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Television Media

Build Your own "Set-Top" Box 28

Posted by Cliff from the d-i-y dept.
slakdrgn writes "I'm looking into building my own set-top box using Linux. Unfortunately I've only been able to find Windows programs for this, for certian reasons (cost mainly, I like to stay legal ;), I can't go to windows for this. My current setup is a Duron 700 with 512MB ram and a TNT2 w/TV Out, how would you go about building your own set-top box? I've searched all around, would like to build something using a simple UI with a nice remote control. I've tried adapting some car audio programs with no luck." We've dealt with cases for set-tops, now what about stuff to put into it (hardware) and the code that will run on it (software). For those of you who have done this, what suggestions would you like to give for those who will follow in your footsteps?
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Build Your own "Set-Top" Box More

Build Your own "Set-Top" Box

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  • Grab Platform Builder [order-2.com] and whip up a set top box image in half an hour.

    Then download it via ethernet to your box (CEPC in WinCE terms).

    Piece of cake. Really. Maybe a day's development.

    The software will only work for 120 days from the date of installation, but seeing as how quickly you should be able to get a STB up and running, there really isn't any reason to keep the software that long.

  • What I'm doing (Score:4, Informative)

    by samjam ( 256347 ) on Wednesday June 12, 2002 @03:37AM (#3684515) Homepage Journal

    MPlayer www.mplayerhq.hu [mplayerhq.hu] can play pretty much anything if you run on x86 and the version about to be released even plays real media.

    I use asfrecorder [sourceforge.net] or asfr+ try this mirror [liddicott.com] for recording streaming programmes like from www.byutv.org [byutv.org]

    I believe mplayer will record from tv cards

    But... you might want to join openmovie [openmovie.de] which aims to make a complete media system based on some of the above components

    When you have questions like these never underestimate searching freshmeat.net [freshmeat.net]

  • Video Disk Recorder (Score:4, Informative)

    by RedPhoenix ( 124662 ) on Wednesday June 12, 2002 @04:36AM (#3684698)
    Apart from the well-known Tivo, one project for set-top boxes that springs to mind is the "Video Disk Recorder" project - available from the following site:

    http://www.cadsoft.de/people/kls/vdr/index.htm

    From the "Features" Link:
    * Operation entirely via DVB card's On Screen Display and infrared control (LIRC/RCU) or keyboard
    * Support for multiple DVB cards (up to four, at least one full featured card with video out required) and "conditional access" (CICAM)
    * Channel groups
    * EPG display by channel or by time ("What's on now/next")
    * Timers: Programming via EPG or manually, priority/lifetime model, single-shot or repeating timers which use EPG subtitle info as recording's title additionally
    * Recording storage on disk: Automatically splitting of recording into files (2GB), support for multiple storage directories (may be spread over multiple disks), support for hierarchical storage
    * Support for multiple audio tracks and Dolby Digital
    * Instant recording
    * Playback modes normal, pause, fast forward/backward (multi speed), jump to specific location, jump 60 seconds
    * Support for editing recordings (with I-frame accuracy: ~1/2 second)
    * Multiple language support
    * Support for executing system commands and displaying output on screen
    * Network support (SVDRP): Manage timers and recordings via telnet
    * Automatic shutdown/wakeup (with certain mainboards)
    * Support for automatically executing commands upon recording start/end and editing recordings
    * Support for MP3/DVD/(S)VCD/DivX playback and DivX recording via patches

    --
    Red.
    • Isn't that system limited to Euro systems? I know I've looked into a settop box for a DVR with schedule abilities, but I can't find anything out there that can get channel listings for the US market. Other than a program to download US cable/sat market listings and act as a timer for a DVR/PVR, everything else seems to be out there and in open source for Linux -- IR projects for remote control and automatic control of your cable/sat box from the computer, DVD players, and, of course, MP3 and other audio programs if you want it to handle your music collection as well.

      I've seen this system and one or two others, but nothing to do scheduling/program listings for US.
      • In order to get the Tivo working in Australia, Tridge (of SAMBA fame) has created scripts that grab publically available cable and free-to-air channel lists from web sites, and mangles them into Tivo guide data format.

        Note that this is only a temporary measure until Tivo set-up shop down-under, and the scripts are not available outside AU (because of the potential to devalue the Tivo service). However, it proves that such a process could potentially be performed for an open-source PVR-like system, based on US listings.

        --
        Red.

  • For those who *can* use Windows... (Score:3, Informative)

    by Chasing Amy ( 450778 ) <asdfijoaisdf@askdfjpasodf.com> on Wednesday June 12, 2002 @05:25AM (#3684809) Homepage
    As has been said before, for those who have no objections about using Windows, the best package on the market right now both in terms of hardware and software is the ATI All-in-Wonder 8500 or All-in-Wonder 7500 line of products. It includes an integrated Guide+ functionality not unlike the Guide+ program guide integrated into many newer TV's, it includes an excellent and full-featured remote control that runs on RF and so has no line-of-sight issues, and its Multimedia Center software runs very well and stably atop Windows 2k/XP and provides simple but well-made functionality. The DVD playback performance of its tweaked and hardware-iDCT-accelerated Cinemaster engine is the best I've seen, and that includes my hardware DVD decoder card, the REALmagic Hollywood+. In fact, ATI cards are a favorite in the AVSforum home theatre website in part because of their DVD quality, despite a recent gamma issue which has been fixed.

    Read about it here, compared against other cards:

    http://www.anandtech.com/showdoc.html?i=1609&p=1 4

    I know the question was about Linux functionality, but for anyone who just wants the best set-top solution he can put together himself, without concern of what OS it runs, the ATI A-i-W 7500 or 8500 is the answer. The A-i-W 7500 is even available at Best Buy for around $179-$199, and includes all the relevant features of the 8500DV, just with the 7500 core and without the integrated Firewire port, and with a conventional tuner instead of a silicon tuner.

    It won't help the original questioner, but maybe it will be of use to someone...

  • I have been down this road, and I have found that finding and X modeline for NTSC is very difficult. The default 800 x 600 modeline seems to work fairly well, at least with atitvout and my ATI-based IBM a20p, but there is still some blurring etc.

    I have tried several different video cards, and my advice would be to go with an ATI card they seem to work best (in my limited experience) with TV for Linux. Avoid 3Dfx devices...

  • I'm working on porting Skinux [skinux.com] to Linux, for the purposes of making a nice-looking GUI for an "audio TiVo" from a GCT-Allwell STB.

  • Buy a fucking Tivo, already. (Score:2, Interesting)

    by Anonymous Coward
    Look, I know the whole "do-it-yourself" thing is cool, but this really isn't where you want to be doing it. Spend $350 and get a Tivo. A homebuilt box using second-rate components and application software just simply won't work well.
    • Dude, you have to remember: Tivos are not available in some countries, eg. New Zealand, where I live. This is one reason why I'm building such a system [bluelightning.org] for myself. (The hack factor is somewhat compelling as well, though).
    • Actually, if you're gonna buy a pre-built, skip Tivo. Not only do ReplayTV compatible systems have a wider range of features (The newer ones have commercial skip and network file transfer) but the maker, Sonic Blue, is fighting FOR information freedom. They don't collect usage data, and are fighting a court order to try and force them to. Sony, the maker of Tivo, is fighting to limit information freedom and to increase the invasion of your privacy in the name of protecting copyright. By the way, both systems are Linux based, and you can download server software for ReplayTV systems.
  • I have been working on and off on this for a while. My soultion involves some cheap but specialized hardware (Matrox G400-TV Video, DXR3 MPEG Decoder) and open software like Xine and MJPEG tools. The funtianlity is complete, I am now working on a nice interface. Functionality includes a lot of Tivo functionality, playing DVD's, SVCD's, VCD's, MP3, etc,etc. The advantage of rolling your own is that it does what you want. ;-)

    http://james.nontrivial.org/projvdr.htm

    James
  • You can use a embedded linux variant or slash a existing distribution(Redhat ;-)).
    AMD chips/display/audio cards are well supported in linux.
    Use either a window manager/Qt/microwindows for GUI display.
    If u choose to go with a window manager(KDE/Gnome) all the video/audio/browser apps will run without any trouble. ;-)
    Design a application (which runs in Full screen) which will have a link to all the applications.

  • Wish List (Score:3, Informative)

    by renehollan ( 138013 ) <rhollan@@@clearwire...net> on Wednesday June 12, 2002 @12:32PM (#3687062) Homepage Journal
    1) No CPU Fan. Use a Via C3.

    2) MPEG2 decoding. The REALmagic Netstream2000TV [realmagic.com] fits the bill. No fan on the card either.

    3) DVD drive. A DVD read/writer would be nice, but pricy, and a combo DVCROM/CDRW drive convenient.

    4) Progressive Scan Component Video output. This is standard with the Netstream2000TV. It also handles TV output (probably via svideo and composite outputs). The earlier Netstream2000 only had SVGA (i.e. component) outputs.

    5) Dolby Digital and DTS decoding. The Netstream2000TV has an SPDIF output for this.

    6) SPDIF and analog two chanel audio to feed the TV would be nice when you don't want to fire up the whole theater system. Motherboard audio should be fine. This causes a bit of a wrinkle since you probably have to select which digital audio input to use on the reciever. Analog audio could go to the TV when you don't want to fire up the whole theatre system.

    7) OSD. The Netstream2000TV allows for SVGA overlay, so you could use the motherboard's video. Not the best for games, but adequate for an OSD or browser.

    8) 100BaseT Ethernet. Duh!

    9) Wireless keyboard and mouse. Duh!

    10) TV tuner/video input for PVR functionality. This is actually tough, because now you're adding another PCI card: two is about the max in an STB and you might want a high-fidelity card. Furthermore, with cable, antenna, SD, and satellite inputs, you probably won't find a tuner for all of them. However, the REAMmagic DVR [realmagic.com] might be the ticket instead of the Netstream2000TV. This encodes and decodes MPEG2 video. You only have SVGA output with this card, though, so you need a TV with component inputs. So, you could couple this with any receiver (VCR as a tuner, satellite receiver) with video output. The issue would be encoding quality (and you'd lose direct MPEG2 recording that you'd have with a DirecTIVO, for example). Dunno if you could capture component video or only composite. So, I wouldn't expect PVR quality to be all that great.

    11) IR output. You want to control those outboard components, like VCR, Cable STB, and satellite receiver, right? There should be plenty of hacks to add circuits off of serial and/or parallel ports for this.

    Now, I've pushed the Netstream2000TV rather heavily here (I own a Netstream2000, but no REALmagig stock, nor am I employed by them), but damn, it looks like a nice card. The Netstream2000 even came with some Linux software, but the good bits were binary only.

    I think the combination of a VIA C3 processor, Netstream2000TV, and combo DVDROM/CDRW drive, would make a kick-ass STB. Add a hard disk if you can stand the noise. About the only thing remaining to worry about would be power supply fan noise.

  • Don't know if this has been mentioned yet, but I use vcr [freshmeat.net].
    Along with cron and a simple shell script, that's pretty much all you need.

  • I recently put together an STB with the MyHD TV card, which has two video inputs (useful for, e.g., cable and an off-the-air antenna, since most digital cable systems fall far, far short of true HDTV performance) a fairly full-featured remote, SVGA out, a pass through cable/adapter for using a computer and a HDTV or standard monitor, component video inputs (part of the pass through adapter) and Dolby capable dts.

    I'm sure I left some features out. There's a lot more info at avsforums.com - the developers (Macro Image Technologies) maintain an active presence there, and are actively upgrading capabilities

    It's a bit pricey ($280 at Digital Connections) but with HDTV tuners running $500-900 Best Buy (I don't consider BB any sort of standard for quality, but they're everywhere), it's a bargain for HDTV. Even after shelling out $1500-2500 for a HDTV capable projector or monitor, you usually need a separate tuner to actually receive the HDTV signal.

    BTW, don't fall for a fancy HDTV antenna. Few are any better than a $15 Radio Shack 'double bowtie' that sits on your TV (and most are worse). One good thing about HDTV is that you either get a clear signal or none at all (though you may experience drop outs at the fringe)

    Before the MyHD, I had a $30 IOmagic PVR card from Outpost.com (actually a rebadged Pinnacle Studio Pro, and a great performer, if you load Pinnacle's drivers instead of IOmagic's) It even came with a $20 rebate, IIRC. For NTSC (standard TV) viewing or recording on a budget, I'd say it's hard to beat $10 after rebate.

    I often recompress to a better codec (e.g. DivX 4 fast motion) and get 3 episodes of good VHS quality (or much better, if the source is HDTV) archival on a single CD. If you tape/save your favorite show, you'll definitely prefer CD/HDD over VCR tapes - CDs are cheaper (HDDs are about the same at $1/GB, and 5 eps/GB) and digital media give you better image, near-instant scanning to a desired scene (when you want to answer a question), and many other advantages. (e.g. I make parodies and music videos)

    My next NTSC set-top may use the Shuttle SS50 (or a newer incarnation). it has decent audio/video built in (it doesn't use the mediocre capability of its South Bridge chip, as most do, but has discrete audio, video, and LAN chips) as well as 2 PCI slots (a newer version has 1 PCI+1AGP)

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