pc requirements and tv card support on linux

[fluffykeith]

Hi 

I'm planning on building a new PC which will hopefully run NPVR on Linux (Ubuntu). 

Does NPVR use multiple cores?  for example will it utilize more cores if available or best to have a high clock speed. The PC will also be running a few VMs.

Is the TV card support on Linux the same as windows? I have an old NPVR setup on a now broken PC and want to reuse the TV cards I had.

cheers

[mvallevand]

NextPVR can ran on low end PC's like the RPi so the requirements for V5 will be less than for the V4. There is a big asterisk if you plan on using the web app for viewing which typically requires transcoding which requires high CPU and/or VAAPI on linux for h/w transcoding.

All bets on a VM vs bare metal are of course system specific. If you really don't want to run on the host, I'd think Docker would make more sense.

Tuners are totally different but the support is generally good. There is no CAM/CI support except on Windows. A quick test running LibreElec booting from USB should tell you if the /dev/dvb adapters are found.

Martin

[fluffykeith]

Thanks for the info.

NPVR will not be on a VM but on the host. However the same PC will used to run some VMs which it seems are driving the PC spec rather than NPVR. 

I've not used the web front end (I'm that far behind!), is that they way to go rather than the client-server approach?  Does it just work in the browser?

My approach is to use the old PCs as clients to NPVR. Is your RPi capable of doing the transcoding for web app viewing.

[BrettB]

I've not used the web front end (I'm that far behind!), is that they way to go rather than the client-server approach?  Does it just work in the browser?

I would definitely say "no." Because of the need to transcode most files (which can be a very resource intensive operation), playing things via the web front end is not recommended. Since v5 is multiplatform, all of the setup and management is done via the web front end, and that does not require significant resources. Similarly, things like viewing the guide, scheduling recordings, viewing the list of recordings, etc. works fine from the web front end. Almost all of the features are available there. (Notably lacking for me is the lack of display or ability to change the colored dots on recordings.)

However, watching live tv or playing recordings can be problematic. The client-server approach with clients that can play the native recording format is definitely preferred--especially if you already have that setup. Note that currently the native Windows client (NextPVR.exe) will only run on the server--it does not currently support a client mode to connect to a server on another machine. If you currently use the NextPVR.exe client on a separate machine from your server, then you will need to use a different method. There are options like using knewc (in Client UI mode) in Kodi which will give you the same look and feel.

[mvallevand]

I'd compare NextPVR clients to clients for other video services like Netflix, Amazon and YouTube. I expect that in 2021 most people don't even consider using a HTPC anymore and NextPVR stayed current and can run on most devices, ie Android, Apple, Amazon, Roku as TV boxes, TV sticks, phones and tablets too. Some Smart TVs even come with Roku or Android now so no device is required.

Martin

[fluffykeith]

Note that currently the native Windows client (NextPVR.exe) will only run on the server--it does not currently support a client mode to connect to a server on another machine. If you currently use the NextPVR.exe client on a separate machine from your server, then you will need to use a different method. 

oh, that's good to know as I previously used NextPVR as a client on another machine. It worked quite well so I'm surprised it's been taken out / not put in V5.


Martin, That's an interesting point, re, the move away from HTPC to smart TV devices. I previously thought they were limited in the number of tuners, a quick search shows dual tuners so maybe there are more and it's making me think I'm approaching it wrong. What am I gaining with NextPVR on a PC (assuming I already have one) versus NextPVR on the devices you mention versus an off the shelf androidTV box? 
The choice is a bit blurry now

[mvallevand]

NextPVR can't run on an Android box, I was talking client. Some Android boxes can run Linux or LibreElec/Core Elec and could run NextPVR but not in Android mode.

Martin

[fluffykeith]

Ah right - sorry confused with NextPVR.exe as a client. Actually just confused with everything these days!!
Previously it was one NextPVR configured as server or client and now they are separated. Is there anything fundamental with NextPVR.exe client being limited to the same machine?

I may have missed the point when you said that " in 2021 most people don't even consider using a HTPC anymore".

As I currently understand, please correct me, the clients for all these devices are just the front end to NextPVR (the backend) running on a Linux/windows/mac platform / HTPC. So it's specifically the HTPC idea in decline to other linux/windows platforms, as the backend has to run on something, right?

[mvallevand]

NextPVR.exe was never the server, even in V4 I rarely ran it, and there still was the recording service doing the backend stuff. The main difference now is server config was moved out of NextPVR.exe to the web app.

My point about the HTPC was needing a PC with good video and audio, remote control, quiet fans etc required to run in a living with acceptable WAF for the cables and cases. Now none of that needs to run in the living room, most devices are as small as the USB receiver I used to use to control my HTPC. To me the NextPVR backend is just a server with tuner card and can be headless, no a/v output or "theatre" at all.

Martin

[fluffykeith]

oh - yes definitely agree about the HTPC. I'd love to move it from the living room, if only for the fan noise, but the sat and aerial cables end in the living room. If I get a setup that works well with a client then I'd consider moving the cables or installing a new bunch. I don't use it as a "theatre" as I have an AV amp etc for that.

Thanks for your help Martin, I think you've answered my previous questions in years gone by so I really appreciate your input.