HTPC or PVR

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sbiddle

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#255889 15-Sep-2009 15:37

ZollyMonsta: I've built a HTPC myself.. with a Haupage 2200 DVB-T card... Waiting on Windows 7 to be released for Sale... and for new release of GBPVR to come out (whenever that might be)... The GBPVR new version is probably still in Beta?

I've gone with a HTPC so I'm not restricted to just watching TV... can watch Bluray... or surf the net, chat on Skype or whatever.. all on the 52 inch Samsung.

A new version of GB-PVR with Windows7 compatability came out a week or two ago. You still need to install the Monogram codec for audio and AC3filter as the Microsoft decoder can't be used but the MS video decoder works well.

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ZollyMonsta

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#255901 15-Sep-2009 16:29

version 1.4.7? Sweet.. will load Win7RC back up and have a play.... Thanks.

browned

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#255903 15-Sep-2009 16:34

Go the HTPC.

Windows 7 makes it so simple now it is hard to suggest anything else. and depending on what you want to do with it you can get more complex with it

Windows 7 will play TV, Music, some Videos, and DVD's out of the box.

You can easily add Blu-ray, more audio/video codecs, Xbox extenders, and 7.1 HD audio.

If you want one box that does it all then an HTPC is the way to go. I have two remotes for everything (TV and HTPC) and that's it (sold my logitech all in one).

If you buy the right kit to start with it will last a very long time as well. Check my sig for S939 CPU/Mobo/RAM/HDD combo that has been the base of the computer and running for a good 5 years and doesn't look like stopping anytime soon (touch wood).

cheers
db

Home Server: AMD Threadripper 1950X, 64GB, 56TB HDD, Define R6 Case, 10GbE, ESXi 6.7, UNRAID, NextPVR, Emby Server, Plex Server.
Lounge Media Center: NVIDIA Shield TV 16GB: Kodi18 with Titan MOD, Emby.
Kids Media Center: NVIDIA Shield TV 16GB: Kodi18 with Titan MOD, Emby.
Main PC: Ryzen 7 2700, 16GB RAM, RX 570, 2 x 24"

mattyboy2

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#256070 16-Sep-2009 11:49

That's one thing Mediaportal still has over 7mc... the ability to watch and record two channels on the same mux using one tuner.

And another is the ability to share tuners around the house by installing Mediaportal clients on client PCs and the Mediaportal server on the main HTPC. Is it possible to share TV tuners this way using 7mc? e.g. with extenders?

-Matt

rhysb

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#256078 16-Sep-2009 12:08

mattyboy2: Is it possible to share TV tuners this way using 7mc? e.g. with extenders?

-Matt

Yes, that's partly the idea behind the extenders. In fact you can just throw some tuners in a (suitable) PC and use that as a MC server, using the extender as your primary interface. That way you don't need a dedicated HTPC.

It looks like most of the 3rd party extenders have exited the market though, which is a shame. That leaves just the 360.

Asmodeus

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#256106 16-Sep-2009 12:56

If you only want to watch and record DVB-s and you don't plan on viewing any HD content (Freeview/SKY HD or BLUray discs or rips) or gaming then you can build an HTPC pretty cheaply. It doesnt need to be flash at all.

Ive got one that uses a pentium 4 chip, 1 GB of RAM, an FX5200 graphics card and a $20 5.1 surround card. I cannabalised an old computer and all I needed to add was a couple of Nova-S tuner cards and a bigger HDD. Youll prob want a half decent looking case too (if youre not planning on hiding it) so factor that in too.

Point is if its just for DVB-s, an HTPC doesnt have to cost $$$ like the HD ones tend to

ZollyMonsta

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#256242 16-Sep-2009 18:32

Hmm I can't regsvr the monogram codec...http://blog.monogram.sk/janos/download/filters/mm_aac_dec_0.9.6.0_bin.zip
It comes up with the error "The Module "mmaacd.ax" was loaded but the call to dllregisterserver failed with error code 0x800700005"

sbiddle

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#256244 16-Sep-2009 18:38

ZollyMonsta: Hmm I can't regsvr the monogram codec...http://blog.monogram.sk/janos/download/filters/mm_aac_dec_0.9.6.0_bin.zip
It comes up with the error "The Module "mmaacd.ax" was loaded but the call to dllregisterserver failed with error code 0x800700005"

Did you open the command line with administrator rights? I had the same issue myself.

ZollyMonsta

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#256245 16-Sep-2009 18:44

I assume I am... I'm logged in as the only user account in Windows 7... and going to the cmd prompt via the 'run' menu...

ZollyMonsta

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#256246 16-Sep-2009 18:46

Actually, seeing that when I register filters via the GBPVR program group.. must be why things aren't running for me :)

mattyboy2

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#256451 17-Sep-2009 12:10

rhysb:
mattyboy2: Is it possible to share TV tuners this way using 7mc? e.g. with extenders?

-Matt

Yes, that's partly the idea behind the extenders. In fact you can just throw some tuners in a (suitable) PC and use that as a MC server, using the extender as your primary interface. That way you don't need a dedicated HTPC.

It looks like most of the 3rd party extenders have exited the market though, which is a shame. That leaves just the 360.

Thanks Rhys - what about watching TV on another laptop with 7MC as the server? Is this possible?

-Matt

browned

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#256512 17-Sep-2009 14:21

mattyboy2:
Thanks Rhys - what about watching TV on another laptop with 7MC as the server? Is this possible?

-Matt

Nope. But there are rumours and a bit of speculation about Windows Home Server v2, as it is being based on Windows 7 code, being a media server for the home. I.E. TV tuners in WHS and WHS acting as an extender and streaming all sorts of content to Windows 7 PC's around the home.

But these are rumours and speculation. WHS as it is now can provide music, videos, and dvd's to Media Center, and some custom plugins have been created to manage recorded tv from WHS.

cheers
db

kiwijunglist

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#257565 22-Sep-2009 13:43

chocaholic: We want to get Freeview and our only option is satellite (DVB-S), we also want to be able to record programs. A nice to have but not a must have is to be able to browse the internet, view photos and listen to music on an external hard disk that we have. We were thinking that building a HTPC would cater for all our requirements. My partner wants to ensure that the picture quality is not compromised. If we build a HTPC using the Hauppauge HVR-3000 card to view TV (this will be on the main TV in the house) will there be any compromise in the picture quality? If not, what is the best connection to use between the TV and PC to ensure the best picture quality? Are we better to go for a PVR to ensure a quality picture? We do have a laptop which we connect to the TV that caters for the nice to haves.

Since this is not a must have feature you should get a PVR... HTPC is a lot of work to get going, maybe after win7 has been out for a while things may change, but at this stage i would recommend PVR.

Picture quality is not compromised on a good htpc, and can be better.

HTPC / Home automation (home assistant) enthusiast.

mcraenz

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#258567 26-Sep-2009 15:48

I agree, at the moment an HTPC really is for the hobbyist. However once you get it up and running if you can resist the temptation to fiddle with it, it will run pretty much day-in/day-out without issue. My MediaPortal setup does.

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chocaholic

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#259408 29-Sep-2009 16:07

We have decided to go for the Ultraplus F-9000HD PVR. I had a budget and I could not build the HTPC within the budget. At least this PVR can record two channels and we can watch another :). It can also be connected to the network via Ethernet so I have just setup a wireless bridge with an old wireless router I had to the ADSL wireless router and will connect it to one of the Ethernet ports on it. The PVR has a built in 500gb disk (can get bigger) and two USB ports so you can connect external disk drives.

The PVR runs Linux so it is a shame you cannot use the USB ports to connect a keyboard and mouse (wireless of course) and load Firefox so it could be used for web browsing which was the only other thing we wanted the HTPC to do. Maybe this will be an option in the future. Dreams are free lol

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