Building a MythTV PVR

Kodi setup

I chose Kodi as the frontend over MythTV basically because I've used it before, and I like it. It looks good, is well laid out, is absolutely multi-platform, and has a nice little remote control called Kore running on Android platforms. The MythTV frontend is probably excellent, I just chose this way.

There are quite a few setup changes, nothing awkward. All settings are under System >> Settings. Settings level was changed to advanced.

Appearance (International): Set the appropriate locale details.

Appearance (Screensaver): Set to dim in 3 minutes.

TV (General): We will want to enable TV, but need to set up the PVR add-on first.

TV (Guide): Days to display set to 8, and do not cache in local database.

TV (Recording): Start/end padding time was left as 0, because 5/10 minutes is already set in frontend setup, which is really a backend setting anyway.

Add-ons->My add-ons->PVR clients should list the MythTV PVR client (previously installed). Under configure the only things to set are the IP address and conflict handling - prefer recording and stop live TV. Under the advanced settings ensure Block backend shutdown is enabled. Then enable the add-on.

Services (Web server): Allow remote control via HTTP.

Services (Remote control): Allow remote control by programs on this and other systems.

System (Video output): Display mode full screen. There should be no need for video calibration if it is run from a script as previously described.

System (Audio output): In advance of this, use the pulse audio controller ()configuration tab) under Applications >> Multimedia on the main system desktop to select the right HDMI output under High-Definition Audio Controller (that is how mine is, but it depends on your system components), then select the same device under the Kodi Audio output device setting.

System (Power saving): Put display to sleep when idle after 10 minutes, but leave Shutdown function timer off. In this way the screen will dim after 3 minutes, switch off after 10, and the backend will then be free to shut the system down.

Finally go back to the TV (General) page and enable TV, Kodi should then obtain channel lists from the backend.

Kodi then needs to be started automatically on boot up. To set this close Kodi and use the main system desktop Applications >> Settings, and using the Autostart menu entry, add Kodi to the list (invoking it via mythtv-runkodi, not kodi itself).

The system should then be ready to go.