Building a Linux box for NextPVR advice please

[bgowland]

Hi all,

It's been a long while since I was here and I feel like a newbie again - things have changed quite a bit.

I'd like to build a compact Linux box to sit under my TV. I'm looking at a Hauppauge WinTV-quadHD board with a terrestrial TV aerial for UK Freeview (DVB-T2). I've found a nice compact case which takes microATX mobos.

So questions are...

What sort of processor and RAM do I need for good performance?
What flavour of Linux? I've been running Debian on my main desktop for 15 years, any good? Or should I use Ubuntu or something else?
The case I've seen has space for a 2.5" SSD plus a 3.5" HDD - recommendations for an ultra quiet HDD?

Any advice much appreciated.

Cheers.

[mvallevand]

Welcome back. I expect unless you want to use the web browser for playback you could use the hardware from GBPVR. My production server runs Debian because I like it better for headless servers. I like moving the server and having an Android box for playback so wires and noises aren't concerns.

If you want the server to be a client LibreElec is a good choice. If you have other servers or uses for the desktop Kodi is the client runs as a flat pack not ideal.

Martin

[sub]

That username is a blast from the past. Good to see you again!

[bgowland]

Thanks Martin and sub for the welcome back. It has been a looooonnnnnng time. I didn't consciously abandon npvr, more a case of ageing hardware gradually grinding to a halt and lack of funds to keep it up to date. The TiVo with our Virgin Media contract ended up taking over.

I'll have some cash soon and we're abandoning VM - ever thirsty vampires constantly increasing prices for stuff we don't really need. Freeview can cover pretty much everything we want.

I'm aiming at direct boot into npvr and HDMI connection assuming the mobo I get  has a decent graphics chipset. Controlling it needs some thought - perhaps a mini BT keyboard / mouse combo though the web ui and a tablet could be an option. Still a lot to think about.

Cheers,
Brian

[mvallevand]

I think LE would be my choice based on that, it runs well on x64 hardware.

Martin

[bgowland]

Thanks Martin. Any hints for burning a bootable USB stick so I can check LE out before I get the hardware for my new PVR?

Cheers,
Brian

[mvallevand]

Just boot from the x64 image and don't install it. You can PXE boot too without installing but that's too much effort if you don't do it already

Martin

[bgowland]

Hmm, I'm rethinking things now.

I'm thinking I may house the npvr box upstairs in my nerd room same way as my old Win XP npvr box always was. I need to drill a hole from upstairs into the living room downstairs to run the aerial cable through to the TV anyway and I can always pass a network cable through that hole as well. My old setup had a PCH A110 wired from the XP box so I just need to work out what to used as a wired client connected to TV. I'm assuming the PCH wouldn't work any more? I can always gut it and fit new hardware of some sort.

Cheers,
Brian

[mvallevand]

That's what I showed in my first post as my approach, no need for the antenna cable on the TV unless you want it too.

For the PCH replacement you have many choices. For the NextPVR GUI that is what you get with what sub now calls UI clients. If you are lucky perhaps your TV is a SmartTV and it has Android or is an LG, Samsung or Roku and there are UI clients for those platforms. Otherwise. You can use dedicated TV boxes or sticks. There are UI clients for Apple, Android, Amazon Fire TV and Roku.

if you don't need the GUI, sub has his own clients for Apple TV and Android too. There is also Kodi which runs on lots of platforms.

Martin

[gEd]

Welcome back bgowland !
Related to what Martin said above, I have a nice Sony TV running Android and use his UIdroid app on the TV. Looks exactly like the native ".exe" client and renders the HDMI connection from PC to TV obsolete.