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Modular Home Network PVR at CeBIT

Posted by CowboyNeal on from the different-kinds-of-tv-networks dept.

Mackus Daddius writes "This ought to give the MPAA a conniption: 'The Lancaster system is modular, consisting of a TV tuner (analogue or digital), a hard disk module and an interface module that ties the system together and connects to your TV. The modules are connected using standard Ethernet connections, giving you flexibility over where the modules are placed and used. Multiple storage and interface modules can be used, increasing the capacity of the system and allowing multiple TVs to be used for watching programmes.' From the ZDNet UK article and here's an article with pics."

4 of 81 comments (clear)

  1. modular, but not COTS ... by timothy · · Score: 5, Interesting

    I like that they've broken up the components (network connection / tuner / storage), but I'd be more optimistic about actually gaining from commodity pricing of storage etc. more if:

    - the storage format was non-proprietary and not crippled (can anyone even tell from these releases what storage format they're using?)

    - there were some high-speed ports (firewire / USB2) that would work with currently available external hard drives. On sale, it's not unreasonable to find firewire external drives in the range of a dollar per gigabyte; considering that this comes with an 80 gig drive, that would be a good upgrade.Ethernet connection is nice -- but only if that actually allows access, and isn't just a friendly-looking port :)

    - Better yet (though more unlikely) built in software for archiving via an external CD burner.

    I picture instead that they'd like you to buy ever more boxes that say "Lancaster" on the side if you need more storage. I'd love to be wrong about that! :)

    timothy

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    jrnl: http://tinyurl.com/c2l8yr / foes: http://tinyurl.com/ckjno5
  2. Another alternative : MythTV is free and open by linuxguy · · Score: 5, Informative
    The modules are 249pounds. Which translates to about $500. Ouch. You can achieve similar functionality with http://www.mythtv.org and EPIA-M boards. I got the EPIA board from Fry's for $139 and this case : http://www.computergate.com/products/item.cfm?prod cd=HDRCM269BR for $72. The case is so small its hard to believe that its a computer case.

    See the mythv web page for more info on what it can do.

  3. Re:Does it speak TCP/IP? by batboy78 · · Score: 5, Interesting

    I built my own PVR with all the fixins'. Radeon All in WOnder 8500DV, 240GB of storage, 48X CD-Burner. And I have it directly connected to my 55in HD widescreen TV. I never miss an episode of Smallville or Monster Garage. Its connected to my router so I have access to all the shows from anywhere I choose. Watch them in the bathroom on one of the laptops, while I'm getting ready for bed, or download them to a friends house to watch them over there. I still think building your own PRV (computer) is the best bet.

    And I did it all for way cheaper then the current manufactures are selling their Windwos Media Center PCs. Can you believe they want 2,000 or more for some models.

  4. ReplayTV has been able to do this since the 4000 by vaylen · · Score: 5, Informative

    Share stuff from room to room? Done. Share stuff from PVR to computer? Done. Share stuff with anyone else who can play .mpg files? Done. Why should I have to build my own PVR and hassle with interfacing it with Guide software, when SonicBlue's ReplayTV has been able to do these things since the 4000 series? Some people just like to do things the hard way, I suppose...

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