu. The current release is version 0.21 released on March 8th, 2008.

MythTV
MSRP $0.00
Release date --
Brand --
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Pros & Cons15
Reviews7
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Pros & Cons

ProSCORE
7 reviews
85
negative
mixed
positive
6 positive
1 mixed
0 negative

[i] How is the ProSCORE calculated?

show me!

Pros:
Do you agree?
•
Free, open-source alternative to TiVO
+5agreedisagree

•
Support for multiple simultaneous TV tuners
+5agreedisagree

•
Live TV functionality. pause/rewind/fast forward live TV
+5agreedisagree

•
Commercial detection/skipping
+5agreedisagree

•
Web-based interface for remote recording
+5agreedisagree

•
Customizable menus
+5agreedisagree

•
Built-in DVD importer for "backing up" DVDs
+5agreedisagree

•
Includes many other apps including weather, web-browser, gallery, music player
+5agreedisagree

•
Web-powered electronic program guide
+4agreedisagree

•
Control your set-top box with an IR blaster
+4agreedisagree

•
Distributed architecture supporting multiple clients and multiple servers for a more advanced setup
+4agreedisagree

•
HDTV support
+3agreedisagree

Cons:
Do you agree?
•
Complicated setup geared towards more techie people
+3agreedisagree

•
Difficult working with digital broadcasts and HDTV
+2agreedisagree

•
Doesn't interact with digital cable/satellite directly but instead requires an IR blaster
+2agreedisagree


8 people added to this review by submitting or voting on pros and cons. Add your say!
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Details

Features

  • Supports ATSC, QAM, and DVB high-definition television.
  • Pause, skip, and rewind live TV shows.
  • Intelligently schedules recordings to avoid conflicts.
  • Interfaces with free TV listing sources such as XMLTV or PSIP.
  • Interfaces with subscription listings service Schedules Direct in the United States and Canada.
  • Schedule and administer various system functions using a web browser-based interface.
  • A backend server and frontend client architecture, allowing multiple frontend client machines to be remotely served content from one or more backend servers. A single computer can perform as both the frontend client and the backend server.
  • Analyzes recorded shows for optional commercial skipping
  • Plays recordings at an accelerated or decelerated rate, adjusting the audio pitch as necessary.
  • Controls a decoder/STB using an infrared remote (Irblaster)
  • Web interface for setting up recordings remotely
  • Customizable, skinnable menu

Setup

MythTV should be installed on a PC (or Mac) with a compatible video tuner card. MythTV continues to support more tuner cards as they are released, but it currently supports Hauppauge WinTV-PVR 150/250/350/500 series of tuner cards. The combination of PC + MythTV now can be used as a HTPC. The tuner card can be hooked up to your (1) analog OTA or cable directly, or (2) can be connected to your cable or satellite set-top box which can then be controlled using an IR blaster connected to the HTPC. The MythTV interface has an EPG (powered by XMLTV) that should be configured to your TV programming setup. A unique feature to MythTV is its distributed architecture allowing for multiple recording machines and multiple playback machines on the same network for a transparent experience to the user. For example, you could have MythTV connected to your digital cable in the living room, and have a second MythTV box in your bedroom that connects seamlessly to the digital cable and access the recorded shows remotely.

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This report was started May 1, 2008 at 1:26 pm by Erik
with the last edit occurring October 7, 2009 at 9:00 am by Robb Lincoln
This page has been viewed 2162 times, with 111 edits by 11 contributors.
See the full report history »

Buy It

Competitors

MythTV is ranked 2nd among it's competitors.  See the top picks in Software »
XBMC Media Center

XBMC Media Center

MSRP  $0.00    Released  January, 2004
Pros
  • Streams audio, video, photo content from your networked computer
  • Amazing file-format support. Will play just about any file you throw at it.
  • Open-source and free
Cons
  • Xbox version requires a modded Xbox
  • The Xbox version can't play HD video content (hardware limitation)
  • Not officially licensed for the Xbox
ProSCORE
40 reviews
77
Vote! (2 votes)
vote MythTV 50% vs. vote XBMC Media Center 50%
Scientific Atlanta Explorer 8300HD

Scientific Atlanta Explorer 8300HD

MSRP  $600.00    Released  January, 2001
Pros
  • Dual tuners can record two shows at once
  • Can record both HD and SD content
  • Can get it for free with your cable subscription
Cons
  • Annoying UI nuisances like search by title
  • No 30 second skip feature
  • have been through 3 boxes
ProSCORE
13 reviews
37
Vote! (1 vote)
vote MythTV 100% vs. vote Scientific Atlanta Explorer 8300HD 0%
TiVo HD

TiVo HD

MSRP  $299.00    Released  August, 2007
Pros
  • TiVo interface and menu is one of the best in the biz
  • Affordable HD TiVo
  • First cablecard device to market w/ multistream capabilities.
Cons
  • Requires extra subscription fee
  • Menus can be sluggish
  • Software for external storage not yet enabled.
ProSCORE
8 reviews
74
Vote! (1 vote)
vote MythTV 100% vs. vote TiVo HD 0%
EyeTV for DTT stick

EyeTV for DTT stick

MSRP  $130.00    Released  August, 2006
Pros
  • Bundled with Elgato's award winning EyeTV 3 software
  • extremely compact
  • connect via antenna or analogue/digital cable
Cons
  • no in-unit video storage
  • Macintosh only
  • Fee-based program guide
ProSCORE
1 review
73
Vote! (0 votes)
vote MythTV   vs. vote EyeTV for DTT stick  
Elgato EyeTV 250 Plus

Elgato EyeTV 250 Plus

MSRP  --    Released  --
ProSCORE
0 reviews
N/A
Vote! (0 votes)
vote MythTV   vs. vote Elgato EyeTV 250 Plus  
Nero LiquidTV | TiVo PC

Nero LiquidTV | TiVo PC

MSRP  $199.00    Released  October, 2008
Pros
  • Effectively unlimited storage capacity
  • The TiVo experience brought to the PC
  • Transcoding to portable media such as iPod, iPhone, PSP
Cons
  • Subscription Based
  • Requires a PC + TV Tuner card
  • Needs to be setup with IR Blaster for set-top boxes
ProSCORE
2 reviews
55
Vote! (0 votes)
vote MythTV   vs. vote Nero LiquidTV | TiVo PC  
Windows XP Media Center Edition

Windows XP Media Center Edition

MSRP  --    Released  --

Windows XP Media Center Edition is an expanded version of Windows XP Professional that is centered around the Windows Media Center application. This comprehensive system is responsible for managing and playing all of the media content that is stored on any storage devices that are connected to the computer, either directly or over a...

ProSCORE
0 reviews
N/A
Vote! (0 votes)
vote MythTV   vs. vote Windows XP Media Center Edition  
BeyondTV

BeyondTV

MSRP  --    Released  --
ProSCORE
0 reviews
N/A
Vote! (1 vote)
vote MythTV 100% vs. vote BeyondTV 0%
SageTV

SageTV

MSRP  --    Released  --
ProSCORE
0 reviews
N/A
Vote! (1 vote)
vote MythTV 100% vs. vote SageTV 0%

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Comments

1.  avatar Erik said:

I've never had a MythTV setup, but from doing all the research it seems to be a pretty powerful platform. The real test is could it supplant my current commercial HD-PVR setup from Rogers Canada. If anyone has any links to any amazing MythTV setups, please post them.

May 05, 2008 11:17am
2.  avatar dialupinternetuser said:

Can I use MythTV as a PVR for over-the-air transmissions? I don't have cable/satellite. I like how the MythTV can be used as a second cable box if you already have one, I definitely have a few of these if I had cable. I'd really like to create one, but will probably have to make that home server first. I assume MythTV can record on to a networked server, not just an HTPC's hard drive?
May 05, 2008 8:18pm
3.  avatar shavenwarthog said:

Just installed MythTV (actually Mythbuntu) last night on a spare laptop. It's quite incredible how easy it was to navigate around and do stuff. To insert a DVD and be prompted "Rip this? It'll take 20 minutes" was awesome.

But, I'd stay it's firmly in the "geek" camp at the moment. The "import MP3 collection" feature was pretty bad.
May 21, 2008 7:30pm
4.  avatar rabidpotatochip said:

I run a MythTV system in my living room; it's been in use since about February. You can record to any shared drive on your network (it's good to have Samba installed) and you can record over-the-air transmissions without problems, but you'll still need a tuner card.

My favorite part of the setup is the automatic commercial skip; you don't even have time to blink before the show starts again. It's not perfect, but I can confidently say at least 90% of the commercials are detected. I also use the web interface a lot. If I hear about a show at work I SSH into my mythbox and find it in the guide.

The only problem I ran into is that serial IR blasters don't work with version 7.10 of Ubuntu.
May 30, 2008 3:24pm
5.  avatar rabidpotatochip said:

I have to throw one more comment in here. In some cases it is possible for a MythTV system to interact directly with a satellite/cable set top box via a serial port, but it's rare that there is one and even rarer that it accepts input. However, if you are one of the lucky few that has this functionality you'll save a lot of headaches configuring your channel change script.
Jun 07, 2008 10:11am
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Reviews

Sort by: Most helpful  •  Newest  •  Most positive

dialupinternetuser

avatar
May 5, 2008
approved
reviewer
ProSCORE
80
negative
mixed
positive
12 pros
3 cons
want itwant it
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

Pros

  • Free, open-source alternative to TiVO
  • Support for multiple simultaneous TV tuners
  • Live TV functionality. pause/rewind/fast forward live TV
  • Commercial detection/skipping
  • Web-based interface for remote recording
  • Customizable menus
  • Built-in DVD importer for "backing up" DVDs
  • Includes many other apps including weather, web-browser, gallery, music player
  • Web-powered electronic program guide
  • Control your set-top box with an IR blaster
  • Distributed architecture supporting multiple clients and multiple servers for a more advanced setup
  • HDTV support

Cons

  • Complicated setup geared towards more techie people
  • Difficult working with digital broadcasts and HDTV
  • Doesn't interact with digital cable/satellite directly but instead requires an IR blaster

Comments

"Can I use MythTV as a PVR for over-the-air transmissions? I don't have cable/satellite. I like how the MythTV can be used as a second cable box if you already have one, I definitely have a few of these if I had cable. I'd really like to create one, but will probably have to make that home server first. I assume MythTV can record on to a networked server, not just an HTPC's hard drive?"

Competitors

Did you find this review helpful?
Yes
 / 
No

Erik

avatar
May 5, 2008
approved
reviewer
ProSCORE
80
negative
mixed
positive
12 pros
3 cons
want itwant it
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

Pros

  • Free, open-source alternative to TiVO
  • Support for multiple simultaneous TV tuners
  • Live TV functionality. pause/rewind/fast forward live TV
  • Commercial detection/skipping
  • Web-based interface for remote recording
  • Customizable menus
  • Built-in DVD importer for "backing up" DVDs
  • Includes many other apps including weather, web-browser, gallery, music player
  • Web-powered electronic program guide
  • Control your set-top box with an IR blaster
  • Distributed architecture supporting multiple clients and multiple servers for a more advanced setup
  • HDTV support

Cons

  • Complicated setup geared towards more techie people
  • Difficult working with digital broadcasts and HDTV
  • Doesn't interact with digital cable/satellite directly but instead requires an IR blaster

Comments

"

I've never had a MythTV setup, but from doing all the research it seems to be a pretty powerful platform. The real test is could it supplant my current commercial HD-PVR setup from Rogers Canada. If anyone has any links to any amazing MythTV setups, please post them.

"
Did you find this review helpful?
Yes
 / 
No

rabidpotatochip

avatar
August 31, 2008
approved
reviewer
ProSCORE
85
negative
mixed
positive
11 pros
2 cons
love itlove it
have ithave it
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

Pros

  • Free, open-source alternative to TiVO
  • Support for multiple simultaneous TV tuners
  • Live TV functionality. pause/rewind/fast forward live TV
  • Commercial detection/skipping
  • Web-based interface for remote recording
  • Customizable menus
  • Built-in DVD importer for "backing up" DVDs
  • Includes many other apps including weather, web-browser, gallery, music player
  • Web-powered electronic program guide
  • Control your set-top box with an IR blaster
  • Distributed architecture supporting multiple clients and multiple servers for a more advanced setup

Cons

  • Difficult working with digital broadcasts and HDTV
  • Doesn't interact with digital cable/satellite directly but instead requires an IR blaster

Comments

"I run a MythTV system in my living room; it's been in use since about February. You can record to any shared drive on your network (it's good to have Samba installed) and you can record over-the-air transmissions without problems, but you'll still need a tuner card.

My favorite part of the setup is the automatic commercial skip; you don't even have time to blink before the show starts again. It's not perfect, but I can confidently say at least 90% of the commercials are detected. I also use the web interface a lot. If I hear about a show at work I SSH into my mythbox and find it in the guide.

The only problem I ran into is that serial IR blasters don't work with version 7.10 of Ubuntu."
"I have to throw one more comment in here. In some cases it is possible for a MythTV system to interact directly with a satellite/cable set top box via a serial port, but it's rare that there is one and even rarer that it accepts input. However, if you are one of the lucky few that has this functionality you'll save a lot of headaches configuring your channel change script."
Did you find this review helpful?
Yes
 / 
No

Manzabar

avatar
May 13, 2008
approved
reviewer
ProSCORE
100
negative
mixed
positive
6 pros
0 cons
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

Pros

  • Free, open-source alternative to TiVO
  • Commercial detection/skipping
  • Web-based interface for remote recording
  • Customizable menus
  • Includes many other apps including weather, web-browser, gallery, music player
  • Distributed architecture supporting multiple clients and multiple servers for a more advanced setup

Cons

Did not agree with any cons

Competitors

Manzabar prefers XBMC Media Center over MythTV
Did you find this review helpful?
Yes
 / 
No

Mark Purcell

avatar
October 7, 2009
approved
reviewer
ProSCORE
92
negative
mixed
positive
12 pros
1 con
love itlove it

Pros

  • Free, open-source alternative to TiVO
  • Support for multiple simultaneous TV tuners
  • Live TV functionality. pause/rewind/fast forward live TV
  • Commercial detection/skipping
  • Web-based interface for remote recording
  • Customizable menus
  • Built-in DVD importer for "backing up" DVDs
  • Includes many other apps including weather, web-browser, gallery, music player
  • Web-powered electronic program guide
  • Control your set-top box with an IR blaster
  • Distributed architecture supporting multiple clients and multiple servers for a more advanced setup
  • HDTV support

Cons

  • Complicated setup geared towards more techie people

Did you find this review helpful?
Yes
 / 
No

badbrass

avatar
September 25, 2008
approved
reviewer
ProSCORE
100
negative
mixed
positive
3 pros
0 cons
have ithave it

Pros

  • Free, open-source alternative to TiVO
  • Support for multiple simultaneous TV tuners
  • Live TV functionality. pause/rewind/fast forward live TV

Cons

Did not agree with any cons

Did you find this review helpful?
Yes
 / 
No

shavenwarthog

avatar
May 21, 2008
approved
reviewer
ProSCORE
50
negative
mixed
positive
1 pro
1 con
love itlove it
have ithave it

Pros

  • Built-in DVD importer for "backing up" DVDs

Cons

  • Complicated setup geared towards more techie people

Comments

"Just installed MythTV (actually Mythbuntu) last night on a spare laptop. It's quite incredible how easy it was to navigate around and do stuff. To insert a DVD and be prompted "Rip this? It'll take 20 minutes" was awesome.

But, I'd stay it's firmly in the "geek" camp at the moment. The "import MP3 collection" feature was pretty bad."
Did you find this review helpful?
Yes
 / 
No

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