Is it worth it? Still asking myself :-) - Canadian TV, Computing and Home Theatre Forums

mpovolo · 2012-04-23, 09:01 AM

I really loved the concept of having my cable, internet content, pictures, movies, music all in one interface without needing to change to my apple tv box, or my boxee, or my cable set top. However, after playing around for a few days trying to get stuff working, the only success I really had was Windows Media Center, it actually worked except being in Canada all the internet content is not available. Sure, there's a hack to make that work, but it means I also need to spend hours editing all my channels to link to the correct source.
Then I tried MediaPortal, still don't have that working properly either. Got the sources setup, channels loaded, have not figured out the remote setup with a set top box yet.
So then I tried NextPVR, had a bunch of errors starting with can't find the //hush/npvr database, then my devices were there, next time I loaded setup they were gone.

So after all this, I realize that the most handsfree, just works solution is Windows Media Center, although it misses on the internet and plugin content for Canadians.

I am asking myself, is the setup headache of this really worth it?

OTAJuncqui · 2012-04-23, 09:52 AM

In NPVR:
"can't find the //hush/npvr database"
that error is for when you are using a PC set up as a client.
If you've cheched that box uncheck it.
If you are using that PC as a client simply replace that path with:
server name- computer name
Database Share-\\<your computers name>\users\public\npvr
But you shouldn't be setting up a client before you've got the server configured.
Your missing devices are because if the PC is a client they are not displayed.

What are your other errors?

"this machine does not have DirectX"?
have you installed the other pre-requistites?
http://www.gbpvr.com/nwiki/pmwiki.ph...Pre-requisites
you'll need to install:
•Microsoft .NET Runtime v2.0.
•DirectX 9.0c runtimes.
•Microsoft Visual C++ 2008 Runtimes.

Is it worth it?
Yes, very much however there is configuration involved with any media center.
I can help you with all things NPVR but even though I have a 2250 with blaster I don't use it as I do not have a STB.
There is a solution to blast the rogers box but I've never had to use it.
Just did some reading in the NPVR wiki and blaster config is covered under the hardware tab(on left menu)

mpovolo · 2012-04-23, 10:12 AM

Thanks

My devices were not showing, I think I just figured that one out. I need to install Hauppauge WinTV that came with the 2250 device I bought. Supposedly that software needs to be installed for NPVR to see the tuners.

I think my next pain will be setting up the system to change channels on the set top boxes that are connected via composite/Svideo to the Hauppauge.

OTAJuncqui · 2012-04-23, 10:36 AM

Hauppauge updated that software:
http://www.hauppauge.com/site/suppor...rt_wintv7.html

click the "wintv v7 download" tab at top

and here's the blasting setup:
http://hauppauge.lightpath.net/manua...ster-eng_5.pdf

The s-vid port on the card is output.(scratch that I was thinking of my video card)
why are you not connecting with coax cable?

mpovolo · 2012-04-23, 06:47 PM

Does anyone happen to know if I setup my canadian cable with Rogers in WMC, then use a US proxy and install things like secondtv, or tunerfree MCE, or even Hulu, will the cable services still work arlong with those other internet TV add ons. I would try it but in case someone has tried already even better.

The other thing that doesn't seem to work is playing zune pass music through WMC. I am aware of DRM, but it just doesn't make any sense why my windows phone can play it, zune can play it, pretty sure xbox can, but not WMC.

thanks

Danno100 · 2012-04-23, 09:20 PM

I think that Windows Media Center is the best, easiest solution for an all-in-one solution for media if you want TV recording. Personally, I use jailbroken Apple TV's to view recorded TV and media from my Windows Media Center; but I also use the main HTPC. I believe with Peter Near's hack, you can use a US proxy and still obtain Canadian EPG data. Good luck.

ClgShaft · 2012-04-26, 11:21 PM

I have been through your pain many times.

WMC 3 times, mythtv twice, nextpvr, sage, and media portal.

I use media portal for live tv and tv recording.

I use xbmc for the rest.

INTERNET content, netflix, is so much easier in xbmc.

I spent over a year testing, and have been 4 months solid with my setup. 16 month project so far.

I do ask if its worth it, and what i have now, and i have finally achieved the WAF (wife acceptance factor) I love it...

enjoy, good luck

trckr · 2012-04-27, 12:20 AM

Ditto for me on the Mediaportal setup. I run a TV server with several clients. Been using that setup for a couple of years now.
With the online videos plugin there isn't much chance of missing any programming.
Once XBMC gets a stable live Tv plugin I will dump the windows based MePo clients and switch to a linux based XBMC.
IRSS with a harmony remote and even a non techie wife can operate the system no problem.

Huge learning curve when you first start out, hours of tweaking to get it right, but the finished product is well worth the investment in time.

2012-04-23, 09:01 AM	#1
mpovolo Join Date: Apr 2012 Posts: 30	Is it worth it? Still asking myself :-) I really loved the concept of having my cable, internet content, pictures, movies, music all in one interface without needing to change to my apple tv box, or my boxee, or my cable set top. However, after playing around for a few days trying to get stuff working, the only success I really had was Windows Media Center, it actually worked except being in Canada all the internet content is not available. Sure, there's a hack to make that work, but it means I also need to spend hours editing all my channels to link to the correct source. Then I tried MediaPortal, still don't have that working properly either. Got the sources setup, channels loaded, have not figured out the remote setup with a set top box yet. So then I tried NextPVR, had a bunch of errors starting with can't find the //hush/npvr database, then my devices were there, next time I loaded setup they were gone. So after all this, I realize that the most handsfree, just works solution is Windows Media Center, although it misses on the internet and plugin content for Canadians. I am asking myself, is the setup headache of this really worth it?

2012-04-23, 09:52 AM	#2
OTAJuncqui Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Nepean, ON Posts: 334	In NPVR: "can't find the //hush/npvr database" that error is for when you are using a PC set up as a client. If you've cheched that box uncheck it. If you are using that PC as a client simply replace that path with: server name- computer name Database Share-\\<your computers name>\users\public\npvr But you shouldn't be setting up a client before you've got the server configured. Your missing devices are because if the PC is a client they are not displayed. What are your other errors? "this machine does not have DirectX"? have you installed the other pre-requistites? http://www.gbpvr.com/nwiki/pmwiki.ph...Pre-requisites you'll need to install: •Microsoft .NET Runtime v2.0. •DirectX 9.0c runtimes. •Microsoft Visual C++ 2008 Runtimes. Is it worth it? Yes, very much however there is configuration involved with any media center. I can help you with all things NPVR but even though I have a 2250 with blaster I don't use it as I do not have a STB. There is a solution to blast the rogers box but I've never had to use it. Just did some reading in the NPVR wiki and blaster config is covered under the hardware tab(on left menu) __________________ Srvr:ASUSF1A75-VPro,RadHD6000,A6-3670K,WD2TB,W7Ult NPVR,5.1,2xHaup2250MC,ATI650,CM7777,WGHD8800,5clts

2012-04-23, 10:36 AM	#4
OTAJuncqui Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Nepean, ON Posts: 334	Hauppauge updated that software: http://www.hauppauge.com/site/suppor...rt_wintv7.html click the "wintv v7 download" tab at top and here's the blasting setup: http://hauppauge.lightpath.net/manua...ster-eng_5.pdf The s-vid port on the card is output.(scratch that I was thinking of my video card) why are you not connecting with coax cable? __________________ Srvr:ASUSF1A75-VPro,RadHD6000,A6-3670K,WD2TB,W7Ult NPVR,5.1,2xHaup2250MC,ATI650,CM7777,WGHD8800,5clts

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2012-04-23, 10:12 AM	#3
mpovolo Join Date: Apr 2012 Posts: 30	Thanks My devices were not showing, I think I just figured that one out. I need to install Hauppauge WinTV that came with the 2250 device I bought. Supposedly that software needs to be installed for NPVR to see the tuners. I think my next pain will be setting up the system to change channels on the set top boxes that are connected via composite/Svideo to the Hauppauge.

2012-04-23, 06:47 PM	#5
mpovolo Join Date: Apr 2012 Posts: 30	Does anyone happen to know if I setup my canadian cable with Rogers in WMC, then use a US proxy and install things like secondtv, or tunerfree MCE, or even Hulu, will the cable services still work arlong with those other internet TV add ons. I would try it but in case someone has tried already even better. The other thing that doesn't seem to work is playing zune pass music through WMC. I am aware of DRM, but it just doesn't make any sense why my windows phone can play it, zune can play it, pretty sure xbox can, but not WMC. thanks

2012-04-23, 09:20 PM	#6
Danno100 Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Outside of Toronto Posts: 292	I think that Windows Media Center is the best, easiest solution for an all-in-one solution for media if you want TV recording. Personally, I use jailbroken Apple TV's to view recorded TV and media from my Windows Media Center; but I also use the main HTPC. I believe with Peter Near's hack, you can use a US proxy and still obtain Canadian EPG data. Good luck.

2012-04-26, 11:21 PM	#7
ClgShaft Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 702	I have been through your pain many times. WMC 3 times, mythtv twice, nextpvr, sage, and media portal. I use media portal for live tv and tv recording. I use xbmc for the rest. INTERNET content, netflix, is so much easier in xbmc. I spent over a year testing, and have been 4 months solid with my setup. 16 month project so far. I do ask if its worth it, and what i have now, and i have finally achieved the WAF (wife acceptance factor) I love it... enjoy, good luck

2012-04-27, 12:20 AM	#8
trckr Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Calgary, AB Posts: 56	Ditto for me on the Mediaportal setup. I run a TV server with several clients. Been using that setup for a couple of years now. With the online videos plugin there isn't much chance of missing any programming. Once XBMC gets a stable live Tv plugin I will dump the windows based MePo clients and switch to a linux based XBMC. IRSS with a harmony remote and even a non techie wife can operate the system no problem. Huge learning curve when you first start out, hours of tweaking to get it right, but the finished product is well worth the investment in time.