Client/Server

[justlivin']

I am looking to setup a client/ server system. I will be using two win 7 pc and I want the server to do all the heavly lifting, transcoding, econding etc., and for the client to just playback the media files. The client will be severly underpowered.

Is this possible with GB-pvr?

[stustunz]

If it will run windows 7 then it should be fine

[mvallevand]

I disagree with stustunz, you can run Win7 on lots of PC's that don't have the graphic power for GBPVR. My opinion is if you want to play HD or even have a really good experience with SD an underpowered client in a bad idea. Transcoding and comskip aside, I feel the client requires more power than the server.

Martin

[martint123]

The client will be severly underpowered.

How "underpowered" - you may well be disappointed.
The "server" only has to do minimal work in moving data from a tuner to disk whereas the "client" has to decode and display the data.

If you are specifying a severely underpowered client just for size and noise, then I'd contemplate a supported media extender of the NMT kind in preference. (cheaper and better performing).

[KStiles]

As for "underpowered", my PVR is running a AMD 2650e processor, Vista, 2 GB ram. One client machine is a P4 3.0 with a ATI 1300, one is a P4 1.8 with an NVidia 6200 and the other is a T60 laptop with the Intel 945 chipset. Internal wiring is consumer-grade 100 Mbit.

System performs well and can handle 2 machines viewing recordings while the 3rd streams live. I normally run in "medium" mode on recordings, though not HD quality for my eyes its good enough and the munchkin is just interested in seeing that Strawberry Shortcake episode for the nth time

[Sykor]

As for "underpowered", my PVR is running a AMD 2650e processor, Vista, 2 GB ram. One client machine is a P4 3.0 with a ATI 1300, one is a P4 1.8 with an NVidia 6200 and the other is a T60 laptop with the Intel 945 chipset. Internal wiring is consumer-grade 100 Mbit.

System performs well and can handle 2 machines viewing recordings while the 3rd streams live. I normally run in "medium" mode on recordings, though not HD quality for my eyes its good enough and the munchkin is just interested in seeing that Strawberry Shortcake episode for the nth time

In terms of performance priority, I would use the best PC as a client/video playback unit. For recording, and since GBPVR is aimed at either analog tuners with built-in mpeg2 hardware encoding or digital tuners, even your P4 1.8 with a mere 512Mb DDR would be able to handle it without trouble: hard drive performance would be the main thing here. My P4 2.0 w/ 512Mb does 3 simultanous recordings, and I can still view a mpeg2 recording without stuttering.

I used comskip in the past. Stopped using because it's usefullness was limited (in my case), and the video playback performance went downhill whenever a comskip task kicked in. Never used transcoding, so I don't know if your P4 1.8 would suffice or not for your needs.

So I say, use a "minimum requirements" setup as PVR, and try to have better specs on your playback machines if possible. Better to view them later, with good/decent playback, then having quicker transcodings, but a sub-par playback.

[thezfunk]

I plan on using a Zotac ION board for a client. Anyone here tried that?