HTPC Media Center help

[mvallevand]

A users posted this to me via PM, but I don't support via PM so I thought I'd post it here with my replies below.

I hope you can help me better understand how to solve my HTPC problem.  I am currently running Windows Media Center on a Windows 7 Pro computer with a Ceton infinitv-4 card.  Up until today, it worked flawlessly.  The infinitv 4 accepts a cablecard from my cable provider and allows me to record four channels simultaneously.  Today, Windows Media Center started freezing when I try to view or change channels, and nothing I do has fixed the issue.  Windows Media Center has been unsupported for years, so I have known for some time that it would have to be replaced.  It appears to me that no one piece of software will replace WMC.  It also seems that none of the software options available support my infinitv-4 card.  If I am to be able to continue to record 4 TV channels at the same time, I believe I will have to do the following:

1. Remove the infinity-4 and replace it with a Hauppauge Colossus2 or similar card
2. Replace the CableCard with a Cable set-top box.
3. Install the NextPVR software to allow me to record 4 live TV programs.
4. Install some Media Center Frontend like Plex or Kodi.

If you know of an easier way to solve my problem, please share it.  Your assistance is greatly appreciated.


Thanks

[mvallevand]

You first might need to see if it is WMC or Ceton failing. If you are satisfied with using a "dead" Windows system and if it is the Ceton you might be able to replace it with a Prime but you'd probably lose any DRM'd recordings.

If you watch DRM content and can't use WMC, you really one have a few choices and none use your Ceton.

- ChannelsDVR (some not all channels)
- SiliconDust DVR(some not all channels)
- Potentially multiple STB's with HDMI capture and blasting (some tech skill required here)

If you don't watch DRM'd content you have lots of options however Kodi needs a backend and Plex is limited as a PVR.

Martin