Code Forums - View Single Post - MythTV, Freevo, and other Linux TIVO-likes

bdl · 08-23-2003, 07:14 AM

I can give you some advice on setting up the capture card, but am not familiar with the other apps. From what I've seen, the WinTV tuner / capture card is a good deal, supported with the BTTV driver, and around $50. or less.

I've got a dedicated system here with 3 composite capture cards hooked up to 3 seperate security cameras (yes, one of them is an x10 camera =) ) that works pretty nicely capturing and streaming video in realtime, along with capturing snapshots when something moves in the cameras area. All three cards use the BTTV driver. I'm using the cheapo DVD capture cards by AverMedia. available at newegg.com for around $42.

First, read the thread that redhead posted above, that tells you how to enable all the right modules in the kernel. Then, depending on your distro and how modules are loaded (I use debian), you want to use this config:

/etc/modules.conf

Code:

# I2C module options
alias char-major-89 i2c-dev
options i2c-core i2c_debug=1
options i2c-algo-bit bit_test=1

## video
alias char-major-81 videodev
alias char-major-81-0 bttv
options bttv    card=0 radio=0 tuner=4 pll=0

/etc/modules (or /etc/rc.modules, etc)

Code:

## load these modules in this order
## makes life easier
videodev
i2c-dev
i2c-core
i2c-algo-bit
bttv

Reason for the config above is so that the bttv driver doesn't hang. Now, with the WinTV tuner card, you'll need to change the parameters for your card, specifically the 'card' 'radio' 'tuner' options. These can be found in the linux Documentation/video4linux/bttv/ CARDLIST and Cards. There you will (probably) find the card you're using, and all the correct option parms for it.

Once everything is loaded up you can create a ~/.xawtvrc file, something like this and try out xawtv for testing purposes:

Code:

[global]
freqtab = us-cable
pixsize = 320x240
jpeg-quality = 75

[defaults]
input = Television 
norm = ntsc
capture = grabdisplay

Obviously change for your area or your specific needs. That should work fine in the US. Hope this gives you some insight, I know it took me awhile to get it all straightened out.

08-23-2003, 07:14 AM	#4 (permalink)
bdl Senior Contributor Join Date: May 2002 Location: vta.ca.usa Posts: 555	I can give you some advice on setting up the capture card, but am not familiar with the other apps. From what I've seen, the WinTV tuner / capture card is a good deal, supported with the BTTV driver, and around $50. or less. I've got a dedicated system here with 3 composite capture cards hooked up to 3 seperate security cameras (yes, one of them is an x10 camera =) ) that works pretty nicely capturing and streaming video in realtime, along with capturing snapshots when something moves in the cameras area. All three cards use the BTTV driver. I'm using the cheapo DVD capture cards by AverMedia. available at newegg.com for around $42. First, read the thread that redhead posted above, that tells you how to enable all the right modules in the kernel. Then, depending on your distro and how modules are loaded (I use debian), you want to use this config: /etc/modules.conf Code: # I2C module options alias char-major-89 i2c-dev options i2c-core i2c_debug=1 options i2c-algo-bit bit_test=1 ## video alias char-major-81 videodev alias char-major-81-0 bttv options bttv card=0 radio=0 tuner=4 pll=0 /etc/modules (or /etc/rc.modules, etc) Code: ## load these modules in this order ## makes life easier videodev i2c-dev i2c-core i2c-algo-bit bttv Reason for the config above is so that the bttv driver doesn't hang. Now, with the WinTV tuner card, you'll need to change the parameters for your card, specifically the 'card' 'radio' 'tuner' options. These can be found in the linux Documentation/video4linux/bttv/ CARDLIST and Cards. There you will (probably) find the card you're using, and all the correct option parms for it. Once everything is loaded up you can create a ~/.xawtvrc file, something like this and try out xawtv for testing purposes: Code: [global] freqtab = us-cable pixsize = 320x240 jpeg-quality = 75 [defaults] input = Television norm = ntsc capture = grabdisplay Obviously change for your area or your specific needs. That should work fine in the US. Hope this gives you some insight, I know it took me awhile to get it all straightened out.