Newbie Question: Advantages of MVP?

[flyswatta]

I finally figured out what an MVP is. I don't quite understand how it works with the network and all. Can someone give me a run down on how it works and why I would want one (vs. having a PC with TV out)?

Thanks for any info !

[zed]

Basically, the MVP connects to the PC and reads the video files over the network and plays them on the TV that's attached to the MVP.

A few reasons to use MVP's:

1. The quality of the video displayed on the TV from the MVP is often better than the video displayed on the TV from the PC. This depends on the card you have in your PC and other factors.
2. The PC does not have to be close to the TV (but the MVP does). The MVP is a small, silent, unobtrusive box so it will often fit in better in the room with the TV.
3. You can have several MVP's scattered around the house and play different things on them at the same time.
4. They're a lot cheaper than the 'extender' boxes use by Microsoft's MCE.
5. The integration of the MVP is (only) one of the big advantages that GB-PVR has over the othe PVR packages (IMO).

I'm sure others can add to this list...

[A_Brass]

This post might be useful.

http://forums.nextpvr.com/showthread.php?t=8108

[flyswatta]

Wow! Thanks for the fast response. Hmmm, so the MVP is "slaved" to the GBPVR MVP Server? Is that how it works? Does the MVP come with a remote?

[spyder40]

The MVP's come with remotes and multiple units can access the PC concurrently with all able to do things independent of each other. I currently have two, the kids use one and I use the other. Pretty awesome setup when being driven by GBPVR. The only drawback these days is disk space...it works so well I have WAY too much being recorded. I love the Three Stooges but they aren't on very often. Using the scheduler it records them wherever and whenever they're on so I don't have to keep an eye out. 200 gig worth and climbing at this point...

[flyswatta]

That's cool! I've been working on building another PC (out of spare parts, of course) for the bedroom pc. I've been trying to figure out where to put it where (a) it doesn't make a lot of noise (b) can't be turned off by the kiddos © isn't visible from any major angle in the room (wife acceptance).

This sounds like a good alternative. Any recommendations on brands, types, etc that are compatible with GBPVR?

[velocityboy]

Only one choice, they're manufactured by Hauppauge and you may be able to get one on clearance at Circuit City. You can get them online as well at sites like pcalchemy.com

[flyswatta]

Great! Thanks for all of the info everyone!

[nightwalker]

I use the MVP's connected to a Modulator feeding into the video system and the whole house audio system. It works great as i can view the MVP at all the TV's in the house. I use two of them one set to channel 88 and another on channel 92. So no matter where you are or what tv you're at you have gb-pvr available. Using tow of them allows my wife or i independently to view videos or listen to music etc. Doing that with the TV out section of my PC card would take a lot more equipment and cabling and not be near as easy to use.

[velocityboy]

Nightwalker, was there a reason you just didn't put an MVP on each TV? Network cabling issues? How do you control the MVP's modulated over the coax?