XBox hacking alive and very well
About 2 years ago I hopped on the XBox modding train, installed a chip, a huge hard-drive, burned many a DVD and finally was able to watch MythTV on my XBox. It’s the only way we watch TV anymore, shuddering whenever the MythTV fails us by either (a) filling up my harddrive with unused shows, or (b) crashing - which is usually some really odd occurence and after some googling, readily fixed. Since the XBox is our sole filter for incoming television transmission (well, beside the aforementioned missed shows, which require other means) I have been cautious to mess with it too much. Someone will make me pay if they miss their quality shows.
0xdecafbad points out the modern efforts in making the XBox Maker Friendly Wow, I had no idea all this was going on. XBMC (XBox Media Center) now supports MythTV, bundles web server, python scripting, and there is a large repository of scripts.
All this progress really makes me want to go back and start mucking with it again. Hrm - view my home automation & home intranet from my XBox. I wonder if there is iCal file format support (ala ThunderBird). Answer: Yes, yes there is.
Sounds very yummy.
My name is 
September 28th, 2005 at 9:58 am (#)
There’s a reason that the preamble to the Constitution seeks to ensure domestic tranquility. Ensure the domestic traniquility of your own household and buy a Tivo. Its easier to use and lets you muck about the XBox without inducing awkward discussions of the proper use of technology within a household. Its fine for you to fool around with your toys, but when it affects the shared toys of the household…
I speak from experience here.
September 28th, 2005 at 12:11 pm (#)
You speak of the SAF (Spouse/Significant Other Approval Factor). This is a very important factor. And I’m all about toys.
However, when toys have a monthly fee I’m a little more dubious. I’ve seen the Elgato Home Media Viewer for discount around $80, but that doesn’t deal w/ the recording aspect.
Now, leaving personal alliances aside, is it worth it for the tech to purchase a toy they wouldn’t use/want purely for the SAF of their other toys? Or should they leave the purchase of the S’s desired toy for the S to acquire?
September 28th, 2005 at 12:55 pm (#)
While I’m all for the tech purchasing shared toys, when considering the SAF, the tech must realize that publishing intended purchases on a blog does not count as seeking SA. There is no easy way to avoid the awkward discussions of proper use of technology.
September 28th, 2005 at 7:31 pm (#)
So should I put you down for one Tivo or two?
Go here http://pvrwire.com/ to feel better about your impending purchase.
With prices as low as they are, the only question is subscription or lifetime payment?
September 28th, 2005 at 8:21 pm (#)
Hrm, thanks for the link, I found a very informative article at pvrwire.com:
Using a Mac-Mini for a media center.
Perhaps *this* is the solution we’re looking for. Yes, more computers - that’s always the solution… excellent
September 29th, 2005 at 9:41 pm (#)
I knew about the article (somewhat outdated) but did not think it was my place to directly link to it. Sort of like the the “Oh this is interesting” when you’re serving a search warrant, I suppose.
But now that you’ve found it, I can direct you to the very interesting open source project:
http://centerstageproject.com/
You’ll want to look at the various accessories to discover the missing link between the cable box and the imminently purchased Mac mini.
Just don’t look at the Nano while you’re there because, well, there goes this week’s paycheck.