Mythbuntu 7.10: The Entertainment of Ubuntu


Mythbuntu is an Ubuntu-based distribution and live CD focused upon setting up a standalone MythTV system similar to KnoppMyth or Mythdora. It can be used to install a standalone frontend, backend, or combination machines. Mythbuntu uses Xfce as its default desktop and provides a graphical Control Centre to configure the system.

Mythbuntu is an Ubuntu derivative focused upon setting up a standalone MythTV system similar to Knoppmyth or Mythdora. Currently, it is a recognized as a community supported project by Canonical. Mythbuntu can be used to install a stand alone Frontend, Backend, or combination machines. Unlike similar projects, Mythbuntu keeps close ties with Ubuntu and all development is given back to the Ubuntu Community. This allows easy conversions from a standard desktop to a Mythbuntu machine and vice versa. The development cycle of Mythbuntu closely follows that of Ubuntu, releasing every six months shortly after Ubuntu releases.

Mythbuntu uses the XFCE4 desktop. All unnecessary applications such as OpenOffice, Evolution, and a full Gnome desktop are not installed for a Mythbuntu installation. At any time, a user may choose to install ubuntu-desktop, kubuntu-desktop, or xubuntu-desktop and add a full desktop onto their installation. This is done via the Mythbuntu Control Centre.

The Mythbuntu Control Centre is a GUI used to configure the system. From here you can select what kind of system (Backend, Frontend, Both) you want. You can also install different desktops such as ubuntu-desktop and kubuntu-desktop. Install Plugins, configure MySQL, set passwords, install proprietary drivers, proprietary codecs, setup remote controls, and a range of other bells and whistles all from one convenient program.

A Mythbuntu CD can also be used as a live frontend. This is great if you want to turn a laptop or desktop into a quick frontend or quickly test hardware compatibility. The live frontend provides a GUI to mount network shares, configure a remote, hostname, location of your master backend and a place to save settings. All settings can be saved directly back to a flash drive for easy portability.

Now, release of Mythbuntu 7.10 has been released. This release is based upon Ubuntu 7.10 (Gutsy Gibbon). You can download it at here.

Features of this release:

  • Frontend can be run from the Live CD
  • Complete installations(Backend, Frontend, Backend/Frontend, etc)
  • Xfce4 Desktop Environment
  • Easily upgrade from Ubuntu Gutsy to Mythbuntu
  • Custom Mythbuntu MythTV theme
  • GUI setup of LIRC
  • Setup MythTV optimizations through MCC
As said on its website, a 3.0 Ghz processor is recommended for frontend installations using HD video due to the increased load upon decoding. A lower end processor can be used however with multiple functions on a single machine (ie - Frontend/Backend Install) it is not recommended.

For the storages, 80 GB of disk space allows approx 70 GB of usable space for media. However with HD Format it is recommended to use 160 GB HDD or larger.

Although nVidia is recommended for graphic adapter, ATI, VIA, or Intel graphics cards are supported and will work. Currently, nVidia provides a higher level of support. Also the graphics recommendation is based on HDTV capable output processing.

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