Current status of GBPVR, PCH

[drbenjamin]

Sorry if this is a FAQ, but I want to double check before buying a unit -
after 4 very happy years with a GBPVR/MVP setup, I decided to upgrade to HD. Two frustrating months later I am throwing in the towel on trying to use my computer to watch shows as well as record them, and want to return to the simple reliable pairing of a computer doing the recording and a MVP-like device for watching. My setup is 2 SD tuners into a Hauppauge 150/2250 pair, and a single HD tuner into a HD-PVR. It sounds like the PCH is what I want, but -

1) Is comskip working with the PCH? Including HD .ts recordings from the HD-PVR? Will pausing a show mess things up?
2) Can I LiveTV/slipstream seamlessly on both HD and SD recordings?
3) Can I have a PCH on my HD set and an MVP on my SD set? I know that the MVP will only play SD recordings.

My headaches with the PC mostly revolve around the audio getting out of synch with the video so that is my major concern with the PCH.

Thanks for the help!

[mvallevand]

1) Is comskip working with the PCH? Including HD .ts recordings from the HD-PVR? Will pausing a show mess things up?

Although I don't use it, if the comskip has the proper com skip points, it works. The accuracy of all skipping can be off a bit because the location in the file is based on CBR. Usually it is is within about 5 seconds, often better, but sometimes I've had it miss by 20 seconds or so. mvpmcx2 follows the skipping from GBPVR and resume and comskip both work, if there is a conflict I don't which "rules".

2) Can I LiveTV/slipstream seamlessly on both HD and SD recordings?

Yes, I watch Live HDPVR (AC3 5.1 SPDIF), QAM, ATSC, TS via firewire, and analog captures. I did opt for the GraphEdit tuner plugin since I think it is better than the native support.

3) Can I have a PCH on my HD set and an MVP on my SD set? I know that the MVP will only play SD recordings.

Yes or course you can hook up an NMT to you SD set and let it handle all the HD and audio conversions through hardware for a really good experience

My headaches with the PC mostly revolve around the audio getting out of synch with the video so that is my major concern with the PCH.

Lip sync or video stuttering is not a major concern on the PCH, unless you use wireless.

Martin

[drbenjamin]

Awesome, thank you Martin. Let me add my voice to the chorus of appreciation here, your mvpmc dongle on my MVP set a very high standard around here, it just plain worked year after year. Looking forward to the same in HD!