Configuring Freevo

Freevo Installation HOWTO: Build your own media box with Freevo and Linux
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# 3.2. Configuring Freevo

There are three main configuration files for Freevo. The first is freevo.conf, which stores basic information about resolution, binary paths, and drivers. The second is freevo_config.py that stores everything else. The third local_config.py overrides all settings in freevo_config.py. The Freevo team suggest making changes to local_config.py and leaving freevo_config.py as it was when you first installed Freevo. Since I'm a rebel I did all of my changes in freevo_config.py. Just make sure that local_config.py isn't overwriting your changes.

## 3.2.1. freevo.conf

This is could be called the config file's config file. The variables in freevo.conf are used within the main (and larger) config file freevo_config.py. The main variables that you need to pay attention to are; display, geometry, mplayer, and tv. Below is an example of my version. Make sure to change the mplayer variable to your newly compiled mplayer binary, which should be /usr/local/bin/mplayer.

    chanlist = us-cable
    display = mga
    geometry = 768x576
    jpegtran = ./runtime/apps/jpegtran
    mplayer = /usr/local/bin/mplayer
    tv = ntsc
    version = 1.0

## 3.2.2. freevo_config.py

The main config file. You can alternatively make changes to local_config.py, which superseeds this file. In this document freevo_config.py and local_config.py can be used interchangeably.

### 3.2.2.1. Channel List

Freevo requires that you edit the channel list manually to your local settings. It takes a few minutes, but actually is a feature in the long run. In freevo_config.py look for the variable named TV_CHANNELS. It should look something like this:

    TV_CHANNELS = [('69 COMEDY', 'COMEDY', '69'),
                   ('56 HISTORY', 'HISTORY', '56'),
                   ('2 KTVI', 'KTVI', '2'),
                   ('4 KMOV', 'KMOV', '4'),
                   ('5 KSDK', 'KSDK', '5'),
                   ('6 TBS', 'TBS', '6'),
                   ('11 KPLR', 'KPLR', '11'),
                   ...

The first field is the XMLTV "channel id", which is basically the channel number and the short name (ESPN, COMEDY, etc.). The second is the name which Freevo displays in the TV Guide and the third is the "tv channel name". I just set the third field to the channel number. Note: If you are downloading the logos Freevo will use a logo instead of the designated "display name" in the second field.

The advantage of doing it this way is that you can strip out channels you never watch (like the local college channels) to make your TV Guide shorter and easier to use.

## 3.2.3. local_config.py

See freevo_config.py for more information.

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