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Making the switch-02: Which Linux distro to choose?

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lanux128:
this seems like the correct thread so i'll post my q here: if i wanted a distro that comes with most of the popular video codecs and TV-out support, which would that be?

Armando:
I'd say Ubuntu/Kubuntu, Mandriva, PCLinuxOS and maybe OpenSuse. There are other good options (like Mint, Mepis or ZenWalk) but those are the most user friendly and polished IMO.
You should check the forums first if your hardware is well supported.

lanux128:
i had Kubuntu/Mepis on my mind but this is not for me. it's for a friend who wants to watch DivX movies on his TV as he had heard of Windows Media Center. so i'm not sure how he'll find Linux but i'd like to pick someone's brain here before venturing into the respective distro's forums.. amoung the points for consideration:

• codecs come with the box.
• good hardware detection (auto-detect would be nice)
• the least tinkering to get the TV-out working.
• a smaller, specialized type of distro

Armando:
why not something like the open source mediaportal then ? http://www.team-mediaportal.com/
Or even mythTV, if it has to be Linux compatible. http://www.mythtv.org/

And to answer the more detailed considerations, I think you'd have to know what video card he uses.

The distributions I mentioned (I forgot Xandros...) are supposed to have some of the best hardware detection, out of the box multimedia codecs working, etc.

For specialized Linux distros... He could try Mythbuntu ( http://www.mythbuntu.org/)... Go there to see all the options : http://www.mythtv.org/wiki/index.php/Operating_system#Mythbuntu

the only one I really saw working is KnoppMyth/mysettopbox.tv  ( http://mysettopbox.tv/ ) which is based on Knoppix -- Knoppix is known for good hardware detection, but... I believe Ubuntu and the other ones I mentioned are now better.


PS : I just found that review : might be worth a look. But consider that it'S 4 months old, and the new Unbuntu 7.10 (mythBuntu) is out. http://www.linux.com/feature/118668

PPS : as I predicted, here's someone who swears by mythbuntu : http://www.phoronix.com/scan.php?page=article&item=919&num=5 ; But this guy likes it a bit less : http://lunapark6.com/mythbuntu-710-review.html

PPS : if you consider Mythdora : http://rkp4k.blogspot.com/2007/09/mythbuntu-vs-mythdora-vs-knoppmyth.html  :D

lanux128:
thanks a lot, Armando! i think Mythbuntu fits the bill as it is based on Ubuntu and that should help to keep things simple. as for the video card, i'm not sure but i have a GeForce4 MX440 lying around so i'll just take it along with me.. :)

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