Good Afternoon.
I am embarking on a HTPC Build and after reading many forums I have decided that GBPVR looks like the most flexible and useful program available. I have the following Hardware;
What I would like to do is simple. Capture/Record TV programs from a schedule, re-encode those programs late at night to save disk space, playback both DVR-ms and re-encoded files. I would also like to store My Music collection and have it available for playback. Play Standard DVD's. I want to use a remote only to control the system. I will be using the HDMI out with sound in 760P definition.
Questions and problems:
I'm unsure about a number of issues:
1) Codecs - The forums generally say the Cyberlink codecs work best with ATI AVIVO hardware acceleration. Is this correct? If so do I need to buy a copy of PowerDVD pro or something and install it to get the codecs. I would like the Audio codec to be capable of output in5.1 Sound to my reciever. There is also a lot of talk about MUX's I have the Cyberlink ...ax MUX file. How do I register this? Why do I need it? and how do I know if it is being used. My system shows an ATI AVIVO Mux, is that OK? And if I add the Cyberlink then will the system know which to use?
2)Capture Card - I have a Technisat Airstar 2, I have now got this working with DNTV Live using the BDA drivers, after much trouble (DNTV crashes if the channel scan cant lock onto a signal) . Has anyone implemented this card before - of should I save myself a whole lot of hassle and buy a supported card? If so which DVB-T card available in Australia with 2 channel inputs and ability to record 2 channels simultaneously would be best.
3) Re-encoding and playback of re-encoded files. I would like to use Xvid or some other MPEG4 implementation - suggestions?. Main thing I would prefer is that playback will support hardware acceleration. Any suggestions or comments here would be appreciated.
4)Recommendations for a EPG provider for Australia that is reliable-supported in GBPVR and doesn't cost too much. I don't mind paying for services, but I do mind paying too-much!
5)I have an ANTECH Fusion V2 Case. It appears that the IR reciever in this case only supports a limited feature set of one type of MCE remote control. The Soundgraph forums say that the iMon based reciever hardware has been deliberately crippled by for Antech to only support MCE. If anyone has had any luck with this case and a remote then I would be very happy to hear from you. Otherwise if anyone has a suggestion for a USB based IR reciever that I can hide behind the VFD window and use instead then that would be very handy. Also if anyone knows if the supplied VFD is also 'crippled' or can it be used with LCDsmartie or some other application. I should have done more reasearch before buying this case. Caveat Emptor applies here.
There is a lot asked here in my first post. When I have everything working to my satisfaction I will make a big post with all the details of what is needed to get my particular setup to work.
Thanks in advance.
KRS
I am embarking on a HTPC Build and after reading many forums I have decided that GBPVR looks like the most flexible and useful program available. I have the following Hardware;
- MSI uATX Motherboard with AMD690G Chipset HDMI Out
- AMD BE-2350 CPU
- 1GB RAM
- Antech Fusion V2 Case
- 250GB HDD for Data
- 60GB HDD for OS
- Windows XP Pro SP2
- Panasonic 42" Plasma 1024 X 768 Resolution
- Technisat Airstar 2 DVB-T Capture Card with BDA drivers
What I would like to do is simple. Capture/Record TV programs from a schedule, re-encode those programs late at night to save disk space, playback both DVR-ms and re-encoded files. I would also like to store My Music collection and have it available for playback. Play Standard DVD's. I want to use a remote only to control the system. I will be using the HDMI out with sound in 760P definition.
Questions and problems:
I'm unsure about a number of issues:
1) Codecs - The forums generally say the Cyberlink codecs work best with ATI AVIVO hardware acceleration. Is this correct? If so do I need to buy a copy of PowerDVD pro or something and install it to get the codecs. I would like the Audio codec to be capable of output in5.1 Sound to my reciever. There is also a lot of talk about MUX's I have the Cyberlink ...ax MUX file. How do I register this? Why do I need it? and how do I know if it is being used. My system shows an ATI AVIVO Mux, is that OK? And if I add the Cyberlink then will the system know which to use?
2)Capture Card - I have a Technisat Airstar 2, I have now got this working with DNTV Live using the BDA drivers, after much trouble (DNTV crashes if the channel scan cant lock onto a signal) . Has anyone implemented this card before - of should I save myself a whole lot of hassle and buy a supported card? If so which DVB-T card available in Australia with 2 channel inputs and ability to record 2 channels simultaneously would be best.
3) Re-encoding and playback of re-encoded files. I would like to use Xvid or some other MPEG4 implementation - suggestions?. Main thing I would prefer is that playback will support hardware acceleration. Any suggestions or comments here would be appreciated.
4)Recommendations for a EPG provider for Australia that is reliable-supported in GBPVR and doesn't cost too much. I don't mind paying for services, but I do mind paying too-much!
5)I have an ANTECH Fusion V2 Case. It appears that the IR reciever in this case only supports a limited feature set of one type of MCE remote control. The Soundgraph forums say that the iMon based reciever hardware has been deliberately crippled by for Antech to only support MCE. If anyone has had any luck with this case and a remote then I would be very happy to hear from you. Otherwise if anyone has a suggestion for a USB based IR reciever that I can hide behind the VFD window and use instead then that would be very handy. Also if anyone knows if the supplied VFD is also 'crippled' or can it be used with LCDsmartie or some other application. I should have done more reasearch before buying this case. Caveat Emptor applies here.
There is a lot asked here in my first post. When I have everything working to my satisfaction I will make a big post with all the details of what is needed to get my particular setup to work.
Thanks in advance.
KRS