MySky on a HTPC

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nickedit

1 post

Wannabe Geek

#27398 24-Oct-2008 13:29

Hey all,

I was wanting to know if there is any way to integrate my normal sky decoder with a Home Theatre Computer and use it like MySky? That means controling channels through the computer, scheduling recording (not by time but by program), recording series and such.

I have heard it is possible with an IR blaster as well as other software, I am just unsure of what they are.

Thanks

Asmodeus

1008 posts

Uber Geek

#173387 24-Oct-2008 16:04

Most people seem to go for the MS MCE remote with included blaster. There are also other solutions, including a Hauppauge blaster/remote combo but I don't know much about them. Most PVR suites should work fairly easily with it. If I were you, Id read up on the Microsoft MCE remote with blaster first hand anyway. I plan to do the same thing as you as well. If only there was a cheap & decent component capture device........

CYaBro

3312 posts

Uber Geek

#173393 24-Oct-2008 16:35

Problem is MS have stopped selling their MCE remotes, at least in NZ anyway.
So the Hauppauge is the only other one I have seen that comes with the ir Blaster capabilities that you need to control an external set-top-box like Sky's.

The easiest software for you would be Windows Media Centre which is included with Vista Home Premium and Ultimate.
You will also need a tuner card to connect the Sky decoder to. The Hauppauge PVR150MCE is probably the best solution for that.
You can connect the Sky box via S-video or composite video and left & right audio.
The hard part will be getting the EPG going.

Another option is MediaPortal, which is a free program you can download.
This would allow you to add a DVB-S card and receive Freeview from the Sky satellite dish as well.
The EPG could then be downloaded via the DVB-S stream and give full program guide for Freeview and Sky channels.