Media center on ADB Q81-TLN settopbox

[Technocat]

Hey,

I have an old digital TV decoder, a gift from our cable provider to start using digital TV, which has crashed in october or november. I don't want to get it repaired because it costs probably more than a new one.
The system, an ADB Q81-TLN Telenet Digicorder has following specs:
+ Cable tv input: DVB-C
+ Input frequencies: 108 MHz - 862 MHz
+ Loop through frequencies: 88 MHz - 862 MHz
+ Processor: STi5100 CPU
+ FLASH memory: 4 + 16 MB
+ RAM: 64 MB
+ HDD: 160 GB
I looked up the CPU and it seems STMicroelectronics is specialised in DVB-systems and settopboxes, which wasn't really helpfull for me because I don't have much info on the CPU Architecture.
The system seems to crash due to a software problem because when it finally after hundreds of reboots and crashes stops crashing, I can use it to watch 6 channels. The menu's etc. don't work and so I can't get into the "Recorded Media" section.

So I was thinking about installing a custom linux distro onto the device to transform it into a XMBC/GeeXBoX-style media center. I've already checked the system requirements of both distro's but I'm not sure my device is supported because of the CPU. Also I probably have to force a network installation or something like that because the system only has following I/O-ports:
+ Antenna in
+ Antenna out connecting TV using RF cable
+ TV SCART
+ VCR SCART
+ S-video
+ 2x RCA (stereo - audio)
+ Optical S/PDIF digital AC-3 audio
+ V.92 Modem
+ Ethernet RJ45
+ 2 smartcard readers
The datasheet does mention USB-support, but I believe my cable provider hasn't used this option because it would be really helpfull for copying everything to your computer.
I also found a German corporation offering settopboxes with a linux-based software so I guess my idea should be possible.
> pdf1.alldatasheet.com/datasheet-pdf/view/83891/STMICROELECTRONICS/STI5100/+53J93UORlHDyRHOIpa/1XXyxeoFiZLppI+/datasheet.pdf
> www dream-multimedia-tv.de

Does someone know a good media center distro to install onto the system? Is there perhaps someone with some experience that might be able to help me?

[atreyu]

I'll bet that whatever was running on your STB was Linux-based, before it crashed.

This Linux distro is specifically geared towards STMicroelectronics:
Welcome! | STLinux

You have an RJ45 ethernet adapter, so you might be able to PXE kickstart a Linux install.

[Technocat]

Thanks!
I'll give it a try

[HermanH]

Hi,
I am not a LINUX user (yet) but I came accross this thread and was wondering if you or someone else here could help me out.
I have a same digicorder which once nolonger worked. When I dismantled it, I found the Harddisk was the culprit.
I reformatted that disk and used it with no problems in one of my computers. I was now thinking of putting another HDD in my digicorder but donot know how to format such a one.
Can I just install an (elsewhere) formatted disk? How formatted?? Low levelformat, Fat, Fat 16, Fat32, NTFS or whatever??
Any tips are very welcome.

[Technocat]

Hi,
Normally I should have tested the ST Linux atreyu told me about. Unfortunately for you, I haven't done it yet because my family is thinking about letting it repair by a technician so it could be possible to use it as a digicorder again. Since they actually own the device, I can't experiment with the ST Linux until they gave up spending money to get the dull thing repaired. This means I can't help you with this question. I hope someone else can help you and I wish you good luck!

Grtz,

[HermanH]

... because my family is thinking about letting it repair by a technician so it could be possible to use it as a digicorder again... This means I can't help you with this question. I hope someone else can help you and I wish you good luck!...
Grtz,

Thanks for your reaction, but I donot know for sure whether we talk about the same problem: I plan to put just another harddisk in my digicorder Telenet Q81-TLN to use it again directly connected to my TV; so nothing to do with Linux.
Rgds