Build Your own "Set-Top" Box

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?

Comments

What I'm doing

[samjam]

MPlayer www.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 or asfr+ try this mirror for recording streaming programmes like from www.byutv.org

I believe mplayer will record from tv cards

But... you might want to join openmovie 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

Video Disk Recorder

[RedPhoenix]

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

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Red.