Ok,
I have heard alot about Myth and I am considering setting one up this fall sometime. I consider myself a Linux newbie but I have used linux in a programming and IT environment on and off for about 10 yrs.

My first question is about hardware;

I have 2 machines that are not in main use and I could use for this box (today);

First one is a old Dual Processor Penitum 3 1.0 GHz processors, with 512 megs of ram with 40 gig HD. Has a old Matrox Millenium G300 Card in it. I believe it has a 52X CD Burner and a Sound Blaster awe64 Gold Sound Card with full outputs.

The other is a Penitum 3 - 1.3GHz, 512 Ram, 40 Gig HD, built in Intel Video and Sound.

These machines, I used to use as test boxes for software development but are now dated. I realize that I need to purchase at least a tuner card like Hauppauge WinTV model 401 w/ dbx and a DVD burner but what else could I need above?

I would like to use the second box which is a single processor unit as I am about to take a Graduate level CS course that could possibly use the first machines dual processors but I will do what I have to do to get this thing working.

If I use the second machine what may I and may I not be able to do?

If this works out, like I hope, I will shell out the cash and get a decent a small form factor box and build myself a shuttle type system.

To be honest I saw myth installed and used quite a while back at a LUG meeting, what can myth do as far as video and sound from cable input and FM\XM signals.

I am considering downloading knoppmyth and letting it boot up and see whats available is that the best way to see its capabilities? Is there a list of software that is on knoppmyth.

Thanks for everyones patience,
Chris

Start here: http://www.knoppmythwiki.org/index.php?page=HardwareConfigs
It could stand to be updated for modern hardware and HDTV, but should be right in line with the hardware you're talking about.

you dont NEED a DVD burner, you NEED a bigger disk!

Watch sales for 200-500 GB disks for < $100

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R5F1 - Dell P4 2.4Ghz 500MB - PVR250 x 2 - GeForce FX 5200 - Onboard sound/NIC 80GB ATA/250GB ATA/400GB SATA

I was able to put together a system with a 1GHz system with a 40GB Drive and a Hauppauge 500 card. Assuming PC compatibility, buy the tuner and try it out. This is a fun hobby.

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R7.3: 0.22.20091023-1, Hauppauge PVR-500 (Philips FQ1236A MK4), Gigabyte Gigabyte EG45M-UD2H, E5200 2.4Ghz, 2GB RAM, NVIDIA GEFORCE 256MB