Ubuntu comes in all kinds. There is a Ubuntu that is made for slower systems, Edubuntu for kids and teachers, and Kubuntu with those who prefer Windows-like interface.

At its core, Mythbuntu is Ubuntu without many add-ons like OpenOffice.org, Evolution, or desktop effects. Mythbuntu is all about media. The application ships with the XFCE4 lightweight desktop, because you’ll never see the desktop.

Mythbuntu includes everything you need to set up a MythTV frontend or backend. That means you can watch and record live TV, with a TV tuner, watch videos, listen to music, or browse pictures, all by using a 10-foot user interface. You could just add the MythTV packages to your current Ubuntu system, but Mythbuntu works right out of the box.

Because Mythbuntu comes works as a LiveCD, you can test out hardware compatibility before installing any software. The LiveCD works as a MythTV frontend, letting you mount shared network drives to play audio or video.