Where is Version 5.0

[RiderFan]

Originally Posted by fmharr

Yes, but Orb does it better and it does LiveTV as well.

Mike

Agreed. He just said he wished they would add streaming to BTV 5. I was just telling him it's been there for years.

[DTN]

No sir, it has not. You could get BTV link for the last few years. But because they make it so that only BTV link could access the streams, I have had to use windows SMB file sharing to access all of my recordings from my xbox and my laptops. Until recently my iPhone was completely shut off from the videos.

I got orb. Now I watch live TV, or any other file share, organized by date, or artist or whatever from my iPhone. If BTV had an iPhone app, I'd be happy to buy it for $5 and stay with BTV. Or, if they added safari support to their SWF encoding, i'd be happy. If they allowed you to watch a port displaying whatever is playing on the TV, or being recorded, i'd be happy.

I love the remote homepage which I can access from my iPhone. The Program guide kicks butt. Recording properties and quality adjustments are awesome. It's a powerful piece of software, but it's -------FULLY ISOLATED-------- from the rest of my life. It's just a program that runs in the background and collects my shows during the day so that when I get home I can turn on my xbox and use windows file sharing to keep my 4 year old entertained while I get things done. For everything else, I have to use orb for my iphone or my laptop to see what's on.

As of the writing of this post, I realize that even though the interface is not as nice, nor does it have as many options as BeyondTV, I am switching to ORB. Sure, BTV has a nice program guide, and Orb requires me to log on to their website to schedule recordings, but, ORB's Server takes less resources to run then BeyondTV. ORB transforms a computer into a true media server. ORB has all the functionality I require with a nice front door interface from my iPhone, or chipped XBOX running XBMC. It also has a web interface which allows me to access any media on my computer from anywhere in the world, and it's Free.

BTV is still trying to get money after I purchased their software, they want me to buy BTV Link, and they want me to buy the DVD encoder, and they want me to buy the firefly.... Where is all this money going? Certainly not to programmers.

So to SnapStream, I'd like to say that you guys are overcharging. My free copy of ORB handles more media from more locations then your $100 suite. ORB allows me to access any media from their free uPnP server in a nice, organized manner, from any internet enabled device in many different ways. Focus your attention on the consumer market or you'll loose them.

[RiderFan]

Originally Posted by DTN

No sir, it has not. You could get BTV link for the last few years. But because they make it so that only BTV link could access the streams, I have had to use windows SMB file sharing to access all of my recordings from my xbox and my laptops. Until recently my iPhone was completely shut off from the videos.

I got orb. Now I watch live TV, or any other file share, organized by date, or artist or whatever from my iPhone. If BTV had an iPhone app, I'd be happy to buy it for $5 and stay with BTV. Or, if they added safari support to their SWF encoding, i'd be happy. If they allowed you to watch a port displaying whatever is playing on the TV, or being recorded, i'd be happy.

I love the remote homepage which I can access from my iPhone. The Program guide kicks butt. Recording properties and quality adjustments are awesome. It's a powerful piece of software, but it's -------FULLY ISOLATED-------- from the rest of my life. It's just a program that runs in the background and collects my shows during the day so that when I get home I can turn on my xbox and use windows file sharing to keep my 4 year old entertained while I get things done. For everything else, I have to use orb for my iphone or my laptop to see what's on.

As of the writing of this post, I realize that even though the interface is not as nice, nor does it have as many options as BeyondTV, I am switching to ORB. Sure, BTV has a nice program guide, and Orb requires me to log on to their website to schedule recordings, but, ORB's Server takes less resources to run then BeyondTV. ORB transforms a computer into a true media server. ORB has all the functionality I require with a nice front door interface from my iPhone, or chipped XBOX running XBMC. It also has a web interface which allows me to access any media on my computer from anywhere in the world, and it's Free.

BTV is still trying to get money after I purchased their software, they want me to buy BTV Link, and they want me to buy the DVD encoder, and they want me to buy the firefly.... Where is all this money going? Certainly not to programmers.

So to SnapStream, I'd like to say that you guys are overcharging. My free copy of ORB handles more media from more locations then your $100 suite. ORB allows me to access any media from their free uPnP server in a nice, organized manner, from any internet enabled device in many different ways. Focus your attention on the consumer market or you'll loose them.

Well, yes sir, it has. Just because you haven't tried, or can't find it, doesn't mean it doesn't exist. You do not need BTV link, just a web browser.

Check out this thread from 2007. Streaming beyond tv over the internet

Google is your friend.

[DTN]

Please... that's just as gay as their "new" place shifting function.... Wait, that IS their place shifting function just 2 and 1/2 years later they stamped it on the front page of the website like it's a new feature. It requires special software to be installed on the client computer and requires browser access. It's still contained within a little box, regulated and branded BeyondTV.

It has no support for live streaming. It still is just as worthless on every platform I use except the media server computer which runs BeyondTV.

[RiderFan]

Originally Posted by DTN

As of the writing of this post, I realize that even though the interface is not as nice, nor does it have as many options as BeyondTV, I am switching to ORB.

I think Orb is a great piece of software, I use it to stream to my Blackberry. I am not sure that I would want to use it as my only PVR. I would like to know how this works out for you. In a few weeks, would you mind sharing with us how it is working out for you? There may be others who might consider the switch, and your insights on ditching BTV for Orb might be valuable.

[krosfyah]

Originally Posted by DTN

Please... that's just as gay as their "new" place shifting function.... Wait, that IS their place shifting function just 2 and 1/2 years later they stamped it on the front page of the website like it's a new feature. It requires special software to be installed on the client computer and requires browser access. It's still contained within a little box, regulated and branded BeyondTV.

It has no support for live streaming. It still is just as worthless on every platform I use except the media server computer which runs BeyondTV.

You didn't specify how ...you just said they don't stream. But they offer two ways, browser and Link. You can also use MediaMVP if you feel like doing some setup. If you want to watch something "live" then record it and watch the recorded show as it is recording. Other than showing off to friends, watching video on you cell phone is (as you say) gay ...for several reasons ...including to show off to friends.

Anyway, everybody has agreed with you Orb does better at streaming so go there and stop trolling. BTV is a better overall DVR.

I'll just be happy if they finally add integrated DVD/blu-ray. Cable card support would also be nice.

[ZetaVu]

I agree, BTV streaming over the internet is not really up to par. You need to use SIlverlight (not available on Linux and cannot be installed on older machines) or you have to use something like vlc player, and in either case, you lose the convenience of the link/btv interface. I would be happy if they offered a link on Linux, which they will not.

The second issue of course is that livetv does not stream, period. I have been able to get mediocre results accessing the temp files with vlc, but nothing to write home about. Orb is really the best at streaming livetv, and compensating for connection. However, Orb is also a server hog. I pulled it off because it routinely would max out my server cpu. It also was fickle on image quality, and tied up at least one tuner.

I see no reason why BTV could not provide orb type placeshifting of livetv, but even then they don't have anything to do pictures or music from the server. You almost need a third party tool but have them access the btv interface. Why the hell doesn't SS just license the access to their tv server and interface, and let someone interested in making the rest of the htpc/server?

Edit: Ok, figured I'd test things out some more. If you share your BTV recordings folder, and have it show hidden folders, you can access the .mpg or .tp files of livetv from a remote computer. In vlc, the mpg files play fine but OTA .tp files are choppy (vlc 1.0). Zoom player can play them fine but it ends at the time you started zoom player, meaning you have to close and open Zoom to access the rest of the file. The current btv system is probably workable to setup a livetv streaming, at least on network, it'll just take some doing.

[DTN]

First off, I would like to state that I paid money to BTV because it was the most enthusiast oriented PVR software. They had the base software and then the forums were covered with people releasing new skins, plug-ins, and "hacks" to get new features out of BTV.

Originally Posted by krosfyah

You didn't specify how ...you just said they don't stream.

They do stream, but only to certain clients. Because of the methods which they stream, it is more effective for me to use windows file sharing. Their web client requires too many additional steps and is not compliant with today's standards of streaming. Youtube has been a more effective streaming method since 2005. Windows file sharing has been more effective since BTV came out.

As far as cross platform support, they have none. BTV's streaming is inadequate even if you have 2 windows PCs.

But they offer two ways, browser and Link. You can also use MediaMVP if you feel like doing some setup.

Media MVP supports mpeg-2 videos. Not WMA or the h.264 formats. This makes it comparable to a network DVD player with MP3 support. I've got a DVD player player hooked up to my TV. I've got a chipped XBOX running XBMC. This functions as a full uPnP file server/client. It supports all known media types and it's open source. Every night there are updates and new builds created. I usually update it once a week to keep it up to date.

BeyondTV's setup is not compatable with most industry standard file streaming today. They do not have uPnP support for anything other then BTV Link, however the uPnP server shows up on all computers on my network. my box shows it as a shared server and my laptop tries to access MP3s by artist and videos by date, however there are no shares available because it is not certified for any version of windows.

If you want to watch something "live" then record it and watch the recorded show as it is recording.

Yep, but every 30 minutes you've got to select a new file to watch. I can't just program a few channels to record and then have it automatically flip and and keep my 4 year old entertained. If BTV's uPnP server worked to it's full capacity, then this would work well so I could just turn on my xbox and have the channel being recorded shown on my big screen TV.

Other than showing off to friends, watching video on you cell phone is (as you say) gay ...for several reasons ...including to show off to friends.

Actually, I use my phone for quite a bit. It has to be recharged at least twice a day. Not only does it manage my alarm clock, appointments and communications, it also handles quick google data searchs as I go throughout my day as a biomedical equipment technician when I have to look up information for customers. I also use it to snap pictures of problems and e-mail them to manufacturers. When I'm on break, I like to watch CNN on my phone, because I work for the government and staying informed is important. When I'm at home, I like to have video streamed to my phone for ambient noise when I'm working on my round-the-house projects. When I go to bed, I like to watch something like family guy before I fall asleep. There's no reason to bring a laptop into the bed, when my phone fits on the nightstand quite nicely.

[quote
Anyway, everybody has agreed with you Orb does better at streaming so go there and stop trolling. BTV is a better overall DVR.[/quote]

There's 3 standards to judge a DVR. Input, Recording, Output. Input would include the guide features and selecting a channel. IMO, as long as you pay for the remote, BTV gets a 9/10 rating. It's a great program, however, the guide loads entirely too much data and bogs down the computer once in a while.

Orb has a guide on their website which you can use to schedule recordings. It's server on the computer allows you to see what is currently on each channel. It gets a 5/10, just because the guide requires you to log on to see what's up comming.

As far as recording, BTV has a encoder and it also schedules post-processing in 3 different formats and various quality levels. It could have an option for realtime encoding in different formats, but it does not. I give it a 5 out of 10.

Orb uses the encoders you already have on your computer. You can change up anything the encoder can change from inside it's options. If you download K-Lite Codec Pack, then you have a very powerful method of recording. I give it a 7 out of 10. It does not get a 10 because it uses 3rd party adjustments and no GUI interface.


Output is by far the most important function of a DVR. What good is a DVR without good player options? BTV can be accessed from any windows computer with internet explorer or Link. They have a uPnP media server, why not make it fully functional in a standardized format? The best method I've found for cross-platform is to use file sharing, which is not even a function of BTV.

ORB allows you to stream video from any live source, or recorded source which you set up on the server, or servers. Orb can support output to just about every media/network connected device out there. Not just recorded shows, but live TV, all HD channels, movies I downloaded off the internet, Music from Limewire, my webcam, Youtube videos.. It even streams PDF files or word documents. Any viewable media.. Orb gets 10/10 on the most important feature of a DVR.

I'll just be happy if they finally add integrated DVD/blu-ray. Cable card support would also be nice.

New cards come out every day. They don't even have programmers working on fixing problems with glitching. Heck,they leave tech support up to the users.

BTV used to be an enthusiast oriented program, however, the rest of the market is surpassing it and offering open source programs which do the same things BTV does, but better and free. The enthusiasts have done everything they can with the BTV core. The only thing left is to make more skins for the same old program.

BTV needs to go open source, or keep up with demands from paying customers.

[Bigbird999]

Or the demanding customers could just move on to one of the programs that better meets their needs. I don't understand how you can say that "BTV needs to go open source". That is never going to happen. why would it?

BB

[RiderFan]

Originally Posted by Bigbird999

Or the demanding customers could just move on to one of the programs that better meets their needs. I don't understand how you can say that "BTV needs to go open source". That is never going to happen. why would it?

BB

I totally agree. I am always amused by the old "BTV sucks, this program is better" posts.

[Wolfie351]

Originally Posted by DTN

BTV is still trying to get money after I purchased their software, they want me to buy BTV Link, and they want me to buy the DVD encoder, and they want me to buy the firefly.... Where is all this money going? Certainly not to programmers.

Can you post the link to the free Orb remote, I would like to try it.

[krosfyah]

haha. Geez dude. If you don't like BTV then drop it and go to Orb and quit talking about it.

Personally, I do >90% of my viewing on my main TV (BTV server) and 9% on a remote PC with Link and 1% browser viewing.

BTV works. It is simple. Is doesn't require me to train my wife ...who is untrainable.

I've looked at other DVR's that have more 'features' but as a husband/father, I don't have the countless hours tweaking it out. They also aren't as easy for my wife to use ...which is CRITICAL!

For me, watching TV on my cell phone would be nothing more than a novelty ...but again that's just me. Even if I could, I'm not in love with the idea of exposing my PC on the internet. I open my firewall rules sometimes to stream when I have a late night at work but I generally keep my LAN locked up tight.

...but thanks for the lengthy reply. Next time I talk to the BTV development team, I'll pass on your concerns.

[Broncowolf]

Originally Posted by krosfyah

BTV works. It is simple. Is doesn't require me to train my wife ...who is untrainable.

I

Ditto.

[mayhem70]

Originally Posted by ZetaVu

I agree, BTV streaming over the internet is not really up to par. You need to use SIlverlight (not available on Linux and cannot be installed on older machines) or you have to use something like vlc player, and in either case, you lose the convenience of the link/btv interface. I would be happy if they offered a link on Linux, which they will not.

Zeta - Did you try using IE in Linux when you did the streaming test? My Linux buddy has no problems using the Silverlight streaming when using IE. It's been a bit temperamental when tried in Linux FF. But I can definitely say that Moonlight + IE linux will work fine. Same for Macs using IE as well.

[ijourneaux]

I can't agree more. BTV passes all of the tests required for use by a family (including spouses that are untrainable <grin>)