Media Center PC?

Colleagues,

Do any of you use a PC with Windows Media Center as your PVR?

I'm thinking of building one (running Windows 7) to replace my Humax boxes
(9200T and Foxsat HD-R). There are three features of my existing boxes that
I really like (but forgive my ignorance of the correct terminology):

1/ The programme start and stop signals, which mean the programme is
recorded correctly even if running early or late.

2/ The "series link" feature.

3/ The "alternate programme" feature, where it will offer me an alternative
transmission (if available) if it detects a recording conflict. (It also
offers me the HD version, where available).

If anyone here is using a PC in this way (in particular with Windows Media
Center), could you tell me how it handles those three features? Any other
comments or observations on Media Center would be very much appreciated.

Thanks,

SteveT

"Steve Thackery" wrote in message
...
Colleagues,

Do any of you use a PC with Windows Media Center as your PVR?

I'm thinking of building one (running Windows 7) to replace my Humax boxes
(9200T and Foxsat HD-R). There are three features of my existing boxes
that I really like (but forgive my ignorance of the correct terminology):

1/ The programme start and stop signals, which mean the programme is
recorded correctly even if running early or late.

2/ The "series link" feature.

3/ The "alternate programme" feature, where it will offer me an
alternative transmission (if available) if it detects a recording
conflict. (It also offers me the HD version, where available).

If anyone here is using a PC in this way (in particular with Windows Media
Center), could you tell me how it handles those three features? Any other
comments or observations on Media Center would be very much appreciated.



I'm running W7 using WMC in conjunction with a pair of DVB -T and DVB-S PCI
cards, see my recent post in 'Kworld PCI Hybrid TV card woes' further down,
it works very well, although there a few maddening quirks with it, check out
this review http://www.jameswoodcock.co.uk/?p=2758 which may give you a
few answers.
HTH

"Ivan" wrote in message
om...

I'm running W7 using WMC in conjunction with a pair of DVB -T and DVB-S
PCI cards, see my recent post in 'Kworld PCI Hybrid TV card woes' further
down, it works very well, although there a few maddening quirks with it,
check out this review http://www.jameswoodcock.co.uk/?p=2758 which may
give you a few answers.

Thanks, Ivan, that's a very useful and helpful review.

SteveT

Thanks for replying, CD.

1/ The programme start and stop signals, which mean the programme is
recorded correctly even if running early or late.

Set it up however you like, I do 5 minutes either end.

Ah, that sounds like the "old" way. Does that mean it doesn't listen and
respond to the broadcast "real time start and stop" signals? (Sorry, I've
no idea of the correct terminology). I could live without that, I guess, by
using the padding you describe.

The rest of it, including the guide, sound fine.

I'm a fan. ANy other questions, then fire away.

Do you frequent this newsgroup? I hope so, because I'm sure to have more
questions over the coming weeks!

Thanks again,

SteveT

On Fri, 19 Mar 2010 13:13:29 +0000, CD wrote:

On Fri, 19 Mar 2010 10:38:03 -0000, "Steve Thackery"
wrote:


Ah, that sounds like the "old" way. Does that mean it doesn't listen and
respond to the broadcast "real time start and stop" signals? (Sorry, I've
no idea of the correct terminology). I could live without that, I guess, by
using the padding you describe.

AFAIAW the guide is downloaded from MS, how often it's updated I don't
know, but if a schedule changes, your recording should change too.
There are no start & stop signals I'm aware of. In fact the only thing
of this nature I'm aware of was the analogue PDC carried by the
Teletext signal. This worked very well when I had a VHS (I canned the
VHS years ago when I got a Pace Twin).

Freeview+
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Freeview%2B

Features

All Freeview+ receivers are required to include the following
features:
....
....
Accurate recording (equivalent to PDC - programmes are recorded
based on signals from the broadcaster rather than scheduled time) -
since this is based on signals from the broadcaster, the broadcaster
can prevent recording by sending nonsense signals as a form of copy
protection, as already happens on music channels. This can be
circumvented by specifying a timer recording instead of a programme
recording or by routing the player through a traditional VHS
recorder.


--
Peter Duncanson
(in uk.tech.digital-tv)

"CD" wrote in message
...

There are no start & stop signals I'm aware of.

There are, actually, and it was introduced a while ago (three or four
years?). A software update to my Humax enabled the feature.

SteveT

"CD" wrote in message
...


Maybe an idea to stick DVB-S2 cards in your PC.

Yep, that's exactly what I'll be doing. I'll come back with progress
reports.

SteveT

On Thu, 18 Mar 2010 01:56:32 -0000, "Steve Thackery"
wrote:

Colleagues,

Do any of you use a PC with Windows Media Center as your PVR?

I'm thinking of building one (running Windows 7) to replace my Humax boxes
(9200T and Foxsat HD-R). There are three features of my existing boxes that
I really like (but forgive my ignorance of the correct terminology):

1/ The programme start and stop signals, which mean the programme is
recorded correctly even if running early or late.

2/ The "series link" feature.

3/ The "alternate programme" feature, where it will offer me an alternative
transmission (if available) if it detects a recording conflict. (It also
offers me the HD version, where available).

If anyone here is using a PC in this way (in particular with Windows Media
Center), could you tell me how it handles those three features? Any other
comments or observations on Media Center would be very much appreciated.

Thanks,

SteveT

Here are a few web sites to look at.

MCE community http://thegreenbutton.com/default.aspx
If you are using Windows 7 http://www.hack7mc.com/
For help with your PC turning itself on & off to record, use
http://slicksolutions.eu/mst.shtml

My setup works very well. I have Skystar HD & Skystar HD2 pci cards
from Technisat. I had to search around for drivers to connect to MCE
as the manufacturer's drivers don't work.

One thing though, since the BBC dropped the bit rate & changed the
encoder last August on its HD channel, recordings made now take about
4 or 5 seconds to synch in, but is fine after that. My brother has the
Hauppage WinTV Nova HD S2, and that is the same.

BBC HD recordings are not encrypted as they are on the Humax Foxsat
HDR.

Oh & ITV HD. see
http://www.joinfreesat.co.uk/index.p...aunch-in-april

Hope that helps.
David

"sedum" wrote in message
...

big snip

Hope that helps.

You're not kidding! That's a brilliant set of links. Thank you very much -
I appreciate it.

SteveT

"Steve Thackery" wrote in message
news

"sedum" wrote in message
...

big snip

Hope that helps.

You're not kidding! That's a brilliant set of links. Thank you very
much - I appreciate it.



Also have a look at Boxee, Steve, I had it on my Apple TV (which I sold) and
now have it installed in Windows 7.