HD PVR options

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fisher191

59 posts

Master Geek

#24413 23-Jul-2008 12:49

Hi,

I have been playing for a while with HD freeview MP, GB-PVR and fiji. All have crashed at least once a night but my PC has a lot of other apps installed and I didn't put much effort into optimising/troubleshooting.

Now that it looks like a fiji release (for NZ HD) and playtv aren't likely until at least next year, I am thinking about revisitng MP or GB-PVR. A real shame about fiji; I really liked how it worked (not least a fast channel change) and it seemed like it was almost there.

Anyway, I am prepared to put more effort in and set up a dedicated TV server and clients, but I would like to be confident that I end up with some stability; so.....

1. Does anyone have MP TVserver or GB-PVR running that will go for a week without crashing?

2. Are there any other options? I just want to view and record live HD TV with EPG, and play video.

3. Is it too soon and I should buy a HD stb, play video from my PC and forget about recording.

Thanks,
Greg

PVR: Intel E8400 3.0GHz, MSI 945GCM5, 2GB RAM, MSI 8500GT HDMI, Hauppauge HVR3000, Philips 47pfl9532, MediaPortal RC2

sbiddle

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#150627 23-Jul-2008 13:13

GB-PVR is extremely stable. my machine resumes from S3 for recording shows, goes back to sleep afterwards and I use it for live tv. I would have last rebooted the machine ~3 weeks ago.

There are still a few issues with GB-PVR's H.264 support that sub does know about. It's an extremely stable product but does not have some of the features that Media Portal has.

mcraenz

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#150633 23-Jul-2008 13:29

See my sig for specs, running TVServer / MediaPortal problem free, Easily weeks without a reboot. I don't use power management though HTPC runs 24x7. You will need to put in significant effort /hours though.

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askelon

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#150639 23-Jul-2008 14:01

Its very rare I ever reboot my MP comp. Most reboots here are due to stupid power cuts!

Dingbatt

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#150655 23-Jul-2008 14:48

1.MediaPortal allows for recording of multiple channels at the same time off the same mux. Mine is stable if I can keep my fingers out of TV-Server Config and MediaPortal Config instead of tinkering. Left alone it runs for weeks. I force a reboot of windows at least once a week just to clear temp files etc and reboot the tuner cards. It resumes from S3 hibernation each time. Can be a little slow in operation sometimes- be patient, don't keep pressing the button. Doesn't like Vista UAC on my setup.

2.There are always other options if you are prepared to wait (or pay).

3.More boxes, more remotes, more setting hassles.

“We’ve arranged a society based on science and technology, in which nobody understands anything about science technology. Carl Sagan 1996

1gkar

722 posts

Ultimate Geek

#150714 23-Jul-2008 18:22

I am running Mediaportal RC2 since Yesterday (had RC1 before that) Once I got past the obstacles of issues like not scanning analogue channels (that was with ver. 0.2.3.0) & analogue channels not recording properly (because I had changed their priority inside TVServer Config) I have not had any issues. The main concerns are with install procedures, though they are taken away to a certain degree with the new RC* installers.

The HTPC will go into standby, & boot up for records (I do manual EPG updates with XMLTVNZ as I'm on dialup & is easier through my desktop), & then go back to standby after set time. Records work great now the TV stations are getting their act together with regard HD & 5.1 audio. I also network to a client HTPC in another room.

I find the later RC2 version has faster skip cycling with MCE buttons & other small improvements. I like the programme with the only minor issue being the slow channel changing, but, I can live with it for what I get with a programme at a small price (good to donate).

Silverstone LC14 HTPC Case/Intel E4600 CPU/GA-EP35-DS3 MOBO/Asus EN9500GT graphics/2GB RAM/total 2TB HDD space/HVR-2200 & 2X 150MCE tuner cards/LG GGC-H20L BD Drive/MCE2005/Mediaportal/TVServer 1.1.0Final/LG 55"3D LED-TV/Denon AVR-1803 receiver/X1 projector