If you're using ivtv you need to configure the VIDEO_GROUPS section in local_conf.py. An example for North America is:
VIDEO_GROUPS = [ VideoGroup(vdev='/dev/video0', adev=None, input_type='tuner', input_num=4, tuner_norm='NTSC', tuner_chanlist='us-cable', desc='Regular cable', group_type='ivtv', recordable=True), ]
Make sure you take note of the input_num part. That is the input number of the tuner on my ivtv card - svideo / composite are different numbers.
The mplayer TV plugin looks at this information and decides whether or not to use tv:// (which doesn't work for ivtv) or to setup the ivtv device itself.
You'll also want to activate the ivtv recording plugin.
plugin.remove('tv.generic_record') plugin_record = plugin.activate('tv.ivtv_record') TV_IVTV_OPTIONS = { 'input' : 6, 'resolution' : '720x576', 'aspect' : 2, 'audio_bitmask' : 0xE9, 'bframes' : 3, 'bitrate_mode' : 0, 'bitrate' : 8000000, 'bitrate_peak' : 9600000, 'dnr_mode' : 3, 'dnr_spatial' : 0, 'dnr_temporal' : 0, 'dnr_type' : 0, 'framerate' : 0, 'framespergop' : 12, 'gop_closure' : 1, 'pulldown' : 0, 'stream_type' : 14, }
For a description of the dnr_* options see: http://ivtvdriver.org/trac/file/ivtv/trunk/doc/video-quality.txt