[mythtv-users] Getting started questions
Ken Cheney
kencheney at yahoo.com
Sat Sep 18 21:51:49 UTC 2010
Thanks for the responses so far everyone!
Kevin you are right about it not being cheap. However I am starting to think
that there is a way to stop paying for TV service all together. That will be
step 2 of my plans to eliminate the DVR payment to Verizon and the need for
another STB. :D
I think based on this response I am going to scale back my initial thought of
recording 2 and watching 1. In that case I could just get one PVR and save
$200. I think what I have read and my thoughts have been confirmed - most of
the tv cards for computers will not record HD and that the HD PVR is the only
option right now if I want to record HD shows. True?
The hard wiring of the Myth FEs will be a snap since the two HD tvs I have will
be very easy to wire, the other tv is a standard def TV and may work well over
wireless.
Kevin do you have one of the
http://www.hauppauge.com/site/products/data_hdpvr.html in your config?
________________________________
From: Kevin Ross <kevin at familyross.net>
To: mythtv-users at mythtv.org
Sent: Sat, September 18, 2010 4:19:01 PM
Subject: Re: [mythtv-users] Getting started questions
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
-------------- next part --------------
An HTML attachment was scrubbed...
URL: <http://mythtv.org/pipermail/mythtv-users/attachments/20100918/67426e69/attachment.htm>
More information about the mythtv-users
mailing list