Newbie questions - MVP, PVR-150 radio, remote

[bungle]

I've been thinking of building a PVR, but lately I'm cheap and lazy. Anyway, since I'd have to get a tuner card for any solution, using GBPVR and the MediaMVP with a PVR-150 seems like a cheap and easy way to get started. If I go full-blown later I can always stick the MVP in the basement. I had a couple of (hopefully new) questions first.

1. Is the MediaMVP remote (old and/or new) sufficient for most or all of the functions of GBPVR? If not, what is lacking?

2. Is it easy to switch between GBPVR and the Hauppauge media (or other) server? I would assume this just entails stopping one service and starting another. I was thinking that at times I might have a Divx or Xvid file that I would want to watch using the newer Hauppauge software (unless on-the-fly transcoding is a new feature?). Is there any annoying downside to swapping, like having to reboot the MVP?

3.Another nice looking option is MediaMVP Media Center, which has the great feature of being able to play off of NFS instead of having to have a server running (I don't run 24/7 normally). If that is installed on the MVP can it still control GBPVR if I want to use the PVR functions, and then use it standalone playing stuff off NFS later?

4. Is the radio tuner in the 150MCE supported? The MCE has the radio tuner, which is nice, but the retail has the IR blaster, which may be useful for the cable box if I decide to go that way. However, I'd also have an extra remote.

5. I see at the top of the page an email for commercial licensing opportunities. Normally I like to support open source projects, but GBPVR seems like the best thing for the MVP. What's in store in the future for GBPVR? Will it remain free? Become open? I'd hate to rely on something that may lose support or availability.

Thanks a bunch, and sorry for so many questions at once.

[sub]

1) You can control everything in GB-PVR from the Hauppauge remotes.

2) Is it easy? Not really unless you want to run some batch file or similar. You cant do it from the remote. That said, I never use the Hauppauge software, so I'm probably not the ideal person to answer this question.

3) I've never used it. I dunno.

4) Yes, in the next release (only a few hours away)

5) I have no plans to withdraw GB-PVR and make it a commercial product, but I'm happy to license technology to companies that would like to pay me to work on GB-PVR (which is preferrable to me working my regular day job). I also have no plans to go open source. Several things are covered by NDA's. I also know several developers that are trying to make a living by selling their own software. I think open source is generally harmful to this type of small business, so I dont tend to support it. Personal choice and all that...

[bungle]

Thanks for the quick and useful reply. Couple of follow-ups:

2. I guess I should have qualified easy. The crux is that I have some Xvid, Divx, and VOB format stuff that I'd like to be able to play, in addition to new stuff recorded with the PVR-150. According to this thread - http://gbpvr.com/cgi-bin/ikonboard.cgi?act=ST&f=7&t=3057 - it seems maybe it's an unofficial feature, but if that didn't work well I wanted to be able to switch to the Hauppauge stuff as a backup. Even if it takes a few minutes manually that is acceptable.

5. I understand - I'm also a software developer. We both support open source projects and make money on closed source development.

[bluesxman]

bungle: I have GB-PVR set to automatically control my MVP. When I needed to run the Hauppauge software to play a DIVX file I just used the auto-installed start menu shortcuts - one to stop the GB-PVR service, and one that restarts the Hauppauge ones. Very easy!

[bungle]

Cool, thanks. That's what I figured.