Windows Media Center and HDTV

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tr3v

234 posts

Master Geek

#37250 9-Jul-2009 13:03

I am after some direction, and recommendations. I would like to upgrade my existing HTPC so I can have HDTV, where available. I have had more or less the same configuration for several years now, but the time has come for me to replace my ageing plasma display with a 1080p one.

I currently have Windows Vista Media Center, with a Sky Digital decoder (SD), Bladerunner/XMLTVNZ EPG, AnyDVD, Webguide and a Linksys Media Extender. The only reason for upgrading is to get HDTV.

My thoughts were to use Windows 7 and upgrade my Sky decoder to mySky. Is this an option? Can W7MC capture the HDTV from mySky? And if I do go down this route, will I lose functionality elsewhere - such as my Media Extender and Webguide?

There seem to be a lot more options for HTPCs these days, but I was hoping to find a solution which is a close fit to what I have already.

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#232993 9-Jul-2009 13:19

Why would you want to capture from mysky? why not just use the mysky for its intended purpose?

If the mysky has a composite and/or svideo out then yes you should be able to capture from it. But it wont be in HD (if its a MySkyHDi)....and I have heard of people having issues with sending remote control codes to the MySky (but this was the older version). If you don't use the mySky for it's intended purpose, the I can't see why a regular decoder wouldn't be sufficient (it's what I use).

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tr3v

234 posts

Master Geek

#232998 9-Jul-2009 13:26

davidcole: Why would you want to capture from mysky? why not just use the mysky for its intended purpose?

I have no exposure to mySky, so that may be a good question. However, my immediate response would be, so I can watch live and recorded TV from other rooms in my house using a Media Extender or another PC.

I only mentioned mySky because I thought that was the only source of an HD signal for Sky channels.

Klathman

301 posts

Ultimate Geek

#233017 9-Jul-2009 13:55

If you want Sky HD then your options are either use the mySky HDi and forget the HTPC or option 2 is to get the mySky HDi and then turn it off and use the HTPC to decode Sky directly.

You won't be able to get an HD signal fed into your HTPC from the Sky HDi as it downgrades the signal to SD.

The direct HTPC method will require a card reader and you'll still need to get the mySky HDi as sky won't activate an HD service without it. You'll also need to replace the TV cards with DVB-S2 cards like the HVR4000.

Option 2 has more moving parts but once you've go it set up I wouldn't go back at least.

davidcole

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#233030 9-Jul-2009 14:11

Yes agreed with Klathman re the mysky.

I use a regular sky decoder, have one server with about 5 tuners in it. I can access all my recordings from the main "server" (hooked to my 46" telly), The popcorn hour I have in the bedroom, and any machine with a browser can also access everything.

The option 2 that he mentions definitely has more moving parts, but the quality is better,. I don;t want a lot off sky, so recording off the regular decoder is fine for me

tr3v

234 posts

Master Geek

#233038 9-Jul-2009 14:27

Klathman: The direct HTPC method will require a card reader and you'll still need to get the mySky HDi as sky won't activate an HD service without it. You'll also need to replace the TV cards with DVB-S2 cards like the HVR4000.

Thanks! Does that still mean I will be able to record on one channel (or more) and watch another simultaneously? (Assuming I have 2x (or more) DVB-S2 cards).

tr3v

234 posts

Master Geek

#233048 9-Jul-2009 14:39

davidcole: I use a regular sky decoder, have one server with about 5 tuners in it. I can access all my recordings from the main "server" (hooked to my 46" telly), The popcorn hour I have in the bedroom, and any machine with a browser can also access everything.

Thanks. One thing I don't understand is why do you have 5 tuners? Is this to redistribute TV? I only have a video capture card, connected to the Sky receiver. I can only watch/record a single channel at a time, as there is only a single 'tuner'. Live TV is distributed over the LAN, and can be controlled from anywhere.

Klathman

301 posts

Ultimate Geek

#233051 9-Jul-2009 14:41

you can record as many channels as you have tuner cards or if the software supports it multiple channels per tuner card if they are on the same transponder on the satellite. (ie TV1,2,and 3 in HD can all be recorded at the same time on 1 tuner as they are on the same transponder)

I'm not sure whether Win7 supports this though. Mediaportal and GB-PVR do though I think.

Once it's recorded the media isn't protected in any way and can be played back as you currently do. This is unless Win7 does something funky again to "protect the providers wishes" by enforcing the ICT flags. All the non-MS software ignores it from what I can tell.

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davidcole

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#233057 9-Jul-2009 14:46

Klathman: you can record as many channels as you have tuner cards or if the software supports it multiple channels per tuner card if they are on the same transponder on the satellite. (ie TV1,2,and 3 in HD can all be recorded at the same time on 1 tuner as they are on the same transponder)

I'm not sure whether Win7 supports this though. Mediaportal and GB-PVR do though I think.

Once it's recorded the media isn't protected in any way and can be played back as you currently do. This is unless Win7 does something funky again to "protect the providers wishes" by enforcing the ICT flags. All the non-MS software ignores it from what I can tell.

I have one DVB-S (satellite - gets me my epg and mpeg2 recordings).
A Dual DVB-T for Freeview HD (There's also a DVB-T on the satellite card as well).
Dual Analogue Tuner as well (one connected to sky, the other to the old FTA tv, but it's never actually used).

I have so many tuners as I came from analogue and just put in the digital, so its just as easy for me to have lots of tuners in there.

tr3v

234 posts

Master Geek

#233059 9-Jul-2009 14:49

Klathman: you can record as many channels as you have tuner cards or if the software supports it multiple channels per tuner card if they are on the same transponder on the satellite. (ie TV1,2,and 3 in HD can all be recorded at the same time on 1 tuner as they are on the same transponder)

I'm not sure whether Win7 supports this though. Mediaportal and GB-PVR do though I think.

Thanks - this conversation has been very helpful. I now need to get a new tuner card and research the Win7 capabilities. Thanks to you both.

Klathman

301 posts

Ultimate Geek

#233067 9-Jul-2009 15:04

if you have a look through the HTPC forum there is quite a lot of discussion around getting direct to HTPC sky working in W7. Just some light bed time reading for you.

Lots of people seem to be happy with it now although they all seem to be tinkering still to get it running even better.

I'm sure there will be enough help to get you started though. Just beware that there is a bit of upfront work and I still sometime find it ironic that I paid $600 for a STB that I'll virtually never use.

Regs

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Snowflake

#233343 10-Jul-2009 00:38

my three cents....

1) don't buy a new TV now... prices are crap. wait for the higher exchange rate to flow through and lower prices

2) don't buy a new LCD TV now... technology is 'old'. Check out the new OLED screens and wait for them to come down in price. Your plasma screen will probably last you a couple more years and give you a reasonably good picture :D

3) none of the HDTV is broadcast in 1080p anyway, so don't bother getting a 1080p screen for TV. Only need one for blu-ray (or PS3?) If you must buy a new screen save some money and buy a screen capable of 1080i/720p now and then upgrade later

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Regs

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Snowflake

#233345 10-Jul-2009 00:39

LOL. just realised that the advertisement embedded in your original post is one for the samsung oled screens

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tr3v

234 posts

Master Geek

#233391 10-Jul-2009 08:17

Regs: my three cents....

1) don't buy a new TV now... prices are crap. wait for the higher exchange rate to flow through and lower prices

2) don't buy a new LCD TV now... technology is 'old'. Check out the new OLED screens and wait for them to come down in price. Your plasma screen will probably last you a couple more years and give you a reasonably good picture :D

3) none of the HDTV is broadcast in 1080p anyway, so don't bother getting a 1080p screen for TV. Only need one for blu-ray (or PS3?) If you must buy a new screen save some money and buy a screen capable of 1080i/720p now and then upgrade later

I don't think I can wait much longer, half the screen disappears regularly and I have to bump it to make it display properly :-) It cost me $6000 about 5 years ago. I can use the higher resolution for photos and blueray. Thanks for the advice.

old3eyes

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#233398 10-Jul-2009 08:38

I think if you follow Reg's advice you will never buy anything as technology keeps changing..

Regards,

Old3eyes

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636 posts

Ultimate Geek

#233675 10-Jul-2009 14:19

old3eyes: I think if you follow Reg's advice you will never buy anything as technology keeps changing..

+1 get in now and buy what you need.

OLED vs LCD difference is very hard to spot, but my eyes might be failing. Can anyone tell the difference?

Blu-ray is still newish and will be around for a good number of years yet. Movie downloads which most people suspect is going to be the next big thing for home entertainment is a long way off mainstream and I suspect will not make it to maintstream until it is cracked or hack in some form.

I would disagree with 720p and go for 1080p especially if you want 1:1 pixel mapping from a PC. It just works and looks better. Yes SD TV will look a bit rubbish but most new shows are coming out in HD or DVD quality these days so look great on 1080p when upscaled from 720p/1080i.

Another good feature is built in Freeview HD if you are in a UHF freeview area. Great for when you are upgrading the PC or it is having an issue the WAF/Family can still watch good quality TV. Most new TV's will allow for a split screen (P in P or Picture on Picture) so you can work on the PC and watch TV

very very good WAF with this.

cheers
db

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