Where to start? (newbie)

[pondlife]

Hi All,

I've recently given up trying to build my PVR on Linux and have moved across to Windows XP. I now have gbpvr running on my machine but have a few questions:

1. Do I need to updatde the registry in order to boot straight into gbpvr?
2. Is there a way that I can use my TV as the sole display so that I can still use my PVR as a PC? (by setting up my remote so that it can log me into Windows?)
3. How can I connect up my Sky box to me Hauppauge PVR 350?
4. Can I use my Hauppauge HVR 1300 with gbpvr?

FYI my box consists of the following components:
Silverstone LC11m case (iMON LCD with remote), ASUS A8N-VM CSM Motherboard, 512MB RAM, Philips DVD, Maxtor 40GB HD (System), Samsung Spinpoint 250GB, PVR350, HVR1300 (not recognised by gbpvr).

Many thanks,

pondlife.

[betlit]

1. Do I need to updatde the registry in order to boot straight into gbpvr?

depends... if you want to _replace_ the 'shell' with gbpvr then, yes. its documented in the wiki
but when i look at your second question, i think you simply want to 'auto-login' and start gbpvr automatically. the first can be achieved in the control panel ('passwords' or something where you can define a 'fix' username/password for login), the second by simply put gbpvr into the 'startup'-folder

2. Is there a way that I can use my TV as the sole display so that I can still use my PVR as a PC? (by setting up my remote so that it can log me into Windows?)

no problem with a graphics card with tv out. but the tv outs are not always delivering a good picture. if you search the forum you'll find some recomendations for good cards.
the tv out of your 350 would only display gbpvr and not e.g. the whole desktop (many users had troubles (freezes, etc.) when using the tv out of the 350, so it is not recomended using it... (which is sad, because the quality was brilliant)).

3. How can I connect up my Sky box to me Hauppauge PVR 350?

the sky box comes with an s-video out, which you can connect to the s-video in of the pvr-350. then simply create a capture source using the s-video in.
for the channel-changing you'll need a ir sender (unfortunately the pvr-350 does not come with one, as e.g. the pvr-150).
you'll have to build one for yourself... a quick googling brought up this site...

4. Can I use my Hauppauge HVR 1300 with gbpvr?

if i'm not mistaken, the HVR 1300 comes with bda drivers. so there is a high probability you'll get the _digital_ site of the card working.

[pondlife]

Hi betlit,

Thanks for the reply. Lots to think about. Unfortunately I don't have the room for another card because of the size of the box - I wish I'd gone for a bigger case. I think that I might be able to squeeze in the TV out adapter for the motherboard (I shall go and look that up now...)

I shall have a play with the Win login/startup too...

I think that I'll bo able to do everything I need if I can get all the output onto the TV. I assume that I'll still have to have the PVR TV out connected to the TV at the same time for full-screen output of gbpvr?

The Sky box doesn't have a S-Video out, just scart, at least I don't think it does... I'll have to double check. The channel changing doesn't bother me at the moment but it would be nice - I'll stick that task on my 'in the future' list (which is getting longer!).

Thanks again,

pondlife.

[fhmanas]

Using the tv-out of the motherboard might interfere with your usage of your PVR as a PC, not unless your motherboard has a built in mpeg decoder, otherwise, all decoding will be done using PC CPU which interferes with normal usage of the PC. Have you considered the MVP, it's fully supported by GBPVR. The MVP is quiet, has a built in MPEG decoder and won't take up space inside your box. The MVP is ideal if you intend to do your watching on your TV and let your PVR be used as a PC at the same time. In my setup, I don't feel any lag in using the PC whenever somebody uses the MVPs even while playing games. Although, it's noteworthy to add that it's better to keep recording in a separate HD than with the same HD as the system, that's the time video tends to be jerky whenever the OS is caching. You can learn more about the MVP in the wiki and in the MVP forum. The MVP is definitely worth the investment, once it's working.

[betlit]

I think that I'll bo able to do everything I need if I can get all the output onto the TV. I assume that I'll still have to have the PVR TV out connected to the TV at the same time for full-screen output of gbpvr?

uhm... now i'm confused... you want to watch tv and use the compy 'independently'? then using the tv out is an option.
or e.g. define the tv out as the second display (you can tell gbpvr to start full screen in the second display).
also 'direct access to hauppauge remote' must be activated (otherwise gbpvr wont react if it has not the focus...). i don't remeber if this is possible with the 34 button remote that comes with the 350... it _may_ only work with the new 45 button remote.

then again you can go for an mvp which is a very elegant solution.

The Sky box doesn't have a S-Video out, just scart, at least I don't think it does... I'll have to double check. The channel changing doesn't bother me at the moment but it would be nice - I'll stick that task on my 'in the future' list (which is getting longer!).

uhm.. sorry. i did not know there are several sky boxes... i asked a friend from uk and his box does have one.
in that case you will have to buy a scart-to-svideo or scart-to-composite converter, or make it yourself (pin-layout)

[stu8080]

i don't remeber if this is possible with the 34 button remote that comes with the 350... it _may_ only work with the new 45 button remote.

It does, dont worry, i used it for a while with my PVR-350

[pondlife]

Thanks Guys!

Lots of information there - I've seen the acronym MVP only since browsing this site. I'll have to look into that...

When I say that I want to use my box as a PC at the same time I mean that I'd like to be able to use products like Skype or email on it - but not necessarily whilst it's recording/viewing a TV show.

I'm actually thinking of using the remote that comes with the Silverstone case (iMON). I'm not sure of the model number... But I think it's MCE compliant... It doesn't currently work with GBPVR but I assume that I just need to map the keys somewhere? (Am I making extra work for myself?) I like the way this remote works with the VFD - the news and system information is kinda cool!

Cheers,

pondlife.

[pondlife]

Hi,

Because I've not got any slots left - could I use the motherboard TV Out for displaying the PC Desktop and still use the PVR350 (I now this isn't ideal but...) TV Out for the GBPVR output? (on separate channels - is this possible?)

Thanks again,

pondlife.

[gEd]

Getting tvout to work reliably on the 350 is going to be hit and miss. A few people have it working ok, most have given up and simply use the svideo out of their graphics card, whether it be onboard or a seperate card.

In this way, your tv simply acts as a monitor, albeit at lower quaility.
In this setup, you can view either the desktop or gbpvr (by alt-tabing) between the two.

[edit] just realised you have the far newer mobo to me. The ASUS A8N-VM CSM is a good choice. The TV out your motherboard should be absolutely fine although you may find the desktop quality poor and not suitable it for prelonged use (on a CRT). So does this board come with the tv out bracket then? I thought they were'nt shipping them in the uk.

[pondlife]

Hi gEd,

If I'd gone for a bigger case there would definitely be more options open to me regarding TV Out. Hey ho - I didn't think it was an impulse buy and I'd put a lot of thought into it but I guess not!

You're correct in saying that the TV Out module doesn't seem to be available in the UK - the only place I could find one was on ebay in the US.

One real pain is that I don't have SVHS input on my TV so I might have to play around with a SCART switcher or something else... So then if I've got both connections - if I can keep the PVR 350 output working - the GBPVR screen saver looks OK at the moment, that's as far as I've got! - then I just need to select the TV input to switch between the TV and PC... I think!

Cheers,

pondlife.