Thanks for the reply and the link. I had, actually, once tried the djlosch howto and more or less got mythtv to work using it. There were one or two issues but I don't remember what they were any more. (I've since tried mythdora, knoppmyth and others but never really got them to a point where i wanted to keep one as my main pvr).
At the moment I am using either GBPVR or mediaportal on a windows dual boot. They are both free and so much more advanced, easy to install, and user friendly, that it is difficult to switch to a linux medias centre. Even though I hate win xp and have a linux-only network for the rest of my setup (4 PCs).
I was hoping tyhat linuxmce would make a better job of automating the install process for mythtv. IMHO the developers have got it seriously wrong here. He/they are offering an amazing range of add-on functionality that most people won't ever use (security camera and light control etc) while neglecting what most people will come here for - an easy to install, setup and use media centre. The Pareto principle is relevant I think. They could satisfy 80% of the users with 20% of the product. Once they had got that right, they could/should offer the rest.
If the software can't even find and configure one of the most popular tv cards, or common set-top boxes and so on, it can hardly be called mce can it? As usual, it is US-centric and doesn't do anything for us PAL and sky users here in Europe.
I'll try the djlosch guide again, but if I have to manually edit scripts, manually install ivtv and all the rest, what is the point of this software - not much more than a pretty interface?
Oh well....
Richard