I've used most windows and linux dvr's over the past decade or so, but stuck with Mythtv for about five years now because it's the best (Not the easiest to configure, though). At one time I had four physical dvb-t tuners (and 8 logical), but since DSO I can't get freeview any more so satisfy my needs with Freesat and a single double-tuner pci card and can record four simultaneous things.
Anyway, it's great. I use it to record only, and mythweb to schedule. I have a script I wrote myself that renames the resulting .mpg files into something human readable and then watch them over samba to my pc, popcorn hour and laptop. I also have tinydlna running on the server and use that to watch stuff on my phone or tablet.
I don't use myth for playback. Never found a need to, although I understand it's perfectly nice.
Mine runs on debian because I use debian and the server is used for a lot of things. The packages are fine.
