how much trouble is there?

[pvrdude]

Hello, I'm at my wits end with Mythtv and as soon as I know what software, OS and updates I need, I will try using GB-PVR.

I need to research what I need for using Windows 2000 (I need Service Pack 4 and to make sure something else is installed?).

Two main issues I need to address:
1) Checking the TV schedule - Zap2it will be no more so how is anyone able to check listings and schedule recordings?

2) Creating DVDs - which is the best way? In Mythtv, it's built-in

3) Moving around and making changes - I guess it is easier to access than some versions of MythTV but I need to know how difficult it is to make changes (or undo) in GB-PVR. What if I want to cancel or change a recording or make a change during live TV (pause/stop etc.)? Also, what if I want to cancel the process of creating a DVD. What if I made a mistake and wanted to cancel so I can redo? This has become a major problem while using Mythtv for me. Thus, I want to know how much trouble I'll encounter using a Windows pvr program.

I also assume that there will be problems and issues when using a remote. I currently use a Hauppauge PVR150 in the myth box but how complicated is it installing and configuring the Cable TV settopbox and remote in GB-PVR? I hope it is easier than it was in myth.

Right now, I'll just be using my LCD monitor and look into which video card I should get. I currently have my choice of a FX 5200 Nvidia card or ATI X300SE card. One of those should be sufficient for now? If there is any update of a preferred card (in Nvidia or ATI series), please let me know.

Anyway, I hope someone can answer my questions. I hope to get it going soon. Thanks in advance for any answers/comments etc.

[sub]

Hello, I'm at my wits end with Mythtv and as soon as I know what software, OS and updates I need, I will try using GB-PVR.

I need to research what I need for using Windows 2000 (I need Service Pack 4 and to make sure something else is installed?).

Two main issues I need to address:
1) Checking the TV schedule - Zap2it will be no more so how is anyone able to check listings and schedule recordings?

There will be alternative sources of listings well before the zap2it service is terminated. There will a few free xmltv grabbers, or a cheap 'pay for listings' option for those that cant be bothered with xmltv.

2) Creating DVDs - which is the best way? In Mythtv, it's built-in

I never found myself needing this functionality so there is nothing built in for this, but there is some plugins that do this - I've never used them though, so cant say much about them.

3) Moving around and making changes - I guess it is easier to access than some versions of MythTV but I need to know how difficult it is to make changes (or undo) in GB-PVR. What if I want to cancel or change a recording or make a change during live TV (pause/stop etc.)?

Its hard to know what you want to hear. Its pretty easy to go in and cancel recordings etc in GB-PVR.

You're probably not going know what you want to know until you install it, and give it a test drive. You'll decide pretty quickly if it meets needs or not.

Also, what if I want to cancel the process of creating a DVD. What if I made a mistake and wanted to cancel so I can redo? This has become a major problem while using Mythtv for me. Thus, I want to know how much trouble I'll encounter using a Windows pvr program.

As I said above, no built in DVD burning.

I also assume that there will be problems and issues when using a remote. I currently use a Hauppauge PVR150 in the myth box but how complicated is it installing and configuring the Cable TV settopbox and remote in GB-PVR? I hope it is easier than it was in myth.

I think its pretty straight forward, but hard to know whether the blaster and set top box you intend to use are compatible etc. See comment above recommending you take it for a test drive.

Right now, I'll just be using my LCD monitor and look into which video card I should get. I currently have my choice of a FX 5200 Nvidia card or ATI X300SE card. One of those should be sufficient for now? If there is any update of a preferred card (in Nvidia or ATI series), please let me know.

I havnt personally used either of those cards, but I'd guess the ATI X300SE would be fine. (the nvidia is probably fine too, but I find the ATI cards perform better)

[pvrdude]

There will be alternative sources of listings well before the zap2it service is terminated. There will a few free xmltv grabbers, or a cheap 'pay for listings' option for those that cant be bothered with xmltv.

That's good to hear.

I think its pretty straight forward, but hard to know whether the blaster and set top box you intend to use are compatible etc. See comment above recommending you take it for a test drive.

This is one out of three main concerns. It's a SA Explorer 2000 and the Hauppauge PVR 150 (#1042) with the silver remote. I need to know the codes for the set top box and I don't know what to do with them regarding GB-PVR. Is there a sticky here for that or can I ask you or anyone else? I don't understand how it is straightforward unless you have it somehow detecting the code?

I havnt personally used either of those cards, but I'd guess the ATI X300SE would be fine. (the nvidia is probably fine too, but I find the ATI cards perform better)

This is a minor concern but I've been able to play videos on my current computers with no problems so far. I've read other people using various cards so when I read reviews on major computer webpages about video acceleration, editing and playback using the higher grade cards, I get all confused.

So, to summarize, my main concerns are as follows:
1) ease of use
2) setup/installation - primarily the setup of the set top box (digital cable box being the SA Explorer 3000) the tv capture card (Hauppauge 150). If it is not hard, then great....I'm sold. But, I have my doubts. The question is how complicated is it (in comparison to what I've been through).
3) tie-ins to other programs, utilities and plug-ins - do I go to the videohelp site to find my program for turning the mpeg2s into dvd format? I assume all the recordings will be mpgs and I have to transfer them into the format of my choice via my own program?

I read that Showburn is a program people use but I assume that with gbpvr, you are on your own and if you want them transferred to DVD, you need to do it yourself with your own program(s)? I'm okay with that but I am wondering if anyone can suggest anything or whether it's trial and error?

I found a lot of programs/utilities etc. on videohelp but I was wondering if there are any advice from people on here? They might have found something that works well and recommend it (thus, getting a following).

Thanks for the quick replies!

[sub]

This is one out of three main concerns. It's a SA Explorer 2000 and the Hauppauge PVR 150 (#1042) with the silver remote. I need to know the codes for the set top box and I don't know what to do with them regarding GB-PVR. Is there a sticky here for that or can I ask you or anyone else? I don't understand how it is straightforward unless you have it somehow detecting the code?

You dont configure the PVR150 IR Blaster in GB-PVR. It just uses the Hauppauge settings, configured in the Hauppauge BlastCFG app. I dont have it installed at the moment, so I cant check for you whether that STB is listed, but there is a version of the Hauppauge blaster software that lets you learn the codes from your original remote though, so you should be ok.

So, to summarize, my main concerns are as follows:
1) ease of use
2) setup/installation - primarily the setup of the set top box (digital cable box being the SA Explorer 3000) the tv capture card (Hauppauge 150). If it is not hard, then great....I'm sold. But, I have my doubts. The question is how complicated is it (in comparison to what I've been through).

I think its pretty easy to setup. Its probably only a few minutes work to setup your capture source.

3) tie-ins to other programs, utilities and plug-ins - do I go to the videohelp site to find my program for turning the mpeg2s into dvd format? I assume all the recordings will be mpgs and I have to transfer them into the format of my choice via my own program?

I read that Showburn is a program people use but I assume that with gbpvr, you are on your own and if you want them transferred to DVD, you need to do it yourself with your own program(s)? I'm okay with that but I am wondering if anyone can suggest anything or whether it's trial and error?

Sorry, I cant help you at all with DVD burning (though I thought the ShowBurner utility does this - never tried it though, so not sure)

[pvrdude]

You dont configure the PVR150 IR Blaster in GB-PVR. It just uses the Hauppauge settings, configured in the Hauppauge BlastCFG app. I dont have it installed at the moment, so I cant check for you whether that STB is listed, but there is a version of the Hauppauge blaster software that lets you learn the codes from your original remote though, so you should be ok.

That sounds very interesting.

I think its pretty easy to setup. Its probably only a few minutes work to setup your capture source.

Sorry, I cant help you at all with DVD burning (though I thought the ShowBurner utility does this - never tried it though, so not sure)

I am not sure but I would think you'd get similar questions here all the time.

Have you ever thought of using a sticky of all the various programs (and methods) that people found to be good (i.e. work)? I have been told that converting the mpeg or avi to dvd format is a complicated process with many variables or factors. At any rate, there are ultimately issues and problems.

But, perhaps, you could collect ideas or from posts, the various programs used with helpful websites and have that in a sticky with the title 'programs available to convert your mpeg2s to dvd' or something similar? Just a suggestion.

I am sure I'll be able to find programs although I think this will be the most complicated part of everything.

A plus for Mythtv was that everything is built in but there are frequent cases of something not working or stopped working (for me, anyway).

[sub]

I am not sure but I would think you'd get similar questions here all the time.

No, this comes up very very rarely. Most people just record, watch, delete.

Have you ever thought of using a sticky of all the various programs (and methods) that people found to be good (i.e. work)? I have been told that converting the mpeg or avi to dvd format is a complicated process with many variables or factors. At any rate, there are ultimately issues and problems.

But, perhaps, you could collect ideas or from posts, the various programs used with helpful websites and have that in a sticky with the title 'programs available to convert your mpeg2s to dvd' or something similar? Just a suggestion.

I am sure I'll be able to find programs although I think this will be the most complicated part of everything.

Sorry, but I'm really just not interested in burning DVDs, so I have no plans to do anything like this. I'm sure if it was hot topic someone would added a page to the wiki about it by now. If you get keen and track down all the info about doing this, then you could look at creating that wiki page incase someone else wants to do the same thing in the future.

Its not directly GB-PVR related, but you could probably find lots of info on Windows DVD creation at sites like http://www.afterdawn.com etc

[Braklet]

No, this comes up very very rarely. Most people just record, watch, delete.

Sorry, but I'm really just not interested in burning DVDs

FWIW, I archive a lot of material recorded by GB-PVR onto DVD-R all the time.

I briefly researched the plugin that supports this task from within GB-PVR (Showburner?) but decided I wanted more control over my menus etc. than was possible with the plugin.

The easiest software I found to compose DVDs was TMPGEnc DVD Author 1.5. However, I still need more functionality than is possible with that package, so I bought a DVDLab Studio license.

DVDLab is good software but the UI is very confusing until you get the hang of it.

[Pioneer4x4]

FWIW, I archive a lot of material recorded by GB-PVR onto DVD-R all the time.

I briefly researched the plugin that supports this task from within GB-PVR (Showburner?) but decided I wanted more control over my menus etc. than was possible with the plugin.

The easiest software I found to compose DVDs was TMPGEnc DVD Author 1.5. However, I still need more functionality than is possible with that package, so I bought a DVDLab Studio license.

DVDLab is good software but the UI is very confusing until you get the hang of it.

I too do it all manually, and TMPGEnc DVD Author 1.5 is the main app I use to create. I think I looked at DVDLab and it seemed way too powerful, I got lost looking through the options! If you want to quickly archive shows to DVD, it only takes about 30 seconds to make a no menu dvd structure, it takes me about 15 min a disk to tweak menu names, and cut commercials to the nearest i frame in DVD Author.

FWIW, I record at 4000 so 3 commercial cut shows just if on a DVD-R

[pastro]

I like the ability to burn a quick DVD to give to a friend. For that I use showburner. It's basically a batch file that runs from GBPVR so once it starts the only way to kill it is to kill the batch. That said you could probably see what the name of the process is, and create a custom task that would kill it. That way you could always kill it if you want.

[pvrdude]

Thanks, guys!

I like the ability to burn a quick DVD to give to a friend.

That's exactly what I was thinking, pastro!

I have had some introduction to .avi/mpg to dvd format conversion and I've been to sites like videohelp. I'm not sure how many programs could be used with gbpvr (successfully) but I thank you for the related info. Sounds interesting.