Move from BeyondTV to NextPVR

[Greglk]

Hi,

I've been using BeyondTV for several years (even after they abandoned it) because the guide still works. I really want to replace BeyondTV with NextPVR and hope you guys can help with a few questions.

I plan on getting the following hardware once funds allow.

1. Asus or GB MB.
2. AMD quad core CPU.
3. WinTV-HVR 2250.
4. For an IR blaster I've read from forums that, http://www.irblaster.info/usb_ir_repeater.html, is my best bet to work with Motorola FIOS boxes. Although I have no idea what software to use to set it up. I've always used the Hauppauge/WinTV IR Blaster config.

My questions are:
1. Is the hardware above compatible with NextPVR? Suggestions for better (affordable) hardware?
2. If anyone has experience with BeyondTV, does NextPVR pretty much do the same thing in terms of functionality?
3. I've read Intel chips are better than AMD for video (faster, smoother, etc) if this is true would a i3 or i5 suffice? Intel's kinda expensive.
4. Should I stick with Windows 7 or try Windows 8?

Thanks!

Greg

[ga_mueller]

I use a Sandy Bridge Celeron which is basically a crippled i3. Runs everything with no problem. The newer Ivy Bridge Celeron is around $43. AMD does not really have a chance anymore in the low-end space. Intel is typically 1-2 generations ahead of AMD wrt chip architecture (ie at 22nm while AMD is at 30 something) so way more bang for the buck at the low end.

[johnsonx42]

1. Yes, that hardware will work great. Dual-core is enough if you want to save some $.
2. Yes, it does what beyondtv does, though I can't claim to have used beyondtv for more than a few hours years ago.
3. I'd say the exact opposite is true, AMD has superior on-chip graphics hardware and video support. However either will work just fine.
4. Either 7 or 8 will work fine. If you have 7 already, I see no reason to spend money on 8 for an htpc.

edit, added comments:

regarding the blaster, I don't know anything about that particular blaster you listed, nor about the Motorola boxes, but the HVR-2250 comes with a blaster (dual-headed if I recall correctly) that ought to work fine. I don't recall any threads here saying they had problems with the Hauppauge blaster being unable to control a Motorola cable box.

in any case though, for NextPVR all blasters work more or less the same: you configure your blaster so that it works using whatever tools are provided with it; once it's working outside of NextPVR, you put your blaster command line into NextPVR and import your channels. NextPVR doesn't know what kind of blaster you have, all it needs to know is what program to call to make it change channels.

by the way, what hardware are you currently running BeyondTV with? It may work fine with NextPVR as-is.

[jcjefferies]

Little processing power is used recording from digital tuners as the data is dumped straight to disk although analogue recording would use the processor to digitise the recording so a twin processor is adequate. More or less any computer made in the last 10 years will play back SD video but for HD you need more processor power or a GPU to provide hardware acceleration. Many motherboards these days especially those for AMD processors come with GPU and the last motherboard I bought had HDMI socket so no need to buy even a basic video card just to get HDMI.

I started off recording and playing back on the same PC but like many others my server with the tuners is out of sight in a cupboard and now use a HP Microserver for this. I have two low spec PCs connected to my two TVs for playback. However recently a number of micro PCs have become available intended for use as media players from Zotac, Intel, Acer and Shuttle some being smaller that an old CD drive. They look a lot better than having an old PC under the TV!

[mvallevand]

If you do a lot of transcoding some Intel HD chips support QuickSync for h/w transcoding it can make a remarkable difference.

Win 7/8 decisions are really what you are comfortable with. Win7 offers two advantages - it comes with an MPEG 2 decoder that works with NextPVR and it (non Pro) include Media Centre at no cost should you want to go the CableCard route at some point.

Martin

[Greglk]

Thanks for the responses. I'll do more research before deciding on Intel or AMD but I'll make sure the MB I get has a GPU. Been years since I bought a new MB.

As for what I'm running now, up until a month ago I 'had' a great setup. Asus A8N32-SLI MB, dual core AMD and 4GB memory in an AcoustiPack lined Zalmon DVR enclosure. (I highly recommend the AcoustiPack lining with 120mm fans, soooo quiet.) I could record, Showsqueeze (compress MPEG-2 recordings) and watch a recorded show all at the same time.

Then the MB and/or processor up and died. I tried to resuscitate it for weeks testing all the hardware. Now I'm using a single core AMD and Asus board from a really, really old Compaq desktop. i.e. The only hardware I had laying around.

Cant' wait to try NextPVR!

Thanks again!