[mythtv-users] Getting started questions

Kevin Ross kevin at familyross.net
Sat Sep 18 20:19:01 UTC 2010


  On 9/18/2010 10:35 AM, Ken Cheney wrote:
> This is my first venture into building my own DVR and I have a billion 
> questions.  I have worked some of them out by reading through some of 
> the archived messages, but I am hoping that if I offer my current 
> state, and the desired outcome, someone can tell me what makes the 
> most sense.
> Current state: I have Verizon FIOS with multi-room DVR - HD on one of 
> the TVs the other TV is non-HD.
> We are planning to add a third TV that is near the HD TV.
> Desired outcome:
> 1. Have a multi-room DVR that we can record 2 shows while watching 
> another.  What is a good, better, best capture card for this?
> 2. Have the third TV be able to operate by only watching what is DVRed 
> so I dont have to buy another cable box from Verizon and pay the 
> monthly on it.  More or less the 3rd TV would become a monitor to view 
> what is already taped.
> 3. Have all of the TVs be able to watch recorded shows
> 4. Have the non-HD tv be able to watch live shows and watch recorded 
> shows.
> 5. Have the MythTV dvr be operated with a remote control.  (most of 
> what I have read I didnt really see anyone talk about a remote 
> control, so I am guessing almost anything will work and that it isnt a 
> big deal)
> THanks to all!
>

I have almost the exact setup that you are seeking.  I also have FIOS.  
MythTV can do everything on your list (and then some).  However, it will 
not be cheap.

As you know, MythTV is split into two parts.  The part that does the 
tuning and recording is the backend.  The part that displays the content 
on the TVs is the frontend.  They don't have to be on the same computer, 
and I recommend that they aren't.

For the backend, you will want a computer with lots of storage.  The 
computer doesn't have to be small or quiet, since you can put it in 
another room.  It can be an old computer you have laying around.  To 
record from FIOS, since you want to be able to record 2 shows at once, 
you will need:

Two (2) HD-PVR's, at a little less than $200 each.
Two (2) HD non-DVR set-top boxes (STBs) from Verizon, which I believe is 
$10/mo. each.
A Firewire card to change channels on the Verizon STB, about $20.

At each TV in your house, you need to set up a MythTV frontend.  You'll 
need a computer at each TV.  Think of them as MythTV set-top boxes.  The 
easiest option is an Acer Aspire Revo (make sure it has at least 2GB 
RAM), at around $330 each.  If you want to save money at this step, you 
can try to re-use existing computers you may have, but you'll need to 
make sure it has the right kind of video card (an nVidia card that 
supports VDPAU).  But recycling an old computer won't be small, quiet, 
or attractive in the living room.

For the remote control, the standard is an MCE IR receiver, such as 
this: 
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16880121001&cm_re=mce_remote-_-80-121-001-_-Product  
You can use a different remote, such as a Harmony, with that IR receiver.

To hook the frontends to your master backend, you'll need to run network 
cable.  I don't recommend trying to use wifi, especially since you're 
doing HD.

If I haven't scared you away yet, and if you have more questions, feel 
free to ask!

-- Kevin

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