DTT Tests active on Waiatarua Auckland

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324 posts

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#106357 23-Jan-2008 20:06

Neither an analog card nor DVB-T card will do DVB-S. So if you want to watch Freeview satellite in the interim, then you need a hybrid card + an analog card (for Sky). It's that simple. What is complicated, and what I can't comment on, is Vista MCE.

richms

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#106360 23-Jan-2008 20:26

I can see no reason to get a dvb-s card if you are in an area that will have dvb-t in the near future and you will be using software that will work with mpeg4.

Richard rich.ms

munchkin

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#106368 23-Jan-2008 20:43

I think what Dixm is trying to say is that Vista MCE/XP MCE will not accept two different sources for TV input as it assumes that each tuner is identical in terms of channels offered/available - in your case, you won't be able to have Sky and FreeView working concurrently, you can only have one or the other.

This is a limitation that Media Center imposes and there isn't a way around it.

Personally, for what you're aiming to accomplish, I'd recommend MediaPortal.

Satch

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#106370 23-Jan-2008 20:54

walt12: Neither an analog card nor DVB-T card will do DVB-S. So if you want to watch Freeview satellite in the interim, then you need a hybrid card + an analog card (for Sky). It's that simple. What is complicated, and what I can't comment on, is Vista MCE.

Hi Walt. The complication lies in my confusion.

I want to run Vista MCE.
I want to run Sky through it.
I want whatever Freeview is available at the time which will be DVB-S, eventually moving to DVB-T when available.
I want the flexibility off the bat to be able to watch one channel while recording another.
I want to try to be economical in the hardware I purchase to do this.

What I'm struggling with is what configuration is workable with Vista MCE, and will give me the above. I believe my end goal is to have one analogue tuner for Sky, and two DVB-T tuners for Freeview HD. But I have no idea what combos will work together with Vista MCE, and I appreciate that you do not know MCE yourself.

Thanks for your continued input.

munchkin

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#106374 23-Jan-2008 21:08

Satch:

I want to run Vista MCE.
I want to run Sky through it.
I want whatever Freeview is available at the time which will be DVB-S, eventually moving to DVB-T when available.
I want the flexibility off the bat to be able to watch one channel while recording another.
I want to try to be economical in the hardware I purchase to do this.

What I'm struggling with is what configuration is workable with Vista MCE, and will give me the above. I believe my end goal is to have one analogue tuner for Sky, and two DVB-T tuners for Freeview HD. But I have no idea what combos will work together with Vista MCE, and I appreciate that you do not know MCE yourself.

Thanks for your continued input.

What you want to do cannot be done with Vista Media Center, you will only be able to have Sky or Freeview, not both.

You will be able to have two Freeview tuners working together at the same time, however. (Thereby being able to record one channel and watch another at the same time).

allstarnz

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#106375 23-Jan-2008 21:14

If you don't want to worry about satellite (ie can wait until Aprilish) I wouldn't bother with satellite. If so, I would highly recommend the HVR1300. It's not as cheap, but has an onboard MPEG encoder for Sky, as well as DVB-T for Freeview HD and SD (terrestrial only of course).

The only thing is, i'm not sure if it can do both analogue and digital at the same time, as i'm yet to test any digital terrestrial functionality.

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walt12

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#106537 24-Jan-2008 15:40

Can someone confirm what is being broadcast on TV1 right now ... seems to be some test loop, interested to know what the resolution is. Still no audio however.

cranz

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#106538 24-Jan-2008 15:53

Bravia HD test loop (some sort of travel show about Australia) in 720p @ 7-10mbit, audio is up from what I can see but is HE-AAC so might not be able to decode the stream

EPG is live also I see, only just noticed this (showing 2 shows at a time per channel - current and next, matches live tv but not feeds being tested)

Satch

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#106540 24-Jan-2008 15:57

munchkin:

What you want to do cannot be done with Vista Media Center, you will only be able to have Sky or Freeview, not both.

Well this is BS then. What's the point of having a HTPC in NZ running VMC if you cannot access all content.

Looks like Microsoft have lost me to MediaPortal...

openmedia

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#106542 24-Jan-2008 16:10

cranz: Bravia HD test loop (some sort of travel show about Australia) in 720p @ 7-10mbit, audio is up from what I can see but is HE-AAC so might not be able to decode the stream

EPG is live also I see, only just noticed this (showing 2 shows at a time per channel - current and next, matches live tv but not feeds being tested)

EIT EPG will only be used for now/next on DTT. 7 day EPG is MHEG-5 only.

Yes there is a variety of samples running in 720p with HE-AAC audio.

It appears that all of the test channels have now switched over to HE-AAC.

Generally known online as OpenMedia, now working for Red Hat APAC as a Technology Evangelist and Portfolio Architect. Still playing with MythTV and digital media on the side.

munchkin

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#106544 24-Jan-2008 16:13

No, it's not BS. The fact of the matter is that Media Center was originally designed to be made available via OEMs only, and at the same time, very easy to set up so that 'average Joe' end users would not have to fiddle around with things which are/would be likely to confuse them (such as multiple sources for incoming TV). Microsoft don't generally make their products for the enthusiast market- especially something as temperamental as Media Center (granted that it has improved significantly since version 2005).

Media Center is available to buy in a retail package with Windows Vista, and in its' main market, the USA, it performs well, with a guide being readily available, and the majority of people only having one source of TV. In New Zealand where a guide isn't readily available, people such as Reven have made it a lot easier for that information to be loaded into VMC, but it still requires the use of external tools and some know-how.

In short, you're trying to use something that isn't supported in this country in a configuration that also isn't supported. Microsoft never 'lost you' as you were never with them, you wanted to be but what you were trying to accomplish can't be done with their application at present.

On the other hand, Mediaportal is an excellent application and I think that it will suit your needs well. Have a look here to see McraeNZ's set up, it's very nice.

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Satch

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#106550 24-Jan-2008 16:30

At the end of the day I am one of those "average Joes" as you could probably tell from the questions I was asking.

My preference is to use Vista as my media centre as it is integrated nicely within the operating system. But the reality is that I have Sky TV, and I also want a second source of "non-Sky" channels for flexibility. Most Sky subscribers in NZ are potentially in the same situation (notwithstanding that most probably have no desire for a HTPC).

I am now forced to go with a solution which I may not be so comfortable in using. Something that looks like it requires a lot more fiddling to set up, although I have not given it much attention until now.

I guess I am also frustrated because I do not know why MS would build such restrictions into their software. There must be a good reason but I do not know what it is, hence my frustration.

I do, however, appreciate all the help you have provided.

munchkin

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#106555 24-Jan-2008 16:54

At this point, I feel I should probably apologize for the harsh comment previously.

To clarify, Media Center can't be set up to 'differentiate' what channel belongs to what tuner, whilst annoying, this is really an advantage to end users and also one that you mentioned directly in your last post: "[it is]...something that looks like it requires a lot more fiddling to set up...". Microsoft are aiming for simplicity when it comes to Media Center, and I can't blame them.

Mediaportal isn't exactly my area of expertise, although there are a number of users here on Geekzone that know quite a bit about it. Perhaps if you start a new thread in the 'Home Theatre' forum specifically asking about Mediaportal, those who are more familiar with it can guide you along if you choose to proceed down that route. If you choose to stick with Media Center, and only one source of TV [be it Sky or Freeview], there are also many people here who can help you.

Personally, I feel that Mediaportal is the better option of the two, especially in terms of features and scalability, but Media Center offers up simpler configuration tools. Both programs have their own strengths and weaknesses, so make sure that you weigh each option up specific to what you want it to do.

Another point to note is the so called WAF, or 'Wife-Appreciation-Factor' - someone who will undoubtedly become annoyed with the constant fiddling and perfection of a 'new toy'. This doesn't also specifically apply to wives/girlfriends/partners either, in my flat I have Media Center simply because if i changed everything now, I would face a lot of criticism from those around me.

Satch

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#106559 24-Jan-2008 17:10

Mate, no worries. It has been a constructive converstation.

Whatever I put together has to have that WAF, as does all of my HiFi gear. She has to both like the look of it and be able to operate it. Hence my preference for VMCE. But if she cannot tape something and watch something else at the same time, that will fail the WAF. I've got a hard job ahead of me. At least I might be a bit of an expert at the end of it all...

And apologies for hi-jacking this thread. I was only ever after a simple answer (hahaha), and as the conversation unfolded, I lost the fact that this was someone elses thread.

I will do as you suggested and start a new thread. I've got a whole bunch new questions on MediaPortal now!!! :)

walt12

324 posts

Ultimate Geek
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#106574 24-Jan-2008 18:27

Welcome to the wonderful world of the HTPC. All that spare time you had - gone as of now. :D

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