Tivo

[Gunny]

Hi Brent

I was just going to ask that. I am going to need a TV turner card, and I will have to look at the requirements for the video card. My computer when I built it, I did a little overkill with it. So I think I will be ok with the video card. Any good opinions on the right/good TV tuner card.

Again I appreciate all the help and info.

Thanks and take care........Gunny

[johnmacd]

There is a video demostration that you can watch that will give you an idea how BTV works and looks.
http://blogs.snapstream.com/2006/09/...demonstration/

[cfaslave]

Follow this "what to buy" tutorial just to see what it tells you. It's not perfect, but it might help you along some.

A good place for info is the FAQ http://www.snapstream.com/products/beyondtv/faq.asp
Lots of info, but it can be very helpful.

SnapStream has tested and certified many of the most popular hardware encode
tuner cards in multiple tuner configurations. A few examples:

• Hauppauge PVR-150
• Hauppauge PVR-250 (except as noted in the next section)
• Hauppauge PVR-500MCE
• Hauppauge PVR USB-2
• Hauppauge PVR-250BTV
• AverMedia m150
• Cards based on the Conexant Blackbird reference design
• Cards based on the Conexant Falcon II reference design
• Cards that conform to the Microsoft MCE 2005 specifications

I use the PVR-500MCE, but don't buy that one - the current version has issues. I would go with any of the other Hauppage cards listed for standard TV. It should be a "hardware encoder" card to give you the best results.

[pvrguy]

Gunny,

I think you'll be so much happier building your own PVR. In Canada we don't have Tivo or Replay and just in the past year or 2 have had PVR options from Bell and Rogers. I looked at the $500+ price tag on the dual tuner from Rogers and thought I could build it better and around that price. I would also have the ability to added much more storage and multiple tuners to accomodate my recording (I often used 4 vcrs to get all the shows I wanted).

I started off buying a Diamond tuner bundle that came with Beyond TV 3.5, Beyond Media 1.0 and the Firefly remote for $170 Canadian. I soon discovered that the computer I was aiming to put it on just would not cut it. Many because of the video. So I decided to build a new computer. Almost a year later I have sunk a lot of $$ into it but it is almost where I want to be and it is not just TV, it's a hobby also.

If you do decide to go this route, do your research on hardware because there are issues with some chipsets (from reading through these forums). Pay attention to members signatures because it will give you hardware in use that must be working. Also try and figure out your long term needs because you don't want to waste money on stuff that eventually doesn't suit your needs.

Read everthing about requirements at http://www.snapstream.com/.

These forums are very helpful so you will be able to troubleshoot any issue you may encounter.



PS. Yes it was kinda silly posting a Tivo question into a forum that basically is Anti-boxed PVR solution. But, if you had not, you would not now know about Beyond TV and Snapstream which IMHO is doing a pretty good job with their PVR solution.

[Gunny]

Hi Gang

Boy I asked for opinions and info and you are giving me all I can handle, I appreciate it so much really.

I am going to ask one of those stupid questions I made reference to. Now don't get me wrong here, I have been down both sides of the road a few times, but no one has said anything about the legality of this, not that this would stop me, like I said I have been down that block a few times, so I am really curious here. If you get right down to it, Tivo is breaking the law if you want to get technical about it. They say you can copy your pictures and programs, well movies are programs, right. And how many of us have copied a movie or two.???????

So let me down easy here, I just had to ask it. That is the way my minds goes any more. ha ha ha ha

Thanks and take care........Gunny

[cfaslave]

Originally Posted by Gunny

If you get right down to it, Tivo is breaking the law if you want to get technical about it. They say you can copy your pictures and programs, well movies are programs, right. And how many of us have copied a movie or two.???????

If you think using a VCR is illegal, than this is very similar.
I don't think that its illegal in any way. This thing is doing on a larger scale what a Tivo or a cable company dvr does. No worries here.

[Gunny]

Thank you, you answered that just about the way I would have put it. VCR's are illegal, gosh I had 4 of them running at one time, boy I was really breaking the law. ha ha ha ha

I just had to ask that, I hope you know that. I think those big dish people are still fighting over what is considered free air space.

Well I have to step out and do some errands for a bit, so keep on posting to me any thing you think I should know, and I will get back to you all when I return.

It looks like you are talking about a $100 for a good TV tuner card, off Ebay. Does that sound about right.?

Thanks and take care............Gunny.......

[Gunny]

Well I got back, what no replies all the while I was gone, you guys are slipping. I am sure there are some more info out there, just begging to be told to me.

So for starters, I will need to get TV tuner card. No one mentioned about a good place to get one out side of Ebay. We have a big electronics place here called Fry's, I just might go there tomorrow, and see what they have.

Thanks and take care...........Gunny

[nanook105]

Originally Posted by Gunny

Well I got back, what no replies all the while I was gone, you guys are slipping. I am sure there are some more info out there, just begging to be told to me.

So for starters, I will need to get TV tuner card. No one mentioned about a good place to get one out side of Ebay. We have a big electronics place here called Fry's, I just might go there tomorrow, and see what they have.

Thanks and take care...........Gunny

They have a great choice on most components, but their prices aren't always the best

[pvrguy]

Originally Posted by Gunny

Well I got back, what no replies all the while I was gone, you guys are slipping. I am sure there are some more info out there, just begging to be told to me.

So for starters, I will need to get TV tuner card. No one mentioned about a good place to get one out side of Ebay. We have a big electronics place here called Fry's, I just might go there tomorrow, and see what they have.

Thanks and take care...........Gunny

I picked up my Diamond USB and one Hauppauge 150 from Futureshock and the other 150 from Best Buy. The 150's were $99 Cdn on sale so they'll be less for you in the US. Also the 150s were not the MCE version, came with a remote and an IR blaster.

[jkirk]

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...k=&srchInDesc=

http://store.snapstream.com/free-firefly.html

[Gunny]

Hi Gang

Been doing some more reading on BTV. What are your feelings on using the IR blaster or the USB-UIRT unit.??

When you go into the TV channel selection, and you put in your zip code, and it shows all these channels, how many of these do you actually get. I notice that it talks about the # 125 for most channels you can get, how does this work out. I am in San Jose, Ca. 95123.

Does it matter if the Tivo unit you have, is modifies or not.???? Or series 1 or 2.????

Thanks and take care.........Gunny

[jkirk]

What are your feelings on using the IR blaster or the USB-UIRT unit.??

i have used the usbuirt before and it works flawlessly in btv.

When you go into the TV channel selection, and you put in your zip code, and it shows all these channels, how many of these do you actually get. I notice that it talks about the # 125 for most channels you can get, how does this work out. I am in San Jose, Ca. 95123.

?? not sure what you are asking but to take a stab in the dark. the zip code you enter is to setup your on screen guide. just because it is on the list don't make it available to you. this is entirely up to your cable company and the package you subscribe to.

Does it matter if the Tivo unit you have, is modifies or not.???? Or series 1 or 2.????

doesn't use tivo. it runs on your computer with a tuner card and all you need besides that is an internet connection to download the guide.

[Gunny]

I guess this is where I am getting a little confused. I think this is what you are saying, you go directly to your TV with your connections to you computer, you do not go through your Tivo box.

I think where I am getting this is I seen on the demo a set top box. I was assuming they were meaning a set top box if you had cable or a Tivo box if you was using satellite.

Am I correct so far.????

Thanks........Gunny

[pvrguy]

Tivo has nothing to do with BTV. Also depends on your cable provider and the cable package you subscribe to. If you currently do use a set top box or satellite box you will need an USBUIRT to let BTV change the channels.

I feed regular cable to 2 of my tuners and feed the third tuner from my STB. My STB give me access to channel above 125 such as movie networks and timeshift channels.