Stand alone ATSC OTA DVR?

On Dec 8, 1:09*am, Del Mibbler [email protected] wrote:
Kimba W Lion wrote (in part):

As for using a PC, will it continue to record after being powered down? That
is how VCRs and the DVRs I am familiar with work(ed), and I guarantee you that
the people who are looking for a simple DVR will expect it to work the same
way.

Sure, as long as you put it in a sleep mode such as hibernation rather
than shutting it down completely. *Most DVR apps will wake up the PC
when it's time to do a recording.

My HTPC isn't as versatile or as non-tech friendly as Wes's, but the
recording part is pretty much automated. *1 PC with 3 tuners and a
scheduling app. *I've given the app a list of series to record and
conditions such as New Only. *At a fixed time each day the computer
starts up and downloads the latest schedule from an online service.
The app figures out the best way to schedule recordings on the
available tuners, then the PC hibernates until it's time to record
something.

I choose to play the shows by mousing around in a file manager and
double-clicking on the show I want. *I could add them to a playlist
and then use the remote to select them, and there are ways to automate
that. *I don't, partly because sometimes I take the extra step of
editing out commercials.

I also have a standalone HD DVR, an LG LST-3410A. *This would be ideal
for someone who could program a VCR, if it worked as the designers
intended. *Unfortunately, few of them do anymore, due to a combination
of aging hardware, flaky firmware and the lack of sources of program
guide information since the analog shutdown.

Del Mibbler

OK Del,
What kind of PC, tuners, OS, recording software, commercial editor?

G²

On Mon, 07 Dec 2009 21:32:43 -0500, Kimba W Lion wrote:

Wes Newell wrote:

Then get a cheap DVD recorder.

With an ATSC tuner, than can record HD. Right.

No, but they can record HD shows in SD, and play them back in upconverted
1080p HD I'm told.From what i hear it a decent picture, just not real HD.

So, you aren't going to use a remote with the DTV Pal? None of this
holds any water. I got rid of my Tivo because it was slow as hell among
other things. And there's no keyboard for the cat to jump on. You don't
need a keyboard to use a PC as a DVR. On my TV's using a PC, all the
keyboards are packed away. They aren't needed.

Tivo has already been ruled out of the question. A Dish DVR is not slow
at all, and I assume the DTV Pal works similarly.

The one I installed was. And I'd venture to say they are all much slower
than a PC based DVR simply because they use minimum specs to say money.

As for using a PC, will it continue to record after being powered down?

If you configure it to power back up for a scheduled recording it will,
but I never turn mine off anyway as it runs all my other servers too. And
that's certainly not an option with all DVR's. I don't know if the DTV
Pal will or not.

That is how VCRs and the DVRs I am familiar with work(ed), and I
guarantee you that the people who are looking for a simple DVR will
expect it to work the same way.

Well, they aren't really powered down, only put in standby mode. My Tivo
didn't do that, but my RCA DVR did. When they are really powered down,
they stay that until power is applied again. A PC can work the same way
via the event timer. In fact, there's a setting for how long before the
recording to wake it up to give it time to boot before the recording
starts.

--
Want the ultimate in free OTA SD/HDTV Recorder? http://mythtv.org
My Tivo Experience http://wesnewell.no-ip.com/tivo.htm
Tivo HD/S3 compared http://wesnewell.no-ip.com/mythtivo.htm
AMD cpu help http://wesnewell.no-ip.com/cpu.php

"Questor" wrote in message
...

"Rastamon" wrote in message
...

"Questor" wrote in message
...
Checkout the following links;

http://www.dtvpal.com/

http://dvr.about.com/od/dvrs/tp/toppicks2.htm


Too bad the DTVPAL DVR is out of stock and only sold through Sears. I
wonder if the HD is upgradeable or allows external HDs.


Sears must have exclusive rights. Wonder about HD myself. I can't afford
high def. just yet so using an old TiVo Series 1 (without contract, no
program guide, acts like vcr) with a DTVPAL TR-40 converter:

http://www.tivocommunity.com/tivo-vb...d.php?t=419571


I have a couple ReplayTVs and DirecTV. I've got a grandfathered package
that has regional sports package, but no locals. If I were to change my
package to include locals, I would lose the regional sports package, and pay
more, so for me it's not worth it. I'm about 25 miles from the broadcast
towers, and get a great signal even with rabbit ears, but I have a OTA
antenna in the attic.

I just picked up a Seagate FreeAgent Theater+ and download the episodes.
The great thing about this is that it's got the commercials edited out.

"Wes Newell" wrote in message
...
On Mon, 07 Dec 2009 00:40:15 -0800, Rastamon wrote:

Wes, Can a Netbook type system be able to run MythTV? I found a
barebone Intel Atom system, that has HDMI output, all I need to add is
a HD, RAM and a USB ATSC tuner. If so I think this type of system may
help the OP.

ZOTAC IONITX-B-E is the mother board I'm thinking of getting or higher.

Yes, as long as it has the horsepower to do what you want. As long as
it's as fast as an old Duron 1600, it should work. If it has a VDPAU
capable GPU, then the cpu shouldn't matter. Otherwise it will for HD.


Typically it's 1.6Ghz, there is the 330 model that is 1.66Ghz (dual core),
but I don't think I need it.
What remote and USB HD tuner do you recommend? There is also a model with
one mini-PCIE that can take a HD tuner card like the Hauppauge cards.

Charles Tomaras wrote:
Looking for a gift for the technically challenged. They have a good old
fashioned rear screen HDTV that's a few years old. No HDMI, but DVI and
Component.

I've done a little searching and can't seem to locate any standalone HD
DVR's that would work for them save for a TIVO which requires a
subscription and would be prohibitively expensive for a gift if I
include the subscription or lifetime service and an imposition on them
financially if I do not.

Computer's are out....anyone know of a currently available standalone HD
DVR with ATSC tuner(s) that fits the bill? Even better if it had an SD
DVD player or BR in it.


http://www.walmart.com/Magnavox-160G...er/ip/10104532

On Tue, 8 Dec 2009 01:21:03 -0800 (PST), G-squared
wrote:

On Dec 8, 1:09*am, Del Mibbler [email protected] wrote:
Kimba W Lion wrote (in part):

As for using a PC, will it continue to record after being powered down? That
is how VCRs and the DVRs I am familiar with work(ed), and I guarantee you that
the people who are looking for a simple DVR will expect it to work the same
way.

Sure, as long as you put it in a sleep mode such as hibernation rather
than shutting it down completely. *Most DVR apps will wake up the PC
when it's time to do a recording.

My HTPC isn't as versatile or as non-tech friendly as Wes's, but the
recording part is pretty much automated. *1 PC with 3 tuners and a
scheduling app. *I've given the app a list of series to record and
conditions such as New Only. *At a fixed time each day the computer
starts up and downloads the latest schedule from an online service.
The app figures out the best way to schedule recordings on the
available tuners, then the PC hibernates until it's time to record
something.

I choose to play the shows by mousing around in a file manager and
double-clicking on the show I want. *I could add them to a playlist
and then use the remote to select them, and there are ways to automate
that. *I don't, partly because sometimes I take the extra step of
editing out commercials.

I also have a standalone HD DVR, an LG LST-3410A. *This would be ideal
for someone who could program a VCR, if it worked as the designers
intended. *Unfortunately, few of them do anymore, due to a combination
of aging hardware, flaky firmware and the lack of sources of program
guide information since the analog shutdown.

Del Mibbler

OK Del,
What kind of PC, tuners, OS, recording software, commercial editor?

G²

He
Dell C521 (AMD 3200 2GHz, 1TB, 4GB, ATI x1300) - BIOS set to power on
daily at 6:00 PM and resume prior state after power fail;
OnAir Creators (two, set to record all streams of whatever cable
channel to which they're tuned - typically 6 streams);
current OS Windows 7;
I use the OnAir capture software and scheduler - which has built in
hibernate/wake/shut-down capabilities;
VideoReDo handles all the frame accurate cutting and occasional
pasting or joining.

Also, we use wireless KBs to control the 3200 based
capture/edit/playback PC as well as the AMD 3800 based playback only
HTPC. Playback software is MPC-HC.

The C521 is a slim tower, designed in an under-the-set horizontal
profile. It is totally quiet. Whether we're at home or away, it
records flawlessly. In the event of a power failure - a rare
occurrence, so we do not use a UPS - it restores itself to its prior
state and the capture software picks up with the schedule at that
time. In the event of a cable failure - even more rare - the capture
software stops recording until the problem has been corrected.

I continue to use OnAir's capture software as I've not found other
Windows based software which records all streams and schedules
recordings, though I seldom look for anything to replace it.

This combo, except for Win7, has been in operation for 4 years. It is
as reliable as, or more reliable than, any device I've ever used to
time shift TV.

Is it a gadgetphobe friendly system? NO! But it could be made so at
the sacrifice of some things I find niceties.

G-squared wrote (in part):

On Dec 8, 1:09*am, Del Mibbler [email protected] wrote:

My HTPC isn't as versatile or as non-tech friendly as Wes's, but the
recording part is pretty much automated. *1 PC with 3 tuners and a
scheduling app. *I've given the app a list of series to record and
conditions such as New Only. *At a fixed time each day the computer
starts up and downloads the latest schedule from an online service.
The app figures out the best way to schedule recordings on the
available tuners, then the PC hibernates until it's time to record
something.

I choose to play the shows by mousing around in a file manager and
double-clicking on the show I want. *I could add them to a playlist
and then use the remote to select them, and there are ways to automate
that. *I don't, partly because sometimes I take the extra step of
editing out commercials.

OK Del,
What kind of PC, tuners, OS, recording software, commercial editor?

G²

The PC is several years old. AMD Athlon single-core CPU running about
1.8 GHz. WinXP. 500 GB internal storage plus a removable drive bay.
1 internal tuner, a MyHD MDP-130 PCI card with DVI daughterboard. The
MyHD is unique AFAIK in that it has a hardware MPEG-2 decoder and its
own outputs: component or RGB (user switchable) and optional DVI.
Since the MyHD handles all the display work the CPU and the computer's
video system don't need to be anything special. But the card won't do
the newer MPEG-4 formats and the computer isn't fast enough for them,
particularly 1080p. The MyHD tuner handles ATSC (8-VSB and clear QAM)
and NTSC but it's not as sensitive as newer tuners. Also, the card
wants WinXP (or 98) and has problems with newer OSs, motherboards and
CPUs.

A SiliconDust HDHomeRun provides the other 2 tuners. Better tuners
but digital only (no loss there). It connects via Ethernet so any
tuner that isn't already in use can be used by any computer on the
LAN. If I ever need more tuners I'll add another HDHR. It works with
Windows, Linux or Mac. It comes with minimal drivers to scan for
channels and a simple viewer. It's intended to be used with other
multimedia apps, of which there are several.

Scheduling is done by CW_EPG, a free app that uses data from Schedules
Direct ($20/year). I tell it what shows I want to record (mostly
series) and under what conditions (usually New Only, but I can also
choose New To Me (not previously recorded) and restrict the channel
and start time window to weed out syndications. I can pad the start
and end times, usually by a minute but if I want to record "60
Minutes" I'll pad the end time by an hour to allow for football
overruns. CW_EPG will schedule my shows properly even if they change
time or day or have a 2-hour special, provided that information is in
the Schedules Direct data. It doesn't know when the ball game ends.
I can schedule individual recordings manually but it just gives me a
columnar list, not a nice grid like TitanTV.

For editing I was using the poorly-named HDTVtoMPEG2. It's not
frame-accurate and it leaves time-stamp discontinuities but it's free
and very easy to use. Some players choke on the discontinuities but
MyHD doesn't mind them.

I've now switched to VideoReDo, a much better editor and nearly as
easy to use (some would say easier). Frame-accurate and fixes up many
errors. Not free but worth it.

For my laptop I have an AutumnWave OnAir GT USB tuner (ATSC & NTSC,
powered by the USB port). It won't work with the scheduling system
above but it's great for casual viewing, spot recording, timeshift or
scheduled recordings using time & channel, PSIP or TitanTV.
AutumnWave also sells the OnAir Creator which adds a hardware MPEG-2
encoder (not decoder). I recommend it if you do a lot with composite
or S-Video sources.

Del Mibbler

Del Mibbler [email protected] wrote:

A SiliconDust HDHomeRun provides the other 2 tuners. Better tuners
but digital only (no loss there). It connects via Ethernet so any
tuner that isn't already in use can be used by any computer on the
LAN. If I ever need more tuners I'll add another HDHR. It works with
Windows, Linux or Mac. It comes with minimal drivers to scan for
channels and a simple viewer. It's intended to be used with other
multimedia apps, of which there are several.

Do you feel the HDHomeRun is the best way to go for
tuners??

It is better especially when the video source such as
antenna or cable outlet not close to any computer, yes?

I'm torn between tuners IN the PC or this HDHomeRun
thing. What say you?

wrote (in part):

Del Mibbler [email protected] wrote:

A SiliconDust HDHomeRun provides the other 2 tuners. Better tuners
but digital only (no loss there). It connects via Ethernet so any
tuner that isn't already in use can be used by any computer on the
LAN. If I ever need more tuners I'll add another HDHR. It works with
Windows, Linux or Mac. It comes with minimal drivers to scan for
channels and a simple viewer. It's intended to be used with other
multimedia apps, of which there are several.

Do you feel the HDHomeRun is the best way to go for
tuners??

There is no "best," only best for a given situation at a given time.
Ethernet is a versatile approach because it isn't tied to any computer
or operating system. SiliconDust's forum is very active and questions
are quickly responded to by company reps. Software and firmware
updates are fairly common, partly to fix bugs but mostly to add
features. The interface is simple enough and open enough that a
knowledgeable programmer should be able to write a driver for most any
OS if it doesn't exist already, so there's no forced obsolescence.
It's one of the few tuners to allow QAM tuning in early versions of
WMC that don't support QAM (by fooling WMC into thinking it's 8-VSB).

The only problem I've had with mine is that the computer it's
streaming to must be prepared to deal with the bits as they arrive.
There's no handshaking to say, "Hold up a moment; I'm busy." A large
Ethernet buffer helps, and there are other tweaks. Still, I had
errors until I raised the HDHR app's priority.

It is better especially when the video source such as
antenna or cable outlet not close to any computer, yes?

Long coax cable or long Ethernet cable; take your pick. Of course the
Ethernet cable needn't go to the computer, just to the nearest router
or switch. But, sure, put it in the attic or basement if that's more
convenient.

Don't plan on going wireless. Even Wireless-n isn't fast enough for
HD, although its specs claim it is.

I'm torn between tuners IN the PC or this HDHomeRun
thing. What say you?

I like the freedom of not being tied to any one PC (or OS, although
I'm still mired in Windows). I like the HDHR enough to get another
one if I needed more tuners or the current one died. My primary
playback device (a MyHD card) is tied to one computer, but if I had to
replace it I'd look for a networked media player rather than a faster
computer with a better video card.

Del Mibbler

On Tue, 08 Dec 2009 04:39:03 -0800, Rastamon wrote:

"Wes Newell" wrote in message
...
On Mon, 07 Dec 2009 00:40:15 -0800, Rastamon wrote:

Wes, Can a Netbook type system be able to run MythTV? I found a
barebone Intel Atom system, that has HDMI output, all I need to add
is a HD, RAM and a USB ATSC tuner. If so I think this type of system
may help the OP.

ZOTAC IONITX-B-E is the mother board I'm thinking of getting or
higher.

Yes, as long as it has the horsepower to do what you want. As long as
it's as fast as an old Duron 1600, it should work. If it has a VDPAU
capable GPU, then the cpu shouldn't matter. Otherwise it will for HD.


Typically it's 1.6Ghz, there is the 330 model that is 1.66Ghz (dual
core), but I don't think I need it.
What remote and USB HD tuner do you recommend? There is also a model
with one mini-PCIE that can take a HD tuner card like the Hauppauge
cards.

I'm not sure the Intel Atom single core has the power to display HD
unless the video has either some kind of video decode assist. I used XvMC
with the old Duron overclocked to 2000MHz. Without the assist, it took
80-100% cpu power, and only about 50% with it. If you have VDPAU capable
video, the required cpu power is really low and about any cpu would work.
If your running Windows, I can't help much since I haven't used it in
years. And never used it at home, only at work where I had to maintain
it. That was prior to 2002. If you're going to use linux, then check at
linuxtv.org for USB tuners. I have no knowledge using USB tuners.

As for remotes, a lot depends on what you want. Many tuners come with
remotes and ir receivers, but I use RCA RCRP05B JP1.3 capable remotes
because I use them for more than just the TV and they can be programmed
from the PC with about anything you want on them. I've never even used
the remotes that came with my tuners. If you want easy in linux, just get
any MCE remote and receiver. It's well supported. You can find ones that
work for under $20 (with ir receiver) I'm sure. Again, I have no clue as
to windows.

--
Want the ultimate in free OTA SD/HDTV Recorder? http://mythtv.org
My Tivo Experience http://wesnewell.no-ip.com/tivo.htm
Tivo HD/S3 compared http://wesnewell.no-ip.com/mythtivo.htm
AMD cpu help http://wesnewell.no-ip.com/cpu.php