MediaPortal Wiki 
MediaPortal Installation Tool
Contents
1. Introduction
The MediaPortal Installation Tool (also known as the Deploy Tool) allows you to download and install all necessary components for a complete MediaPortal install. It will handle the choice of TV engine, installation of a database server if needed, and network configuration, among other things.
2. Before you start
Please make sure your system meets the hardware and software requirements for MediaPortal.
It is recommend to read the instructions how to make a possible operating system and software setup with Windows XP .
If you currently have MediaPortal installed, it is strongly recommended to backup your configuration and data of MediaPortal and then uninstall before installing the new version. This will ensure that there is no errors with the new installation and restoration of current settings can be achieved. A backup guide will be completed soon to assist in this process.
3. Download and Usage
Download the MediaPortal 1.0 installer (the Deploy Tool) from the downloads page.
The first question is what language to use for the installation process.
The second page ask whether you want to install MediaPortal, or just want to download all components.
3.1. Download only
The following section only applies if you choose to Only download required components. If you choose to Start with the installation now, you can skip to the next section.
If you choose just to download MediaPortal components, you will be presented with a list like the one below, which lists all the components that need to be downloaded. The MediaPortal Installation Tool already includes the main MediaPortal application and the TV-Server, so these don't need to be downloaded.
Click the Download button to start downloading all components.
Click the Exit button to finish the Installation Tool.
You will find all downloaded components in the Deploy folder underneath your temporary files folder (typically C:\Documents and Settings\Username\Local Settings\Temp for Windows XP, C:\Users\Username\AppData\Local\Temp for Windows Vista). You can also enter %temp%\Deploy in the Run command to open the folder.
To install MediaPortal from the downloads, run the following files:
directx_*_redist.exe will install ?DirectX (required for MediaPortal).
package-mediaportal.exe will launch the classic MediaPortal installer.
vcredist_x86.exe will install the Visual C++ patch (required for TV-Server).
sqlexpr32.exe and mysql-essential-*-win32.msi will install SQL Server Express Edition and MySQL Community Server, respectively. Installing one of these is required for TV-Server.
package-tvengine.exe will launch the TV-Server installer.
3.2. TV Engine
If you choose to Start with the installation now, then the installer will now start to determine which components need to be downloaded and installed.
The first question will be if you want to watch TV with MediaPortal.
If you answered yes to the previous question, you will be presented with a question if you want to watch HDTV.
This seemingly simple question is actually more involving. The answer to this question determines which version of the TV engine will be installed. The "classic" TV-engine (also known as Version 0.2) is integrated in MediaPortal, and optimized for recording analogue TV signals. This is the version that will be installed when you answer no to this question.
The newer TV-Server (version 0.3 and up), is a stand-alone tool that works independently from MediaPortal, plus a plugin that lets MediaPortal control the TV-Server. TV-Server is optimized for digital HDTV signals, but will also deliver quality recordings with analogue signals. Answering yes will install the TV-Server.
See the TV-Server overview page for a more detailed comparison between the classic TV-engine and the new TV-Server.
Selecting the answer I don't know what HD content is to the previous question, will present you with a more detailed choice between both TV engines.
The next question will determine if you are taken directly to the install screen (if you answer Perform a One Click installation) or if you are presented with more installation parameters (if you answer Perform an advanced installation).
3.3. Advanced installation
If you choose to perform an advanced installation, the first question will be about the type of setup you want to create.
Single seat will install MediaPortal and the TV-Server on the computer. The computer has to contain a video capture card, and will be used for viewing your recordings. Note that you can still install a MediaPortal client on another computer also; a single seat installation can also function as a server for another computer.
Dedicated TV-Server (master) will install the TV-Server, not MediaPortal. The computer has to contain a video capture card, but will not be used for viewing. You will use another computer for the MediaPortal client (or any other TV-Server client) to watch the television stream.
MediaPortal client will install MediaPortal, without the TV-Server. You will use another computer to act as TV-Server.
If you choose Single seat or Dedicated TV-Server in the previous question, then you will have to install a database. Out of the box, MediaPortal supports both Microsoft SQL Server Express Edition and MySQL Community Server. If you don't yet have a database server installed, you can now choose which one to install.
Next up is the question where to install the database server software, and what password to use for the sa (system administrator) account. The default password is MediaPortal.
The next question asks where to install the MediaPortal application.
The final question asks where to install the TV-Server application.
3.4. Installation
Finally, you will be presented with a screen like the following. Click the Install button to start installing everything. A possible previous installation will automatically be uninstalled first.
You may see various installation progress windows, let them do their job. After that, click the Exit button to finish the installation.
<< Back to MediaPortal Manual