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DVRs: what features should be present on the receiver box?

Hi guys :).
I'd like to stop using cable tv (that sucks big time here in PTG) and start using digital Satelite.
In that case I wouldn't mind recording some events such as the Rock in Rio '06 which will be aired in late May or the Soccer World Cup.
The next step would be choosing the hardware and software to use.
I don't know anything about Sat receivers/dishes but I know someone that does.
What I need some help with, is getting to know what features should be present on the receiver box as well as I/O connections.
Then I think I have to buy myself a fanless mini PC (HTPC?) to put in the living room.
What specs should this PC meet - mini EPIA?
What addon cards do I need to buy - one to connect the Sat receiver to the storage - PVR250/350?
And what software should I install - XP, Linux, MythTV, GBPVR, etc?
Thanks guys.
Cheers

Re: Noob question alert!

Quote:

Originally Posted by rds_correia

Hi guys :).
I'd like to stop using cable tv (that sucks big time here in PTG) and start using digital Satelite.

Hi Rui,

Good decision :D

Quote:

In that case I wouldn't mind recording some events such as the Rock in Rio '06 which will be aired in late May or the Soccer World Cup.
The next step would be choosing the hardware and software to use.
I don't know anything about Sat receivers/dishes but I know someone that does.
What I need some help with, is getting to know what features should be present on the receiver box as well as I/O connections.

Do you want to be able to use "Pay-per-View" services :?:
If so, you need a FTA (Free-to-Air) DVB receiver, capable of using smart cards, so you can subscribe to a service.
I suggest you look here: http://www.fortecstar.com/estore/sto...p?categoryid=4 and take a look at the models that do have the card options.
As you are in Europe, I don't know what pay satellite services are available there. But there are HUNDREDS of FTA channels available in your area. Just visit this site and have a look :)
http://www.lyngsat.com/europe.html
There, you'll be able to see what listings are available on each satellite.
Also check here: http://www.satcodx.com

Quote:

Then I think I have to buy myself a fanless mini PC (HTPC?) to put in the living room.
What specs should this PC meet - mini EPIA?

That would be a great option :)

Quote:

What addon cards do I need to buy - one to connect the Sat receiver to the storage - PVR250/350?

PVR-250 is a great buy :!:

Quote:

And what software should I install - XP, Linux, MythTV, GBPVR, etc?
Thanks guys.
Cheers

I think, for what I've heard, is that GBPVR is one of the best.
MythTV is great, but it's usually a hassle to configure and maintain.
I haven't used it in a while.

-kwag

Re: Noob question alert!

Quote:

Originally Posted by kwag

Do you want to be able to use "Pay-per-View" services :?:
If so, you need a FTA (Free-to-Air) DVB receiver, capable of using smart cards, so you can subscribe to a service.

Pay-per-view? FTA?
Portuguese/Spanish Digital Satellite providers do encrypt the signal.
Does it mean that it is pay-per-view?
Is FTA a set top box that we usually call Sat receiver?

Quote:

That would be a great option :)

Indeed, but which motherboard should I buy?
I'd like this baby to be my DVD player too.
Is there a way to put a SCART on a PC?
Otherwise I can't see how I'd connect the HTPC to my TV...

Quote:

PVR-250 is a great buy :!:

I'm sure it is but that raises another question.
The EPIA mobos only have a single PCI slot.
That means that I can either add a PVR-250 or a Hauppaige Nova-S.
The PVR-250 is an encoder/decoder addon-card right?
But what if I don't buy a set top box receiver and instead I buy a Hauppaige Nova-S with remote control?
Can I use a Nova-S as a Sat receiver as well as a MPEG2 encoder/decoder?

Quote:

I think, for what I've heard, is that GBPVR is one of the best.
MythTV is great, but it's usually a hassle to configure and maintain.
I haven't used it in a while.

GBPVR is based on 2K or XP.
That can be a plus and it can also be a minus.
The plus can be the PC setup being easier.
The minus can be less system stability/uptime.
That way it would be faster booting up :roll:.
Also there are tools on the net such as nLite that can strip XP almost to it's barebones.
In such sense, can GBPVR boot from a CFcard?
Thanks :)

Re: Noob question alert!

Quote:

Originally Posted by rds_correia

Quote:

Originally Posted by kwag

Do you want to be able to use "Pay-per-View" services :?:
If so, you need a FTA (Free-to-Air) DVB receiver, capable of using smart cards, so you can subscribe to a service.

Pay-per-view? FTA?
Portuguese/Spanish Digital Satellite providers do encrypt the signal.
Does it mean that it is pay-per-view?

Exactly. Or subsrciption.

Quote:

Is FTA a set top box that we usually call Sat receiver?

There are subscription only receivers, and FTA receivers.
For example, a 4DTV is a subscription only, and once you subscribe to some services, then you get some FTA digital channels.
DirectTV and DishNetwork are full subscription and "Pay-per-View" only systems.
But there are many receivers that will accept scrambled digital formats and FTA, and that's what you should look into :)

Quote:

That would be a great option :)

Indeed, but which motherboard should I buy?
I'd like this baby to be my DVD player too.
Is there a way to put a SCART on a PC?
Otherwise I can't see how I'd connect the HTPC to my TV...

As I'm not in PAL land, I cant really answer that question :?
But I believe the WinTV PVR-250, the European model, does have SCART.
Please someone correct me if I'm wrong :!:
Or maybe an adapter :?:

Quote:

PVR-250 is a great buy :!:

Then I would suggest the PVR-350, because it has video out, which the 250 doesn't, and then you have everything on one PCI card :)

Quote:

I think, for what I've heard, is that GBPVR is one of the best.
MythTV is great, but it's usually a hassle to configure and maintain.
I haven't used it in a while.

I think GBPVR needs a full Winblows system :!:
So I'm sure that would be a hassle trying to put it on a CF card.
You might want to look at "KnoppMyth" distribution :idea:
http://www.mysettopbox.tv/knoppmyth.html

Cheers,
-kwag

Rui,

I forgot to add this: http://www.satforums.com

I visit that site every once in a while, because there a LOT of satellite information there ;)
Click on the "MPEG-2 / DVD Forum" image.

-kwag

Re: Noob question alert!

Quote:

Originally Posted by kwag

As I'm not in PAL land, I cant really answer that question :?
But I believe the WinTV PVR-250, the European model, does have SCART.
Please someone correct me if I'm wrong :!:

It doesn't have SCART, IIRC there's only composite/RF and s-video in.

Thanks for the correction Boulder :)

-kwag