windows media centre - does it have an epg for Ireland?

ablelocks

I've done a fair bit of reading here and from what I can gather, it looks like windows media centre does support an epg for Chorus in Limerick (analog and/or digital?) - is this correct? If so, is this a better option for someone who wouldn't have the expertise for open source programs like mediaportal and mythtv etc?

My current set-up is a dell laptop with xp pro. The TV tuner is the hauppage wintv pvr usb2, with chorus analog in via the aerial socket. (I also have chorus digital, and afaik can connect that via scart from the chorus box to the s-video and audio sockets at the front of the box, but haven't done so yet). I currently record using the hauppage software but so far only on a limited basis. I want to get the whole thing set up "properly" for want of a better term.

So if WMC is the right application to use, should I install that on my laptop or should I purchase a desktop pc with WMC and use that instead? I assume WMC is compatible with the tv tuner? Any advice or comments appreciated - thanks.

Tom Dunne

I have a pretty similar setup to you - laptop with the Hauppauge PVR2. I use GB-PVR for this setup and for program listings, I use XMLTV. Both are free and take a little bit of setting up, but once done, they work pretty well.

Personally, I think a desktop PC is the way to go. Hanging out of my laptop, I have a DVD burner, a 5.1 sound card, a 160gb hard drive, the Hauppauge PVR2, a web cam a couple of game controllers - all of these are external. To say it is a mess is an understatement. I actually had to comandeer the vegtable rack from the kitchen to hold everything.

I record Sky and analogue ariel (which has utterly crap reception) and have the EPG set up accordingly with two inputs.

8T8

Chorus analogue & digital is supported in the EPG for MCE.

As for getting MCE you can buy the OS without having to buy a new PC.

Your tuner I don't think is compatible unless it is branded as the MCE version.

If you are interested in MCE I think you may want to consider holding out till Vista ships in January as the Vista Home Premium Edition will come with a new version of MCE.

Certain PC manufacturers like Dell are offering Vista upgrade coupons if you buy a PC in the time between from now & when Vista launches though they thing you must watch out for with Dell is that the only offer the Vista Home Premium upgrade offer on PC's that ship with XP MCE as the OS. XP Home = Vista Home Edition, XP Pro = Vista Business Edition neither of which contain MCE.

Of the PC's Dell sell the C521 might be a decent candidate for a HTPC hooking up to a TV you can see MCE as the OS for two of the models.

Media Portal/GB-PVR may be worth trying out in the mean time.

ablelocks

thanks guys.

I checked the hauppauge forum and the tuner I have does apparently work with MCE

I don't have the expertise nor the time to learn my way around mediaportal or gbpvr - even tho' I would like to.

A desktop looks like it might be the best option if I get a good deal on dell outlet - I don't want to spend too much money on this. I'd already have to spend €250 on Media centre and an internal dvd burner for the laptop (no way am I adding another external) so €4-500 on a desktop isn't a huge leap.

SouperComputer

you could always buy a used system from adverts. Much more economical solution!

ethernet

8T8 wrote:

... Your tuner I don't think is compatible unless it is branded as the MCE version.

If you are interested in MCE I think you may want to consider holding out till Vista ships in January as the Vista Home Premium Edition will come with a new version of MCE ...

I have the Hauppauge PVR USB2 also. The box it came in had sported some logo for MCE support. It works very well with MCE in Vista [Ultimate]. There was a driver update from Windows Update.

It wasn't always recognised, however. I think another USB device was causing this. All works perfectly now. Just couldn't figure out how to make use of the composite inputs on the device!

Ideally, I'd be running MythTV with the 500 model -- two tuners. Bliss! Maybe next year!