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Best PC DVR Software, For Any Platform?
jshamacher writes "I've used MythTV for several years (first on Slackware, now via Mythbuntu) and it's good. But not great — I have a list of annoyances as long as my arm. For example, even 0.22 still has problems playing many DVDs and I frequently have to fall back on Xine. Since upgrading to new hardware, I've had issues with sound dropping out; these problems only occur for Myth, not for anything else. So now I'm trying out alternatives. Freevo seemed promising when I tried it a few months ago but it had its own issues. I'm also increasingly getting pressure from my family to get things like NetFlix streaming working on this machine. This seems to imply migrating to a Windows-based solution. I threw XP on it and tried MediaPortal but could never get that to control my Motorola cable box via the IR blaster. So my questions to you: What DVR software do you use? Are you happy with it? What don't you like? Are there any packages out there that 'just work' as media hubs and for time-shifting cable TV?"
Only just started fiddling with it, but it looks incredible. Always find it odd it doesn't get more mention when these topics arise.
Linux, you magnificent bastard, I read the fucking manual!
I set up Windows Media Center on Vista and I like the way it works. It's pretty simple to use and set up. I bought a 2 tuner card for it so I can record 2 shows simultaneously. Even more useful is the integration with Amazon UnBox and Video On Demand. It just works. Makes trips to the video store extraneous. I haven't tried Netflix as I want simple on demand outside of my cable box. This machine is set up in the living room, and is hooked up to a 37 inch panel. I bought the overpriced remote for Media Center and that works well too (although the kids keep losing it) Overall, I'm happy with the quality, and plan on upgrading to Windows 7 at some point, but really don't have a need as it simply works well now.
Now, cue the MS Haters and mod me down. I know, I know... I'm stupid and don't know what I'm talking about.
Brawndo: It's what plants crave!
The Original Questioner asks " So my questions to you: What DVR software do you use? Are you happy with it? What don't you like? Are there any packages out there that 'just work' as media hubs and for time-shifting cable TV?"
I realize that the TITLE says "PC based DVR software" and the questioner certainly mentions only that, but they don't mention commercial solutions at all, so I'll throw in my answer:
TiVo
I have a Series3 that I bought with a lifetime contract ~2 years ago. I do not pay a monthly fee, and as of now, I am "saving" that cost (the lifetime contract covers ~ 2 - 2.5 years of monthly service fees).
- It has two built in tuners.
- It integrates with most IR remotes.
- It can be controlled via IP (there are free remotes for iPhone/IPod and other devices to control it, etc.)
- TiVo maintains a web site where you can log in and tell your DVR to record something.
- Any Internet enabled TiVo (Series3, TiVoHD, TiVoHD-XL) can also hook into AmazonVideo, Netflix and Blockbuster accounts.
- It also passes "the wife" test.
Outside of initial setup (when we were on cable TV and I had to get TWC to come out and put CableCards in the thing), the ONLY maintenance I've had to do is reset its listings when we decided to drop cable completely and switch to using an Over-The-Air antenna, and changing the batteries in the remote.
This space for rent. All reasonable inquiries will be entertained at proprietors discretion.
Sage TV, Beyond TV, and Media Center are all mature products that work well on Windows.
Media Center is very "Microsoft-y", and it's not as configurable as the others. The upside is that it's seamlessly integrated with Windows, and it passes the WAF test rather well.
Sage TV is a tinkerer's dream, but I never managed to get it successfully up and running with QAM channels mapped.
Beyond TV was my favorite for a long time, as it's both configurable and stable. The only problem is that Snapstream has slowed active development of the consumer product. Their prime focus is on developing for the Enterprise market. (Think one server, recording a dozen news channels at once, extracting closed-caption information to create a searchable database.) BTV has one great bonus feature: It can automatically re-compress video down to H.264 and drop the show in to iTunes as a Podcast. This is pretty slick, since it lets you save several TV shows to your iPod or iPhone and take them with with you.
BTV and Sage can both record HD through the Hauppauge HD-PVR, and all 3 can record ClearQAM content (usually your local TV stations.)
Windows 7 Media Center will also record encrypted QAM cable with a CableCard, but the CableCard capture devices aren't quite ready for public consumption yet; I believe the ATI box's firmware is still in closed beta, and the Ceton device will hit the market early next year. (The Ceton card will record 4 SD or HD shows at the same time.)
BTV and Sage can control your cable box with a USB-UIRT or MCE Remote (with an IR blaster). Media Center will only control your box with an MCE remote/blaster. <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000W5GK5C/ref=ox_ya_oh_product">Amazon has one for about $40 that works well.</a>
BTV and Sage both can also stream live video to other PC's on the network. Media Center can only play back pre-recorded video; if you want to watch live TV an another PC, that PC needs a tuner card.
I've tried many different solutions, and there is only one that "just works": Media Center. I know it's Microsoft and all, but the thing works. It doesn't do half of what MythTV is all about, but it just works. And with a careful set of codecs you can read pretty much anything.
Write boring code, not shiny code!
I mean, My Movies 3 is probably the best thing since sliced bread for playing movies.
To be fair, sliced bread didn't help much for movies.
Write boring code, not shiny code!
I too have to give SageTV a big thumbs up. I've had it in place for over 5 years now and its been awesome!! I have it running on my main TV with a dedicated box and 5 tuners. It serves two bedroom TV's via a media extender product (via wired network tho wireless is supported too) as well 3 PC's in the house. It supports SD HD DVD (DVD "backups") and quite a bit more. Has support for music, weather and assorted other features that can be added via community packages. It does support changing the channel on STB (Set Top Boxes), as well support having more than one STB. I currently have one using the IRBlaster, and one using USB->Serial. This setup was fairly quick but did require some research on their forums. It is hands on though, and if you want to use any community packages you'll be reading the forums on how-to's. Again mine has been in place for 5+ years, with little effort since then to add new features, or make minor adjustments to storage locations, and setups for it. It uses Java and again for a "stable" production system, I've held back on any automatic updates to the main system. In short, I let the world test out the updates for a week or few before updating my main SageTV box with Windows or Java updates. While you are at it, take a look at GBPVR http://gbpvr.com/ Its FREE, so hard not to have a look. It does support many if not all features that SageTV has, including IRBlaster/USB->Serial to control a STB. My only issue with it 5 years ago was it didn't have as many features as SageTV, including ones I needed at the time. But again, it was and is FREE, so it is well worth checking out.