OK, I was trying to refrain from posting this question, but I just could not find an answer in the forum or elsewhere and its eating away at my brain!

I set up a new frontend this week using R4V5, to replace my XBOX frontend. I took mysql and myth-backend out of the rc5.d startup, and replaced "localhost" with the IP of my backend machine in mysql.txt. However, upon starting mythfrontend, it tells me it cannot connect to the backend server. I've verified that the passwords are all synced up, and that mysql is allowing connections from the new frontend IP, but no luck. However, I found that if I do run the mysql startup script on the frontend, everything works fine. This is how I'm currently running it, but I'm baffled because I don't have mysql running on my XBOX frontend and it connects without issue.

I'd like to know why I need mysql running on the frontend, but more importantly, will that interfere with anything on the backend and hose things up?

-Mike

I have only messed with frontend backend once, but I can assure you that you do not have to have mysql running at all on a frontend. you may want to have a look a the frontendonlyinstall page on the wiki. My guess would be that you still have localhost in the setup somewhere. there are a couple of places that you have to change the ip.

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Have a question search the forum and have a look at the KnoppMythWiki.

Xsecrets

Just currious ... how did you like the xbox frontend? Are you replacing it because you didn't like it?

I would double-check that your mysql.txt file hasn't somehow reverted back to 'localhost' rather than the IP number of your backend. When doing repeated installs of my remote frontend system, I would run across this problem.

Arghhhh...I had folllowed the wiki HOWTO to a tee - except I kept editting /etc/mythtv/mysql.txt instead of /usr/share/mythtv/mysql.txt. It's a soft link on my XBOX setup, so I didn't think too hard about it on the KnoppMyth system.

As for the XBOX as a frontend - its pretty good, but not stellar. It was a cheap solution to a frontend since I already had it and its in a decent looking case which is relatively quiet. It plays MPEG4 video just fine (only uses about 26% CPU at 480x480 decoding), and the TV output is very clear. The drawbacks are that it is a bit sluggish since it only has 64MB of RAM and swaps a lot, and that the IR receiver for the remote only listens at I think 52kHz so is really only compatible with the XBOX remote which has only a limited number of buttons. I'm hoping to make this new frontend with a few more features, and put it in maybe a nice SilverStone or CoolerMaster case.

-Mike

Cool -- I am thinking of doing the same thing. Diskless network boot seems like a cool idea...

If you're thinking about an XBOX, I highly suggest the Idot's Installer as a soft-mod. Search for it on Xbox-Scene.com. I'd like to figure out the network boot thing as well, but may just opt for a compact flash card instead of a hard drive. Good luck!

Everything you need to run an Xbox as a MythTV frontend (once it's modded anyway) is right here:

http://bit.blkbk.com/phpBB2/

As for the remote, I'm using a 1forAll remote from Radio Shack that I got for $30. It runs my receiver, DVD, VCR, TV, Cable Box, and the xbox without any problems at all. If you want to get fancy you can even buy a cable for <$10 that will let you program it on your PC. Do a search on the JP1 interface. I have several xboxs that I use as frontends and they work pretty well. A little glitchy, but I can't complain for the price.

Gonz

Since that page started as a copy of a post I put together when I was building my first front end, and I have edited it a bit as a wiki page, feel free to edit the page and put a note in about the fact that if you are switching from an Xbox front end to a pc based front end you need to be aware that the mysql.txt file you want to edit is not a softlink to the /etc/mythtv/mysql.txt file as it was in the Xbox front end.

I have no doubt that it will help someone else along the way.

-Rusty

P.S. Hint for editing files - Whether it is a XF86Config-4, mysql.txt, or any other file, I like to remark out the original lines and add a line immediately after that with my preferences. So where mysql.txt has the line:


I would replace it with:

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- 120 G Segate Baracuda /, /cache, /myth, swap
- 200 G Segate Baracuda /myth/tv
- 3 Haupauge! WinTV PVR250s
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