GBPVR consideration for my build

[PVRMuppet]

Hi all!
I'm a very new and excited DIY DVR guy. I've built many Windows & a few Linux-based computers. From the tons of sites I've been doing research on, DVRs should be a walk in the park. I'm just hoping to get some valid opinions on this from some of you that have successfully done your own DVR builds.
I have TIME WARNER digital cable and just standard, non-HD TVs.

1) If I do a build using XP Pro and GBPVR software, will my 'non-tech' family be able to use the system without my help?

2) Hauppage products seem to come up in almost every site I've been to involving building a DVR. Would most of you agree that they have the best products for this?

3) I understand I can record program A while watching program B, but can I still use the PAUSE, REWIND, FASTFORWARD features on the show I am watching?

4) Out of all the build-it-yourself DVR/PVR sites out there, which one has brought you the most successful build?

5) What evil bastard thought of putting Heroes and 24 on the same night at the same time? (This is my true inspiration for actually building a DVR, I've been kicking the idea around for months.)

Thanks to all in advance.

[madcat]

1) Yes
2) Dont know
3) If program B is "live", then you need (at least) two tuners for this. If program B is recorded, then you don't need 2 tuners, and Yes, you can pause it, FF, etc.
4) GB-PVR of course...
5) I don't watch either... but to watch one and record the other, at the same time (or record both - record and watch is the same in many ways in PVR terms) - like in (3) above - u'll need dual-tuner setup.

[Azimuth]

I recommend GBPVR. It is simple to setup and I love the ease of use.

Yes, it is easy for family members to get your PVR running should something go down. -=in most cases=-
If you are planning to run MVP's there is a reboot button in the "system" sub menu that can be used to restart the GBPVR server.
you can also drag the "restart recording service" shortcut to your desktop which can be clicked to restart the recording service.

with Media MVP's you can rewind / fastforward at all times when watching live (time shifted) Tv

I would not count on using the rewind/skip commands with AVI files, I have found this to be extremely unreliable, and audio goes out of sync when doing so. (GBPVR has to transcode AVI files on the fly to feed them to the MVP - this is a requirement for the MVP, thus blame Hauppauge, not GBPVR.)

-----------------------------------
The things you need to consider before diving in, are:
- How much money are you going to invest in your setup?
- How many TV's will use GBPVR?
- will your GBPVR-Server be used as a client, or do you want it out of the way in a closet / basement?
- how many channels do you wish to have access to at one time?
-do you have existing hardware you are trying to use?
-do you have a network infrastructure that will support your needs?

-----------------------------------
So as not to just leave you with a bunch of questions, Here is a little info.

You will need approximately 2ghz processor or higher if you plan to watch AVI files.
you will need at least 512mb ram for GBPVR with one MVP + ~250mb per additional MVP.

To record in high quality, you will need approximately 2.5gb of drive space per hour.
-----------------------------------
consider the following costs...

USB-UIRT Will cost $50
Hauppauge MVP's are $75 each on ebay - you will need one per TV unless you plan on using the server as a "client"
Hauppauge PVR150 or 500, I got mine for $35 each (used) on Craigslist but retail you will spend at least $75 each. PVR500's will cost ~$150 each but provide 2 tuners each.

-----------------------------------

And Finally, here is my current setup.

I had an old Dual MP2000 with 1gb of ram sitting around (I previously abandoned it because the thing is a like a space heater and makes any room it is in 5-10^f hotter than the rest of the house. (I will probably have to replace it by next summer))
so the actual costs incurred in my setup were:
4 Hauppauge PVR 150's (used) $33 ea = $132
3 MediaMVP's $74 ea w/shipping (ebay)
USB-UIRT $50
misc components to build additional IR blaster zones $25
(24awg wire, IR-LED's 3.5mm Jacks and stereo to mono splitter)

Total $429

I have 3 Timewarner STB's hooked up to PVR 150's
one additional PVR150 takes analog cable and is programmed to be used as a last resort tuner for watching live tv. It is however used to record anything on the first 20 channels of the guide.

I use a USB-UIRT for channel changing with the additional zones setup so that I can control all 3 STB's

I use 3 media MVP's, one for each tv. They are connected via Ethernet to the network.

I have have the server scheduled to defragment the recorded files every morning at 3AM using contig.exe

[PVRMuppet]

Ok, so there are some problems with rewinding a live broadcast with a PVR? That's one of the main features I'm looking for.
Has anyone been able to resolve that?

[Azimuth]

Ok, so there are some problems with rewinding a live broadcast with a PVR? That's one of the main features I'm looking for.
Has anyone been able to resolve that?

no. only AVI files.
recorded files are mpeg2 which are native for the MVP.
there are NO issues with live tv.