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Media PC

124678

Comments

  • #152
    secret_squirrel
    Closed Accounts Posts: 3,357 ✭✭✭secret_squirrel


    Mine works fine with chorus analog and the epg hack detailed here. Bought mine from dabs.


  • #153
    PowerHouseDan
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 6,659 ✭✭✭PowerHouseDan


    Cheers, Think i will go for the Ebay....abit cheaper..Thanks again.....


  • #154
    secret_squirrel
    Closed Accounts Posts: 3,357 ✭✭✭secret_squirrel


    powerhousedan wrote:
    Cheers, Think i will go for the Ebay....abit cheaper..Thanks again.....
    Good plan I only found out after that you can get the PVR150 MCE version - which if I remember right includes an FM tuner.


  • #155
    PowerHouseDan
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 6,659 ✭✭✭PowerHouseDan


    Yeah there is a fm tuner on it, Just ordered it today.


  • #156
    RuggieBear
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 17,958 ✭✭✭✭RuggieBear


    powerhousedan wrote:
    Yeah there is a fm tuner on it, Just ordered it today.

    Hey dan, not to piggyback on all your hard researching but you couldn't pm me the details of where you found the pvr150 cheapest...? :)


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  • #157
    PowerHouseDan
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 6,659 ✭✭✭PowerHouseDan


    Pm sent but for anyone else who wants to know
    http://cgi.ebay.ie/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=38863&item=5206948495&rd=1&ssPageName=WD2V
    19 Euro for delivary Also but works out way cheaper than anywhere else.


  • #158
    RuggieBear
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 17,958 ✭✭✭✭RuggieBear


    grrovy...just done...where does it say it costs 19e for delivery? Do i just send a delvery cost request


  • #159
    PowerHouseDan
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 6,659 ✭✭✭PowerHouseDan


    You'll get a email saying postage is 5.90 but thats for Germany he will send another invoice on might take a few hours.....
    Ihr Gesamtbetrag:
    EUR 59,00 pro Artikel (Closing)
    Menge: 1
    Verpackung / Versand
    EUR 19,00 Verpackung / Versand (Shipping)
    EUR 78,00 = Gesamtbetrag (Total)


  • #160
    RuggieBear
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 17,958 ✭✭✭✭RuggieBear


    powerhousedan wrote:
    You'll get a email saying postage is 5.90 but thats for Germany he will send another invoice on might take a few hours.....
    Ihr Gesamtbetrag:
    EUR 59,00 pro Artikel (Closing)
    Menge: 1
    Verpackung / Versand
    EUR 19,00 Verpackung / Versand (Shipping)
    EUR 78,00 = Gesamtbetrag (Total)


    grand. Suppose i'll just wait for the 2nd email. Thanks again. :)


  • #161
    PowerHouseDan
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 6,659 ✭✭✭PowerHouseDan


    Not a Bother............


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  • #162
    secret_squirrel
    Closed Accounts Posts: 3,357 ✭✭✭secret_squirrel


    Dan about your PM

    See here for webguide hack


  • #163
    Graham
    Moderators, Society & Culture Moderators Posts: 17,642 Mod ✭✭✭✭Graham


    Hey Secret Squirrell,

    webguides been pretty much superceded by QuickGuide now. I started off using webguide but switched to QuickGuide a few months ago.

    Quickguide removes an unnecessary step i.e.

    WebGuide -> SmartGuide -> MCE

    or

    Quickguide -> MCE

    Quickguide doesn't need IIS or Access Databases and the channel setup is slightly more straightforward.


  • #164
    OhPinchy
    Closed Accounts Posts: 108 ✭✭OhPinchy


    hey graham - I seem to remember somewhere in this thread you saying you got the EPG working with NTL analogue but when you switched to NTL Digital it stopped working - any update or are you still in the same situation?

    I'd like to get NTL Digital cos its cheap for the basic but reckon MCE without the EPG would be missing many of its best features which make it so convenient - how have you found it?


  • #165
    Graham
    Moderators, Society & Culture Moderators Posts: 17,642 Mod ✭✭✭✭Graham


    Tis all working perfectly now using XMLTV to grab the EPG data and quickguide to load it into MCE.

    Only channels I don't have an EPG for are Den TV, MGM Movies and Travel & Adventure (the xml feed for travel and adventure caused the import to MCE to crash).

    If you're in Dublin, PM me your email address and I'll send you the settings for XMLTV (thats half the work) and the list of all the channels and numbers you need to setup in MCE.

    If you're not in Dublin, PM me anyway, I've a 4 page quick instruction guide for setting up XMLTV that I did for powerhousedan.

    hmmmm, maybe it's time to start a new thread with how to setup XMLTV and Quickguide.

    Next project, controlling lighting and appliances via MCE, if anyones done this already, feel free to post hints and tips :)

    EPG Setup Thread


  • #166
    OhPinchy
    Closed Accounts Posts: 108 ✭✭OhPinchy


    Right lads - renovations of the house are coming along nicely: I have my CAT 5e network in place, plasterers are coming in next week and I'll be in soon after that so need to start buying my MCE components.

    I will be in the US next week and will be picking up two HP Media Center Extenders for $180 a pop (open box but good condition) and will use a router to connect these to the MCE machine.

    The MCE machine will be in a dedicated PC room and will also serve as the main PC for web browsing so itll need to have lots of expansion slots and noise is not an issue.

    I will get two Haupage PVR 150MCE cards and connect each to an NTL Digital set-top box.

    I will get a machine with 1GB RAM, a 300GB hard disk, and a separate 80GB harddisk for the system software, but after this I'm at a loss.

    From reading AV Forums and Green Button it seems "an Nvidia 6600/6600GT/6800 video card" would be suitable - can anyone please advise on an exact card that might suit? Not sure what difference between AGP and PCI is. No games will be played on the machine - only MCE but I do want a good picture and smooth operation but dont want to pay for a card I don't need. Would 128MB be ok? This is the area that has me most confused so I'd really appreciate a dig out on this one. VGA or DVI output would be good.

    I've read a 3GHz processor is needed for dual tuners - should this be a Pentium 4 or could an AMD or Celeron work perfectly?

    The theres the issue of a case and motherboard - any recommendations on either would be sound as I'm well confused by this stuff. Again noise is not an issue and loads of expansion slots would be great.

    Thanks in advance for any help and I think I'll post an account of my experiences when its done: overview of MCE, what each component does, what you need, experience of my install etc. as I've been finding it pretty daunting getting to grips with it (and people on AV Forums and Green Button don't seem to respond to newbie questions much).


  • #167
    Jammer
    Closed Accounts Posts: 1,891 ✭✭✭Jammer


    powerhousedan wrote:
    You'll get a email saying postage is 5.90 but thats for Germany he will send another invoice on might take a few hours.....
    Ihr Gesamtbetrag:
    EUR 59,00 pro Artikel (Closing)
    Menge: 1
    Verpackung / Versand
    EUR 19,00 Verpackung / Versand (Shipping)
    EUR 78,00 = Gesamtbetrag (Total)

    Is it really worth the hassle, when PC World have the PVR150MCE for €89 though...if sdomething goes wrong....plus not having to wait...


  • #168
    spartacus93
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,453 ✭✭✭spartacus93


    OhPinchy wrote:
    I will get a machine with 1GB RAM, a 300GB hard disk, and a separate 80GB harddisk for the system software, but after this I'm at a loss.

    Would you consider something like this, http://www.komplett.ie/k/ki.asp?sku=301151&cks=PRL pop in another 300ish gig HD and another 512 or gig of RAM and your laughin'. Throw in your tuners as well of course.
    OhPinchy wrote:
    From reading AV Forums and Green Button it seems "an Nvidia 6600/6600GT/6800 video card" would be suitable - can anyone please advise on an exact card that might suit?

    If you dont intend playing games these cards are probably overkill. An older generation, cheaper card would do the trick. A 6600 is included in the PC i linked to above, and would be adequate.
    OhPinchy wrote:
    Not sure what difference between AGP and PCI is.

    AGP is the standard way of connecting graphics cards to your computer. PCI was once used but this is out of date by many years, and too slow to cope with modern graphics cards. PCI-Express is a new standard, faster than AGP but graphics cards haven't been designed to take advantage of this extra speed yet.
    OhPinchy wrote:
    VGA or DVI output would be good.

    If you are going to connect it to an LCD TV/monitor DVI is the way to go. What are you going to hook it up to????
    OhPinchy wrote:
    I've read a 3GHz processor is needed for dual tuners - should this be a Pentium 4 or could an AMD or Celeron work perfectly?

    You should get an Intel P4, or an AMD 64 bit. P4s are ment to be better for encoding and Media Centre operations.


  • #169
    spartacus93
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,453 ✭✭✭spartacus93


    Would one of these be better than two 150s. This would do the same job, it's a dual tuner http://cgi.ebay.ie/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=5206949393&ssPageName=MERC_VIC_RSCC_Pr12_PcY_BIN_Stores . Any pretty good price, snap it up!


  • #170
    OhPinchy
    Closed Accounts Posts: 108 ✭✭OhPinchy


    Thanks Spartacus-

    I've done a good bit of research since that post and am now more clued in on the different components. I had put together a shopping list on komplett (minus the tuners):

    https://www.komplett.ie/k/shoplist....ngListId=260838

    This seems like a kick ass system but not sure if I need that high spec. I want to be able to run MCE smoothly with two extenders so need decent RAM but that system you showed me has got me thinking.

    Whats the difference between 6600 and 6600GT and would a 256MB 6600 or 128MB 6600GT card be better value for me for this MCE setup?

    Thats a lovely price on the PVR 500 MCE - I've come across this but have heard it might be hassle with MCE and theres extra bits needed to hook it up to two settop boxes at once - is that right?


  • #171
    spartacus93
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,453 ✭✭✭spartacus93


    OhPinchy wrote:
    I had put together a shopping list on komplett (minus the tuners):

    https://www.komplett.ie/k/shoplist....ngListId=260838

    This seems like a kick ass system but not sure if I need that high spec. I want to be able to run MCE smoothly with two extenders so need decent RAM but that system you showed me has got me thinking.

    Link isn't workin'


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  • #172
    spartacus93
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,453 ✭✭✭spartacus93


    OhPinchy wrote:

    Thats a lovely price on the PVR 500 MCE - I've come across this but have heard it might be hassle with MCE and theres extra bits needed to hook it up to two settop boxes at once - is that right?

    Hmmm
    some fella on amazon wrote:
    The marketing on this card is a little misleading. The card has two tuners, but only one cable TV input. (The second 'F' connector you see is for the FM radio antenna).

    If all you want to do is take one analog cable TV line to this card and record/watch two different analog channels, this card can do that out of the box.

    But if you want to feed two different set-top boxes to this card, it can't do that out of the box. There is an add-on composite/svideo connector that should let you feed two different signals to the card and make that work but you'll still have to sort out the remote control of those two cable boxes.


  • #173
    OhPinchy
    Closed Accounts Posts: 108 ✭✭OhPinchy


    Hi Spartacus - I hadn't shared the shopping list but this link should now work:

    http://www.komplett.ie/k/shoplist.asp?mode=receive&si=260838&su=9BA29081-E395-4D80-AABD-09C82B06E003

    On advice I've received I've changed from an nVidia to ATI graphics card as I am told they have less driver issues with MCE. Would you agree with that?

    Looks like the PVR 500 MCE is the card for me so - I dont see any reason why I'd want to feed two separate boxes into the card if I can watch two separate channels in different rooms at the same time using this card with a single box connected to it so thats sweet. So I'll do as you said and snap up that bad boy before its too late!


  • #174
    PowerHouseDan
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 6,659 ✭✭✭PowerHouseDan


    I am having problems setting up my Pvr 150 with mce, I have a normal chorus cable analog box but the signal isent going through on it, Is there any guide around etc?i plugged in a composite video from a wireless sender and it picked it up but wont pic up my multi channel box? Should i choose antena or cable/sat when i am using signal setup?I install the pvr 150 mce drivers is there anything that could be stopping this?Any help would be greatful.
    p.s when i choose select a workig tv signal the options are s-video 1
    s-video2
    composite video 1
    comosite video 2
    none of the above have a tv signal


  • #175
    Graham
    Moderators, Society & Culture Moderators Posts: 17,642 Mod ✭✭✭✭Graham


    Have you got your DVD decoder software loading, if so which one. I wasted a day this weekend trying to get my brothers MCE PC running before realising it was WinDVD causing the problems.

    Here's the currently supported decoders:

    DVD Decoders
    CyberLink PowerDVD 5.0.2027C
    CyberLink PowerDVD 6.0
    CyberLink PowerDVD 6.0.1102
    Intervideo WinDVD 5.0
    Intervideo WinDVD 5.0 Build 11.670
    NVIDIA DVD Decoder

    We used NVIDEA DVD Decoder on my brothers machine in the end. Worked first time.


  • #176
    PowerHouseDan
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 6,659 ✭✭✭PowerHouseDan


    I had installed the nvida dvd decoder but it didnt work will try powerdvd?


  • #177
    Graham
    Moderators, Society & Culture Moderators Posts: 17,642 Mod ✭✭✭✭Graham


    There may be a problem if you have more than one decoder installed.

    Try this utility from MS:

    Microsoft Windows XP Video Decoder Checkup Utility

    It allows you to see all installed decoders, and select a default one.


  • #178
    PowerHouseDan
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 6,659 ✭✭✭PowerHouseDan


    Right i can as far as do you have a set-top box? when i pressed yes it wont find the channels but if i choose no it will find them?how come it wont work?ie i can use it to change my channels now


  • #179
    Graham
    Moderators, Society & Culture Moderators Posts: 17,642 Mod ✭✭✭✭Graham


    How's your STB connected to your MCE PC? What ports, what cables?

    Double check you have:
    DirectX 9
    DVD Decoder (you did this bit)
    Catalyst (if you're running ATI based graphics card).


  • #180
    Graham
    Moderators, Society & Culture Moderators Posts: 17,642 Mod ✭✭✭✭Graham


    For the benefit of anyone else in the same position of powerhousedan:

    The problem appears to stem from the fact that Dan is subscriber to a MMDS service that requires a set top box (STB) that only has a coax out (aerial lead).

    As far as I can tell, if you tell MCE that you are using an STB, MCE expects the signal through a video source (Composite, SVideo, Scart etc). So there's no easy way of tuning MCE to the input frequency from the STB.

    If you tell MCE you have an analog source then MCE assumes there's no need to use the IR blaster to change channels on the STB.

    The only information I have so far advises that you set the mce country to Germany (this is not tested though as I don't have this setup) which allows for a "tuned" STB.

    Hopefuly Dan will confirm/deny this.


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  • #181
    PowerHouseDan
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 6,659 ✭✭✭PowerHouseDan


    Yeah thats right, there is someone on this thread who has it setup with a Chorus analog box aswell, must do some searching, Btw i've a pvr 150mce how can you use a scart?


  • #182
    PowerHouseDan
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 6,659 ✭✭✭PowerHouseDan


    Just wonderin if i get sky digital in should it work straight away ie pick up the channels?Whats the best way to connect it to the mce?I am seriously thinkin about it considerin the multi box is crap


  • #183
    Graham
    Moderators, Society & Culture Moderators Posts: 17,642 Mod ✭✭✭✭Graham


    I've just checked the hauppage web site, your TV card should have:

    Composite/s-video plus stereo audio inputs to connect to VCR, camcorders or set top boxes.

    The Wintv PRV 350 comes with a SCRART to composite cable, the composite end of the cable also has an audio jack. If I remember correctly the composite-in on the TV card is a 7 pin mini din.

    I'd guess that the composite-in on your card is the same. If that's the case I'd go with SCART -> composite/audio jack, this should work well with any scart enabled STB.


  • #184
    PowerHouseDan
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 6,659 ✭✭✭PowerHouseDan


    Yeah i might just did that save me alot of hassle in the long run, i think i have a scart to composite anyway with a wireless video sender i have.So i just plug the Yellow red and white into the card do the same thing via stb setup and it should do the job?


  • #185
    secret_squirrel
    Closed Accounts Posts: 3,357 ✭✭✭secret_squirrel


    Hey Dan,

    My set up is as follows :

    Chorus Analog into co-ax socket on PVR150.
    Svid+2phono to Scart cable from PC Video Card S-video Socket to TV scart socket.
    The 2 phono's are connected via a 3.5mm to phono adaptor in the speaker/line out connect of the PC onboard sound.
    Also have TOS-Link digital cable from PC to 5.1 Amp.

    the MCE auto set up never finds all my chorus channels because of the crappy reception - I have a manual list of frequencies that I made that I will try to dig out. Its not perfect though.


  • #186
    PowerHouseDan
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 6,659 ✭✭✭PowerHouseDan


    When you were using the signal finding did you use"Yes i have a top set box" or did you just let it find the freq? see thats the problems i'm having.How do you manually put in the freq?

    My setup:
    Single Analog Connect coax running to my pvr, It wont find the channels via the top set box so i have to do a manual scan which the quality isent great and kinda pointless as you only have 1 freq for all the channels so the channels need to be changed via the top set box manualy


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  • #187
    secret_squirrel
    Closed Accounts Posts: 3,357 ✭✭✭secret_squirrel


    Im confuzzled - my chorus analog is just a cable from the wall - no set top box. Hence I choose the ordinary aerial option when selecting it for autoscan.

    If you are using a set top box you need to also use the IR eye that came with the remote. Park it somewhere handy facing the set top boxes ir sensor and then channels will get changed automatically.

    The frequency list is only of use if you use the smart guide EPG hack.


  • #188
    PowerHouseDan
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 6,659 ✭✭✭PowerHouseDan


    Right when it does the scan how many services does it pick up?


  • #189
    PowerHouseDan
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 6,659 ✭✭✭PowerHouseDan


    Right i said f that about the Chours, I ordered Sky Digital Multi Room for the Computer,

    My PLan is, i have a scart to Composite adapter, Use that to connect the Digi Box to the Pc, Will this work?I'm going to ask for a box with a s video but the chances are getting one are slim so the composite will be my only option jusr wondering about the quality?and ease setup?


  • #190
    Graham
    Moderators, Society & Culture Moderators Posts: 17,642 Mod ✭✭✭✭Graham


    It should do as long as it's the right composite adapter. You could probably test it with an alternative SCART source (DVD player, video recorder).

    I use scart to composite at the moment without any noticeable degredation in quality. As you've already proved the video card/drivers/dvd decoder are working, setup should be easy enough.

    Does multi-room give you 2 set top boxes? If it does, you should be able to add a 2nd TV card so you can watch 1 channel while recording another, or record 2 channels simultaneously.


  • #191
    PowerHouseDan
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 6,659 ✭✭✭PowerHouseDan


    Well i have a scare socket where you can plug a scart and composite lead into it i got it with my wireless video sender. See i have a sky Digital down Stairs already but my Media pc is in my Bedroom so thats why i am gettin multi room.I just tested it with a dvd player worked perfect one thing should there be a delay of about 1 Second?


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  • #192
    PowerHouseDan
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 6,659 ✭✭✭PowerHouseDan


    Anyone have a Sky Digital Tv listing Guide that they can give me?Just list of channels to use with smartguide?Thanks.


  • #193
    prechaun
    Closed Accounts Posts: 32 ✭prechaun


    Any sign of this Irish update for MCE comin along?


  • #194
    RunDMC
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 338 ✭✭RunDMC


    The "Emerald" update has already been released to OEM partners, and is due to show up on Windows Update this month, possibly today.

    Dec


  • #195
    RunDMC
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 338 ✭✭RunDMC


    According to Eweek, Rollup 2 for Windows XP Media Center Edition is out on Friday.

    http://www.eweek.com/article2/0,1895,1870049,00.asp


  • #196
    hshortt
    Closed Accounts Posts: 1,587 ✭✭✭hshortt


    You can have rollup2 now if you want it.

    Go to oem.microsoft.com and register as a registered Microsoft Partner. Fill in the forms, and then you are allowed in to the builder website which has the download on the front page.

    No cost for this by the way.

    cheerio
    Howard


  • #197
    secret_squirrel
    Closed Accounts Posts: 3,357 ✭✭✭secret_squirrel


    Finally have the Guide working properly after installing Rollup2.

    However.... I dont have the option of choosing several channels from the list of ones in the guide.

    I have chorus analog - Dublin and I chose unmapped analog cable. I presume this is what gave me the 41 possible listings I can assign to my channels.

    Unfortunately I dont have listings for Eurosport, Cartoon Network and TV5. Anyone know how I can get them added to the selection list?


  • #198
    FrankGrimes
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 4,032 ✭✭✭FrankGrimes


    Hey Squirrel,

    I got my EPG working recently too and it is sweet. I only have it setup with NTL analogue at the moment as I'm having IR issues with my NTL digital set-top box but happy enough so far.

    If you haven't already seen it there is a section in the Online Spotlight section in MCE that I think gives instructions on how to add missing channels to the guide so that might sort you out.


  • #199
    secret_squirrel
    Closed Accounts Posts: 3,357 ✭✭✭secret_squirrel


    I have it almost cracked now. My advice is that if anyone gets the choice when setting up the Guide between unmapped Analogue Cable and Unmapped Digital Cable then they chose Unmapped Digital Cable (regardless of whether your actual feed is digital or analogue).

    Unmapped Analogue Cable just appears to be a complete subset of Unmapped Digital Cable which contains about 120 Guide channels, including nearly all of the common cable and satellite ones.

    Still No listing for Eurosport though grrr... But everything else is there.


  • #200
    Wavey
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 861 ✭✭✭Wavey


    Hey guys,

    Just ordered a nice big lcd tv. Going to build a htpc over xmas.
    Going to sacrifice some parts from my existing desktop.

    Have few quetions for the htpc experienced out there:

    Not sure what to do about video out card.

    I have 6800gt in this machine. Is that over kill for a video out for a htpc? I would like it to be able to play hd when it is available.

    Would something like a 6600 or a 9800 suffice? or even a geforce ti series?

    Anybody just using the on-board vga out?

    Anybody have experience of playing bf2 on a 32" lcd? Is it too big? Or does it rock.

    Can MCE be bought w/o the remote? My new tv has a universal remote, plus its Philips like the MCE one.

    Thanks

    Wavey


  • #201
    FrankGrimes
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 4,032 ✭✭✭FrankGrimes


    hey,

    You can't even setup MCE TV without the remote (if using a set-top box) so that is a must.

    Graphics cards even as low as ATI 300 series will do the job, but a little more should go a long way.

    MCE kicks ass by the way - make sure you have it setup with dual tuners by Christmas so you can record bucketloads of stuff and then lounge around on the couch stuffed enjoying the full media centre experience!


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