Advice for a setup

[treads6464]

I did some reading about a powerline network and it looks like this would work to get a wired system...actually it is a pretty sweet system. So now my question is if I go with a powerline network (70mbps) which is a better choice for hardware, the MVP or the PCH?

Also, in regards to changing channels on the STBs, my buddy already has a Harmony remote that can control everything...or would I still need IR blasting? I am not even familiar with what it is as I use an MCE remote with a USB sensor.

Thanks for the advice people, keep it coming.

After reading the stuff about powerline networking, I may now be able to add an MVP or PCH to my own bedroom. Good stuff.

[flyswatta]

MVP=SD only
PCH=HD and SD
Harmony Remote = Really fancy (and expensive) remote. Reknown for it's user friendliness (and from what I hear, a high WAF) but it's just a remote, and the same functionality can be had for $20 - $25.

Random thoughts:
You'll need IR Blasting from the server. One thing that you may want to think about is that if he has 4 tuners in the server, he'll need the 4 dish STBs physically located by the server (to capture the output and to IR Blast them). This would nix the earlier idea of watching HD and then flipping an input to a gbpvr client.

I know HIP supports up to 4 different IR blasters but not sure what hardware has 4 IR Blasters. See stustunz's post above.

A learning remote or the Harmony definitely can control the MVP, and most likely the PCH (I don't have a PCH, so I can't say for sure).

[soccerdad]

Search powerline on this site. Several threads with very mixed reviews as I remember. If your friend really wants HD, then only the Popcorn hour or a client will work. Like fly said, the MVP is SD only. If he is serious, he should look into running cat5e to his TVs. If SD is OK, then another path would be to have the dish boxes and the server output to modulators on different channels. Then any TV could watch any channel. No clients, PHs or MVPs needed. You will need a good IR system though to control the boxes. Lots of options for SD, but limited for HD for now.

[soccerdad]

Fly- you type too fast! Where have you been? Haven't seen your posts lately.

[treads6464]

Ok, so far I am hearing that the powerline stuff is useable, popcorn hours are the way to go, and I will need some IR blasting.

My questions continue......

You guys keep mentioning IR systems, I am not familiar with these....what would I need to have plugged into the server and plugged into each PCH or MVP? If possible, please give me a basic idea of an IR system and/or what I would need.

Thanks again guys!! So far I have his system ranging from $~800 to $~1500.
Keep the ideas rolling gentlemen!

[steeb]

treads6464,

I budget in pounds £200 minimum to serve every room in my house, properly.

I haven't played with PCH yet, but have no need to. Shuttle the new/old fashioned way.

Do I really need an HD Client in my Bathroom, not!

Your Client has 4 Tv's are they all HD, I think not?

Wireless? If you like Microwaves.

Not sure if you can get them but Devolo

http://www.devolo.com/co_EN/index.html

are a powerline product and working very nicely for me.

You seem very excited which is great but my advice would be to slow down. If you can't make it work in your own home don't promise it to anyone else.

Just me, maybe?

Steeb

[flyswatta]

I think you're missing the whole "IR Blaster" thing. The idea is that you have an STB (Dish receiver, in this case), in which you have a scheduled recording. In order to record the show, you'll need GBPVR to talk to some IR Software on the computer in order to change the channel on the STB. An IR Blaster is a little emitter that attaches to the front of the STB, with a wire to the computer, usually USB, but you can do serial. The computer will then send (blast) IR signals to the STB to change the channel, emulating somebody changing channels with a remote control.

I know the MCE receiver/blaster only has 2 blasters, hence why we're wondering if you can do 4 - I'm sure you could, but IMO it's not a common configuration.

Here's a usual setup with an MVP (probably similar w/ PCH). The MVP is connected to your TV via coax/s-video/composite cables and to the GBPVR server via a network connection. Say you're watching live TV and change the channel via your MVP remote (or a universal remote), the remote control sends the signal to the MVP, which then sends it to GBPVR, which then issues a channel change command to whatever IR software is on your computer, which then 'blasts' the STB, which changes channels on the STB. Generally you have the capture card set to s-video/composite input so it just captures whatever is coming out of your STB, so when the STB starts playing the new channel it will stream to your MVP.

[steeb]

You're good!

No more to say

[flyswatta]

After re-reading my post, while step by step, might be a little too verbose

The PCH and MVP come with a remote to control themselves, just like the other 20 remotes that I have in a junk drawer.

An IR Blaster is connected to your computer and is used to pretend like its a person sitting in front of the STB pressing buttons on a remote. Depending on the blaster and the software, they can sometimes be finicky and uh, time consuming (we won't go into the 8 days I just burned getting blasting to work with my new u-verse STB :mad: ) However, YMMV.

It sounds like a fun project though, which is why I've kept up with this thread, hopefully I haven't confused you too much.

[steeb]

I think this sounds like a fun project too, but out-do youself is my opinion, treads