[Linux TV tuner?]

Sure mate,

Backend:

I have a Dell Poweredge SC430 pentium d 2.something. 1GB RAM, Mythbuntu 9.4 2X Leadtek DTV200H revision i PCI DVB cards 2X Artek USB DVB cards. Have to look them up to see what model number. 2X WD 1TB SATA 2 drives.

As to PCI cards vs USB, not sure, my PCI cards have been in there for years now though. Older tuners seem to be better supported, you can often find them going cheap on ebay.

I'm in Australia so my cards don't apply to you.

I run an automatic job after recording completes to transcode to MKV (thanks Auric)

And I use Shepherd to harvest my schedule data.

Frontends:

2 XBOXes running XBMC (I use the XBMC2MYTHTV script)

4 Windows PCs, laptops and netbooks, XBMC using Mythbox script

1 Mac laptop, XBMC using Mythbox script

The XBOXes are old now and won't show HD content, I'm hoping the boxee box will be a suitable replacement when it comes out.

I schedule shows via MythWeb from a browser on the above machines. I can VPN in when I'm away to schedule a show if I forget.

Pre-built boxes tend to be expensive and don't have the flexibility I have the 1 backend box for all 7 frontends. And all it cost me was a couple of hard drives and some tuner cards.

If you have any specific questions, I'm happy to answer them.

Adam

[Suggestion for next episode]

"802.1X with PEAP/MS-CHAPv2 authentication and/or EAP-TLS or EAP-TTLS."

I have one of those, it's been pen tested by auditors a couple of times too.

It hums along quite well except for users who only connect to the network rarely, if their computer account needs resynchronising, they just don't authenticate with the wireless network. Plug them into the wired network though and the sync happens then the wireless connection takes place.

How about creating a VLAN specifically for wireless access, stick APs on there with WPA2 PSK, AES and a 64 digit generated key then plugging in a spare firewall interface (or virtual interface) then allowing only IPSEC traffic destined for termination on the interfaces IP.

It provides users with the same access method they use externally (home wireless then VPN through internet). If you wanted to you could ACL traffic that traverses the VPN to further restrict what those VPN'd users get access to.

[Suggestion for next episode]

Hey, while you're at CES have a look at the D-Link Boxee Box. I'm curious to find out what's inside (broadcom or ION, atom?). Something has to replace my aging XBOXes running XBMC. Curious as to whether the funky remote is IR or RF.

Not sure about MythTV on Boxee but since it's a fork of XBMC, maybe I can shoehorn that in there.

Great show guys :)

[Alternative routers to fon+]

I have a spare WRT-54G v1.1 lying around too. I'd love to play with this too. Looks like the fon guys don't like Australia