Gb-pvr

[Orbital]

I'm new to PVR's and do not understand all the software and what not that goes with them. I am about to purchase a SAPPHIRE 550Pro PCI TV Tuner Card and was told that the bundled software is lacking and isn't all that great. Well, I ran across this software and figured it was worth a shoot.

My question is: Is this like MediaPortal Media Center or Myth TV? Will this delete my OS and run as the main system? I want a program that runs just like a normal application when I want it to. I want my OS to run independently of it and not even run unless I start it...... Could someone fill me in on how this software works.... thanks

[sub]

Its just a normal Windows application. It doesnt replace your OS or anything like that.

[Orbital]

Its just a normal Windows application. It doesnt replace your OS or anything like that.

sub,

Thank you,
it's sounds just like what I need......

Oh, Is the TV guide feature free ?

[sub]

Yes

[Orbital]

This seems like a great piece of software.......... I'm really thankful for the guy that wrote it. After I get my card and use it a time or two, I'll send a Donation. Thank you for the info, you've been extememly helpful.

Orbital.....

[zed]

It IS a great piece of software and 'the guy that wrote it' is the guy who responded to your questions (sub).

How's that for support?

[Orbital]

sub,
Have you tried GB-PVR with this particular card ( SAPPHIRE "100104SR-BL-H" Theatrix Theatre 550Pro ) I looked at your requirements and see you do support the ATI Theater 550 PRO chipset. The thing is, It comes with a remote but from some of the reviews it seems that the remote only works with the included Cyberlink "PowerCinema 3" software. Have you heard of this software and is it any good?

One other thing, What does MCE mean? I see it all over the reviews. Does this mean Microsoft Certified Equipment.

Here is what I'm running
Windows XP Pro
Athlon XP 2800+
1GB DDR Ram
Geforce FX 5200 (128 DDR)

[herbs]

MCE= Media Centre Edition of windows.
Power cinema is cyberlinks attempt at MCE, I personally don't like it but some people do.

[sub]

sub,
Have you tried GB-PVR with this particular card ( SAPPHIRE "100104SR-BL-H" Theatrix Theatre 550Pro ) I looked at your requirements and see you do support the ATI Theater 550 PRO chipset.

I havnt tried it personally, but there are lots of users here with the Sapphire Theatrix 550 Pro.

[csy]

I own the TUL/Powercolour theater 550 pro PCI card, and am very happy with it.

The picture quality is exceptionally sharp and clear. When used in combination with my 30" LCD wisescreen display, it is sharper than my Sony WEGA 32" TV.

Note however, not all buttons on the Cyberlink work with GBPVR, but all the important buttons work. Don't be tempted to buy the cheap MSI 550 card because it has an unusual remote that is not natively supported by Windows hence not natiely supported by GBPVR.

I however have run into a compatibility problem upgrading my motherboard to an Albatron KM51G-754. It appears the Nvidia nForce4/410 chipset is prone to SATA harddrive data corruption problems with some PCI card resource allocations done by the motherboard BIOS, and this is the problem I have experienced with the TUL550 card on that motherboard.

I would recommend a 550 PCI-E card because PCI-E is less prone to resource conflicts and generically speaking all drivers are now more "focused" towards PCI-E support.