Thinking of switching to GBPVR - Advice Needed

[gavo]

Hi,

I'm thinking about making the switch to the latest GBPVR release, I currently use Media Portal. I was just wondering if you guys could comment on what my expectations might be for getting a working and stable system up and running based on the type of configuration I want to deploy.

Basically the story is that I have been running MediaPortal 1.0 Final for some time now and have been quite happy with it. Recently however I implemented another node (so have gone multiseat) and as a result have had some issues (first with 1.0, which required an upgrade to 1.1 RC1, which fixed some problems but introduced some more). My environment is working, but I am now having problems every second day or so which is a bit annoying.

My configuration is as follows:

My server is a AMD X2 4800+ (2.5 GHZ Dual core) based system with 2GB of RAM. This box is also connected to an LCD telly via HDMI. It runs XP SP3 with all latest hotfixes and has a Hauppage WinTV TD-500 Dual DVB-T Tuner card. It has all my photos, home movies etc stored on it. I use CoreAVC as my H.264 codec (for NZ Freeview HD TV), and all video processing is done by the CPU. It works well as a HTPC with all freeview channels playing smoothly.

My new client PC is an ASUS eeeBOX 1012, which is a dual core Atom CPU with the Nvidia ION chipset. I use the CoreAVC codec with GPU support which works well giving me smooth freeview telly. This box is a client to my server and is connected via a 100Mb full duplex wired Ethernet network. All live and recorded TV is fed from my server (along with photos, home movies etc). This box also runs XP SP3 with all latest hot fixes etc. It has 2 or 3GB of RAM ( cant remember off the top of my head ;-).

I'd like to continue to use XP (just to avoid too much change) and install GBPVR on these two boxes - in the same type of configuration, server that is also a client, and a remote network client. With MediaPortal there is a lot of fiddling around, and unfortunately even with the latest release still some issues that are not so conducive for stable use.

In my proposed multiseat configuration, do you think I should have a realistic expectation that with GBPVR I should just be able to install, configure and have it work solidly with what I have? Or am I likey to be up for weeks worth of fiddling to get it stable?

I dont mean any of this in a bad way BTW, I'm just trying to be realistic about my time investment if I switch My options might be to stay with Media Portal but wait for the next release, or try something new - as I remember, when I first started out with all this, the only reason I didnt go with GBPVR originally was at the time Media Portal supported NZ Freeview telly and GBPVR didnt (which is obviously not the case now)

Thanks in advance.

[Graham]

My expectation is that it will take about 10 - 15 minutes per computer to get the setup that you want. GBPVR is developed in NZ so you would expect that it caters well to the NZ TV environment.

GBPVR favours Hauppauge tuners so you have a head start there. This forum is usually both prompt and helpful.

Go for it.

[johnsonx42]

There is a new release of GB-PVR due out very soon now I think. You may wish to wait for the new release, which is not to say there's anything wrong with the current release.

[Jaggy]

One of GB-PVR real strong points is it's stability, I think I have only missed four recordings in four years since starting to use it & three of those missed recordings were at the same time. One of GB-PVR's weak points is the PC client side of things as it hasn't had any real development in a number of years where as the NMT client side has had a lot of development & is top notch, but having said that the PC client does work well as it is & it is stable. I don't think your reason for not going the GB route was the lack of support for NZ TV as sub (the developer) lives in Wellington & support for our Freeview etc. was in place long before Freeview went public it was more likely the lack of multi-record at the time but that has long since been rectified.

I am fairly sure you can have MP & GB-PVR both installed at the same time, I did years ago (but you may need to stop the recordingservice to use MP) so you can give it a try before you decide, I think Graham may be being a little optimistic with his 10 - 15 minutes per PC but it certainly doesn't take long to get up & running.

[pBS]

client mode works well, tho just a couple of annoyances..
comskip timeline is off if using streaming mode..works perfectly in filesharing mode tho
livetv is not very usable in filesharing mode, but with streaming mode it works great..
can use .mpg or .ts mux when using client..dvr-ms not recommended for mux when using client..
other than that it works just like main server machine..

not sure but there may be changes in client mode in next ver., definitely many gui changes..
[tho underlying architecture is most likely unchanged so could get feet wet with current release and be ready for new release when ready, it upgrades well]

[gavo]

Thanks Guys,

Sounds good - I'm going to give it a go! I'll post back how I get on.

Cheers,

Well, the install and config went great - very smooth - I think it may have taken 30 minutes or so tho ;-) Although that did include disabling all the Media Portal stuff. Unfortuantely I'm having problems with live TV - I've posted over in the support forum - still, I'm suspecting my rig - specifically my tuner card (dunno why, just a gut feeling).

Doh.

[martint123]

Last edited by gavo; Today at 07:44 AM. Reason: Update on my GBPVR install

See - it's easy

p.s. with the forum software it is usually best to post a reply to yourself rather than edit-in an update. Reason being is for people who rely on email notifications of replies or 'new posts' to see updates - an edit will not show up.