PVR Software Decision Help

[SoonerToucan]

I have been planning on building a network media center for a few months now. In my endless search for the perfect hardware and software, I have been disappointed. It seems every PVR software package is lacking one key feature or another. This is my first time at GB-PVR.com and I have to say the software looks promising.

My plan is to build my media network in client server architecture. Its intent is to watch/record live television, play ripped movies and listen to stored music. The server will house a number of HD drives and will encode TV through multiple Hauppauge 250 encoders hooked up to multiple cable boxes via. USB-UIRT. The setup will also be comprised of a number of Clients PCs, Media MVPs or a combination of the two.

I am listing the features that are important to me. I would greatly appreciate any information/feedback you have GB-PVRs support for these features. Also any commentary on GB-PVRs strengths and limitations compared to these other products.

- Support for Multiple encoders
- Support for recording shows from the client interface on to the server
- Software interface for the MVP
- EPG
- Smooth Tivo like FF/RW (haven't found this yet on any platform, not a deal breaker)
- XCard Support
- Dummy proof UI (Setup and configuration can be difficult, but a child needs to be able to understand how to work it)
- Decent interface for browsing DVDs, Music
- .Net Development (not a big deal, but as a .Net programmer It would be nice to play with it)
- Price isn't a concern (I will donate the cost of other retail products, if I choose free solution)
- Windows OS
- Intelligent recording scheduling (IE if one show is being recorded and another is scheduled the software will automatically start recording on another 250card.)

I realize as with most things, nothing is going to have everything I want. I am just looking for the best fit. This project is a big undertaking for me; I know how much work I have put into it. Knowing how much time I have put into research, I would like to recognize the extraordinary amount of time sub, you have put into this project. You seem to have done amazing work and it is appreciated by all.

Thank you Sincerely,
SoonerToucan

[sub]

Support for Multiple encoders: yes
Support for recording shows from the client interface on to the server: Only remote MVP clients at this stage.
Software interface for the MVP: yes
EPG:yes
Dummy proof UI: GB-PVR tries to simple to use. Final determination up to you
Decent interface for browsing DVDs, Music: Simple, but I think its "decent". Plugins exist for further options.
XCard Support: yes
.Net Development: yes
Windows OS: yes
Intelligent recording scheduling: Yes, it handles the situation you described. GB-PVR knows which tuners are already in use when scheduling recordings, and will allocate the recording to a free tuner. The current scheme isn't perfect when it comes to sharing tuners with livetv and scheduled recordings, but I am looking to improve this.
Smooth Tivo like FF/RW: I afraid not, sorry. The reason you dont really see this, is because Windows PVR software typically depends on Directshow for doing all its video playback. With directshow, the available FF/RW speeds are provided by the MPEG2 decoder, and MPEG2 Splitter filter. Both of these are third party software, and out of our control.

[SoonerToucan]

Sub, thank you for the quick response, this is great news. I will continue to browse the forums and familarize myself with the product. I forgot to add 3rd party remotes to my list. This isn't a big deal, I was thinking of getting the firefly remotes for my system. Have you have any experience with this model? Do you have a reccomendation for a remote that works well under $100?

Thanks again,
-ST

[sub]

If you want to use a remote other than the Hauppuage or MCE remote, you'll also need to use Girder.

[joshley]

Sub,

Will we see fast forward and rewind in pause mode? Or is that not possible?

josh

[junkman]

Quote[/b] ]Do you have a reccomendation for a remote that works well under $100?

I recently did a whole house distributed video thing with GB-PVR as my PVR solution. Since I'm using the PVR350, I got the Hauppauge remote. However, since I didn't want carry around the Hauppauge remote all of the time with all of the other equipment, I got a Sony RM-VL900 learning remote, had it learn all of the Hauppauge codes, and it works very well. I paid about $60 at SmartHome.com.

Of course, this is dependent on the PVR350, and Hauppauge's IR software, and their IR target. Otherwise, as sub said, you'll need Girder.

[fini]

I would advise anyone looking into putting multiple tuners into their PC to wait about a month as the Hauppauge 500 is coming out which is, as the name suggests, basically two 250's strapped together: the advantage being it only takes up one PCI slot and presumebly would be cheaper than buying two 250s.

fini

[Guest]

Quote[/b] (sub @ Oct. 01 2004,14:21)]If you want to use a remote other than the Hauppuage or MCE remote, you'll also need to use Girder.

I'm using an ATI RF Remote Control. While I haven't got it fully working yet, it's mostly there, and I haven't got Girder set up and running yet.

They're about NZ$90

[amontillado]

Quote[/b] ]I was thinking of getting the firefly remotes for my system. Have you have any experience with this model?

I have one of these. I use girder (there is a firefly plugin available on their website) to trigger the gbpvr commands.
Its actually quite easy to link the gbpvr commands to firefly events, works like a charm.

But for most remote there is a girder plugin available so it doesn't really matter which one you buy, just buy the one which you think has the most pratical key layout.