What should i buy ?

[madspof]

Hello everyone

I am going to build a home pvr machine and have seen the gbpvr software, i was just wondering if anyone has any suggestions on what tv tunner card should i buy if i need it to have a dual freeview option so that i can record one channel whilst watching another. I also need it to have a Av in.

Another question i have is will the gbpvr software be able to record using the av input?

thanks before hand

[possum]

theres a lot of things to consider in a question like that. I suppose first it would depend on what country you're in. Next, it would depend on what kind of signal are you tuning? Do you have cable in, satellite in, or do you receive over an antenna? are you using HD? is it necessary to capture HD? Are you going to use your HTPC to control a set-top-box? The bottom line for 2+ tuners is you basically want equivalent tuners(so all recordings are created equally). Other than that, if you're only going to be capturing standard definition, you could probably use the computer you used to ask that same question. The key components in an HTPC are capture card, hard disk space(speed usually isn't an issue), and video card for viewing. Most of the work done by a HTPC isn't really that taxing(HD can be tough), and the only things that make a really good one are a trick case so it blends in, a fancy remote(i use the gyration air music remote), and fanless components to keep it ultra-silent. otherwise, its really just a computer.

[madspof]

Well i would like these capabilties -

- Dual tunner (record and watch and the same time).

- Composite video input (so i can record Sky).

- I live in the United kingdom (England) and wish to record digital tv(freeview) via the antena on the roof

- Hd, would be a nice option maybye for the future but to be honest im not bothered.

- Well i was going to just try it on the graphics card i have now but if that does not work just upgrade to a beter one.-

- And at first i just want to get the tv system running first using a keyboard and mouse and then move on to using a remote and fully intergrate the system.

[herbs]

To record sky just get the sky+ as any setup compared to it would be never as good. If you want to capture from the sky box after the recording then you need a mpeg2 hardware encoder to use in gbpvr. There are ways to capture sky to the pc directly to the pc with a dvb-s2 card and card readers but I do not know if these work with gbpvr and how easy it is to do, but there is the option of freesat on pc.
To record freeview then any dual tuner card like the hauppauge nova-t 500 or the blackgold range (http://shop.blackgold.tv/) will do, just make sure you have good signal quality and strength.

[madspof]

So has anyone used to gbpvr to actualy record an input via a compostie in on a tv tunner card ?

[herbs]

I used to do this with virgin cable set top box and hauppauge pvr usb2, and used a mce remote with it's ir blaster to change the channels. I can be done but as i said sky+ box would be the easiest way. I'm not trying to discourage you but just to point out the easiest route.

[JonnyCam]

So has anyone used to gbpvr to actualy record an input via a compostie in on a tv tunner card ?

Yeah, I do that for Sky in New Zealand, and use a satellite card & DVB-T USB device for both of our freeview signals. (need a IR blaster - I use the USB-UIRT, but MCE receiver / remote might be cheaper)

All you do is add a capture source, specifying the input you will use, and what channel changer you will use - import the EPG and it's done.

I think that there is a DVB-T dual tuner / analog dual tuner from hauppauge (it's PCI-e)
Just google it' - try the HVR2200 - it does DVB-T & has hardware encoding for the AV imput - I'm not sure how easy the board is to use, but I am sure there a few threads on the forums. (or take a look at HVR4000)

To record sky just get the sky+ as any setup compared to it would be never as good

I would choose a system like GBPVR over MySky (Sky+) as it's a lot more flexible - the only advantage here in NZ (apart from ease of setup) is it's now HD capable. (for a price)

[martint123]

So has anyone used to gbpvr to actualy record an input via a composite in on a tv tunner card ?

Yes.

I have a (sometimes pair) of Hauppauge nova-t-500 dual tuners to record and view multiple Freeview channels. With the latest version of gbpvr you can record multiple channels on a single tuner if they are on the same mux.
With three nova-t-500's you could record all freeview channels simultaneously.

I also have a Hauppauge PVR150 to record off a Sky box. I actually use RF2 to do this as the PC is remote and the channel change signal can travel back down to the Sky box to change channels. I used the composite for Sky earlier, but audio then became a bit of a pain.

I have used the composite input to monitor a camera input. You just set it up as another source channel with no EPG and use "manual" for recordings.

[martint123]

I would choose a system like GBPVR over MySky (Sky+) as it's a lot more flexible - the only advantage here in NZ (apart from ease of setup) is it's now HD capable. (for a price)

In the UK a Sky+ box will give you two encrypted channels to record/view whereas SKy and gbpvr just gives a single channel.

[JonnyCam]

Oh yeah, i forgot about that advanatge here too!
I think they are also adverstising that a software upgrade to the box will allow 3 recordings & one viewing simultaneously.

I am waiting for my provider to bring out more details of their HD PVR (which has been 'coming soon' for quite a while)