Linux-Powered PVR/Satellite Machine

spicyjack writes "After reading this story, I thought this submit would be appropriate. A German company called Dream-Multimedia-TV has come up with a schweet custom box targeted for the PVR/Satellite markets. How about a machine with a 250Mhz IBM PowerPC, 2 SmartCard readers, one CompactFlash slot, UDMA66 IDE, MPEG2 support with MPEG4 (DivX) support on the way, Ethernet, LCD display, SPDIF out, yada yada yada (zipped User's Manual). Oh, and it is built specifically to run Linux. Available right now. Commence hacking!"

Comments

Wouldn't this be cheaper to make

[teamhasnoi]

with an x86 box? And, could the linux software be ported to an old powermac? (or new one?)

Questions I'm sure will be answered on the next episode of 'Taken'.

Re:$499 euros?

[w3svc_animal]

It seems they've priced it based on the idea, not necessarily the components.

Is there a point?

[Nefrayu]

I can see wanting to make a swiss army knife set top box because it's fun, but other than that, why would you do such a thing? I can't see a need for all of that in one unit. Period. Why not make a sleek and specialized (and cheap) box instead?

Re:$499 euros?

[Enahs]

Either you're just trolling, or a bit slow, or both, but if you really think that clock speed is all that counts, obviously you've never worked with PowerPCs.

Looks like it would be difficult to use...

[pokka]

It uses windows-like controls (dialog boxes, drop-down combos, OK buttons, etc). Looks like it would be very difficult to navigate/operate with a remote control. I'd say it has a long way to go before the UI will feel as intuitive as something like a TiVo or replayTV, instead of feeling like a All-in-wonder card hooked into your TV. On the other hand, the hardware is far superior to current DVRs. At least the UI can be easily improved through patches.

Re:It's the software

[radish]

True, but it doesn't usually include the required information to enable features like season passes and suggestions. It's that which takes Tivo above "dumb recorder" and into the truly useful category, and it's that which I'm more than happy to pay for.

Re:Why bother?

[gosand]

I also have DishPVR. It works, it's easy to use, it's built into your receiver already. You've already paid for it and you won't be getting your money back anytime soon, and if anything goes wrong with the DishPVR, you just have to call them up and they'll replace it or fix it. So why bother spending an extra $500 on an open-source option when what you've already got and paid for works just fine?

Umm, because that is what Hacking is all about?

Yeah, why would a "consumer" buy this? They wouldn't. This story isn't about that. I honestly think you are trolling with this question. You might as well ask "Why would I need an operating system other than Windows? It works, everyone uses it, and Microsoft is the largest software company in existence."

It's about hacking, about learning, about tinkering, about not just sitting on your ass and getting spoon-fed everything. No, it isn't for everyone. I can't afford one of these to hack, but I hope some people can and do, if only for the simple sake of doing it. What is the point, you may ask? Well, what is the point of sitting and watching TV? Think about that one...

I don't care if it runs Linux.

[fmaxwell]

I don't want a PVR that runs Linux. I want a PVR that works well. I don't give a rat's ass what OS it runs. In fact, I don't want to see the OS. I just want a powerful, user-friendly interface and software that does not require that I do anything to make it work other than select the programs I want to record.

Oh, wait... That's why I bought a TiVo. {Yes, it runs Linux under the hood, but, thankfully, that's well-hidden.}

I will never understand the Linux users that need daily affirmations of their operating system choice. Article after article on Slashdot is published about handhelds, PVRs, etc. that run Linux. It's like the Special Olympics of operating systems; everyone involved gets a ribbon.