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On 9/18/2010 10:35 AM, Ken Cheney wrote:
<blockquote cite="mid:594579.69336.qm@web53205.mail.re2.yahoo.com"
type="cite">
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<div>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.</div>
<div> </div>
<div>Current state: I have Verizon FIOS with multi-room DVR - HD
on one of the TVs the other TV is non-HD.</div>
<div>We are planning to add a third TV that is near the HD TV.</div>
<div> </div>
<div>Desired outcome:</div>
<div>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?</div>
<div>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.</div>
<div>3. Have all of the TVs be able to watch recorded shows</div>
<div>4. Have the non-HD tv be able to watch live shows and watch
recorded shows.</div>
<div>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)</div>
<div> </div>
<div>THanks to all!</div>
</div>
<br>
</blockquote>
<br>
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.<br>
<br>
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.<br>
<br>
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:<br>
<br>
Two (2) HD-PVR's, at a little less than $200 each.<br>
Two (2) HD non-DVR set-top boxes (STBs) from Verizon, which I
believe is $10/mo. each.<br>
A Firewire card to change channels on the Verizon STB, about $20.<br>
<br>
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.<br>
<br>
For the remote control, the standard is an MCE IR receiver, such as
this:
<a class="moz-txt-link-freetext" href="http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16880121001&cm_re=mce_remote-_-80-121-001-_-Product">http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16880121001&cm_re=mce_remote-_-80-121-001-_-Product</a>
You can use a different remote, such as a Harmony, with that IR
receiver.<br>
<br>
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.<br>
<br>
If I haven't scared you away yet, and if you have more questions,
feel free to ask!<br>
<br>
-- Kevin<br>
<br>
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