MythTV Setup- IP Remote Control
Contents
Frontend control socket
MythTV can be controlled remotely from any IP based device, including an Android smartphone. Using a software (app) on the Android smartphone such as Mythmote turns your smartphone into a remote control for MythTV.
Your front-end system should be assigned a static IP address. Although this is not a requirement, it will prevent future connectivity issues as a result of the IP being reassigned.
Frontend Setup
Menu navigation to the correct settings screen may vary a little depending on your version and theme.
From the home screen choose "Setup" -> "General"
The General Setup is a wizard with several screens to click though. You will skip past a few screens (typically 6) without altering the settings by simply clicking the "next" button in the lower right. You will skip past the following: Database Configuration 1/2, Database Configuration 2/2, Settings Access, General, Media Monitor, and Shutdown/Reboot Settings until you come to the screen labeled "Remote Control."
Check the box labeled "Enable Network Remote Control Interface." Leave the default port set to "6546" and UDP "6948." Now click the next button in the bottom right and on the final screen click the finish button in the bottom right.
Note: You WILL have to restart the MythTV front-end in order for the settings to become active!
Remote Control Setup
The IP remote control feature will work with any number of devices, including being open for your own development if you choose to write software or an app to interact with MythTV. One such popular IP remote control is the Android App called Mythmote.
As an example the Mythmote app will be used for configuration. This simply involves going into the Mythmote settings of the app and selecting the option to create "New Location."
The Location Name you provide Mythmote is up to you. This is a way for you to identify which front-end you are controlling in an environment where you may have multiple MythTV front-end systems. The IP address will be that of the MythTV front-end. The default port of 6546 will already be in the field. The MAC field need not be supplied, just skip that. Click SAVE and your Mythmote App should not be able to control the MythTV front-end.
IP Remote Control External Resources
For more information on Frontend control socket for MythTV see the following external resources.
- Official MythTV Wiki- Frontend control socket
- Patrick Archibald's Mythmote Installation Youtube video - this video is outdated, and watching a long drawn out video is no substitute for a well written guide.
- MythTV Wiki- Remote Control with WM Smartphone is an older guide which covers Bluetooth or TCP/IP (GPRS/WiFi) to control MythTV.